[Ding!]
[Scanning...]
[Scan complete.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained "Ninja A Flesh Chunk" x1]
[Analyzing...]
[Analysis complete.]
[Contained abilities: Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, Clone Technique, Water Release: Wild Water Wave...]
[Converting...]
[Conversion complete.]
["Ninja A Flesh Chunk" x1 = Substitution Technique + 100 minutes Sunshine Value + 1000 Chakra]
[Host, please strive to obtain more high‑quality flesh chunks!]
If one desired better quality meat, the only option was to increase the basic quantity consumed.
Amamiya Rei poured all his strength into treating the wounded shinobi before him, and once he had finished with one, he immediately moved on to the next.
[Ding!]
[Scanning in progress...]
[Scan complete.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained "Ninja B Flesh Chunk" x1]
[Analyzing...]
[Analysis complete.]
[Contained abilities: Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, Clone Technique, Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall...]
[Converting...]
[Conversion complete.]
["Ninja B Flesh Chunk" x1 = Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall + 150 minutes Sunshine Value + 1500 Chakra]
[Host, please strive to obtain more high‑quality flesh chunks!]
Amamiya Rei did not show a hint of discouragement.
Although no powerful ninjutsu was obtained, the steady increase of Sunshine Value and Chakra was real enough.
Next.
[Ding!]
[Scanning in progress...]
[Scan complete.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained "Ninja C Flesh Chunk" x1]
Next.
[Ding!]
[Scanning in progress...]
[Scan complete.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained "Ninja D Flesh Chunk" x1]
Next again.
[Ding!]
[Scanning in progress...]
[Scan complete.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained "Ninja E Flesh Chunk" x1]
Continue.
[Ding!]
[Scanning in progress...]
[Scan complete.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained "Ninja F Flesh Chunk" x1]
...
"Haaah... haaah..."
Rei gasped heavily for air, his chest rising and falling violently, as though he had just finished running three thousand meters in his previous life.
His trembling hands pressed against the edge of a hospital bed for support.
For the entire afternoon, he had treated all the severely wounded shinobi across five wards.
If not for the fact that he could absorb chakra while healing, he would have long been utterly drained dry by the endless demands of these patients.
Even so, he was in no better shape now.
He had not a single drop of spare chakra left within him.
He would need to recover properly.
And yet, despite the fatigue, his chakra reserves had accumulated at an astonishing pace. Not only that—his grasp of medical ninjutsu had undergone a qualitative breakthrough.
The cost, however, was severe. His hands and legs shook uncontrollably, as if they no longer belonged to him.
Honma Mei supported Amamiya Rei, whose body trembled like that of a frail grandmother, to a seat in the hospital's public waiting area.
Seated at Rei's side, Honma Mei watched her with a complicated expression.
She had not expected this young girl to push herself with such reckless determination.
She had already warned her to do what she could, to not overextend herself.
Yet this child had shouldered the work of five medical-nin alone.
If not for her pallid complexion that threatened collapse at any moment, Honma Mei would have suspected that Rei would still be forcing herself to treat more patients.
"Patients are endless. If you neglect your own health and fall ill, that will be the true blow to the patients who await your care tomorrow."
After a moment's thought, Honma Mei's voice softened in consolation.
She understood the thoughts stirring in this girl's heart.
So young, and for the first time faced with so many critically wounded shinobi—such circumstances naturally compelled her spirit of sacrifice.
When Honma Mei had first been thrown into the reality of treating the gravely injured, she too had once been the same.
But after treating countless patients, the numbness came, and reason slowly returned.
"Rei!"
Not long after, a familiar figure appeared at the hospital's entrance.
Kushina's face was lined with worry, her anxious expression softening only when she caught sight of Rei safe and sound. Relief washed over her as she hurried forward.
She approached Rei, her eyes filled with concern. "Why are you still here so late? Why haven't you returned home?"
Only then did Amamiya Rei glance toward the window, realizing that the sky outside had already turned dark.
"...I'm sorry," Rei murmured, guilt lacing her voice.
Honma Mei quickly stepped in to explain on Rei's behalf. "She treated far too many patients. The chakra drain was enormous. I asked her to rest for a while first."
Kushina exhaled helplessly, casting a reproachful glance at Rei before bidding Honma Mei farewell and leading Rei back home.
"I know Rei has a kind heart," Kushina said gently, "but you must think of your own body as well."
Her gaze carried warmth, yet also tender reproach.
Rei's lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes clouded with complex emotions, heavy with guilt and empathy. "They were so badly injured... and many of them were about my age. Seeing them pale and helpless on those beds—I couldn't help but want to help them recover as quickly as possible."
"Their families must be worrying themselves sick..."
Her words struck Kushina deeply, softening her heart.
As they walked home, Kushina continued her gentle scolding, her voice filled with love. "No matter what, you must never push yourself so far that you're the one getting hurt. Otherwise, I won't be able to rest easy. Remember—I'm pregnant, Rei. Don't make me worry too much, alright?"
Minato had already prepared dinner. Hearing Kushina's words, he immediately rose from his seat and rushed to the entrance, concern etched across his face. "What happened?"
Kushina repeated to him what Honma Mei had told her.
And so, Rei found himself seated at the dinner table, enduring the combined admonishments of both husband and wife.
"I understand!"
"I promise I won't do it again!"
Rei quickly raised his hands in surrender.
Please, no more lectures!
He would never be so greedy and reckless again. He had learned his lesson.
After dinner, Rei washed up and sat cross-legged on his bed, carefully reviewing the gains of the day.
The most striking change was the "health bar" floating above him.
Every additional bite of "meat" consumed at the hospital pushed the bar's number forward a step.
By now, his Sunshine Value had accumulated to 9,080 minutes, while his chakra had grown to 92,000.
If not for the morning training session with Kakashi consuming part of her Sunshine Value, the numbers would have been perfectly synchronized.
Luck had been both kind and cruel today. He had drawn numerous duplicate jutsu.
Since sleep eluded her, he decided to fuse and upgrade them.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique x7]
[Would you like to fuse and upgrade Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique?]
Before his eyes appeared a glowing blue panel, like a game interface. Beneath the prompt, two options floated: [Yes] [No].
Rei unhesitatingly tapped [Yes].
[Fusing Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique...]
[Fusion successful.]
[Upgrading Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique...]
[Upgrade successful.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique II]
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique II is the second upgraded form of the standard Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. The range and temperature of the flames have been enhanced.]
[Continue collecting Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique x10 to reach the third upgraded version.]
***