Three new colleagues arrived at the hospital.
Director Kaori held a warm welcoming ceremony for them, gathering all the doctors and nurses. This was an unprecedented move, but there was a reason for it: these three new colleagues were all medical-nin.
These days, Gisei Shiraishi had already demonstrated just how convenient medical ninjutsu could be. Naturally, Kaori was enthusiastic about these three medical-nin, who were rumored to be from the Anbu.
That's why she organized such a grand welcome.
Gisei stood out quite a bit in the corner. In a sea of white coats, he was the only one wearing that colorful clan outfit. He couldn't help but stick out like a sore thumb.
Originally, he hadn't wanted to attend, but the director had personally come to his office to "invite" him, so he had no choice but to show his face.
He had a few theories about why Konoha was suddenly arranging for medical-nin in the hospital.
Curing the sick and saving lives earned respect. It was a key component of prestige.
The Butterfly User clan already had a solid reputation in Konoha. If he remained the only medical-nin in the hospital, that reputation would only grow. Adding more medical-nin would undoubtedly dilute his prestige, creating a sort of invisible suppression.
This balancing act was quite clever.
However, in Gisei's eyes, this was also their mistake.
He knew exactly how good his medical skills were. These three might be competent, but their chakra control was definitely not up to his standard.
There is no harm without comparison.
When he was the only medical-nin, people couldn't really gauge his level. But once there was a control group, the difference in skill would be glaringly obvious. That kind of suppression was fatal.
Glancing at the three newcomers, Gisei silently mourned for them.
After Kaori gave her welcome speech, the three began to introduce themselves.
"I'm Sousuke Kurata, please take care of me."
"Yoshiharu Amano, I also ask for your care."
"I am Nono Yakushi, please take care of me."
Hearing the name, Gisei raised an eyebrow and looked at her.
Pale yellow hair, those trademark glasses—undoubtedly, it was Nono Yakushi herself.
Gisei sighed inwardly. That guy Danzo really had his fingers in everything. To think he'd send the future elite of Root, the "Walking Maiden" herself, just to deal with him.
The following developments were exactly as he expected.
Nono Yakushi became the second occupant of his office.
Gisei protested to Director Kaori, but his protest was overruled.
Returning to his office, Gisei looked at Nono, who had already switched into "doctor mode," and smiled.
"I am Gisei Shiraishi. You should know me very well. Please take care of me."
Nono pushed up her glasses and smiled back. "Please take care of me as well."
Gisei sat down and began to size her up. She didn't look much older than him right now—youthful and beautiful, with a smile as warm as sunshine. There was no trace of the darkness characteristic of someone from Root.
But that was normal. If she didn't have that ability to blend in, she wouldn't earn the title of "Walking Maiden" in the future.
Lighting a cigarette, Gisei took a leisurely puff and waved it at her. "I assume you don't mind me smoking, right?"
"No, I mind very much." Nono didn't give him an inch. She said directly, "From now on, this is our office. I hope you can show me some respect."
"If you want to smoke, please go to the hallway. I don't want to work in this environment every day. Besides, smoking is harmful to your health."
Gisei choked on his smoke. After coughing a few times, he gave her a strange look.
I'm the one being monitored, yet you're the one with the attitude?
Not only did he not go outside, but he lit another one immediately and proceeded to close the doors and windows. Before long, the entire office was completely enveloped in a cloud of smoke.
The smile on Nono's face vanished.
"You..."
Nono was speechless. She stood up, pushed open the door, and stormed out.
A while later, Director Kaori came in, pinching her nose.
"Gisei, you bastard! Are you trying to burn down the hospital?"
Gisei: "..."
He hurriedly opened the window to let in some air, then stood at attention, ready for his scolding.
The current Konoha Hospital didn't have a structured medical corps yet; Director Kaori was the highest authority. If he offended her, his life here would be difficult.
Kaori sat in Nono's seat, crossed her legs, and demanded, "Talk. Why did you treat the new colleague like that?"
