Ch23: Impulsivity and Unexpected Ally

As they moved quietly around the hospital, the tension between Tsume, Nonoe and Mikoto was evident. Tsume, known for her impetuous and combative nature, was growing increasingly impatient.

-We should be doing more than just hanging around," Tsume muttered in frustration. -I feel like we're wasting our time here.

Nonoe, for her part, was clearly worried, but her concern was more for Yasuke and Minato than for the lack of action.

-Tsume, we must be careful," Nonoe replied in a calm tone. We don't know what we might encounter, and we don't want to make things worse for Yasuke and Minato.

Mikoto, always the voice of reason in the group, stepped in to calm things down.

-Tsume is right that we should be proactive, but I also understand your concerns, Nonoe," said Mikoto, seeking a balance. -We need to find a balance between action and caution.

Tsume grunted slightly, dissatisfied but aware of the validity of Mikoto's arguments.

-I understand, but I feel we should be doing more to help," Tsume insisted. -I don't like just waiting.

Nonoe looked at Mikoto, seeking support.

-Mikoto, what do you think we should do? -she asked, her voice revealing her anxiety.

Mikoto paused for a moment, thoughtful.

-We can try to get more information," she suggested. -If we can find out more about what's going on inside the hospital, we might find the best way to help Yasuke and Minato without interfering directly.

Tsume nodded, albeit reluctantly.

-Okay, let's do that. But if I find any opportunity to take action, I'll take it," he said, his tone determined.

Nonoe smiled slightly, grateful for Mikoto's poised presence.

-Thank you, Mikoto. You always know just what to say to keep us focused," she said sincerely.

The group continued on their way, with Mikoto leading with her balanced approach, Tsume always alert to any sign of danger, and Nonoe keeping her concerns for her friends at heart.

As they passed near the hospital entrance, the trio overheard some nurses commenting on a disturbance that had occurred in one of the rooms. What really caught their attention was the mention of a "blond boy" as the cause of the trouble. Tsume, without a second thought, reacted impulsively.

-Wait, Tsume! -Nonoe exclaimed, trying to stop her.

But Tsume had already advanced toward the nurses. With a quick movement, she grabbed one of them by the arm, her expression full of urgency.

-Where is that blond boy? What happened? -Tsume asked in a tone that bordered on demanding.

The nurse, surprised and a little frightened, stammered, trying to answer. Mikoto quickly intervened, trying to calm the situation.

-Tsume, you need to calm down! -said Mikoto, reaching out to her and putting a hand on her shoulder.

Nonoe looked around, noticing how people were starting to gather, drawn by the commotion. Murmurs and shouts began to rise, creating a tense and chaotic atmosphere.

Before the situation could calm down, two chunin appeared, drawn by the shouts and commotion. Seeing Tsume clutching the nurse, they quickly approached, their faces marked by concern and authority.

-What's going on here? -Asked one of the chunin, his voice firm and authoritative.

Tsume, still holding the nurse, realized the gravity of his impulsive action. He released the nurse and turned to the chunin.

-I'm sorry, I just wanted to know about the blond boy," Tsume explained, trying to justify his behavior.

Nonoe intervened, trying to smooth the situation.

-"Excuse me, my friend is just worried about her brother," said Nonoe, her voice calm but firm.

Mikoto nodded, supporting Nonoe's explanation.

-We didn't want to cause trouble. We are here out of concern," Mikoto added.

The chunin, though still cautious, seemed to understand the situation.

-You must remain calm. You can't just assault people in the hospital," said the second chunin, his tone softer but still with a tone of authority.

As the chunin reprimanded the group, Mikoto, with her keen perception, spotted a familiar figure in the distance. It was Yasuke, running towards the area where the chunin had come from. Quickly calculating the consequences, she realized that if they did not act to stop the chunin, they would discover Yasuke and get him in trouble.

With a decision that surprised even herself, Mikoto took bold action. Suddenly, she lunged forward and delivered a strong punch to one of the chunin. The blow was swift and accurate, leaving the chunin momentarily stunned.

Tsume, who until then had been embarrassed by her own impulsiveness, couldn't help but let out a laugh when she saw Mikoto's action.

-Look who's the impulsive one now! -Tsume exclaimed, laughing. -I never thought I'd see you do something like that, Mikoto!

Mikoto, breathing hard from the tension of the moment, turned to Tsume and Nonoe.

-I had to do it," she said, justifying her action. -We couldn't let them discover Yasuke.

Nonoe, though surprised by the turn of events, nodded in understanding.

