Not only the other medical staff who were cleaning up equipment, but even some conscious wounded on nearby beds who had been quietly watching couldn't help but speak up to persuade him. Some had weak voices, some were full of gratitude, but all their gazes were fixed on that young figure, their eyes filled with concern and heartache.
Over the past few days, everyone has witnessed this young boy's hardship, one could even say, desperate dedication.
He hardly stopped for a moment. While on duty, his figure and Shadow Clones moved like tireless shuttles, weaving through various areas of the field hospital, handling all kinds of wounds.
After shifts, when others seized time to catch their breath, he would often go alone into the medicine preparation room, personally brewing and preparing batches of highly effective special medicines that often played critical roles.
Every day, from before dawn to late at night when lights were blazing, his busy figure could always be seen, his eyes gradually reddening, his face growing paler from exhaustion.
Then, after only two or three hours of rest, he would get up again as if nothing had happened and continue working.
Shinichi took the towel Nono Yakushi handed him, wiped his face and hands, and slowly swept his gaze across the faces in the tent, faces filled with worry, earnestness, and gratitude.
A gentle, reassuring smile appeared once again on his pale face.
"Everyone, don't worry, I'm fine…"
"Go rest when you're told to rest! Why are you talking so much nonsense!?"
Before the words could be finished, they were abruptly cut off by a voice from outside the tent.
The tent flap was suddenly lifted, and Tsunade strode in with an imposing presence. Her brown eyes swept across everyone in the tent before finally landing on that slightly pale face.
"What are you trying to prove here? Trying to show off? Playing the hero? With so many seniors around, is it your turn to play the hero?"
She walked a few steps up to Shinichi, crossed her arms, and glared down at him from above.
"If someone didn't know better, they would think this entire field hospital can't function without you!"
Shinichi opened his mouth, wanting to explain something.
"Go get some sleep now!"
Tsunade cut him off directly, her voice rising several degrees: "This is not a discussion! This is an order!"
The tent fell silent. No one spoke; everyone was silent while watching the scene.
"I understand, Tsunade-sensei."
Shinichi remained silent for two seconds, then nodded, obediently turning around and walking toward the tent entrance.
"Wait."
Tsunade's voice came from behind him.
Shinichi stopped and turned back.
"Sleep enough, clear your head, then come back to work."
Tsunade said in the same fierce tone. "Don't let me see you running around tomorrow with those red eyes again, or you'll regret it!"
"I understand."
Shinichi responded, lifted the curtain, and walked out.
"This child…"
Nono Yakushi looked at his disappearing back at the tent entrance and sighed softly.
The tent was quiet for a few seconds.
Then someone softly said, "With Shinichi here, it really puts me at ease."
Hearing this, Tsunade didn't know what to think. Her eyes shifted slightly before turning to Nono Yakushi beside her: "Nono, what did I tell you earlier? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on this kid and not let him mess around or push himself too hard? Is this how you kept watch on him?"
"Sorry, Lady Tsunade, I couldn't persuade this child."
Nono Yakushi apologized, but her gaze still followed the gradually receding figure of the boy.
It was as if she saw a child of two or three years old, carefully testing the temperature of a baby bottle, gently soothing crying infants one by one.
At an age when most children were still crying loudly, being disliked by everyone, and only knowing how to demand attention and affection, there was such a child, quietly and gently taking care of children even younger than himself.
That day, Nono stood at the doorway and watched for a long time.
She didn't know why she watched for so long. She only remembered that the sunlight that day was very good, shining on that small figure's back like it was outlined with a faint golden edge.
The scene shifted, and he was slightly older, taking the initiative to help clean the courtyard, organize toys, and share the rare candies and snacks with younger brothers and sisters.
This child named Shinichi had opened his eyes to the world far too early, quietly observing it, then using his small strength, clumsily yet gently trying to soothe others' unease and share their burdens.
"However…"
Nono Yakushi withdrew her thoughts, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips as she softly said: "Isn't it precisely because this child has always been like this since he was young, used to working silently, used to taking care of others, used to always putting himself last, warming everyone around him in his own way…"
Her voice grew softer, yet each word clearly fell into everyone's ears: "That's why everyone feels especially sorry for him and can't help but want to protect him, isn't that right, Lady Tsunade?"
The tent fell silent again.
Tsunade did not speak. The surrounding medical staff did not speak. Even the wounded on the beds listened quietly, no one making a sound.
The silence lasted for a long time.
No one refuted it.
…
Half an hour later, at the command headquarters.
The lamplight cast swaying shadows on the tent walls.
Jiraiya sat at a wooden table with a pile of intelligence documents spread before him, his brows tightly furrowed.
"This Pakura!"
He put down the document in his hand with some frustration and rubbed his temples hard.
"In three days, she led that squad to attack six of our supply lines, four patrol teams, and even wiped out two forward outposts. Every time she comes and goes like the wind, we simply can't catch up."
He looked up at Tsunade, who stood across from him with her arms crossed.
"When regular troops encounter her, they can only take a beating. When we send elite squads to encircle her, she always senses it in advance and disappears without a trace before we can close in."
At this point, Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh again and rub his brow: "If only Minato were here..."
"Stop thinking about your student."
Tsunade cut off his lament, walked to the map, and pointed to several directions: "According to the latest intelligence, the Village Hidden in the Cloud's troop concentration and unusual activities in the northeast are becoming more frequent."
"A major battle could break out at any time this month. Village Hidden in the Mist has also begun acting up along the southeastern coast, frequently approaching or even making small invasions into our territory under the pretext of chasing rebel ninjas or searching merchant ships. Minato's mission is far more important than you think."
"Yeah."
Jiraiya nodded.
The tent fell silent for a few seconds.
"However, you're right, Jiraiya."
After a moment of silence, Tsunade slowly turned around, her back to the map, facing Jiraiya.
"This can't go on any longer."
"Give me an elite squad. I'll lead it personally and go meet this Pakura."
Jiraiya was silent for a while. He stared into Tsunade's eyes, then slowly nodded: "Alright."
"However, Tsunade, you're the head of our logistics and medical system. You can only operate within a range where you can return within a day's travel."
"If any unexpected situation occurs, you must be able to come back quickly."
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