The Family That Grows Together
Chapter 5: Keys to the Future - Part II
Written by:
Jaeromaru
Beta Editors:
WarShadow
Starfire201
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Jutsu
"Talking"
Thinking
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(Konoha General Hospital)
"Hmmm, looks like we're about to take the trip to tuna town. Eh fellas?" snickered Shiro mirthfully in regards to the interesting "patients" each and every aspiring medic in the room was given to "revive."
Unfortunately, with the incredibly tense atmosphere and serious demeanors of almost every other participant, his humor went unnoticed. In fact, most of those around our red-eyed protagonist simply sneered and gave haughty reactions to his "lack of professionalism" for something as serious as the medical field.
All Shiro could do was deadpan and shiver at how much "colder" the room had gotten after a simple filthy joke that was meant to loosen everyone up.
Didn't they know humor was always the best medicine?
"Pfft, who am I kiddin'. I'm betting the only vagina these tools ever laid eyes on was in a medical journal." muttered the Sarutobi medic under his breath, while rolling his eyes in an annoyed fashion.
"Good afternoon Sarutobi-sama."
Groaning at the "-sama" suffix that had been steadily growing to be a bane of his existence, Shiro turned to address the proctor of the second part of his exam, who oddly enough was dressed similarly to the one from the first part.
"I am Tsurugi Misumi and I will be personally overseeing your practical examination today. Before we begin, do you have any questions?" politely asked the masked, slightly older bespectacled young man.
"Yea just one there, 'masked avenger'. Um....why the hell are we wasting time healing fish when we could be, oh I don't know.... healing real patients?" questioned the clearly irritated red-eyed Sarutobi, if the blatant sarcastic tone and constant flicking of the toothpick in his mouth was any indication.
"Ah the answer is quite simple actually." replied the masked proctor, readjusting his glasses as if to begin a lecture. "The classifications of medical licenses are based on tiers of healing potential. If you perform at this stage well enough, I will recommend you be upgraded to perform a more complex demonstration of your potential on a live patient. We mainly do this as to avoid those with limited skill from further injuring patients if they are incapable of performing the healing necessary."
"So in laymen's terms, you're weeding out the posers from the real 'big fish.'" reasserted Shiro in understanding, barely containing the chill of shame for using a bad pun.
"Precisely. Any other questions?"
"Naw, I'm set." stated the young medic-in-training. Cracking his knuckles in preparation he proclaimed, "Lets jump start this anchovy so I can do some serious work."
Seeing his proctor assume the standard grading position with his clipboard in hand, Shiro proceeded to perform a single tiger handseal and point his pointer and middle finger towards the gills of the salmon situated on the operating table.
It was clear that the boy was performing the Shousen no Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique), if the intense glowing green chakra at his fingertips were any indication. However what wasn't clear to Misumi was why he was not using both palms to focus the effect as is the standard for its usage. It was during these thoughts that Shiro decided to speak up and explain his performance, without taking his eyes off his "patient."
"Shousen no Jutsu while effective in its current raw form is a gas guzzler and way too imprecise in its healing. These are two faults most medics don't have the luxury of dealing with, as most have pitiful chakra reserves and no time to screw around." began Shiro, with an air of seriousness and focus in his tone of voice. Not showing any of the signs of fatigue usually associated with conventional use of the technique, he continued his explanation with his gaze still locked onto his task.
"Medical ninjutsu theory has grown complacent, and little to no breakthroughs have been made in nearly fifteen years. People think that because something works "most" of the time that it doesn't require "fixing"." continued Shiro, venomously spitting out each word in a jaded tone.
If one were too have looked into his eyes as he said this, they might have caught a small hint of sadness and regret...
"The Shousen saturates the wound or defect in the body with a large amount of healing chakra, hoping its wide effect through the use of both palms will solve the problem. Overkill on a resource that's already in short supply is both stupid and irresponsible. So I've refined it to be much lighter on chakra cost and more pinpoint, but requiring an even higher amount of chakra control and anatomical knowledge in order for it to work. This is my upgraded version, the Myakusen no Justu (Mystical Pulse Technique)."
"After all, why use a Goukakyu (Fireball) on fly, when you only need a fly swatter." smirked the red-eyed healer, all seriousness gone. As he did this, the fish under his care began to flop wildly around on the table after its sudden revival.
The shock of these events weighed heavily on the mind of a seriously flabbergasted veteran medic. Incredible! He revived the salmon in nearly half the time it normally takes using conventional healing methods. And he doesn't even appear remotely exhausted. This is an enormous medical discovery.....the master would be quite interested in this new development...kukukuku...
