With the first trauma patient perfectly healed, Kiriko proceeded to dump every single trauma case in the hospital onto Allen.
In a single morning, he successfully treated twelve cases of varying severity, including two individuals with bone fractures. Under the influence of Enhancement-type Aura, even snapped bones were knitted back together in about ten minutes. This feat alone left the onsite medical ninjas in awe.
Though this "bone-setting" only fused the surface of the bone, requiring a period of rest at home for a full recovery, it still surpassed the vast majority of medical ninjutsu. It effectively reduced recovery time and increased the success rate for surgeries involving fractures and limb reattachment.
Consequently, in just a few short days, Allen became a minor celebrity within the hospital. Every ninja who received his treatment sang his praises. Reports regarding his medical capabilities were quickly compiled by Kiriko and submitted to the Third Hokage's desk.
Looking over the string of recovery records, a faint smile appeared on Hiruzen's aged face. "He's a good child. Koharu, it seems your judgment was correct. He is indeed suited to be a medical ninja. Moreover, as he saves more people, he will surely build bonds with the village's shinobi, allowing him to truly integrate."
"Is there any progress on deciphering his ability?" Koharu Utatane asked, cutting straight to her primary concern. In terms of technique and utility, universality was the most important factor.
The Third Hokage shook his head slightly. "None. According to Kakashi's report, he seems unable to refine Chakra, and our ninjas cannot refine that energy called Aura. Clearly, this is a unique Kekkei Genkai. Or perhaps Aura is simply a special type of Chakra that cannot be replicated by others."
"A Kekkei Genkai? What a pity," Koharu sighed with deep regret.
But the Third laughed softly. "There is nothing to pity. Is the child not currently in our village? As long as he becomes a part of Konoha, he will eventually marry and have children, and this power will become ours in time. Besides, he is merely an orphan; he poses no threat."
"Then you mean..." Koharu looked up, seemingly guessing her old friend's intention.
"I mean we move directly to the final trial! If there are no major issues, give him a headband, assign him to a Genin squad, and let him begin attempting missions," the Third Hokage stated his plan without hesitation.
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Allen, busy saving lives, had no idea how the Konoha high-ranking officials planned to dispose of him.
His mind was entirely occupied with how to silently kill and "devour" a ninja to acquire the ability to refine Chakra. Only then could he begin learning the more powerful ninjutsu systems.
Just as he finished treating a patient with a severe abdominal wound, Kiriko suddenly appeared out of thin air, her tone exceptionally solemn. "Follow me. I have an important mission to entrust to you."
"An important mission?" A strange glint flashed in Allen's eyes.
"Yes. Remember, no matter what you see or hear next, you must maintain absolute secrecy. If even a hint leaks out, you will immediately become a target for the Anbu," Kiriko warned sternly.
Soon, under her lead, the two arrived at an interrogation room that resembled a dungeon. In the dark, damp room, a ninja wearing a Hidden Stone headband was bound tightly to a chair. His body was covered in a dense map of wounds, and he was panting heavily, drenched in sweat, clearly the victim of a recent, brutal interrogation.
The man conducting the torture was a cold-eyed individual whose face was a patchwork of scars.
Ibiki Morino?
Allen instantly recognized the interrogation expert who would later serve as the proctor for the first stage of the Chunin Exams. However, he didn't let it show on his face, instead feigning ignorance. "Am I supposed to heal this man?"
"Yeah. Heal him immediately!"
Before Kiriko could speak, Ibiki Morino issued the command. Without a moment's hesitation, Allen released his Enhancement Aura, enveloping the prisoner. Before long, the non-lethal, superficial wounds were completely restored.
Just as he was about to step back, the Stone Ninja suddenly broke free from his ropes. With lightning speed, he lunged forward, attempting to seize the smallest and seemingly easiest target, Allen, to use as a hostage.
But before the man could even get close, Allen's combat instincts and experience were instantly triggered. He subconsciously swung a fist wrapped in a small amount of Aura, slamming it hard into the man's abdomen.
BANG!
The unlucky soul was sent flying horizontally for several meters, smashing through several tables and chairs until he hit the back wall. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face a mask of utter disbelief. He never imagined that a child without even a headband, a supposed medical apprentice, could pull off a counter-kill during a surprise attack.
What was even more unbelievable, however, was that Ibiki Morino seemed to have anticipated this. He stepped forward and handed a kunai to Allen, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Go on. Kill him."
"Kill him? Wasn't he for interrogation?" Allen asked, a look of confusion surfacing on his face.
Between the prisoner "suddenly" breaking free and the calm reactions of the two adults behind him, he felt the entire situation was a pre-designed set-up specifically targeting him.
"No, the interrogation was finished long ago. Now, we're just making use of the waste. Haven't you applied to become a Konoha ninja? Then go kill him! This is the fate of a ninja. In the course of a mission, even a medical ninja must have the resolve to kill the enemy to protect their comrades. If you can't even do that, then stay in the hospital and be a doctor who just saves lives."
With that, Ibiki stood aside with the air of someone watching a show. In his vast experience, teenagers like this, no matter how strong, would inevitably become nervous or even break down during their first kill.
On the other side, Kiriko was also observing Allen's reaction. Personally killing a patient you just healed was no small psychological hurdle for a medical ninja.
What is this? Testing if I'm a Stone spy? Or just wanting me to kill someone to prove I'm 'ninja material'?
Allen couldn't quite wrap his head around the bizarre logic of these ninjas. However, killing was hardly a difficult task for him, and he had cleared any psychological hurdles long ago. After a brief, feigned hesitation, he drove the sharp kunai straight into the prisoner's heart.
Precise and lethal.
This was the fruit of his recent days in the hospital, where saving lives had taught him a great deal about human anatomy.