Our house was damaged by the Nine-Tails' attack. The fire from a nearby explosion spread all the way to our home. And… with my husband bedridden and unable to work, we really can't afford much right now…"
Haruno Sho suddenly remembered—weren't their house and the Fourth Hokage's residence in the same district?Was that entire area burned down?
Well… what an unfortunate coincidence.All the Sage of Six Paths' fault. Why didn't you protect their home?
(Sage of Six Paths: You idiot!)
"Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you recall something so painful."
"Life has ups and downs. I believe you will meet kind people in the future—someone who will help you through this difficult time."
"I also have several types of prosthetics…"
"Expensive ones have their advantages, of course—but cheaper models can also be made. Either way, they'll allow the patient to regain some independence."
"And if you're willing, Izumi can study medical ninjutsu under me. That way, she'll be able to take care of Chunin Fujimoto Kai one day."
Sho's words made Fujimoto Hazuki's heart leap.Her daughter—recognized by Lord Haruno?He wanted to take her as his disciple?
"I'm willing! Of course I'm willing!"
"Izumi, quickly—call him your teacher!"
As a mother, Hazuki immediately urged her daughter forward. This was a rare chance for the Fujimoto family to rise again.Mrs. Fujimoto… you're offering a lamb to a tiger.
If Izumi received Haruno Sho's guidance, she might one day become someone's dream girl.
At the very least, it was far better than letting her fall for that rebellious brat—Uchiha Itachi.
"Teacher Haruno!"
Izumi immediately knelt and bowed again, her face blooming with a sweet smile. Her expression radiated respect—and unfiltered joy.
"Hey! From now on, just call me Big Brother Haruno."
"I'm only a few years older than you."
Sho was twelve this year—only five or six years older than Izumi.
But his words stunned the mother and daughter. They had assumed, based on his height and composure, that he was at least fifteen or sixteen.
"I'm only twelve."
Seeing their disbelief, Sho could only give a helpless smile and admit the truth.
"I'm so sorry!"
Hazuki grabbed her daughter and bowed again, inadvertently giving the nearby patients yet another breathtaking performance.
"Haha, it's fine. I've already gotten used to being misunderstood!"
Sho quickly collected himself and eased the awkward atmosphere with a smile.A mother–daughter pair was still far too early for him…Hold on—he needed to stay calm for now.
With the misunderstanding cleared, the three grew more at ease with one another.
In Hazuki's eyes, Sho was simply a child.Taking her daughter as a disciple was clearly an act of pity—yet another kindness he was extending to their family.
Lord Haruno was young, already a skilled medical-nin, and gentle in temperament. A truly good-hearted person.
There was no way he'd be interested in her.Or in her daughter.
(Haruno Sho: I'm very interested… in your husband.)
Meanwhile, Izumi was thrilled. She had always wished to become a shinobi like her father. And now Haruno Sho was going to teach her medical ninjutsu early—nothing could make her happier.
After all, medical-nin were shinobi too!
Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, was a medical-nin—and the idol of every kunoichi in Konoha.
Izumi swore then and there:She would work hard and become a powerful kunoichi like Princess Tsunade.
A little loli quietly pledged to take this kind and handsome "big brother" seriously as her teacher…
"Hehe… don't worry. I just grew faster than average—honestly, it surprised even me."
Sho's body was taller and sturdier than boys his age because of constant taijutsu training. He also ate大量 of fish from the Nakagawa River, giving him a high-protein diet from a young age. His development was unusually fast, which often made others mistake his age.
But thanks to his early research into medical ninjutsu, his body was in perfect condition—no lingering strain from taijutsu training. Combined with good genetics, he still looked like a refined, handsome young man.
His simple clothing hid the explosive, well-defined muscles underneath.
Such was the power of medical ninjutsu.
"Now then, I'll begin treating Chunin Fujimoto Kai again."
"We'll leave him in your hands, Lord Haruno."
"Thank you, Big Brother Haruno!"
"Hmph! Time for Izumi to witness the power of a medical-nin!"
After a few more exchanges, Sho began another round of treatment on Fujimoto Kai.
"To learn medical ninjutsu properly, one must have chakra—preferably yang-nature chakra."
"Otherwise, things become… complicated."
"Izumi hasn't entered the Academy yet, right? But you already have chakra, don't you?"