With his fingers still positioned over the fish after deactivating the chakra pulse, Shiro cocked his thumb up, making clicking sounds followed by a, "Bang! Can I cook or can't I, masked avenger?" as he blew imaginary smoke from his fingertips and turned to smirk at his stunned proctor.
"Indeed Sarutobi-sama, indeed. I must say I'm incredibly impressed by this revision you have made, as well as the advanced properties it focuses on. Would you be willing to document the technique to be incorporated into standard Konoha medical training?" asked Misumi, just barely able to contain the sinister hunger in his voice.
"Class 3 License and you've got a deal 'specs.'" smirked the young Sarutobi, outstretching his hand expectantly.
Is he bribing me? deadpanned the masked medic with irritation.
"Yes I'm bribing you. And no, I have no shame." cheekily grinned Shiro, giving little in his expression to betray his actual thoughts.
I was going to document it for the village's use it anyway. Of course his butt-kissing ass doesn't know that, hehehehe. Still something about this joker gives me a bad vibe. I'll have to be careful about using my other techniques around him.
Making an annoyed "hmmm" sound as he stared into the unflinching eyes of his junior charge, Misumi turned his gaze to his clipboard and with a few hesitant strokes of his pen, made a few notes and checks on Shiro's test sheet. After what seemed like forever, the proctor scanned the rest of the sheet and looked back up, to an expectant looking Shiro, to render his decision.
"You are quite the enigma Sarutobi-sama. Even without the blackmail, your demonstration was more than enough to warrant the upgrade regardless. In any event, I have found you fit for active medical duty under Class-3 privilege. Congratulations." acknowledged the elder boy, as he handed the signed document to the grinning, spiky-haired boy.
"Awesome. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, I can say this to you without the fear of being failed." smirked Shiro, with a malicious glint in his eye.
"Hmm, what would that be Sarutobi-sama?" asked Misumi while adjusting his glasses, barely catching the slight frustrated grumble coming from the other boy after hearing his name being said in "that way."
"Simple. You call me Sarutobi-sama one more time, and the next time you wake up you'll be sporting double-D tits and a tuck job. Savvy?" threatened Shiro through gritted teeth, adding emphasis by taking both hands and squeezing them over his chest.
"Eh hehe....I understand - except the word 'savvy.'"
"Super. Now point me to patient number one please."
"But Sarutobi-sam...er san, you just passed, there's no need to demonstrate on a live-"
"EHH! Wrong." rudely interrupted the red-eyed medic, throwing his palm to Misumi's face to halt him mid-sentence. "I just wanted to get that bureaucratic red-tape bullshit you call a test out of the way as fast as possible so I can get real work done. People need healing and now I'm licensed with a full tank of gas. So let's get cracking." finished Shiro, with a preparatory cracking of his knuckles to further emphasize his eagerness.
Answering the enthusiasm of our protagonist with another "hmmm," which Shiro was beginning to find just as annoying as hearing his name said with the -sama suffix, Misumi flipped through a few pages of his clipboard until he landed on a page that caught his eye. With a slight hesitation, the older medic tore it off from the group of papers, and handed it to the expectant Sarutobi brother.
"Now while normal protocol disallows immediate fielding of newly certified medics, I believe you've shown yourself capable of immediate placement."
"So....what? Do I owe you a Coke then?" muttered an irritated Shiro, while crossing his arms.
What? Does this goober think he's doing 'me' a favor by giving me 'permission' to treat patients. God I hate this self-important douche...
Becoming agitated with his young charges sarcasm, Misumi handed Shiro the sheet, "Hmm....right, well this will start you off small for now. Here is the preliminary diagnosis report for your patient, who you will find waiting in Exam Room 305, about two floors down."
And with a clearly condescending tone he finished with a, "Good luck."
"Pft, with the sensei's I've had, I realized a long time ago that luck and being a medic do not go hand-in-hand. But thanks for showing you care." and as he grabbed the sheet, he reached into his thigh pouch and handed his proctor a small chocolate.
"Here's a candy for being such a good boy." All this was followed by Shiro patting a growling Misumi on the head like a small child as he made his way out of the exam foyer.
Once outside the double doors, the red-eyed Sarutobi brother took in a deep breath, held it, then released it clearing out the hidden strain his nerves had taken throughout his test. Lifting his gaze with crimson eyes ablaze with focus and determination, Sarutobi Juushiro took his first step in the direction of his new future.
I'll make you proud....nee-chan...
XX
(Training Ground 22)
"Can we....please stop....for just...a bit....to catch....my breath....." wheezed a frightfully worn out Yamanaka Ino, as she dejectedly trudged to finish her assigned five-hundred jabs on her training log.
