The school bell rang for lunch, and everyone cheered and rushed out of the classroom toward the cafeteria. However, a few remained around Seiki.
"Hmm? Are you guys planning to come with me to visit Mizuki at the hospital too?" Seiki asked those standing before him.
"I've already found out... that guy got hurt probably because of me," Asuma said awkwardly scratching his head. "No matter what, I should go see how he's doing."
Shizune clenched her hands into little fists in front of her chest. "I'm also kind of worried about Mizuki's condition."
When Seiki turned to look at her, Kurenai glanced away evasively. "You're all going anyway. I'd be bored alone at school by myself."
"Then alright, let's go together."
On their way, noticing Seiki seemed subdued, Asuma assumed it was worry over yesterday's incident. He casually slapped Seiki's shoulder and said confidently, "Don't worry, Seiki! If anyone from the Uchiha gives you trouble, I'll... I'll go back and tattle to my old man!"
Seiki couldn't help but smile. For Asuma with his dramatic, moody personality to actually offer to seek help from the Third on his behalf, it must've taken tremendous internal struggle.
"It's not that I'm worried about," Seiki shook his head slightly, then hesitated briefly before continuing quietly, "When I gave Mizuki initial treatment yesterday, I noticed... His injuries might actually be quite severe."
Asuma asked in confusion, "Really? Didn't he seem to recover pretty well yesterday already?"
Seiki could only sigh softly, "Let's hope I'm wrong this time."
The path to the hospital wasn't long. Soon enough, they reached the entrance.
Following Seiki's lead, they easily located Mizuki's ward.
"Mizuki, we've come to..." Asuma called out familiarly, but his voice trailed off when the sight before them startled him.
Mizuki lay stiffly on the bed, eyes dull and vacant, showing absolutely no reaction to their arrival.
Like someone who's totally checked out from life.
"Mizuki, what happened to you?!" Asuma gasped in shock. "Oh no! Mizuki must've died!"
Thud! "Hey, who hit me?!" Asuma shouted while rubbing his head.
"Don't just say random things, little boy!" A young nurse stood behind Asuma, hands on her hips, scolding him.
"Eh? So Mizuki isn't dead?"
"He's breathing just fine—how could he be dead?"
"Then why is..."
However, the young nurse clearly wasn't going to answer him anymore. Instead, she turned to face Seiki carefully choosing her words, "Little Seiki, your classmate here... He probably won't be able to study with you anymore."
"What do you mean?!" Asuma exclaimed, his expression rapidly changing.
The nurse sighed again, "He's already lost his qualification to be a ninja. Though… maybe it's not all bad. Maybe it's better this way—living an ordinary life safely, without ever having to worry about dying on a mission."
"That's terrible! How could this happen!" Asuma angrily punched the wall hard. He usually wouldn't get this worked up.
But he now knew that Mizuki's current condition was entirely his fault!
Although this outcome hadn't been intentional, he still felt a sense of guilt toward Mizuki.
Kurenai and Shizune had already begun quietly sobbing. Although they hadn't interacted much with Mizuki, seeing a familiar classmate in such a state brought them sorrow as well.
Asuma was in a gloomy mood when he noticed Seiki's serious look. Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Seiki, you must have a solution, right?"
Hearing Asuma call out like that, Mizuki on the hospital bed also lit up with a spark of hope in his eyes.
"If it's you, maybe there really is a way!"
"Perhaps," Seiki frowned with hesitation, "but Yumiko did raise a valid point. The life of a ninja is dangerous. If..."
"No! Please, give me just one chance!"
When they heard this hoarse and strained voice, everyone was overjoyed.
"Mizuki, you're finally alive... pfft—uh—I mean awake!"
"Mizuki!" "Are you alright?"
Mizuki didn't respond. He fixed his gaze directly on Seiki. "I don't have any family or friends left. I don't want to lose myself completely!"
"You're wrong. We all are your friends." Seiki shook his head, looking sincerely into Mizuki's eyes. "However, if you insist, I can try."
Asuma asked beside him, "Exactly how do we do this, Seiki?"
"With Mizuki's current physical condition, if he still wants to become a ninja, an operation will be necessary. And in our entire Konoha village, there's only one person capable of performing such a surgery!"
"I see! You mean Tsunade-sama!"
"I actually met Tsunade-sama at a hospital not long ago," Seiki nodded, then sighed. "If I had known this would happen, I would've asked for her contact information beforehand."
Rubbing his chin, Asuma said, "The Third Hokage must know where Tsunade-sama is staying. I'll go ask him right away."
At that moment, Shizune hesitated before speaking up. "Actually, Tsunade-sama has been living with me recently."
"Great!" Asuma exclaimed excitedly but then looked puzzled. "Wait, why are you living together with Tsunade-sama? Don't tell me…you're Tsunade-sama's secret love child?"
"That's not it at all!" Blushing from embarrassment, Shizune hurriedly explained. "Tsunade-sama is my uncle's lover. After my uncle passed away, she stayed at my house to take care of me."
"Ohhh, I see now. Then perfect! Let's hurry and bring Tsunade-sama here to save Mizuki."
However, instead of getting ready to move, Shizune seemed rather hesitant. "Actually, Tsunade-sama hasn't performed any surgeries in quite a while."
Confused, Kurenai asked, "Is it because there haven't been any cases significant enough for Tsunade-sama to operate?"
Shizune shook her head. However, Tsunade's haimophobia was a closely guarded secret, so she wasn't exactly sure how to explain it right then.
Seeing the awkward situation, Seiki took initiative. "Asuma, Kurenai, you two don't need to get involved in what comes next."
"Eh? Why not?" Asuma couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Seiki shrugged helplessly and came up with an excuse on the spot, "What comes next might involve some classified protocols available only to Medical Ninjas."
Hearing that, the two could only agree. "Okay then. Just remember to inform us once you have any news!"
Just at that moment, Mizuki, who was lying on the hospital bed, suddenly spoke up, "Please… please take me with you! Let me know if I still have any chance of becoming a Ninja!"
Seiki looked toward Shizune and asked, "Is that okay?"
After hesitating for a moment, Shizune nodded and said, "It should be okay if he's only there as a patient."
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