CHAPTER 15: Politics & Masochists
"Keiko-san, don't forget the Seal of Alignment," Haruki instructed calmly, his eyes intensely fixed on the glowing blue lines of the patient's chakra pathways projected onto a chakra-sensing screen next to the operating table. "Align your chakra with the patient's - it's vital for the success of the Chakra Guided Nerve Regeneration Technique."
The atmosphere in the OR was thick with tension as Toba Keiko, a fellow attending, meticulously maneuvered through the final and most complex procedure of the surgery - the precision chakra-infused microsurgery meant to reconnect severed nerve pathways in the patient's arm. Haruki, standing as the new Chief Attending, scrutinized every move, guiding her through this nerve-racking process.
"I understand, Haruki-sama," Keiko responded, her voice steady despite the high stakes. Her hands started to glow a soothing green as she began to mold her chakra, aligning it to match the specific frequency of the patient's. "I'm initiating chakra alignment now and preparing to commence nerve pathway mapping."
Haruki nodded in approval, observing as Keiko's hands moved slowly over the patient's arm. "Remember, Keiko-san, you want smooth, continuous strokes. Visualize your chakra as a calming stream of water, washing over a complex network of roots."
Keiko repeated his instructions, the words grounding her as she focused her energy. "Smooth, continuous strokes. I'm initiating nerve pathway stimulation now." Her hands moved with steady grace, her glowing chakra following the intricate pattern of nerve pathways on the chakra-sensing screen. The glowing light beneath her hands grew brighter as the nerves started to respond to the stimulation.
The room held its breath as the screen started showing the damaged pathways beginning to reconnect under Keiko's skilled touch. "The pathways are responding, Haruki-sama," Keiko confirmed, her hands continuing their methodical movement over the patient's arm.
"That's good, Keiko-san. Now, slowly retract your chakra while keeping the connection. Visualize gently closing a door, not slamming it shut," Haruki guided her, his voice a comforting anchor in the high-stress environment.
"Retracting chakra while maintaining the connection. Closing the door gently, not slamming it," Keiko echoed. The room's energy started to lower as the last of the nerve pathways began to heal, reconnecting and firing signals correctly.
The moment Keiko finally withdrew her hands, the once damaged and unresponsive arm twitched, signaling the successful reconnection of the nerve pathways. A sigh of relief escaped Keiko as she prepared for the final step. "We're at the final step now, Haruki-sama: the closure."
"Indeed, Keiko-san," Haruki confirmed. "Make sure the wound is free of any foreign chakra particles. Use the Chakra Scalpel technique to eliminate any remnants you find."
He watched as Keiko followed his directions. Her green chakra turned a sharper shade of blue as she manipulated it into a scalpel form, painstakingly clearing the incision site of any lingering foreign chakra. "All foreign chakra particles removed, Haruki-sama. I'm closing the incision now with the Mystical Palm Technique."
As Keiko executed the final step, Haruki gave an approving nod, his face mirroring the pride he felt. Keiko had successfully handled one of the most intricate and delicate surgical procedures in their field, and he had been there to guide her through it. In the world of medical-nin, such moments were a testament to their skill and dedication. The operation is a success, and all the other attendings couldn't be more jealous.
Keiko was over the moon, elated that she had impressed her idol. Haruki had chosen her over the others, recognizing her potential. Not to mention that she is from the esteemed Toba Clan.
They both exited the OR, heading toward the hygiene station to scrub out. "Impressive work, Dr. Keiko," Haruki congratulated his colleague, causing her to shyly look down. "Sensei was right, the Toba clan members are truly made for iryo-nins," he further praised her.
The Toba Clan, like the Hatake, is a small minor clan known for its gifted members in intelligence, chakra control, and affinity for Yang release. However, unlike the Akimichi, whose Yang release manifested through the Expansion Technique, the Toba's Yang was more subtle, making them ideal for iryoninjutsu, which predominantly relied on Yin or Yang release.
Though their numbers were not substantial, most, if not all, Toba clan members are skilled iryo-nins. They had been devoted followers of Tsunade-sensei since the Second Ninja War, where she valiantly saved the clan's then Matriarch multiple times throughout the conflict. Since then, the Toba clan became Tsunade-sensei's fiercest and most loyal supporters. Due to their limited numbers, they even considered leaving with her to accompany her wherever she went.
Haruki first learned about the Toba clan when he heard that someone was paying, albeit in small amounts, some of Tsunade-sensei's loans. Upon discovering this, he was deeply moved and fought with sensei to make her understand how unfair it was to burden the already humble Toba clan.
"Tsunade-hime mentioned us?" Keiko's eyes widened in surprise. Haruki nodded, a gentle smile on his face. "She told me that I could turn to the Toba clan if I need help," he replied, implying that he could now represent Tsunade-hime in her absence. "I'm grateful for all the help and kindness that the Toba clan has shown to sensei, who is clearly undeserving of it."
