"Hmm?"
Ren looked up at Obito, slightly puzzled. The boy's face was red—actually red. Not the usual embarrassed flush, but something deeper, almost… shy?
What the hell are you blushing for?
"Oh, you mean pulling you out of the quicksand?" Ren said casually, brushing off the moment as if it meant nothing. "That was just a small thing. Minato-sensei was trapped at the time. Every extra person mattered, so naturally, I pulled you out first."
"I-Is that so?"
"Yeah."
Ren nodded without hesitation, completely unconcerned.
In truth, the situation had been far simpler than Obito imagined. The Earth Release ninja had already been heavily injured by Ren's earlier attack. Anyone nearby could have subdued him. Whether it was Obito or Rin, it didn't really matter—he had just acted on instinct and proximity.
Though…
If the enemy had still been capable of fighting, Ren knew exactly what he would've done.
I would've saved Obito first.
Because Obito, despite everything, had stronger battlefield value than Rin in direct combat.
Obito opened his mouth, clearly wanting to say something more. But in the end, he simply puffed out his chest, trying to regain his usual bravado.
"Just this once!" he declared loudly. "Next time, I won't fall for it again! And I'll definitely pay you back for saving me! Just you wait!"
Ren shrugged lightly.
"Yeah, sure. Good luck with that."
---
Two Days Later
After two days of continuous travel, the group finally arrived at their destination—
Wildfire City, a major stronghold along the southwestern border of the Land of Fire.
The moment they crossed the outer gates, the atmosphere changed.
This wasn't a peaceful village.
It was a war zone.
Even from a distance, the tension could be felt in the air—sharp, heavy, suffocating.
Ren recalled reading about this place in the Konoha archives. It had originated during the Warring States Period and gradually evolved into a fortified border town. Konoha had stationed a permanent force here—shinobi and militia alike—to guard against infiltration, suppress bandits, and monitor neighboring nations.
But now…
The situation had clearly escalated.
At the camp entrance, a man stepped forward to greet them.
He was middle-aged, his face weathered, a long scar running across his cheek. His flak jacket marked him as a Jonin, but his tired eyes spoke louder than any rank.
"Lord Minato. Lady Jaci. You've finally arrived."
His voice was hoarse, like someone who hadn't rested properly in days.
"This border has become unstable. Small squads from the Land of Rivers keep probing us. Rain shinobi are slipping through like ghosts. And Sunagakure…" He paused, his jaw tightening. "They're getting bolder by the day."
He exhaled heavily.
"Patrol units are clashing almost every day. The medical team is overwhelmed—we've got injured personnel among them as well. We're short on hands… dangerously short."
"That's why we requested reinforcements."
Minato gave a calm, reassuring smile.
"You made the right call. Jaci is a highly experienced Tokubetsu Jonin and a direct disciple of Lady Biwako. She'll be able to stabilize the situation."
But Ren noticed something.
Even Minato's tone, though calm, carried a subtle weight.
This wasn't a routine mission.
This was the edge of war.
---
Inside the Camp
The moment they entered the medical ward, the full reality hit them.
It was worse than anyone had imagined.
Beds—rows and rows of them—lined the large tent. At least thirty.
More than half were occupied.
The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood.
Some shinobi were missing limbs, their stumps hastily bandaged after explosive injuries. Others were soaked in blood from deep sword wounds. A few lay motionless, their breathing shallow and uncertain.
Groans of pain filled the space.
"My leg… AHHHH!"
"Hold on! The medics are here!"
"The bleeding won't stop—he's going to die if this keeps up!"
"…Please… help…"
Ren's expression hardened.
Rin froze beside him, her hands trembling slightly.
Even Obito, usually loud and energetic, fell completely silent.
This was war.
Not training.
Not sparring.
Real war.
Jaci stepped forward, her brows furrowed deeply as she took in the scene.
Clearly, even she hadn't expected this level of severity.
Nearly a quarter of the stationed forces here were injured.
And that number didn't even include civilians or transferred wounded from nearby outposts.
If this continued…
Konoha would be forced to reinforce this entire front line.
Immediately.
---
Command and Order
Jaci didn't hesitate.
"Change into medical uniforms immediately!"
Her voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
"Clean all wounds! Classify patients by severity! Prepare critical cases for surgery!"
Her presence alone stabilized the atmosphere.
The panic began to settle.
Order returned.
Rin hesitated for just a second before instinctively turning toward Ren.
Their eyes met.
Ren understood immediately.
He stepped forward without hesitation.
