"Everyone, assemble!"
Kitayama Xu's shout rang through the medical unit.
In an instant, everyone inside the ward froze. One by one, they dragged their feet over—grumbling, sighing, reluctant to say the least.
Still, halfway there, most of them figured they might as well get it over with.
Stick your head out, it's one slash. Hide it in, still one slash.
There was no avoiding what was coming anyway.
Besides, while the Aburame Clan might be… a little unsettling, their people were actually quite nice and easy to work with.
By the time everyone lined up in front, they had more or less talked themselves into calm acceptance.
Kitayama cleared her throat and said, "We have an important experiment coming up that requires everyone's cooperation. I hope you all take this seriously. Baicao—"
"Yes, ma'am! I'll do my best to assist the Aburame Clan's ninja!"
Baicao shouted before she could finish.
Kitayama blinked, then gave him a strange look. After two seconds, she clapped her hands together with a bright smile. "As expected of a senior—such admirable enthusiasm!"
"???"
Baicao looked utterly dumbfounded.
"Well then," Kitayama said cheerfully, "since you've volunteered so enthusiastically, your squad will assist the Aburame with their research."
"Wait, Captain Kitayama—weren't you talking about a different project?"
Realization was dawning on Baicao.
"Our pathogen-locating technique has already been deployed," Kitayama said lightly. "But Chiba just proposed a new plan, and I was about to ask who's free to help test it."
She smiled. "But now that you've taken the initiative, I'll personally lead this project. Anyone else want to join me?"
"I will! Me too! Count me in!"
The crowd's hands shot up, everyone eager to volunteer.
Except for one group of four, who stood stiffly in place.
They were Baicao's team.
Chiba didn't know whether to laugh or pity him.
Baicao… really had done too good a job at convincing himself. If he hadn't been so positive, he probably would've been assigned to the pathogen project instead.
"Chiba, please—you've got to help me!"
"Come on, Baicao-senpai, it's not that bad."
The Aburame weren't monsters. Why was he acting like this was a death sentence?
Baicao groaned, "I've never worked with the Aburame before, and I have no idea how to coordinate with their kikaichū!"
"They're actually quite easy to get along with, so don't worry. But you do have a point…"
Chiba thought for a few seconds. "The kikaichū are capable of self-evolution. The key is teaching them to absorb chakra without consuming it—then release it when needed."
"Uh, that sounds like their problem, not ours."
"Exactly," Chiba nodded. "All you need to do is provide medical chakra and tell them where it needs to be released."
"That… actually sounds pretty easy."
Baicao breathed a sigh of relief.
Chiba almost explained how the kikaichū absorbed chakra—but decided to keep that part to himself.
"How about this," he said instead. "I'll go with you on the first day."
"Really?!"
Baicao's eyes lit up. He grabbed Chiba's hands like a drowning man clutching a life preserver.
"Just for the first day," Chiba added with a helpless sigh. "I've got plenty of other work."
He was already far too busy. Still, he couldn't stand to see Baicao look so miserable.
"Thank you! You're such a good kid, Chiba! I'll treat you to dinner later!"
"Appreciate it, but I'm really busy."
He wasn't lying.
The Third Hokage's Telescope Technique still had plenty of potential for improvement. Even with the "Pathogen Locating Technique," it hadn't yet reached the "Pattern" level of precision Chiba wanted.
He needed to make it easier to teach to others.
As for whether the Third would feel embarrassed about his technique being repurposed—
Not his problem.
Besides, in a way, once a jutsu spreads, even if its creator dies, it's a kind of immortality.
Just like the Sage of Six Paths.
That thought left Chiba oddly satisfied. He slipped away into Kitayama's office to write and refine his ideas.
Baicao, meanwhile, was still celebrating his "achievement."
Fengxiang gave him a complicated look and patted his shoulder.
"Baicao."
"Yeah?"
"Wasn't this project only happening because of Chiba?"
"…I think so."
"Phew, done!"
Kitayama had just returned and caught sight of Chiba's notebook.
"Detection Clone Technique?" she read aloud.
"It's a scouting technique designed to work with Earth Release: Earth Clones," Chiba explained. "Shadow Clones can also scout, but they burn too much chakra."
"Ah, I see… so it's meant to pair with the Telescope Technique?"
"Exactly. Carrying a crystal ball around would be weird and inconvenient. I was thinking of integrating it into eyeglasses, maybe even combining it with barrier techniques for real-time monitoring."
Kitayama blinked.
Detection barriers weren't new. Konoha itself was surrounded by one, sensitive enough to detect anyone entering the village.
Smaller-scale barriers existed too—but they were often impractical.
If the area was too small, it was easier to just use eyesight or sensory perception.
If it was larger, Byakugan or sensory ninjutsu were better.
And beyond that scale, barriers were useless anyway.
That was the dilemma with detection barriers.
But if you linked barrier seals, lenses, and the Telescope Technique together, shortening the activation process—it could actually become practical.
Of course, that was just the second version.
The first didn't need to be so complex. If it could simply sync the eyeglass lenses, the Telescope Technique, and an Earth or Water Clone, that'd be enough.
Kitayama stared at his notes a while longer.
She didn't really get it. She hadn't been on the battlefield in years—her combat sense had long since dulled.
"Oh, by the way," she said, "someone from the Aburame Clan just arrived. A kid. Said Shibi-senpai sent him to assist with the project."
"A kid?"
Chiba blinked, then immediately realized—Shino Aburame.
Smart, eager to learn, and adaptable. Plus, sending him wouldn't interfere with any missions. A perfect choice.
"You promised to help Baicao earlier, right? He's getting anxious."
"Yeah, I'll head there now."
"You sure you're okay leaving your notes?"
"No problem. The technique's already finished—I just need to write the report."
He tucked his notebook and pen into his pocket and left.
Kitayama froze for a moment, then took several deep breaths.
"Routine operation," she muttered to herself. "Don't compare yourself to a monster like that."
"Sensei," Chiba's voice called from the hall, "if the improved Pathogen Locating Technique works, could you help me write the report? I'm really swamped."
"O-Of course!" Kitayama blurted, face flushed.
Hopefully he hadn't heard her earlier.
"Oh, and Sensei," he added, smiling, "you've been improving a lot lately too."
"Pfft—don't say that like you're the teacher here."
"Hehehe. I'm off!"
Chiba waved and shut the door behind him.
Kitayama shook her head, then chuckled softly.
He probably had heard her.
Oh well. Not the first time.
Her mood recovered quickly, and her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Thanks to Chiba, the whole Medical Department had advanced rapidly.
When Lady Tsunade finally returned and saw the new Medical Department…
She was going to be shocked.
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