Chapter 107: Chapter 107

“Since you’re already here, don’t just stand around and watch.”

Shizune stepped up to the operating table, her voice calm and composed. “Kitazawa, get the hemostatic technique ready. Use it when I give the signal.”

“Understood.”

Kitazawa moved to the other side of the table, extending his hands over Yūgao Uzuki’s wound, focused and steady.

’Chakra Scalpel.’

Shizune brought her fingers together, forming the familiar blade shape with practiced precision. Without hesitation, she sliced into the purplish-black wound, skillfully removing the necrotic tissue. Once done, she picked up a physical scalpel.

“Kitazawa.”

As she made a small, precise incision, blood immediately surged from the wound.

Kitazawa reacted instantly. At her word, the Hemostatic Technique kicked in, halting the bleeding with a steady stream of chakra.

From the side, Yakushi Nono observed the exchange, a flicker of surprise flashing across her normally serene expression.

’That level of control… already?’

She recalled Tsunade mentioning that Kitazawa had only been studying medical ninjutsu for about two weeks. His proficiency was nothing short of astonishing.

’Mystical Palm Technique.’

With the bleeding contained, Shizune formed a new set of hand signs. A soft, pale green glow enveloped her hands as chakra surged into Yūgao’s wound.

She flinched slightly, a soft groan escaping her lips.

A minute later, a thick stream of dark fluid slowly floated out from the wound, carried by the chakra. It dropped neatly into a nearby bowl of clean water, turning it inky black.

“Hand me the antidote,” Shizune said, stretching out her hand.

Kitazawa quickly passed her the medicine bottle.

She uncorked it and poured the translucent liquid directly into the open wound. Slowly, the sickly hue around it faded, replaced by pale, healthy skin.

“Kitazawa, Healing Technique.”

As Shizune stepped back, Kitazawa’s hands began to glow once again. The pale green light pulsed steadily as he directed it toward the wound. Gradually, the skin knit together, leaving nothing but unblemished flesh.

“You two did well,” Nono said warmly. “The operation was a success.”

She turned and opened the door. Two nurses entered promptly, wheeling Yūgao away toward a prepared recovery ward.

“Kitazawa,” Shizune said, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Did you catch the flow of chakra when I used the Mystical Palm Technique?”

“Yes, Shizune-senpai. I’ve memorized it.”

Shizune turned to Nono. “Do we have practice subjects available?”

She wasn’t referring to patients—but simulation models.

“Practice already?” Nono asked, clearly surprised.

The Mystical Palm was a B-rank medical ninjutsu. Most students would spend a week just grasping the theory.

“His talent’s exceptional. We can skip a few steps,” Shizune replied with a sigh.

Geniuses really were unfair.

Understanding her intention, Nono gave Kitazawa a glance, then quietly left the room. She returned shortly, pushing in a humanoid practice model.

Kitazawa studied it curiously. It was eerily lifelike, down to the skin texture.

“It’s filled with animal flesh and blood,” Nono explained. “I’ve already injected poison into the abdominal region.”

“Kitazawa, give it a try,” Shizune said, stepping back to observe.

Kitazawa nodded, placing his hands over the wound.

A soft, pale green chakra shimmered around his palms.

Shizune’s mouth twitched slightly. She’d expected him to manage, but seeing him manifest chakra for a B-rank technique on the first try was still unnerving.

“This guy’s unreal,” she muttered.

Nono was speechless. When she’d first attempted the Mystical Palm Technique, it had taken her half a month just to get the chakra to stabilize properly.

“…It failed,” Kitazawa said calmly as the glow faded. “Too bad.”

“To even generate the chakra on the first try is far beyond most,” Nono replied after a pause, clearly impressed.

“Don’t take him seriously,” Shizune sighed. “He’s always like this—normal most of the time, but then he’ll say something completely ridiculous.”

“I still have work to handle,” Nono said with a gentle smile. “I’ll be going for now.”

Tsunade might be the face of Konoha Hospital, but in practice, Nono kept the place running.

“Continue,” Shizune said, leaning against the wall, arms crossed.

Kitazawa glanced at her pose.

It wasn’t nearly as dazzling as Tsunade’s when she lounged the same way. Lacked a certain… aura.

“What are you staring at?” Shizune raised an eyebrow. “You look like you’re thinking something impolite.”

“Not at all,” Kitazawa replied casually. “Just wondering where your little pig—Tonton—is.”

“She’s at home,” Shizune said, blinking. “Not exactly ideal to bring her into surgery, you know.”

Kitazawa gave a small nod and returned to his training, continuing to work on controlling the Mystical Palm Technique.

The hours passed.

By the time the wall clock struck nine, the night had deepened outside.

“That’s enough for today,” Shizune said with a yawn. “Come back again tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Kitazawa said, then added, “But I have my final exam in the morning, so I’ll come by in the afternoon.”