"Senior Jaci," he said calmly, "Rin and I have already learned basic medical techniques, including the Healing Technique. If you need help, we're ready."
Jaci blinked, then quickly remembered.
A look of relief crossed her face.
"Good. Very good!"
She nodded firmly.
"We need all the help we can get. Follow me—change quickly. We start immediately!"
"Wait!"
Obito raised his hand abruptly.
"What about me?! I'm also part of the medical training class! My name is Uchiha Obito!"
Jaci didn't even look at him.
"You're not needed."
"…Huh?!"
---
The Work Begins
Moments later, Ren and the others stood dressed in clean white medical coats.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
No longer genin.
Now—they were medics.
Jaci quickly assigned roles.
She and the senior medical ninjas would handle surgeries.
Ren, Rin, and the other genin would handle triage—assessing injuries, prioritizing patients, and performing basic treatments like cleaning wounds, stopping bleeding, setting bones, and bandaging.
It wasn't easy work.
But it was necessary.
Ren and Rin exchanged a glance.
Then—
They moved.
"Open fracture in the left arm—heavy bleeding! Needs immediate surgery!"
"Chest lacerations—deep, but no major organs hit. Stabilize and monitor!"
"Minor burns and abrasions—treat on-site!"
At first, the pressure was intense.
The sheer number of patients.
The constant cries of pain.
The overwhelming urgency.
But gradually—
They adapted.
The chaos turned into rhythm.
---
Ren's Medical Talent
Ren knelt beside a wounded Chunin.
The man's arm was torn open, blood still seeping through.
Without hesitation, Ren began.
Clean.
Disinfect.
Apply hemostatic powder.
Bandage.
Then—
He raised his hands.
A soft green glow appeared.
Healing Technique.
The chakra flowed gently, seeping into the wound like warm sunlight.
Muscles began to knit together.
Blood vessels reconnected.
Tissue regenerated.
But something else—
Something subtle—
Spread along with it.
Tiny, almost invisible particles of chakra embedded themselves into the wound.
A lingering effect.
A silent enhancement.
—Healing Brand.
Even after treatment ended, the wound would continue healing at an accelerated rate.
Deeper.
Faster.
More complete.
"…It feels… warm…"
The Chunin blinked in disbelief.
"The pain… it's already fading…"
Ren stood up.
"Next."
One patient.
Then another.
And another.
His movements became smoother.
Faster.
More precise.
Debridement. Suturing. Healing.
Each step flowed seamlessly into the next.
The wounded began to notice.
"That kid—his treatment feels incredible!"
"The pain disappears so quickly…"
"Is he really just a genin?"
Whispers spread.
Respect followed.
---
Jaci's Shock
After completing a surgery, Jaci stepped out, intending to check on the genin.
But what she saw—
Made her stop.
Several patients treated by Ren were already stabilized.
Not just stabilized—
Their recovery speed was abnormal.
Jaci immediately knelt beside one.
She pressed gently against the bandage.
Then carefully loosened it.
Her eyes widened.
The wound beneath had already begun to close at a visible rate.
"…This…"
She turned sharply toward Ren.
"Ren—did you treat these patients?"
Ren wiped the blood from his hands calmly.
"Yes. Basic treatment with the Healing Technique."
"Is something wrong?"
Jaci stared at him for a long moment.
Then slowly shook her head.
"No… nothing wrong."
Only—
"Astonishing."
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Ren… your Healing Technique is exceptional."
"Far beyond genin level."
"Even many students in the medical training class can't achieve this level of efficiency… or control."
She stood up, her expression now completely serious.
"Tell me—"
"Are you interested in joining the Advanced Medical Class?"
---
A New Path Opens
"Advanced Medical Class?"
Ren raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Yes."
Jaci nodded.
"That is Konoha's highest-level medical training program."
"It is personally overseen by Lady Tsunade and Lady Biwako."
Her voice carried unmistakable pride.
"Only the most talented are selected."
"They are taught advanced medical ninjutsu, surgical techniques, and secret healing methods."
She paused briefly before adding—
"I graduated from there myself."
"And it's the reason I became a Tokubetsu Jonin."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then Jaci stepped closer, her gaze sharp and full of expectation.
"If you're willing…"
"I can personally write a recommendation letter for you."
"With your talent—"
"The village will take you very seriously."
---
The tent fell quiet around them.
In the distance, the sounds of treatment continued.
Groans. Orders. Movement.
But in that moment—
Ren stood at a crossroads.
One path—
The battlefield.
The other—
The path of a top-tier medical ninja.
And perhaps…
Both could be the same.
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