Konoha Hospital.
"Shiki, congratulations on your enrollment."
Miyata Rika pulled out a ninja tool kit. "This is a gift for you."
"Thank you, sensei."
Aburame Shiki opened the kit, glancing over the contents. Every essential medical ninja tool was neatly arranged—truly comprehensive.
"After school, your academics should come first," Miyata Rika reminded him. "If it gets too busy, you don't need to come every day."
"I understand," Shiki said calmly, raising his hand. "I've already mastered the Chakra Scalpel."
"What?"
Rika's smile froze, disbelief plain in her voice. It wasn't that she doubted Shiki—half a month to master the Chakra Scalpel was simply extraordinary.
Shiki didn't answer. He simply formed hand signs.
Seconds later, his True Essence flowed outward, taking on the shape of a pale green chakra blade, sharp and cutting.
"It's real!"
Rika whispered, wide-eyed. Though Shiki's Chakra Scalpel flickered in brightness and was slightly unstable, there was no denying he had learned the technique.
"Your talent may even surpass Lady Tsunade," she said in awe.
For a medical ninja, this was the highest praise imaginable. After all, Tsunade was considered the Healer of the Age in the ninja world.
"I'll go see the Hokage immediately," Shiki said.
Rika smiled brightly. "Now that you've become Tsunade's apprentice, I can share in her prestige."
"Thank you, sensei," Shiki replied.
"Go back and wait for my news," she said, hurrying off toward the Hokage's office.
A knock sounded at the door.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up. "Come in."
"Lord Hokage," Miyata Rika entered, bowing slightly.
"Rika," Sarutobi said, smiling. "What brings you here?"
"Shiki has mastered the Chakra Scalpel," she said without preamble.
Sarutobi froze mid-motion, surprise flashing in his eyes. His medical ninja prodigy had reached this level? Incredible. Terrifying. This child was destined for greatness.
"Don't tell anyone else about this for now," he instructed. He worried about his old ally, Shimura Danzo. With Danzo's personality, hearing this would surely prompt him to demand Shiki—and likely shout, "Sarutobi, you'll regret this!"
Shiki walked through the small grove, pondering.
I wonder if Hinata will take the next step.
In essence, his actions were designed to pressure Hyūga Hinata. The result could go one of two ways: either she would falter under the strain, or she would break through her limits.
"Stop right there!"
A brash voice rang out ahead.
Shiki looked up. Familiar faces. The three boys who had bullied Hinata last time.
The bruises on their faces had already healed—a common occurrence in a world with medical ninjas.
Daring enough to come back… huh.
But Shiki quickly understood the reason. Behind them strode a noticeably older boy. Backpack on, no forehead protector—clearly a higher-year student.
Starting small, then bringing in the big one… classic.
"That's him, boss!"
The boy on the left recalled the previous encounter with Moonlight, fear flashing in his eyes. In the ninja world, they naturally assumed Moonlight was a jutsu. Hence, they brought a sixth-year student.
"Do you think we can win?"
A hint of worry lingered in the other boy's voice.
"We'll win. Trust the boss," the right-hand boy replied confidently.
"Kneel and apologize."
The older boy sneered. When the three younger boys had described Shiki, they'd painted him as some godlike figure. Now, seeing this frail kid in front of him… this is the mighty one?
Three against one, and getting countered? Could it be true? He suspected the younger boys had exaggerated to ensure he would intervene.
Shiki tugged at the corner of his mouth. Interesting… a confidence like a hunting eagle.
Good. Could he handle this slight indignity? After all, he just acquired a new Gu.
"Hey, didn't you hear me?"
The boy's patience snapped as Shiki ignored him. Hands forming seals—boom! A duplicate of him appeared.
This was the Triple-Body Technique, a variation of Bunshin no Jutsu. Unlike the Shadow Clone, ordinary clones served only to confuse the opponent.
The two boys charged at Shiki, zigzagging to confuse him further.
"Gotcha!"
They grinned, believing the clones would give them an unstoppable advantage against these ungraduated brats.
As they neared Shiki, both threw punches. In the next instant, the left boy vanished.
The right boy's fist struck something hard. Pain shot through him, his body swelling immediately.
"Flashy tricks," Shiki said calmly.
Copper-Skin Gu. He had activated it. The effect was extraordinary.
Next, he tested the Moonlight Gu combined with the Little Light Gu. He extended his hand, infusing True Essence into both Gu.
A faintly blue Moon Blade shot from his palm.
Shiki's attack method differed from canon. Perhaps the system had been subtly adjusted. The Moon Blade, once palm-sized, now doubled in area thanks to Little Light Gu—and its power doubled as well.
"Ah! My kidney!"
The boy clutched his bleeding side, confidence gone, retreating repeatedly. Glancing back, his three followers had long fled.
"One week from now, all four of you will wait for me here."
Shiki stepped forward, letting the boy go—for now. He had a use for these delinquents: to help Hinata overcome her fear by practicing on them. Extracting their remaining value.
He was very pleased with his new Gu. By Konoha standards, mastery of the Triple-Body Technique qualified one as a Genin. The boy hadn't graduated, but in terms of clones and taijutsu, he was competent. Still, against Shiki… powerless.
Back at the cabin, Shiki placed the groceries in the fridge. These were for Hinata tomorrow.
After a short break, he headed to his garden. Cultivating Moon Orchids had already triggered an achievement, so he planted more—chili peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, scallions. Behind the cabin, he also planted orange and peach trees.
In his previous life, Shiki had been a third-generation farmer; his grandparents loved cultivating these crops.
After a round of work, he began his cultivation. Immersing his mind into the Void Aperture, he verified that the Gu larvae were in good condition before purging his meridians with True Essence.