“Afternoon, huh…” Shizune hesitated, lightly biting her lip. “That works too.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to teach him—she just worried Tsunade might sneak off to gamble the moment she was left alone.

But… this was Konoha, after all. What could possibly go wrong?

“Let’s go find Lady Tsunade.”

Shizune and Kitazawa returned to the director’s office, only to be met with a helpless sigh from Yakushi Nono.

“Lady Tsunade already left. I’m guessing she went straight to the casino,” Nono said, her tone tinged with resignation.

She had immense respect for Tsunade’s skills, but her gambling habit was… difficult to stop.

“Let’s go!” Shizune’s face darkened as she turned on her heel and strode out briskly.

Kitazawa quickened his pace to catch up. Shizune said nothing as she led the way, her steps purposeful and fast. Soon, they arrived at the nearest casino.

Just as she reached for the door, a noisy commotion broke out nearby.

“Hey! Stop! Pay what you owe!”

Two young guards were chasing an astonishingly nimble older woman who weaved through the crowd like a leaf in the wind.

“Lady Tsunade?” Kitazawa blinked in disbelief.

“That’s her,” Shizune replied, looking like she had a migraine coming on.

“Should we pay her debt this time?” Kitazawa asked, barely containing a grin.

“No point,” Shizune sighed in surrender. “There are already piles of IOUs stacked somewhere.”

“Then… what now?” Kitazawa asked, watching Tsunade vanish around a corner, the guards trailing behind her.

“Wait,” Shizune replied knowingly. “She’ll lose them soon enough.”

“Shizune-senpai, you really have it rough.”

Kitazawa’s tone was genuinely sympathetic.

“It’s more than rough,” Shizune groaned. “It’s a miracle I haven’t lost my mind yet.”

Years of chasing after Tsunade had drained her, but ever since they returned to Konoha, life had been just a little more manageable.

“Tch. Those guys are such a pain. It’s not like I’m not going to pay eventually!”

A familiar voice rang out from above. Tsunade landed with a thud in her high-heeled sandals, dusting herself off.

Kitazawa’s eye twitched at the dramatic entrance.

“How was your training today?” Tsunade asked, eyeing him with interest.

“Smooth overall,” Kitazawa answered after a brief pause.

“Good. Let’s head home!” she said, waving them forward.

The next day

Because it was the final exam, the students of First Year Class A arrived unusually early, buzzing with nervous energy.

“Naruto,” Kiba leaned over and asked, “Did you study at all?”

“Nope,” Naruto replied cheerfully. “I’ve been training after class. No time to review.”

“Perfect,” Kiba smirked. “Guess you’ll still be my underling after this exam.”

“I thought you were checking on him out of concern,” Ino scoffed.

“Isn’t this a kind of concern?” Kiba grinned. “We’re betting lunch, after all.”

“Theory can be studied, but the practical exam is what counts,” Naruto said confidently. “If I take first place in that, I’ll still come out on top.”

He hadn’t forgotten his narrow loss to Kiba in last month’s test.

“First place? That belongs to Sasuke-kun and me!” Sakura declared, hands on her hips.

She clearly meant she’d top the written test, while Sasuke would crush the practical.

“Says who?” Ino snapped. “You’re not the only ones training under Kitazawa-sensei anymore.”

“So what?” Sakura shot back, unfazed.

“Then let’s make a bet,” Ino smirked, narrowing her eyes. “Whoever loses buys the other a new dress.”

“You serious?” Sakura blinked, surprised.

“Dead serious.” Ino tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Unless you’re scared to bet?”

“Scared? Never!” Sakura said firmly. “First place is mine!”

Ino glanced over at Shikamaru, who was slouched across his desk, looking as uninterested as ever. But she knew better.

Kitazawa had warned Shikamaru that unless he landed in the top ten, he’d be roped into summer training.

Even a lazy genius like Shikamaru wouldn’t risk that fate.

This bet was in the bag.

After all, they were friends—kind of.

“What about you, Sasuke?” Sakura asked, turning to the quiet Uchiha.

He thought about using his Sharingan—but it hadn’t awakened yet.

“We’ll see soon enough,” Sasuke replied coolly.

“Sasuke-kun is right!” Sakura beamed, eyes sparkling.

“Hopeless,” Ino muttered under her breath with a shake of her head.

Meanwhile, Shino adjusted his glasses in silence. He had a feeling this practical exam would be the perfect chance for the often-overlooked Aburame clan to shine.

9:00 AM

Kitazawa stepped into the classroom, a stack of papers in hand.

The room instantly fell silent.

“You all know the rules, so I won’t repeat them. Let’s begin.”

He moved from row to row, handing out the exams before settling at the front of the class and opening his own copy.

Since he had a mission tied to this, he’d be taking it alongside them.

A quick glance told him everything he needed to know.

He hadn’t written the questions himself, but he was more than familiar with the topics: the Will of Fire, Konoha history, trap mechanics, intel strategy, mathematics, and more.

This would be interesting.

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