"Got it!"
Mikami Yuu was just about to nod and thank her when the corner of his eye caught Rin not far away, looking a little disappointed. Something stirred in his mind, and he decided to test the waters.
"Tsunade-sama… what about Rin?"
Tsunade raised a brow. Her golden-brown eyes flicked to Rin, then back to Mikami Yuu.
"Advanced medical-class slots are valuable. Her level is decent for a genin, but she's nowhere near your level. If you're willing to give up your own spot for her, then I might consider it."
Rin jumped in shock and hurriedly waved her hands.
"N-no, Tsunade-sama, Yuu-kun, it's okay, really…"
"Then there's no need."
Mikami Yuu answered.
"Oh?"
This time Tsunade was genuinely surprised. A faintly mocking curve touched her lips.
"So your 'friendship' is that shallow? I thought kids your age were supposed to be all about loyalty."
"It's not shallow. It's a decision based on overall benefit."
Mikami Yuu lifted his head slightly and answered with calm logic.
"My aptitude is better, which means I can learn more, and learn deeper things. Once I've learned them, I can teach Rin. The reverse isn't guaranteed. So letting me in is the more rational choice, and the one that benefits the team more."
"Students in the advanced medical class are allowed to discuss medical techniques with others, right? At the very least, share notes?"
"…"
Tsunade studied Mikami Yuu's still-boyish face carefully, as if trying to see through him. Only after a few seconds did she speak again.
"You two are Minato's students?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
"Hmph. That brat Minato does have some connection to me…"
She paused, then changed direction.
"For his sake, I'll keep both of you."
Then her tone sharpened.
"But let me make this clear now. In two months, the medical class will have an evaluation. If this girl can't keep up by then, she's out immediately. And not just her—you too. Understood?"
"Thank you—"
Mikami Yuu bowed slightly, and Rin bent deeply at the waist, but Tsunade was already impatient.
"Cut it out. Shizune, take them next door. I'll come over in a bit."
…
The advanced medical class wasn't large.
Counting Mikami Yuu and Rin, there were only seven or eight students total.
A true small-class setup.
And the others were basically all twelve or thirteen years old already, at chūnin level or above.
Tsunade herself taught the first lesson.
Standing at the front of the room, she no longer looked like the irritable woman from earlier. Instead, she showed the breadth of a top-tier medical ninja's knowledge. She started from cell nuclei and cell walls, then moved into bodily vitality, regeneration mechanisms, and beyond…
Yes, that's right—people in the ninja world really did have cell walls.
Literal "plant people."
As for why, none of the books explained it. They all treated it like common sense, as if no explanation was needed. Mikami Yuu guessed it probably traced back to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's "gift." After all, in theory, the people of the current ninja world were all descended from those once "hung" on the Divine Tree, so inheriting some plant-like traits wasn't that strange.
By the end of the lesson,
Tsunade was even talking about the interaction between bloodline limits and genetic inheritance maps, moving from Konoha's Uchiha and Hyūga clans to Kirigakure's Kaguya clan, and even secret-technique clans like the Inuzuka and Aburame.
—Even though secret-technique clans didn't possess bloodline limits, their physical makeup still differed from ordinary people. The Inuzuka had highly specialized senses of smell, the Aburame had bodies capable of housing insects, and the Ino–Shika–Chō clans were the same in their own ways.
That was also why their secret techniques were so hard for outsiders to learn.
The depth and breadth of this knowledge far exceeded anything taught in ordinary training classes. In a sense, it counted as cutting-edge science for this era.
For ordinary genin, most of whom were barely literate, it probably sounded like pure gibberish.
Rin listened with intense concentration, taking notes as fast as she could, though it was obvious she was struggling.
Mikami Yuu was equally focused.
In theory, all of this knowledge could help him further develop Transformation Technique.
If he could push Lifelike Perfection to the point where he could perfectly imitate every ninja clan, then combine it with larger-scale solid clone techniques and enough chakra reserves, that would be a true "one-man army." At his current level, it still felt a bit like child's play.
After the lesson ended,
it was time for questions.
Mikami Yuu went over to ask Tsunade about a few points, then left Konoha Hospital with Rin.
The moment they stepped outside the main doors, a loud, noisy voice rang out:
"Rin! Yuu! Did you get to meet Tsunade-sama?!"
They turned.
Sure enough, Obito was standing under the shade of a tree outside the hospital, goggles pushed up to his forehead. His face was streaked with sweat and dust, clearly showing he'd been waiting there while training. There were even a few scorched marks on the ground nearby—probably from practicing Great Fireball.
"Yeah, we saw her. She was actually pretty nice. She even kindly offered us water."
Mikami Yuu didn't elaborate. He just glanced at the sun overhead.
"It's already noon. Let's go eat."
"Good! My treat! Consider it thanks for you saving me last time… Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen!"
Obito threw out a dramatic arm sweep, full of swagger.
…
It had been a while since they'd come to Ichiraku again, and Mikami Yuu couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic.
Thinking back…
if the galgame system hadn't shown up back then, he might've already become Ichiraku's master noodle chef by now.
Not that becoming a master chef would've been bad.
But being a ninja gave you a much wider world.
Come to think of it, he wondered whether the plot of land next to Ichiraku had been sold yet. If not, once his dad got back from border duty, maybe he could convince him to open a convenience store there. At least the location would be safe…
"…Your ramen's here. Enjoy."
Old Man Teuchi narrowed his eyes and cheerfully set down several steaming bowls in front of them.
Even though Obito was treating, Mikami Yuu didn't go overboard. He just ordered a large bowl of tonkotsu ramen based on his normal appetite. Rin ordered seafood ramen, and Obito got extra-spicy ramen.
They broke apart their chopsticks and were just about to eat—
when the curtain at the entrance was lifted from behind them.
Three young genin walked in while talking, looking dusty and travel-worn, as if they'd just gotten back from outside the village.
What a coincidence.
It was Asuma's squad.
Ever since graduation and squad assignment, Mikami Yuu hadn't seen his old classmates much anymore. Aside from occasionally running into Might Guy during early morning training, he barely crossed paths with most of them. Only Asuma's squad seemed to show up again and again, almost like fate.
And now, they noticed him too.
"Huh, it's you guys?"
Kurenai's gaze swept over Obito and Rin, then settled on Mikami Yuu. She walked straight over and sat beside him, speaking softly:
"What a coincidence, Yuu-kun. And Rin, and Obito too. How have things been lately? Has that teacher, Minato, started assigning you missions yet?"