After a while, Mito asked, "Hime, how did you do it?"
Miki extended her hands, signaling Mito to look at them.
"Insects, huh…" Mito pondered, then told Hime, "Hime, use your Byakugan to observe the situation inside Mushi-Hime's body."
Hearing this, Hime froze for a moment, then vigorously shook her head, looking at Mito with teary eyes.
It was too terrifying! She didn't want to look!
"Dredging, huh…" It meant clearing blockages to allow water to flow smoothly. Although she hadn't seen it, Mito roughly guessed what had happened.
"The third Chakra control mode, that's something only you, Mushi-Hime, can achieve," Mito marveled, "Truly impressive."
"However, even with that, don't slack off on your studies. You still have so, so much to learn."
Mito earnestly admonished Miki.
"Yes, Mito, I know," Miki replied.
"Good that you know~" Mito responded with a smile.
"So, the current tasks are to recognize acupoints, practice Chakra control, learn about the human body, and identify types of herbs."
"Herbs are a very important part of medical technology. Before the ancient Warring States Period, this skill was categorized under performing arts."
"At that time, Shinobi often had to fight in the wild. The wilderness back then was far from what it is now, with few people venturing into it, and many dangerous beasts and poisonous insects."
"Therefore, they needed the ability to discern weather to plan their itineraries and battles, and they needed wilderness survival skills: knowing what was edible and what wasn't, which plants were poisonous, and which could heal wounds. Over time, all the major Shinobi Clans gained a certain understanding of herbs, which became unwritten secrets within their clans. Among the excellent ones, the earliest Medical Ninjutsu was created."
Indeed, while the Aburame Clan wasn't particularly skilled at identifying herbs, they had insects to taste them, and the insects also possessed healing abilities, making them very versatile in all aspects.
And when it came to knowledge of herbs, the Nara and Akimichi of Ino–Shika–Chō were experts, possessing effective secret medicines.
"When Konoha was established, all the major Shinobi Clans shared their medical secret knowledge, learning from each other. Over the past decade or so, the Village's medical technology has significantly improved, the infant mortality rate has decreased, and the average lifespan of Shinobi has increased. All of this is inseparable from the contributions of medical technology."
"Many unknown Shinobi have silently contributed to this."
"I believe that with everyone's efforts in the future, more Medical Ninjutsu will be created to save lives."
Mito looked at the three and smiled, "This is my small hope for you all."
Mito's gaze had long since moved beyond just her clan; Konoha Village was her home, a home she created with her husband.
But unlike Hashirama, women could be capricious and have a little selfishness.
Chiri and Hime nodded earnestly in unison.
At this moment, Miki asked, "What are performing arts?"
"They were some small tricks from a very long time ago, no need to pay attention to them. They are outdated techniques."
Mito smiled, "What, are you interested in this?"
"What exactly did they include?" Miki asked.
"They are very ancient techniques now, and Konoha no longer uses them," Mito said.
"I'm very curious," Miki said.
"Then I'll briefly explain. They were divided into six categories: Bone Methods, Qi Harmony, Ninjutsu, Performing Arts, Swordsmanship, and Military Strategy."
"Bone Methods involved strengthening the body, training children in various ways from a young age. It particularly emphasized mental cultivation, because most high-risk missions were one-way trips, and an extremely resilient spirit was the true reason for a Shinobi's invincibility."
"Therefore, it was extremely cruel."
"Often, their spirits were honed through torment and pain."
"Either become a Shinobi."
"Or die."
Mito said softly.
"That was the fate of Shinobi Clans' children after birth."
The Aburame Clan was also like this; this cruelty began earlier than most Shinobi Clans, starting in infancy.
This was a significant reason for the sparse population.
"Now you no longer have to learn these, which is a good thing."
"As for Qi Harmony, it was the code of conduct for Shinobi, but most Shinobi nowadays no longer adhere to the secrecy rule. However, the rule of Shinobi prioritizing missions above all else still continues, though there are also those who don't strictly follow it. The Village allows many missions to be abandoned depending on the situation; it's no longer an era where failing a mission meant death upon returning home. As for more rules, you wouldn't want to know."
"Times have gotten better, and the future can be even better," Mito said with longing, "People will constantly move forward, creating an even more beautiful era."
Chiri and Hyuga listened intently.
But Miki wasn't paying much attention.
This woman was subtly instilling her worldview, influencing others without them realizing it.
Though she didn't mention the Village, it was about the Village everywhere.
And Miki had her own complete worldview.
Although what Mito said was correct and factual.
This isn't bad.
But if it's still that kind of future.
Bad.
"As for Ninjutsu, Swordsmanship, and Military Strategy, these are no different from what you're learning now, except that there's more to learn. Military Strategy, in particular, is something only Jonin need to master, to command Genin and Chunin in battle formations on the front lines and during missions."
"As for Performing Arts, that's much more complex. It's the art of traveling the world, including stealth, concealment, medicine, bandaging, poisoning and detoxifying, makeup and disguise, intelligence gathering, hearing and smell training, hunger endurance training, shame elimination training…"
At this point, Mito said mysteriously.
"Do you know what shame elimination is?"
The three shook their heads in unison.
"One of the exercises involves soaking in a cesspool," Mito laughed, "If I had encountered such training when I was little, I would have committed suicide."
"That's disgusting," Chiri shivered, hugging her arms.
Hime gagged.
Miki recalled playing with cow dung when she was little.
During fights, she'd chase her friends, throwing it at them. She was practically invincible; even the adults nearby would retreat three paces.
"And girls would also learn about seduction," Mito said, "Want to learn? I can teach you. It can enhance your feminine charm."
"Isn't it just wearing less?" Miki said, "No thanks."
Hime quickly shook her head; she didn't want to learn.
Chiri was no exception; although she was quite curious about seduction.
But it was useless.
"You can secretly learn from me later, you'll use it," Mito winked.
"Are there any other Performing Arts skills?" Miki asked in a cold voice, bringing the topic back.
"They are all special skills, also including incense making and playing musical instruments and singing. In the era before the Transformation Technique, to make disguises more realistic, some related professional skills would be taught. To pretend to be a beggar, you needed a bowl; to pretend to be a zither player, you had to know how to play, right?"
"The Uchiha were particularly good at this, knowing a great many things," Mito said, "An Uchiha who couldn't dance was a fake Uchiha; there used to be such a legend."
Chiri blinked blankly. Were her clan members all so talented? And could they dance?
She had never seen it.
Was she a fake Uchiha?
"Later, with the convenient Transformation Technique, these skills were no longer used much."
Mito said.
"Then, wouldn't advanced disguise and makeup be harder to see through than the Transformation Technique?" Miki asked.
"Because it's very troublesome, makeup is far less convenient than the Transformation Technique. Most Shinobi cannot see through the Transformation Technique; only Sensory Shinobi and Dojutsu Shinobi Clans can," Mito waved her hand and said, "However, the Anbu still teach this content. They use such cautious methods to infiltrate enemy Villages and gather intelligence."
Talented Anbu, huh?
Miki tried to imagine Kakashi wearing women's clothes and playing musical instruments and singing.
Never mind, it's better not to imagine.
It's boring if you can't imagine the face.
"Alright, enough about that. Now, let's continue learning the basics of Medical Ninjutsu."
Mito clapped her hands.
The lesson continued.
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