Keiko's reaction was immediate, waving her hand in disapproval. "No! No trouble at all. We understand how difficult it was for Tsunade-hime, so we simply do what we can to help lift some of the burdens," she explained, her humility shining through. And they call ME the Saint? My Kami...
Before Haruki could continue their conversation, someone barged in, clearly flustered. "A VIP came in and she's being rowdy at the ER. Tomita-san is in an OR, her patient coded," they informed urgently. He sighed, "I'll be there," the person leaving gratefully. Haruki turned to Keiko, saying, "Duties call," as he cleaned his hands with disposable towels. "Understood. I'll see you around, Haruki-sama," Keiko politely bowed.
As he walked away, Haruki casually mentioned to her, "The position of Chief of Trauma is vacant, Keiko-san. Keep up the good work and we'll see about it." His words left Keiko frozen mid-washing, a mixture of surprise and hope filling her heart.
The emergency room of the Konoha Hospital buzzed with energy as Tsume Inuzuka, the formidable head of the Inuzuka Clan, loudly complained from the exam room. Despite her injury, her vibrant spirit didn't waver, and her crass humor resounded in the otherwise sterile environment.
"Haruki!" she greeted with a bark-like laugh, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement despite the nasty wound on her leg, likely from a kunai laced with chakra venom during a mission. "You" he pointedly said at her, "are a pain in my ass" he declared.
Stepping into the room, Haruki's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Tsume's boisterousness. "Tsume-san," he tried to interrupt her howling laughter, moving towards her with his medical kit. "Your affinity for chaos is something I could do without."
"Oh, loosen up, Haruki!" Tsume chortled, baring her sharp canine teeth in a grin. She winced slightly when he started examining her wound, but quickly turned it into a smirk. "Is that the best you got?"
Haruki sighed, beginning the process of cleaning the wound. His hands glowed with the green hue of medical chakra as he applied the Mystical Palm Technique. "Tsume-san, if you could stay still..."
Tsume interrupted with a dismissive wave of her hand, "I fought off six enemy shinobi single-handedly, and you think your tiny hands would make me flinch?"
Despite her comment, Haruki could tell the wound was more painful than she let on. He noticed the subtle tightening around her eyes and the way she clenched her fists. "We wouldn't be having this conversation if you prioritized evading kunai as much as you do mouthing off," Haruki countered, injecting a mild pain relief medicine into the area around the wound.
Tsume chuckled, though her grin softened when the pain started to ebb. "I'll make sure to keep that in mind for next time," she quipped, her canine companion, Kuromaru, growling in agreement from the corner of the room. He sighed in temporary defeat.
With the wound cleaned and chakra venom neutralized, Haruki started the healing process. His hands moved methodically, the green chakra seeping into the wound, accelerating the cell regeneration. "I'm sure you will," he responded, sounding more amused than exasperated.
Their banter continued as Haruki finished up, Tsume's laughter echoing through the halls, providing a strangely comforting soundtrack to a typical evening at the Konoha Hospital.
As Haruki finished dressing Tsume's wound, he glanced at the formidable clan head. "You know, Tsume-san, it wouldn't hurt to have more Inuzuka working at the hospital. Your clan has a unique understanding of healing both people and animals, it's a perspective we could use."
Tsume chuckled, flashing her fangs in a wide grin. "Haruki, we were always more comfortable around four legs than two, you know that."
Haruki sighed, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yes, but your clan's expertise in medicinal herbs and the unique Veterinary Ninjutsu you practiced... it could bridge gaps in our treatment options."
Meeting his gaze, Tsume's smile faded into a more contemplative expression. "Are you asking for some of our vets to trade in their dog patients for human ones?"
"In a manner of speaking," Haruki replied, carefully packing up his medical kit. "Not to replace your duty to your ninken, but to incorporate it. We had shinobi coming in every day with wounds similar to those your ninken might get. And your clan's approach to healing... it's more holistic, something the hospital could learn from."
Tsume regarded him for a moment, her dark eyes scrutinizing. She trusted Haruki, that much was evident. But it was more than just trust – her keen Inuzuka instincts had always told her that Haruki meant well.
Finally, Tsume nodded, her grin returning. "Alright, Haruki. I'll talk to the clan. No promises, but I'll see what I can do."
Relief flooded Haruki, his own grin mirroring Tsume's. "That's all I ask, Tsume-san. Thank you."
She waved him off, already getting up to leave. "Yeah, yeah, don't get all mushy on me. Just fix up whoever I send your way."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Haruki responded, as he walked away, his hope for a more integrated healing approach for the hospital one step closer to reality.
He may have lost the earlier chatter battle with her. But he definitely won the war.
As he left the room, he sensed a massive chakra a few rooms away, heading towards him. Ahead, he saw the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing in the doorway. Haruki's polite smile concealed his underlying dislike for the man who, in his opinion, had allowed the hospital and the village to fall into a state of neglect.
