The medical team worked quickly to treat Nii Yugito, whose body had been severely corroded by Matatabi's chakra.
If not for his quick reaction, Yamanaka Shinno's arm would have been in the same dire state. As soon as the medical-nin took over Yugito's care, he wasted no time wrapping his own arm tightly in medical bandages.
With the regenerative power of Sage Body, his injuries would likely heal before the medics even had a chance to examine him.
"This recovery speed..."
Shinno glanced down at his bandaged right arm and hand.
For someone who had always aimed to complete missions flawlessly and without injury, this was his first time experiencing the rapid healing of Sage Body firsthand.
The wounds were closing up right before his eyes!
If anyone saw this, it'd be impossible to keep it a secret.
...
"The Jinchūriki's wounds will heal soon♪ Your concern is the best medicine♪ Oh yeah~♪"
Killer B's rapping was as unbearable as ever, but he seemed completely unaware of how grating it was. In fact, he was having the time of his life.
"Sigh... I really messed up, sneaking out of the house like this."
Shinno continued playing the role of a cautious and conflicted middle-aged shinobi. His slightly bitter and helpless expression made Killer B's smile even more genuine.
Rushing to the scene without any regard for his own safety at the first sign of trouble—
That kind of sincerity had not gone unnoticed.
"You fool, love and courage♪ Are the best traits♪ Idiot, no one blames you♪ You're a great shinobi too♪ Wait, that rhyme's off, hmm... gotta fix it..."
Muttering to himself, Killer B pulled out a notebook and brush from his robe.
Then, without hesitation, he spat out octopus ink and started refining his lyrics.
...
Shinno sighed internally. This guy's brain really worked on a completely different wavelength.
Also... didn't octopus ink fade over time?
Did the Eight-Tails' ink not have that problem?
Meanwhile, the dozen or so jōnin who had fought in the battle swiftly moved to clean up the battlefield.
The captured enemies were taken in for interrogation, while the corpses were gathered for further examination and intelligence-gathering.
The six Anbu members who had been maintaining the barrier continued standing guard around Yugito.
Once the medics finished their emergency treatment and prepared to transfer the Jinchūriki to Kumogakure's hospital, the Anbu squad captain—who had previously met Shinno—wordlessly grabbed him and pulled him along.
Yugito's condition was still unstable.
There was no telling what would happen when she regained consciousness.
Only a fool would let go of someone who could keep a Jinchūriki under control.
...
The strong smell of disinfectant in the hospital was far from pleasant.
Shinno stayed until Yugito's condition stabilized, then finally found a small cot to rest for a while.
As the chaotic and noisy night passed, the first light of dawn replaced the village's ever-burning lamps, illuminating the Hidden Village in the Clouds.
The Kumogakure shinobi, known for their swift and decisive actions, had already eliminated most of the known threats within the village.
Though the Anbu were still interrogating the captured assassins, the overall situation was gradually settling down.
Orders for inventory checks and logistical preparations had already started coming from the Raikage's office.
Perhaps due to the ongoing emergency operations and the looming specter of war, Third Raikage A did not personally come to check on Yugito.
Instead, he simply sent an Anbu member to deliver a message to Shinno—
"Stay and watch over Yugito for now."
Shinno, who had originally planned to return home in the morning, had no choice but to remain at the hospital and keep Yugito company while she recovered.
...
"Old man?"
A hushed voice came from outside the hospital room.
Shinno glanced at the sneaky-looking boy standing at the door and nodded toward the Anbu captain before stepping outside.
Musai circled around him twice, then let out a breath of relief.
"Just a few minor injuries? Thank goodness! I almost thought I'd have to go collect the family's death benefits."
Smack—
Before he could finish, Shinno smacked him upside the head.
"If you don't know how to talk properly, just shut up. Seeing you gives me a headache."
"Heh heh~ Old man, you're the best!"
Musai rubbed the back of his head and gave him a big thumbs-up, his expression full of pride.
Earlier that morning, when he had been frantically searching for news about his father, a young Anbu had casually summarized the events of the previous night.
Stopping a rampaging Jinchūriki alone—
For a chūnin, that was a story worth bragging about for a lifetime!
"Of course!"
Shinno lifted his chin slightly, clearly pleased with the praise.
"Didn't let the medics treat those wounds?"
"At my age, it's best to avoid jutsu that stimulate cell regeneration unless absolutely necessary."
"Oh? So you do know you're old, huh? Old man, I'm not saying you're gonna die, but next time, can you at least tell me where you keep the savings? Every time you go out, I get anxious!"
"You little—"
Thud! Thud! Smack! Thud! Smack!
The hospital hallway once again played host to a wholesome father-son bonding moment.
"Old man! I made plans to meet up with some friends and check construction costs, so I'm heading out first!"
Sensing that Shinno wasn't actually angry, Musai dodged the last few swats, shouted his farewell, and bolted down the hallway.
Shinno turned to a nearby nurse, who was stifling a laugh, and gave her an apologetic smile before stepping back into the hospital room.
Yugito, who had been sleeping soundly, was now awake.
As she watched him enter, a bright smile appeared on her small face.
"Did we wake you up?"
Shinno sat beside her. When Yugito shook her head, he asked another question.
"Are you hungry?"
"...Mm."
After checking her completely empty stomach, Yugito responded with an embarrassed nod.
Shinno helped feed her breakfast, since her arms were still too weak from Matatabi's chakra erosion.
With nothing better to do, he started telling her stories to pass the time.
Perhaps due to his actions the previous night, the upper ranks of Kumogakure seemed to trust him even more now.
By that afternoon, Shinno received a personal letter of appointment from the Raikage himself—
A promotion to Special Jōnin.
Along with it came another document—
An appointment as the Head Instructor at Kumogakure's Ninja Academy.
With the Third Raikage serving as the school's official headmaster, the actual management fell to the Deputy Headmaster.
And now, Shinno's new position placed him right under that authority, effectively making him a high-ranking official.
He even had the right to attend high-level meetings.
"Wait... I'm a Konoha ninja. How did I end up as a high-ranking official in Kumogakure?!"
Looking at the two appointment letters, Shinno was utterly dumbfounded.
How did things escalate to this?!
As the Head Instructor, he probably wouldn't even have many chances to leave the village anymore!
How the hell was he supposed to fake his own death now?!
Shit.
This was not good.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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