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When Taiichi returned to the ER, he was wearing an official medical coat with an ID badge. Nono gasped, covering her mouth.
"Where did you get that?" She pulled him into a corner, examining the badge. "This looks real! Taiichi, you can't fake this! The hospital is under ANBU surveillance!"
"Nono-nee, it is real. Director Fujita in Trauma got it for me."
Nono studied him, then sighed in relief. Warmth filled her heart. She knew he did this to help her and spend New Year's with her.
"Thank you, Taiichi."
"We're family. No need for thanks!" Taiichi beamed like a little sun. "Let's go, Nono-nee! It's getting busy!"
With Taiichi's help, the ER's efficiency skyrocketed. He was skilled, fast, and effective.
Soon, two pretty nurses were following him, assisting him exclusively.
"Bandage!"
"Here!"
"Gastric bleeding. Initial hemostasis done. Send to Internal Medicine."
Taiichi's Mystical Palm technique stopped the bleeding in seconds. The nurses were amazed.
Patient after patient was treated and moved. Nono watched him occasionally, smiling, before returning to her own patients.
By 8 PM, the rush subsided. Nono took off her soiled coat, rubbing her temples.
Taiichi handed her hot tea. They walked out into the cold night.
Taiichi gave her the scarf. "Happy New Year, Nono-nee."
Nono wrapped it around her neck, feeling warm inside and out.
They walked to the orphanage. Inside, Taiichi's clone was playing hide-and-seek with the kids.
Nono laughed. "You really are multitasking."
Taiichi dispelled the clone, receiving memories of snowmen and games. He smiled. "Seems the clone had more fun."
"The kids are happy thanks to you."
Taiichi created another clone. "Let them play a bit longer. I'll head back."
The clone was dragged away by the kids. Taiichi bid Nono farewell and left.
Snow fell lightly. Taiichi exhaled a white cloud, feeling content.
Back home, he wrote a letter to Tsunade. He apologized for the late greeting, expressed his respect (flattery), and packed a huge bundle of gifts for her and Shizune.
He sent it via Katsuyu.
Done. He went to bed early, hoping for a perfect tomorrow.
---
Land of Bears.
A blizzard raged.
Tsunade, wrapped in her gambling coat, dragged Shizune through snowy alleys, fleeing debt collectors.
"Damn it! I said I'd pay later!" Tsunade grumbled.
"Tsunade-sama, are we sleeping on the street again?" Shizune shivered, her voice tearful.
"Shut up!" Tsunade ruffled her hair. "There's an inn ahead. The owner owes me."
They entered the inn, looking like beggars. The owner recognized Tsunade and gave them the best room. "Happy New Year!"
The door closed. Shizune exploded.
"Seventh time this year! Land of Hot Water, Land of Iron... we're broke! If you keep gambling, we won't eat tomorrow!"
She dumped their meager coins on the floor and sat by the fire, sulking.
Tsunade sat by the window, watching the snow.
She was running away, dragging this child with her. She looked at her hands, seeing phantom blood.
The festive noise outside contrasted with the lonely silence inside.
Suddenly, a summoning sensation.
Perfect timing.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A giant Katsuyu appeared, laden with packages.
"Taiichi sent these? New Year's gifts?" Shizune stammered.
"Yes. For Tsunade-sama and Shizune-chan," Katsuyu said gently.
"Really?" Shizune cheered, unpacking the gifts.
Tsunade took the letter and read it by the window.
Standard greeting, familiar flattery. But in this moment, it felt incredibly warm.
Of all the people she knew, only her disciple remembered her.
She wiped a tear from her eye and turned to see Shizune happily sorting gifts.
Maybe I should send him something too.
---
Next Morning.
Taiichi woke up to a world of white. Konoha was covered in snow.
The streets were empty and pristine. Taiichi felt playful. He walked, leaving a trail of straight footprints, feeling like a carefree child again.
> [Epiphany gained. Advanced Meditation +1000]
> [State of Mind sublimated. Spirit +1]
A refreshing feeling washed over him.
He arrived at the river and practiced Taijutsu. His movements were fluid, natural.
Seizing the moment, he practiced Kenjutsu and Fire Style.
By noon, the feeling faded.
> [Advanced Taijutsu training. EXP +500. Insight improved!]
> [Advanced Kenjutsu training. EXP +500. Insight improved!]
> [Fire Nature Transformation training. EXP +500. Insight improved!]
One morning's work equaled a month of normal training.
Taiichi laughed heartily and walked back to the village for lunch.
The streets were bustling again.
"The cold winter cannot extinguish my burning youth! Kakashi! Let's have a passionate duel!"
Guy's voice.
"Idiot. Who duels on New Year's?" Kakashi's deadpan voice.
Taiichi saw them. Guy in green spandex, Obito gesturing wildly, Rin giggling, and Kakashi looking annoyed.
"Oh! It's busy Taiichi!" Obito waved. "Tell Kakashi my new ninja pouch isn't ugly!"
"It's an orange frog. It's ugly," Kakashi stated.
"It's fashion!" Obito yelled.
Rin held him back. "Obito, stop it."
Taiichi laughed. "You two are always at it."
"Where are you guys going?"
"Lunch," Rin said. "Want to join?"
"Sure. I'm starving." Taiichi suppressed a laugh at Obito's frog pouch.
They walked together. Obito tried to squeeze between Rin and Kakashi but got pushed away. Guy demanded challenges.
"Guy, relax. It's a holiday," Rin soothed him.
"Yeah! If you want to compete, let's have an eating contest!" Obito suggested. "I'll win this time!"
"Like when you almost died eating BBQ?" Kakashi deadpanned.
"That was an accident!"
"Ichiraku Ramen is right there. Let's do a ramen contest!" Taiichi pointed.
Instantly, three fires of determination ignited in Guy, Kakashi, and Obito's eyes.