-It was a good distraction," Nonoe added, supporting Mikoto's decision.

The second chunin, reacting to the surprise attack, prepared to counterattack, but Tsume quickly intervened, engaging the chunin in an attempt to protect Mikoto.

-You can't do that in a hospital! -exclaimed the chunin, clearly angered by the situation.

At the hospital entrance, the confrontation between the group of girls and the chunin quickly escalated. Despite the skill and courage of Tsume, Nonoe and Mikoto, the chunin, with their greater experience and training, posed a formidable challenge.

Tsume, sensing the lack of her canine companion, was forced to rely on her own physical abilities. Meanwhile, Mikoto, using her keen eyesight, dodged the remaining chunin's attacks. Although her Sharingan was not yet active, her innate ability allowed her to anticipate and evade many of the blows. Nonoe, aware of his lesser ability in physical combat, stayed in the rear during the confrontation.

At a crucial moment, Mikoto employed her Katon: Haijingakure no Jutsu, creating a fog that obstructed the chunin's vision and altered his senses. Taking advantage of the confusion, Tsume, transformed into her powerful half-beast form thanks to the Gijyuu Ninpou; Shikyaku no Jutsu, dramatically sharpened her senses and reflexes.

-Come on, Mikoto, cover them with your mist and, together with my enhanced senses, I'll manage to guide myself to him! -said Tsume.

-Got it! Be careful! -He's on your right!

-Take this! -Tsume exclaimed as he made contact. Ha, I'm amazing!

Although the technique drained a lot of chakra, Tsume managed to take down one of the chunin with a series of quick and precise attacks. But, before he could continue, he stumbled and fell to the ground.

-Ugh, my mother is going to kill me for this.... -he muttered, aware that he had not yet fully mastered the technique and had been forbidden to perform it.

-We need to help her! -Nonoe exclaimed, looking worriedly at Tsume.

-She did what she had to do. Now it's up to us to keep the situation under control. -Mikoto commented, still worried about her friend, but knowing that there was one enemy left.

Using what chakra she had left, Mikoto infused all her energy into a stone she had within her reach before throwing it towards the remaining chunin. The chunin, who was already coming out of the effects of the mist, was able to dodge it, as it was aimed at his head, but still the stone wounded his shoulder, taking away some of his mobility.

With Tsume knocked out and Mikoto exhausted, almost immobile, only Nonoe was left facing the slightly injured chunin. Knowing that he could not defeat him in direct combat, Nonoe devised a plan.

-I can't beat him in direct combat... but maybe.... -Nonoe thought aloud, remembering the Hikari no Tama (Sphere of Light).

Hikari no Tama was a jutsu that grandmother Nora had taught him for entertainment. One day, Yasuke suggested that he concentrate a large amount of chakra and release it suddenly, instead of a constant small amount, as Grandma Nora had taught him, he recommended that he try it on Minato. That day, Minato chased after Yasuke for revenge, while Yasuke escaped with a small smile, and Nonoe was lectured by Grandma Nora for being more careful.

Nonoe saw an opportunity to use him in this fight. Pretending to run away, he lured the chunin.

-You can't run away! -said the chunin chasing after Nonoe.

When he chased after her, thinking he had gained the advantage, Nonoe quickly turned around and used the Hikari no Tama.

-I'm sorry, but I have to do this! -Nonoe apologized, even with her compassionate personality.

The intense sphere of light dazzled the chunin, temporarily blinding him. In that brief moment of confusion, Nonoe found the opportunity to counterattack, leaving the chunin disoriented and injured.

-My eyes! What... what was that? -said the disoriented chunin.

However, since it was her first time using it in combat and with her current nerves, she forgot to close her eyes, so she was blinded as well.

As she kept her eyes closed, she heard something fall towards the chunin. When she finally opened them, she saw her new red-haired partner, Kushina Uzumaki, with one fist raised in a victorious pose.

-Ha ha ha ha! You guys really are funny," said the redhead, her excited smile lighting up her face. I couldn't stop myself, you know, I want to fight chunin too, I'm so envious!

Despite her words, a different thought resounded in Kushina's mind, a deeper and more reflective one. Although outwardly she expressed her enthusiasm for the fight, inwardly, what she really envied was the camaraderie and loyalty she saw in the group.

"What I envy is how you two have each other's backs as friends," Kushina thought, observing the way they supported each other. Despite their cheerful and lighthearted appearance, there was a tinge of longing in their eyes, a desire to have that same level of connection and trust with others.

To be continued...