"Rin, it's your turn now."
Seiji turned to meet her eyes. "Are you ready?"
Rin stared into his scarlet gaze, the tomoe spinning lazily in his irises. She didn't know what he planned, and nervousness fluttered in her chest—but she still smiled and nodded. "I've been ready, Seiji-kun."
"Good."
His Sharingan flared, and his pupil power flowed gently into her mind.
A heartbeat later—her vision shifted.
Rin's eyes reflected the same Sharingan pattern as Seiji's. She gasped. Her perspective synced perfectly with his. Every twitch of chakra, every shift in medical technique, she felt as if she were the one guiding it. The sensation was vivid, real—like her hands were Seiji's hands.
This was Shisui's genjutsu genius, re-forged in Seiji's hands into something entirely new.
Focused as she was, Rin didn't even notice the faint glow in her palms—a green shimmer of Healing Palm. Weak, yes, but undeniable. She was casting it.
From the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen blinked, then slowly lit his pipe. He exhaled a long, smoky sigh. "Good boy… those eyes, feared across the world, and this kid's turning them into tools for kindness. Kagami, you might've been surpassed today."
But the thought of Kagami brought another memory: his own rebellious son, Asuma. A belt across the backside had done nothing except fan the flames of resentment. Instead of contrition, Asuma had raged, declared he'd leave Konoha, leave his "hypocrite" of a father.
Hiruzen puffed again, muttering, "Asuma… why can't you learn from someone like Seiji?" Then, after a pause, a spark of cunning flickered in his eyes. "Hmph. Maybe that's worth trying…"
Meanwhile, in silence, Tobirama Senju observed. If he smoked, he'd have wanted a cigarette too.
The Uchiha clan's cursed Sharingan—repurposed as a teaching tool. And with it, a seven-year-old academy student learning an A-rank medical technique. Of course, Rin's own talent, chakra compatibility, and trust in Seiji factored in. But the fact remained: she'd done it.
Tobirama had already wagered with Seiji. Breaking a promise would hardly have bothered him in principle, but here and now, he couldn't bring himself to.
"Teaching him a few jutsu… that's all. Anything less would be unworthy of the Will of Fire. Yes… just that."
His mouth said one thing. His smirk betrayed another.
[From Opponent: Senju Tobirama. You've acquired: Fire Style – Majestic Destroyer Flame!]
The strange reward flickered into Seiji's mind, but he ignored it. His full attention stayed on Duy's battered body, hands steady even as sweat dotted his nose. This man—this iron-willed beast—deserved the best he could give.
Guy hovered nearby, so tense he hardly dared breathe. Rin remained lost in Seiji's illusion, soaking in the flow of Healing Palm. Shisui's gaze softened; in his eyes, his "brother" was the one who truly embodied the Will of Fire.
And Might Duy? For the first time in years, he drifted into a peaceful slumber. Snoring, even—because the pain that had once kept him awake was being unraveled, strand by strand.
At last, Seiji sat back, swiping sweat from his brow. "It's done."
Guy nearly tripped over himself to kneel beside his father. "Seiji, my dad—he's okay now, right?!"
Before Seiji could answer, Duy vaulted to his feet, spinning a wild 720 degrees before landing in a pose that defied all human logic. Tears streamed down his face.
"My body is reborn with the vigor of youth!" he roared. "So strong! So vibrant!"
The relief in his voice was overwhelming. For a man who had endured agony for decades, the sensation was indescribable.
Seiji chuckled. "Duy-san, from now on, regular checkups. You can train as hard as you want, but support and recovery are part of the deal."
Duy froze mid-jump. He understood perfectly well what Seiji was really saying. But before he could reply, Seiji had already turned to Guy, checking his frame with professional ease.
"You're solid, Guy. If anything feels off, come find me."
Duy's chest tightened. He hated owing debts—but what could he offer Seiji in return for this kindness?
"Duy-san, I do have a small request…"
Duy's head snapped up. "Say the word, Seiji-kun. If I can do it, I will!"
"You know how the Uchiha are. Outsiders aren't exactly welcomed, and it's hard for me to find anyone willing to guard the compound. The best I can offer is food, lodging, and pay equivalent to a C-rank mission. For you and Guy, I'd also cover training resources."
Duy froze. His cheeks flushed. For a heartbeat, he wondered—did Seiji know about his Eight Gates? Was this some ploy to pry out the secret? Guilt surged, nearly choking him.
But no—this was simply generosity. Food, housing, training resources, and steady pay? For a lowly genin scrounging for cat-hunting jobs, it was almost absurd.
Even Shisui stared at his brother with raised brows. Are we running a charity now?
Duy stared long at Seiji, then clenched his jaw, resolve lighting his features. "If this is your request, then I—Might Duy, the Noble Beast—accept!"
Moments later, a blonde woman approached, her cheeks tinged with alcohol. She studied Rin, fresh from illusion, glowing with joy as she tested Healing Palm under Seiji's guidance.
The woman's lips curved into an intrigued smile.
"Well, well… an interesting little Uchiha brat. You actually care about medical ninjutsu?"