"Seiji, there's nothing wrong with you."
Yakushi Nonō came to her conclusion as the soft green chakra glowing in her hands faded away.
Hearing that, Seiji frowned slightly."But… I heard that everyone awakens both Sharingan eyes at the same time."
"There are always exceptions," she replied calmly.
"I see…"Seiji lowered his head, though deep down this was the answer he had already expected.
After all, in the original story, something similar happened to Sasuke.During his battle with Haku, one of Sasuke's Sharingan eyes evolved into the two-tomoe stage, while the other remained a single tomoe—ending up mismatched, one single, one double.Cases like this were rare, but not unheard of.
Yakushi Nonō carefully sealed away the diagnostic instruments into a scroll, her gaze flicking toward Seiji's thin frame.Those deep black eyes of his were fixed on her, quiet yet probing.
To him, this appearance of hers was unfamiliar.He was far more used to her other image—wearing a white hood and black nun's garb, her simple movements outlining soft curves.A mature, saintly figure.
At the same time, Seiji was reorganizing everything he knew about Yakushi Nonō.Captain of the Medical Division.A highly skilled spy within Root's intelligence branch.Even after retirement, Shimura Danzō himself had come to her, forcing her to continue working for Root.
Because of that, Seiji never considered showing off in front of her.Whatever she asked, he answered.
As for whether or not he was a spy?That was entirely Cloud's one-sided attempt to recruit "Yagetsu Seiji."He—Uchiha Seiji—had never agreed, and had never engaged in anything remotely resembling espionage.
As for the future… well, that was something to be decided later.
"By the way, Lady Nonō," Seiji suddenly asked, his voice carrying genuine curiosity, "that green chakra you were using just now… is it the same kind that Lady Tsunade uses?"
"You're correct. That's medical chakra. For Konoha's medical-nin, the chakra appears as a pale green when used."Nonō nodded, a lock of golden hair slipping loose as she spoke.
When medical techniques are performed, chakra often turns light green, with Mystical Palm being the most iconic example.
Noticing Seiji's lingering gaze on the scroll where she had sealed her instruments, Nonō asked softly:"Are you interested in these things?"
She already knew Tsunade had examined Seiji's Sharingan.It wasn't hard to guess that Tsunade's use of medical ninjutsu during the examination must have left a deep impression on him.
Seiji's eyes lingered on the sealed scroll before he asked, his voice steady but thoughtful:"These medical techniques… could I learn them?"
Nonō blinked, momentarily surprised by the sudden request. She studied him.The boy was thin, almost frail, but she could tell from his bone structure that he had potential.With training, he could become a capable taijutsu user.
"Seiji… I think you'd be more suited to physical combat," she said gently.
"Taijutsu-nin?"
Mikoto glanced at him. She had heard that Seiji carried some traits of the Yagetsu bloodline.She didn't know exactly what those traits were—perhaps it was talent, or something hidden that set him apart from ordinary people.
"But…" Seiji's voice softened, a hint of sadness slipping through. "Maybe one day there will be clansmen who end up like me. If that happens, I want to be able to help them—just like you do, Lady Nonō… like Lady Tsunade."
His eyes dimmed as he scratched at his head, almost embarrassed by his own words."So… it's impossible after all, huh…"
The corners of his mouth pulled down faintly.He really was disappointed. If even Nonō refused to teach him, he would have to completely rethink his plans.
But his words—infused with the subtle effect of [Art of Speech (White)]—carried a sincerity that was difficult to ignore.
Nonō felt a tug at her heart.She had always had a soft spot for children—especially those who had lost everything.
"Don't be discouraged," she said warmly, her voice soothing. "When you graduate from the Academy, if you can pass the aptitude test for medical-nin reserves, then come find me."
For once, she allowed herself to speak more than usual.If an adult had come to her with such a request, she would have told them to take the test and follow procedure—nothing more.
But Nonō knew from Root's files that Seiji had been an orphan since the age of two.For years, she had toyed with the idea of opening an orphanage after her retirement.And now, looking at Seiji, that desire only grew stronger.
"Really?"
Seiji's eyes lit up instantly, his face breaking into a bright, unguarded smile.The gloom that had lingered around him seemed to lift all at once.
Nonō nodded, her lips curving into a gentle smile."Why would I lie to you?"
From the side, Mikoto found herself staring at Seiji again.Compared to other members of the Uchiha, this child truly was different.
When Tsunade had come, she had been cold and uninterested, with no thought of taking him as a disciple.Yet here was Yakushi Nonō, seemingly moved to consider him as a student.
And according to her, he even had talent in taijutsu.
The Uchiha clan had neither medical-nin nor dedicated taijutsu specialists.Most Uchiha graduates from the Academy went straight into Konoha's Military Police, taking on patrols and missions.She herself was no exception.
"All right, little Seiji. I have other duties, so we'll stop here for today."Nonō rose to her feet, tucking the sealing scroll neatly away.
Before leaving, her eyes fell on the stack of books resting on Seiji's chair.A studious child, she thought approvingly.
"Thank you, Lady Nonō," Seiji said politely, rising as well.He and Mikoto escorted her as far as the archway that marked the border between the Uchiha compound and Konoha's main streets.
"Go back and train hard," Mikoto said before departing briskly.
Seiji walked home alone under the faint, sparse moonlight.He let out a slow breath, relief washing over him.
Things had gone far more smoothly than he expected.It made sense though—Nonō had taught medical ninjutsu even to orphans outside Konoha. Why wouldn't she guide him?
Besides, she was already entertaining thoughts of retirement. That meant fewer constraints, fewer risks.Right now, she had no real weaknesses.
Only in the future—when she opened her orphanage—would those children become her vulnerability.Only then would Danzō exploit them as hostages, forcing her to spy again, infiltrating enemy nations.
"For now… my priority is to sharpen my chakra control until it reaches the required standard."
――――
The next day, at the Academy training grounds.
"Today we're having a fitness test! You're all running fifty laps!"
The instructor, Umino Ruka, blew sharply into his whistle, signaling the students to begin.
"Ugh, running again?""Wait—fifty laps?!"