Yahiko's gaze kept shifting back and forth between Shinji and Konan.
He actually trusted Shinji's character quite a bit, having fought alongside him before. He guessed there was probably just some misunderstanding between Shinji and Konan.
But how had he heard the word "pervert"?
The thought crossed his mind, and an inexplicable sourness welled up in his heart, accompanied by some unhealthy associations. He immediately grew alert.
Konan was their most important companion.
Pushing Nagato into the ward, Yahiko casually asked, "What were you two doing just now?"
"Nothing!" Konan blurted out, her tone slightly flustered.
"It's a misunderstanding, just a small misunderstanding," Shinji replied calmly.
Yahiko's heart grew even more sour. Konan was definitely hiding something from them!
Konan hurriedly turned her face away, nervously smoothing her hair, looking as awkward as a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
How could she possibly say that her private state had been seen by Shinji?
Not just Yahiko, even Nagato was now looking at Konan strangely.
Seeing her attempt to cover things up only made it more obvious that something had happened that she didn't want others to know.
Both of them turned their heads, looking curiously at Shinji with eyes full of inquiry.
Shinji calmly picked up the medical instruments nearby, his expression composed. "I just wanted to give Konan a physical examination."
He pointed at Nagato and added, "Just like when I examined you before."
Nagato suddenly understood—it was all just a misunderstanding.
He earnestly advised, "Konan, listen to the doctor. Shinji is the Medical Ninja we rely on now!"
This well-meaning but clueless advice only made Konan's cheeks burn even hotter.
This clueless Nagato was just making things worse!
She gripped the blanket tightly, glaring fiercely at Nagato, and said somewhat angrily, "Then why don't you two leave quickly!"
"Leave? Why should we leave during an examination?" Nagato looked completely confused.
It was then that Yahiko finally remembered. When Shinji had treated everyone earlier, he had briefly stayed in the room and vaguely recalled Shinji having to undo Konan's clothing for treatment.
Seeing Konan tightly wrapped in her blanket now, he instantly understood the reason.
"Nagato, let's go outside!"
Yahiko's face flushed red as he pushed Nagato out.
"Wait, Yahiko!" Nagato still wanted to ask more.
"Don't say anything else, or Konan will really get angry."
Before leaving the ward, Yahiko couldn't help but glance at Shinji, his tone tinged with sourness as he said, "Shinji, I'm counting on you."
Then, with a confused Nagato in tow, he hurried out under Konan's death glare, looking rather sheepish.
Seeing them leave, Konan secretly sighed in relief, but her cheeks instantly flushed red, making her even more bashful.
She looked up at Shinji, her lips moving slightly as she whispered, "My body is already fine. There's no need for another examination."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Shinji's mouth. He could tell she was embarrassed, but he still picked up the instruments and said solemnly, "In the eyes of a Medical Ninja, there is no distinction between men and women. Professional matters should be left to professionals."
"If hidden injuries are left untreated, your ninja career could be completely ruined in the future."
His words were by no means alarmist. During the Third Ninja World War, Konohagakure had a large number of ninjas who, after the war, neglected hidden injuries, suffered severe damage to their bodies, and were eventually forced to retire from the ninja ranks, no longer able to withstand high-intensity missions and battles.
Even in the original story, Itachi Uchiha's premature death was partly due to hidden ailments and a long-term lack of targeted treatment, which greatly diminished his strength.
Listening to Shinji recount these tragic cases, Konan's heart tightened involuntarily.
She raised her eyes to carefully examine Shinji, seeing that his expression was completely serious, without a hint of frivolous or improper thoughts.
Konan bit her lower lip lightly, slowly closed her eyes, as if heading to an execution ground, and gradually removed the blanket covering her. She tilted her neck slightly, her voice trembling a little: "You... you can examine me."
What came into view was Konan's flawless, fair skin and abdomen, and Shinji couldn't help but feel a flicker of inappropriate thoughts in his heart.
But he immediately took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his chaotic emotions, his expression instantly turning serious as he switched into the role of a professional medical ninja.
He picked up a pair of medical scissors from the nearby low table and carefully cut along the edge of the old bandage from bottom to top.
The cold touch of the metal against her abdomen made Konan shiver all over, her skin breaking out in goosebumps. She nervously peeked through a slit in her eyes, only to see Shinji focused and absorbed, his eyes solely on the wound and treatment, without a trace of impropriety.
Her tense, stiff body gradually relaxed.
She thought to herself: Perhaps I really misunderstood him. Shinji is a medical ninja who strictly adheres to his duties.
Shinji meticulously examined each wound and then re-wrapped them with clean gauze.
A relaxed smile slowly appeared at the corner of Konan's lips, but a layer of moisture gradually clouded her eyes as she felt a warm, gentle touch sweep over her abdomen.
"Is it not done yet?" Konan whispered, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"This is just the beginning. We need to carefully check for hidden issues; we can't be careless," Shinji said earnestly.
Inside the ward, the two were fully focused on the treatment, completely unaware of the commotion outside.
After Yahiko pushed Nagato out of the ward, he didn't go far at all. Instead, he tiptoed to a stop in the corridor, pressed his ear tightly against the wall, and sneakily eavesdropped on the sounds inside.
He secretly lamented that the Akatsuki hideout's soundproofing was too effective—not a single sound could be heard from inside.
"Damn it, I can't hear anything!"
Nagato looked at him helplessly and softly remarked, "If you're so concerned, why didn't you stay inside earlier?"
He knew Yahiko liked Konan. Many in the Akatsuki harbored such feelings, and he himself was no exception.
Thinking of this, Nagato felt a faint sense of regret in his heart, mixed with a touch of relieved blessing.
Compared to his own feelings, he hoped more for Yahiko and Konan to find stable happiness.
Unable to hear anything, Yahiko stood up straight from the wall, frustrated that he hadn't learned any medical ninjutsu. Since their teacher Jiraiya wasn't skilled in medical ninjutsu either, he couldn't help but secretly envy Shinji for his exceptional medical abilities.
He shook his head and turned to explain, "Konan is a girl. It's not appropriate for us to stay during a private examination."
Nagato shrugged, maneuvering his wheelchair forward a bit, changing the subject, "What are your thoughts on that matter?"
The frustration on Yahiko's face instantly froze. He took over pushing the wheelchair gently and asked softly, "About sending Konan to Konohagakure? Will she agree?"
Nagato was also glad not to have to do it himself. He slowly leaned back in the wheelchair, his gaze fixed straight ahead, and said in a low voice, "I want Konan to leave us for a while. The situation we'll face next might be dangerous."
He raised his hand to touch his Rinnegan, his resolve growing firmer in his heart.
Over the past few days, he had privately discussed with Yahiko the future development path of Akatsuki, focusing on exploring ways to master the Rinnegan to prevent past crises from recurring.
Nagato's pale purple Rinnegan flashed as he said:
"To protect our ideals, we must become strong enough."
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