"Hokage-sama," Haruki greeted, bowing slightly. "To what do we owe this visit?"
"I came to see how Tsume was doing and to get a detailed report on her mission," Hiruzen replied, his gaze steady. "And to congratulate you on becoming the new Chief of Konoha's Medical Department." Haruki inwardly scoffed at the Hokage's convenient timing, sensing the questionable intentions in the gesture.
Haruki maintained a composed demeanor. "Tsume is recovering well, Hokage-sama. Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have patients." He nodded before walking away, catching the Hokage's words, "The hospital is in good hands." The remark made him stop, unsure if it was sarcasm or genuine praise. Nevertheless, he gazed back at the old man, knowing that eventually, he would have to confront him about the state of the hospital.
Haruki didn't mince his words. "We are lacking ER and OR rooms, adequate examination spaces. Calling us short-staffed would be the understatement of the century. The hospital's funding is deplorable, preventing us from purchasing much-needed equipment or investing in medical research."
He didn't stop there. "Furthermore, our Ninja Academy fails to advertise that becoming an iryo-nin is a viable, and indeed, a crucial career path. This left many unaware of their potential contributions to this field, and it is stagnating our progress."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened, but Haruki didn't falter. "There isn't enough space to effectively teach iryo-ninjutsu and medical knowledge. We are falling behind other nations in terms of medical advancements. And people are dying, Hokage-sama. Not from war or perilous missions, but from a simple lack of care and attention due to our limitations. Because everyone is overlooking the clearly decaying medical system Konoha has."
His words hung heavy in the room, a bitter truth that Hiruzen couldn't deny. Haruki's polite demeanor didn't mask the stinging implication of his words. The hospital's decay was a neglect that lay at the Hokage's feet. A neglect that was and still is costing lives.
Haruki paused to let his words sink in, his gaze never leaving the Hokage. The tension in the room thickened, becoming as palpable as the heavy chakra of the Hokage himself. Hiruzen's normally composed features tightened slightly under the weight of Haruki's words.
Haruki continued, his voice ever so steady. "Our doctors and nurses are overwhelmed, overworked, and under-resourced. They are striving to save lives with their hands tied by constraints that should not exist in the first place. And this," he pointed around the hospital, his gaze burning into Hiruzen's, "is the battlefield they are forced to navigate every day."
"Ninjas are willing to fight on the frontlines because they believe Konoha's Medical Corps will be ready to catch them and lift them up should they ever fall. But what happens when we fall? Because from the number of people dying in this hospital, we might as well change our department's name to a funeral home," Haruki's words laced with poison yet his tone never showing it. At this moment, Hiruzen saw a slight visage of his student in him. The blonde daredevil who never backed away from a fight.
Haruki's words hung heavy in the air. "Patients are dying, Hokage-sama, not due to incurable diseases or irreparable injuries, but from sheer neglect because there aren't enough doctors or resources or space," he bitterly laughed in clear resignation.
His voice lowered, but the intensity in his eyes didn't falter. "Each life lost in these hospital halls, due to our avoidable inadequacies, is a stain on the honor of the village."
"Are you saying it's my fault, Haruki-san?" Hiruzen finally spoke. Look, he speaks.
Haruki's tone remained calm despite the magma overflowing within. "I'm simply saying that no one has bothered to do anything, allowing the hospital to deteriorate so far. Each unjust death here is a testament to someone's negligence, whomever it may be."
Haruki looked around the hospital one last time before meeting Hiruzen's gaze again, the tension in the room reaching a peak. "The hospital, the medical staff, the patients - we deserve better. Konoha deserves better." Three large scrolls appeared from his storage scroll. Haruki handed them to the Hokage.
His final words echoed through the silence, a direct challenge to the Third Hokage. "I just want my patients not to die while we're too busy putting out fires everywhere, Hokage-sama," he gently added. "I'll be on my way. Have an amazing day." Haruki nodded again at him before leaving.
As he left, he felt that something was wrong, perhaps? He wasn't too sure. For some reason, Hiruzen's chakra was... sparking up? Not in anger, definitely not a hostile reaction. Oh, kami, is he a masochist? This is why I hate people.
Haruki had been ever so close to finding out the truth. As he left, the Third Hokage's face was plastered with a large smile, his eyes holding something many hadn't seen in a long time. His eyes held fire, his spirits burning excitedly.
Haruki couldn't shake the unsettling feeling as he walked through the halls of the hospital. He couldn't help but wonder what the Hokage was up to. The meeting had been intense, but the sudden change in Hiruzen's demeanor left him uneasy. What could have sparked such excitement in the old man?
With a sigh, Haruki decided to focus on his work at the hospital for now. But in the back of his mind, a nagging curiosity lingered, pushing him to find out more. Little did he know that this encounter was just the beginning of a series of events that would change the course of the village of Konoha forever.