"She didn't respect me. No matter what, I am still her senior..."
Kaori slammed the table. "Bastard, you're really filing a complaint first?! I've told you a thousand times not to smoke in the hospital. Look at you—you don't look like a doctor at all."
Gisei stared at his nose and contemplated his navel, letting it go in one ear and out the other.
After Kaori had scolded him enough, he said, "I definitely won't smoke in the office in the future, and I won't disturb others. Please rest assured, Director."
Kaori's expression finally softened a bit. Her tone shifted to something more heart-to-heart. "Lord Hokage told me a little about your situation, and I also asked Anna about your family's affairs."
"I know you're grieving, so I haven't managed you too strictly. But you've gotten worse. You're about to become the black sheep of the hospital."
"Change out of these clothes tomorrow, cut your hair, and quit smoking. Otherwise, I'll report to Lord Hokage and have you dismissed."
Gisei: "..."
They just got three medical-nin and now they want to fire me? You don't have to be so ruthless, kicking the ladder out from under me like that...
It seemed the director had been tolerating him for a long time. No wonder she insisted he attend the welcome party; she had this planned all along.
Gisei thought about it. It was impossible for the Third to let him go home. Danzo had even arranged for Nono to be here, so he wouldn't let her fire him either.
Realizing this, he became fearless.
"Changing my clothes is impossible. Cutting my hair is impossible. And cigarettes are my beloved mistress. If the Director doesn't like it, go ahead and report to Lord Hokage. I could use a few days off at home anyway."
"Gisei Shiraishi!" Kaori slammed the table in a rage, her voice loud enough for the whole hospital to hear.
Picking his ear, Gisei decided there was no point in staying any longer. He patted his butt, pushed open the door, and left.
In the hallway, he ran into Anna Takemoto.
"Angering the director like that... are you trying to get kicked out?"
Gisei replied nonchalantly, "You can probably guess why I came to the hospital in the first place. Now, there's really no need to stay."
"So you're planning to join a ninja squad?"
Gisei frowned. "I won't starve to death with my family's businesses. Why should I join a squad?"
Anna's mouth twitched. "Are you planning to just hole up at home and never go out?"
Gisei nodded and asked, "Isn't just eating and waiting for death perfectly suitable for someone like me?"
With that, Gisei left the hospital.
Anna watched his back, her expression one of indescribable defeat. In the past, she could somewhat guess Gisei's thoughts, but now she couldn't figure out this lunatic at all. Ever since Eisawa's death, she felt that Gisei had completely gone off the rails.
It wouldn't be strange for such a person to do anything; even just eating and waiting for death wasn't impossible.
After returning home, Gisei sat on the porch and sighed.
Of course, "eating and waiting for death" was a lie. But staying in the hospital and being monitored by Nono was unbearable.
Nono was an elite spy from Root. If he revealed even the slightest clue, she would sense it. Danzo clearly intended for her to monitor him long-term. Staying in the hospital was like living under Danzo's nose.
What else could he do? He could only say that it was truly Danzo—sinister people use sinister methods.
The best course of action was to get out of the hospital before Danzo noticed anything. Coincidentally, after Eisawa's death, he no longer had a legitimate reason to stay there anyway.
As for prestige and all that? What did someone planning to defect need prestige for?
But what should he do next?
Staying at home to research sealing jutsu seemed pretty good.
One step at a time, Gisei thought as he lay down on the wooden floor of the porch.
The afternoon sun was just right, warm and comfortable on his body. Feeling light and free of worries, Gisei stretched. He hadn't been this relaxed in a long time.
For the past two years, the matter of his uncle Eisawa had been weighing on his mind, never giving him a moment of peace. Now that the person was dead, he was finally at ease.
Chuckling lightly, Gisei lamented, "It's good that he's dead. Once you close your eyes, everything is easy."
He closed his eyes too, and gradually drifted into a dream.