The nurse approached with a gentle smile, guiding Shun to follow. But when she saw his staggering steps, she crouched down and offered him a backride. He hesitated, then reluctantly agreed.
They arrived at a cabin with a wooden plaque on the door: Itsuki Nara. The nurse knocked lightly before opening the door. Inside, a woman sat at her desk, dark hair falling around her glasses as she studied a stack of documents—her sharp posture and focused expression making her resemble a strict teacher.
------------
"Itsuki-sama." The nurse bowed as she entered the cabin. "This boy here is injured. Please take a look at him." She gently ushered Shun forward, handing over the filled form.
Itsuki Nara gave the paper a quick glance. For a moment, a flicker of surprise—and something like guilt—passed over her face, but it was gone as quickly as it came. With a practiced calm, she gestured for Shun to sit down in front of her.
"What happened to you?" she asked while examining the cut on his forehead.
"I… I fell from a tree," Shun muttered, only to wince when she pressed against the wound.
"Hmm. I see. I'll need to check for any internal injury. It won't take long—just stay still." Her hand glowed faintly blue with chakra.
She might try to pry into my mind. If she finds out… I'm finished.
Shun tensed, inching backward. "N-no, it's fine. I'm feeling better already."
"If you refuse, the pain won't go away," Itsuki said softly, her tone almost motherly. "But if you let me examine you, I'll even give you a candy."
She's trying to trick me. His gut told him to refuse, and so he did.
"I'll need help, then. Hima-san, hold him still for me."
"Yes, ma'am." The nurse stepped forward without hesitation. Before Shun could slip away, she locked his frail arms with surprising strength. He squirmed, panic rising in his chest, but her grip held him down.
"Why are you running?" Itsuki's smile faded into a serious expression. Leaning forward, she pressed her glowing hand against his forehead. Her focus narrowed, her chakra probing deeper.
Shun's resistance faltered. All he could do was pray that his secret would remain hidden. The glow of her eyes matched the chakra humming through her palm, and he felt a strange sensation as it coursed through his body.
"Did you lose consciousness after the fall?" Itsuki asked, her glowing gaze fixed on him.
"Yes… I blacked out right away," Shun lied, forcing the words through stiff lips.
The odd warmth of her chakra made his thoughts wander despite the tension. This feeling… so this is chakra. When I get home, I'll try to sense mine. I can't wait to explore this power.
Finally, the glow receded from her hand and eyes. Itsuki leaned back with a relieved sigh. "No serious damage—just a minor fracture and some bleeding. Nothing I can't heal." Her gentle smile returned, softer this time.
"Hima-san, take Shun-kun to Ward No. 7. I'll be there shortly." She scribbled a note, signed the form, and handed it over.
The nurse nodded and led Shun away.
When they were gone, Itsuki slumped into her chair. The calm mask she wore cracked, and guilt washed over her face. Covering her trembling mouth, she whispered, "Your child has grown well…" A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips as her eyes went distant.
---
Ward No. 7
The nurse and Shun arrived at the ward, where a robust, short man with a stern face sat at the entrance. A badge on his chest marked him as the ward manager. He scanned the form, nodded at Hima, and opened the door.
The faint scent of antiseptic greeted them inside. Rows of beds were filled with patients, some covered in bandages. Hima guided Shun to an empty bed, motioning for him to lie down. She fetched a small medicine bottle, poured a pill into his hand, and gave him water to swallow it.
As the dull ache faded, relief washed over him. His tense body finally slumped against the mattress, and a faint smile crossed his lips.
A short while later, Itsuki entered the ward, her white coat draped neatly over her shoulders, her presence commanding like a seasoned surgeon. She checked on the patients one by one, speaking briefly with each, before stopping at Shun's bedside.
"Feeling better now?" she asked.
Shun nodded.
"Good. Then I'll begin the healing process. It will take some time, so just relax."
The nurse had already set up an IV, the tube connecting to Shun's arm. Itsuki prepared her tools.
"Hima-san, the injection and knife."
The nurse obeyed. Shun closed his eyes, unwilling to watch. He felt the sting of a syringe in his arm, his body growing heavy. Words rose to his lips, but before he could speak, darkness claimed him, pulling him into a deep slumber.