Ever since Shisui Uchiha scared Ao into retreat with that single, terrifying look, the Kirigakure ninja on the opposite side seemed to have collectively gone on vacation. Not even a single scout showed up.
This should have been good news for Ruichi.
If only those so-called "teammates" wouldn't keep staring at him like he was some kind of rare specimen.
---
"Ruichi-kun! Thank you so much for the medicine that day!"
In a corner of the camp, Hana Inuzuka, together with the three Haimaru brothers, bowed deeply, their expressions filled with sincerity.
If it hadn't been for the special hemostatic powder and blood-boosting pills Ruichi provided, Haimaru might not have survived.
Ruichi waved his hand casually.
"It's nothing. Medicine is meant to be used."
At the time, saving the ninja dog was just a convenient favor. If he hadn't done it, the patrol team would've lost a key member—and that would only increase the chances of him being dragged into patrol duty.
"That medicine must be extremely hard to get, right?" Hana asked awkwardly. "I want to repay you, but I really don't have anything valuable on me…"
Those weren't items you could buy on the open market. Even Jonin might not have access to them. Given Ruichi's background, he must have spent a lot to keep them as emergency stock.
Ruichi hadn't planned on asking for repayment. After all, Hana didn't exactly have much value—
Wait.
Doesn't she know Medical Ninjutsu?
Unlike ordinary ninjutsu, Medical Ninjutsu was extremely useful in daily life. Beyond treating injuries and detoxifying, it could accelerate food preservation and ripening.
Ruichi had tried learning it himself—but failed completely, and he had no idea where to find a teacher.
"Since you insist on repaying me," Ruichi said, "teach me some basic Medical Ninjutsu. I want to at least be able to save myself in an emergency."
Hana froze briefly, then nodded vigorously.
"No problem! I'll teach you during my rest time every day!"
---
A Few Days Later…
"…You monster. You seriously never studied this before?"
Looking at the fish Ruichi had revived, Hana felt her worldview shatter.
"No. I just know a little biology."
"Are you kidding me?! With your level, you might not fool Tsunade, but you can completely crush a trainee medical ninja like me!"
"…Is this what a genius feels like?"
Hana muttered under her breath, suddenly feeling like she'd spent years learning medicine from dogs.
---
Recognition Comes to the Capable
Let's rewind to the day after the battle with Kirigakure.
Hayama leaned against a tree, long sword in hand.
"Ruichi, come here."
Ruichi, who was just about to sneak off to lie down, immediately froze.
"Captain Hayama? Lunch isn't for another two hours…"
"I saw you use Wind Release: Vacuum Blade in the last battle."
"Yes… the situation was urgent, so I acted on instinct—"
"You did well with the wind chakra," Hayama said seriously.
"But your sword technique is completely wrong. You swing it like a kitchen knife. Not only does that fail to release its true power, it'll also wreck your wrist."
To a Jonin who had immersed himself in swordsmanship for years, watching someone butcher his signature technique was pure agony.
"You have great potential in Wind Release," Hayama continued. "I'll teach you the true Vacuum Blade."
He drew his sword and flicked his wrist.
Buzz—
The air screamed as an invisible wind blade sliced through a tree branch over ten meters away, leaving a mirror-smooth cut.
"Did you see that? You must coat the blade with wind chakra and launch the slash—not just swing it around."
Ruichi stroked his chin.
It wasn't that he didn't understand close-combat techniques. The Dance of the Camellia was a taijutsu style paired with bone weapons.
But the Kaguya Clan's combat style was designed to complement Shikotsumyaku, focusing on thrusts rather than slashes—which was why he'd defaulted to a cleaver-like motion.
"Bring the ninja sword you captured," Hayama said. "I'll train you at this time every day."
Ruichi instantly realized—there was no escaping this.
He piles on extra work, and we're supposed to thank him for it.
---
A Few Days Later…
Ruichi narrowed his eyes, grabbed a radish from a nearby basket, and tossed it into the air.
Swish—swish—swish—swish!
Before it even hit the ground, the radish had been shredded into perfect slices.
"…You know," Ruichi muttered, "this vacuum-enhanced kitchen knife is actually pretty convenient."
Hayama, who happened to witness the scene, didn't know how to react.
He'd spent three years mastering Vacuum Blade.
And this kid… was using it to cut vegetables.
The worst part? Even if he tried, he couldn't replicate Ruichi's level of precision.
From a distance, Commander Yan Sheng watched with shining eyes.
"Medical Ninjutsu, Wind Release, swordsmanship, Earth Release… a true all-rounder. This kid is easily above Chunin level."
Yan Sheng chuckled.
"Keeping someone like that in logistics is a complete waste."
---
Good Times Never Last
Especially when your superior wants you to "stay motivated."
A few days later, a new supply convoy arrived.
Along with it came a transfer order—border tensions had stabilized, and Shisui Uchiha was to return to Konohagakure to report.
At the camp entrance—
"It seems it's time for me to go," Shisui said gently. "Before I leave, let me teach you one last technique."
He flicked his wrist.
Several shuriken flew out—followed instantly by flames from his mouth.
Fire wrapped around the shuriken like blooming blossoms, tracing arcs through the air before embedding themselves into a distant tree.
"This is Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. It's an advanced form of Phoenix Fire—combining high-temperature damage with cutting power."
Ruichi knew all too well that Shisui's return would set him on a tragic, inescapable path.
Annoying as he could be—and no matter how much Ruichi wanted to drag him into special training—Shisui was ultimately a good man.
"Brother Shisui," Ruichi suddenly said, "do you remember my food stall?"
Shisui blinked. "Of course. I ate there a few times. Didn't it close because of the Military Police?"
"They did come—but only because of a report. Fugaku Uchiha personally investigated the matter."
"Huh?"
"The truth was clarified long ago, but the rumor became 'Uchiha Military Police harassed a street vendor and shut him down.'"
Ruichi spoke casually, his gaze fixed toward Konoha in the distance.
"In the end, I closed it myself. Even if the Military Police meant no harm, the fact they showed up meant someone could benefit from stirring trouble. Continuing would only invite more chaos."
He shrugged, slipping back into his lazy tone.
"Besides—it was too much trouble. Hahaha."
"…You really hate trouble," Shisui said wryly. "I should get going. I'll eat there again when you reopen."
Watching Shisui depart, Ruichi shook his head.
"I've said everything I can. Whether you survive… depends on how much you understood."
Some things—even if you see them clearly—are impossible to escape when you're already standing inside the storm.