"But Ino-chan, were only half done." replied Naruto, in a tone completely opposite of his female training partner, as he too continued to thrust his fists into the beaten lumber. He knew he was pushing her harder than she was truly prepared for in her current state, but to a glutton for punishment like our favorite blonde protagonist, he felt this pace would give her.... character.
"You can't give in yet girl! We still haven't gotten to the -" but Naruto never got the chance to finish his statement before he heard an abrupt thud that came from Ino dropping to the ground in an unceremonious, panting heap. "-tree walking exercises yet...."
With the end of that statement, Ino while unable to form words in between breaths, gave the blue eyed boy a sharp glare that said "enough is enough you fucking lunatic."
"Err eh hehehe, of course a five minute break sounds good too." chuckled our blonde protagonist nervously as he scratched the back of his head.
From her position on the ground, and after a few seconds to re-catch her breath, Ino in an incredulous tone shouted, "Where the hell do you get the energy for all this? We've been at it for almost three hours straight! I can barely move!"
XX
Across town at the Konoha Hospital, a familiar red-eyed boy was descending down one of the stairwells when he sneezed involuntarily.
Hmm my smartass sense is tingling...somebody said something with a heavy sexual connotation and I'm not there to capitalize on it. Damn, no time to dwell on it; running late enough as it is. Shunshin time!
One hand sign later, and he disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
XX
(Back at Training Ground 22)
"Word? It's been three hours already? Wow....time sure flies when you're having fun, huh Ino-chan?" laughed Naruto in a jovially sarcastic tone.
"Ok, now you're just rubbing it in you jerk." scolded the platinum blonde girl playfully, with a smirk, as she began picking herself up off the ground with the thankful help from her male trainer.
"Haha alright, I'll lay off." smiled the blue-eyed boy, as he gently helped Ino regain her bearings. Looking to the sky with a thoughtful look, he added, " Hmm....you know its past noon and I haven't had anything to eat all day. How bout it? Lunch is on me."
"Are you kidding? Now that I'm off that stupid diet and after going through this insane 'boot camp' of yours, I intend to put you into the poorhouse tough guy." scoffed the teal-eyed girl, as she jokingly poked her index finger at the chest of a sheepishly grinning Naruto.
With a clap of finality, he cheered "Atta girl! Now that's what I like to hear! So where to? Ladies choice."
"Well, I did hear of this place a few blocks from here called Ichi-somethin-or-other. I hear they have really good ramen and dumplings." shrugged Ino, as she explained her reasons matter-of-factly. She turned to see how Naruto felt about the suggestion to see him with a glazed euphoric look on his face.
"Naruto-kun? Err....are you there?" finished Ino snapping her fingers in front of her fellow blonde to get any kind of response.
"You....like....ramen?" asked the blonde Sarutobi, in a stunned, trance-like tone.
"Well yea, the veggie kind is a pretty good and I haven't had it in a whi-"
Ino never got to finish before the loud and enthusiastic voice of Naruto cut her off as he pulled the flushed girl into a joyful hug, "YES!!! This is the start of a beautiful friendship Ino-chan! I just know it!"
"Eh...hehe...yea definitely...best of friends...yup friends." answered the blushing girl, muttering the final words out in quiet melancholy.
XX
(Tree line Adjacent to the Training Grounds)
No words were being exchanged between the shrouded man and his two equally featureless subordinates; but the subtle communication was there. Working together for years had allowed these three to sync up with literally every aspect of their personalities, almost to a point of near telepathy. Some would say battle is the best way for people to truly understand one another to this level.
Of course, being of the same clan can do that too...
So it would be no surprise that leader's thoughts were almost mirrored by the other two, with just about the same inflection of judgment and observation. Despite the distance of his quarry, he was able to glean what was being spoken between him and the Yamanaka girl, and was not thrilled with the unplanned turn of events that his mission was taking.
Interesting. At the rate in which the boy was training I would have suspected he would have exhausted himself enough for this to go much smoother with little trouble. Unfortunately, I underestimated the power of a Jinchuuriki. His fortitude is....staggering.....He truly is the key to our future.
His face contorting into an uncharacteristic frown of frustration, his thoughts continued to linger...
If they return to the public areas of the village, our chances of success are cut drastically. We cannot afford to let this opportunity slip while he's isolated and unprotected, even if his resistance will still be higher than what I would have wanted. It must be done now.
With that final mental note, the man turned to either side and met his coal black eyes with the same ones shared by his two comrades, who by their looks, undoubtedly came to the same conclusions as well.
At the exchange of mutual nods, they leapt off in opposite directions following through in their individual roles with the same unsaid agreement.
Commence Operation: Keymaster...
Chapter 5 Part Two of Three.
This one was the shorter of the three. Your almost there! One more click! Review me! RAWR!