The Forest of Death, officially known as Training Ground 44.
This area was strictly sealed off by Konohagakure on normal days. Not only were the outer perimeters wrapped in layers of barbed wire, but multiple Genjutsu barriers were also deployed, making it impossible for ordinary people to approach.
Shinji, having left the Konohagakure hospital, quietly arrived at the edge of the forest.
With the perceptive power of the Sharingan, these obstacles were completely transparent to his eyes.
"This is the most suitable place to hide things," Shinji muttered softly.
He needed to quickly secure his spoils in an absolutely safe location.
Taking half a step back, he suddenly exerted force with his feet. His figure flashed as he easily vaulted over the barbed wire fence.
After a few leaps, he completely merged into the shadows of the dense forest, speeding towards its depths.
A cold, thin mist perpetually lingered among the trees, visibility was extremely low.
The ground was covered with highly poisonous weeds and venomous insects, and ferocious ninja beasts lurked in the darkness. Yet, none of this posed any threat to Shinji at this moment.
"Is this the forest transformed by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, using Wood Release?" Shinji thought as he weaved between the towering giant trees. Gazing at this training ground forcibly carved out and shaped by the power of a single individual, a wave of awe washed over him.
Just imagining the First Hokage's strength and that terrifying total amount of Chakra was enough to make one's heart palpitate.
Senju Hashirama's total Chakra was probably at least a hundred times that of Kakashi's.
After advancing a bit further, he stopped before a giant tree that looked utterly unremarkable.
Activating his Sharingan, he slowly scanned the surroundings, confirming there were no pursuers, no Sensor Ninja, and no ambushes of any kind.
Shinji concentrated Chakra on the soles of his feet and leaped up to the middle section of the tree trunk in a few steps.
He drew a Kunai from his waist and easily cut into the wood with its sharp edge.
Wood chips fell rustling as he quickly carved out a moderately deep, hidden hollow in the trunk.
He took three Sealing Scrolls from his robe and carefully placed them inside. Then, using mud and bark, he meticulously smoothed over and sealed the opening, leaving no trace.
After finishing this, Shinji gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the silent forest once more.
A thought, without any warning, surfaced in his mind.
"Perhaps I could build a secret base here?"
The Forest of Death was rarely visited, had strict barriers, and patrols seldom ventured deep inside. It was a perfect place, whether for hiding contraband or practicing techniques that couldn't be detected by Konohagakure.
"I'll learn the Shadow Clone Technique first. I can find a way to do that back in the clan."
"That way, it'll be much more convenient to come here later."
His thoughts gradually clarified, and some ideas slowly took shape in Shinji's mind.
...
7 PM, Shinji's home.
Shinji was wearing a clean blue apron, holding a ladle in his right hand, gently stirring the pot.
Smelling the gradually spreading aroma of the miso soup, he nodded in satisfaction.
Next to the sink sat a large wooden basin. Inside, three small crucian carp swam quietly.
These weren't ingredients; they were the "practice tools" for Rin to teach him Medical Ninjutsu tonight.
Knock knock knock—
A light knocking sound came from the door.
Shinji put down the ladle, smiled, walked to the entrance, and opened the door.
Outside, Nohara Rin stood with a small medical kit on her back. In her right hand, she held a cage containing three white mice.
The little creatures were anxiously bumping against the cage walls, as if they had already sensed their fate tonight.
"Teacher Rin, come in quickly."
Shinji naturally took the cage, stepped aside to let her enter, and bent down to take out a brand new pair of pink slippers.
Knowing she was coming tonight, he had prepared them in advance.
For a moment, he remembered when Kurenai had visited last time and he hadn't prepared slippers. A thought quietly formed in his mind:
"It seems I should keep a few more pairs of ladies' slippers on hand."
"Don't tease me!" Nohara Rin pouted playfully.
She stepped inside, bent down to take off her shoes, revealing her fair and slender ankles, then put on the slippers Shinji had prepared.
Shinji smiled and led the way: "Come on in. I've already made dinner. We can eat first, then you can teach me Medical Ninjutsu."
With that, he turned and went back to the kitchen to finish up.
Nohara Rin stood in the living room, her heartbeat gradually speeding up.
This was her first time in Shinji's home. Her gaze instinctively took in the surroundings, everywhere were traces of Shinji's life, causing her cheeks to blush faintly.
"So this is Shinji's home..."
Not long after, Shinji's voice came from the kitchen:
"Rin, go wash your hands. Dinner's ready."
Shinji walked out of the kitchen carrying the soup pot and gently placed it on the dining table.
Rin quickly responded, smiling as she went to the bathroom.
At the dining table, the two sat facing each other.
"Sorry, Rin. I only know how to make these simple dishes. My cooking isn't that great."
"Not at all, Shinji, it's delicious. I never expected you to be so good at cooking."
They chatted while eating, the atmosphere very harmonious.
After the meal, with Rin's help, the dishes were quickly cleaned up.
Once everything was tidied, Shinji clasped his hands under his chin, his gaze serious as he looked at Rin:
"Teacher Rin, I'll be in your care tonight."
Nohara Rin gave a light cough. She always felt there was a hint of inexplicable excitement in Shinji's tone when he called her "Teacher Rin," but she had no proof.
She had corrected him many times, but Shinji always called her "Teacher Rin" with a smile. In the end, she could only helplessly glare at him and accept the title.
She walked over and sat down beside Shinji, picking up the prepared notes. Instantly, she entered a serious teaching mode.
"For organ transplantation, the most important things are precisely cutting the corresponding parts, and the neural connection and recovery after transplantation..."
"This requires a very solid foundation. The notes you showed me before already have quite a bit of related content..."
Rin's voice was gentle and clear.
Shinji occasionally glanced at her, his mind quickly settling into a state of calm, listening with exceptional focus.
Over an hour passed, and Nohara Rin's theoretical explanation gradually came to a stop.
Shinji had also completely grasped the key points. To complete organ transplantation, one must use the Chakra Scalpel and the Mystical Palm Technique in combination.
The former is responsible for precisely severing meridians and tissues, the latter for post-operative healing and stabilization.
Reaching this point, Rin slightly frowned, showing a troubled expression:
"Although I know both of these techniques, Konohagakure has rules against privately passing them on to others."
Shinji understood this very well.
Whether it was the Konohagakure higher-ups or the major ninja clans, they all had strict regulations controlling the teaching of Ninjutsu, and Medical Ninjutsu was especially heavily guarded.
But this wasn't a difficult problem for him.
He softly reassured her:
"It's alright. The clan mentioned before they would focus on cultivating me. Applying to learn these two techniques shouldn't be difficult."
He clearly remembered his previous conversation with Fugaku.
Even if the elders had reservations about him learning Medical Ninjutsu, they probably wouldn't refuse to provide scrolls for two B-rank techniques.
Perhaps the Uchiha clan itself had related scrolls in their collection.
Hearing this, Rin relaxed, gently patting her chest:
"That puts my mind at ease. I was afraid I'd hold you back."
"Although I can't directly teach you those two techniques, I can first teach you finer Chakra control and demonstrate the organ transplantation process for you."
She pointed to the crucian carp in the wooden basin on the table and the white mice in the cage nearby.
Shinji nodded lightly, the Sharingan in his eyes slowly rotating.
He wouldn't let the sacrifice of these little lives be in vain.
Shinji looked at Rin, his eyes serious and determined: "Let's begin, Rin. I'll do my best to keep up with your pace."
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