A female medical ninja praised Nohara Rin as she applied medical ninjutsu to a budding cherry blossom branch.
If she could make the flower bloom instantly, she would complete the "Emergency Measures" training.
The goal was to teach medical ninja to gather a large amount of medical chakra in a single moment—enough to keep a comrade alive in a crisis.
"Sister Minako… I don't want to be a support medical ninja."
Nohara Rin politely declined Nishiyama Minako.
"That's fine. Joining a team later is the same anyway."
Nishiyama Minako shook her head.
Back then, Tsunade had proposed assigning one medical ninja to every three-man team.
The idea had ultimately been abandoned. Rin's choice aligned with that old proposal.
"Lady Nonou has heard about you. She said she'll have her disciple train with you. Make sure you seize the opportunity."
Nishiyama Minako patted Rin's shoulder.
She truly admired this girl.
Rin learned many medical techniques quickly. If things continued, she might even master Palm Sage Technique.
But in this world, connections mattered.
If Rin built a good relationship with Yakushi Nonou, she'd have free rein in the hospital.
Nonou was the second-in-command after the Hokage's wife, Biwako Sarutobi.
"Okay, thank you, Sister Minako."
Rin thanked her sincerely.
Curiosity rose in her heart.
Who could Lady Nonou's disciple be?
Rin had never seen them in the hospital.
Rumor had it the disciple only trained in Nonou's private office and no one disturbed them.
After finishing her training, Rin changed into a white nurse uniform.
She worked part-time at the hospital to help ease her family's financial burden.
A civilian family supporting a ninja like Rin faced heavy expenses.
"One week's worth of soldier pills."
At a hospital counter, Kakashi spoke to the staff.
Rin, pushing a cart to restock soldier pills on the shelves, spotted Kakashi.
"Kakashi!"
Rin waved cheerfully.
"Rin, you're…"
Kakashi looked confused at the nurse-dressed Rin.
"I'm helping out here to earn some money."
In Konoha, child labor wasn't strictly regulated.
Shinobi like them could take C-rank missions after a short adjustment period.
Even if they killed in a C-rank mission, they wouldn't be tried for murder.
Shinobi, like a daimyo's soldiers, had immunity for killing in the line of duty.
Kakashi nodded.
"I just saw Raizen here. He seems to have a teacher in the hospital. He was looking for Nishiyama Minako—said she'd introduce him to a talented medical ninja."
Kakashi looked at nurse-dressed Rin, suspecting the person might be her.
"Huh? Raizen?"
Rin froze.
She hadn't heard anything about this.
Alright, you need to collect both the 'Scroll of Heaven' and the 'Scroll of Earth.' To pass, bring both scrolls to the central tower."
Namikaze Minato finished speaking and began guiding the examinees into a small curtained room to receive their scrolls.
This way, no one outside their team would know which scroll they received.
"The exam begins now!"
After everyone received their scrolls, Minato.....as chief examiner—officially declared the start.
To prevent immediate bloodshed at the entrances, each team's entry point and timing were staggered.
Raizen's team took the leftmost path.
"We need to find the 'Scroll of Earth.'"
Kurenai held a scroll marked with the "Heaven" symbol.
"No rush. Let's wander for now."
Raizen shook his head.
There was still plenty of time.
The exam lasted five days.
Raizen could do whatever he wanted inside for five full days.
The Forest of Death's towering ancient trees blocked nearly all visibility.
The only monitored area was inside the tower.
Otherwise, Orochimaru could have turned the place upside down without anyone catching him.....except for Anko Mitarashi stumbling upon him by chance.
"Let's head toward the central area first."
Raizen stepped forward.
Kurenai nodded and tucked her scroll away.
Asuma drew his chakra knuckle blades—just in case—and the three set off together.
…
The Forest of Death had received a spring rain the night before. Dewdrops clung to the leaves of the massive ancient trees.
For the examinees participating today, this was nothing special.
"Both the Sharingan and Byakugan are assets Konoha desperately needs."
Maki stepped on the damp ground and glanced at Pakura and their other teammate.
During the written test, he had seen an Uchiha activate his left Sharingan and several Hyūga with their Byakugan.
The Byakugan wasn't as easy to conceal as the Sharingan.....it was extremely conspicuous.
"Of course."
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