Chapter 31: Barbecue Feast
"Kiyoshi, you're really something…" Tsunade praised, clicking her tongue in admiration.
A few days had passed.
It was noon, the sun blazing in the sky.
Tsunade, in high spirits after a successful hospital shift and pleased with Kiyoshi's performance, brought him and Shizune to the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant.
"No wonder people call you the little medical prodigy," Shizune said, smiling at her young partner.
"In just a few days, it feels like you've already surpassed me."
In such a short time, Kiyoshi's reputation spread like wildfire.
He had even earned a new title, hailed as the "Little Medical Prodigy."
At first, some medical staff at the Konoha Hospital were skeptical, thinking Tsunade was being reckless by letting her young disciple practice on Konoha's patients and injured shinobi.
But over these past few days, Kiyoshi's monstrous talent completely won over them.
Under Shizune's guidance, Kiyoshi quickly mastered various medical jutsus, and he performed clinical treatments with remarkable skill.
From shinobi with missing limbs and severe blood loss to those with gut wounds or severe burns, Kiyoshi encountered all kinds of injuries and tackled each one. His swift progress amazed everyone.
"This is all thanks to your teaching, Shizune-senpai," Kiyoshi replied modestly, "and I still have a lot to learn."
Following Tsunade's hands-on training at the hospital, Kiyoshi realized how limited his prior knowledge was.
An excellent medical ninja wasn't just someone who could heal basic injuries, it required extensive knowledge and experience, especially for congenital diseases or bacterial infections, which demanded careful diagnosis and treatment.
Working alongside Shizune to treat patients with rare and complex conditions was a huge learning experience for Kiyoshi.
And for cases beyond Shizune's skill, they could turn to Tsunade herself for guidance, which constantly elevated Kiyoshi's abilities and broadened his view of medical ninjutsu.
He witnessed firsthand how Tsunade could miraculously heal patients considered beyond hope, patients who had already received death notices from the hospital.
Watching her heal even those with severe internal injuries on the brink of death was astonishing—like bringing the dead back to life.
In one of these surgeries, Shizune took the lead under Tsunade's direction, with Kiyoshi and the rest of the medical team assisting.
Together, they pulled a dying patient back from the edge. Kiyoshi was in awe.
Notably, even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who kept an eye on this newly recognized student of Tsunade, made time yesterday to visit the hospital and personally praise Kiyoshi.
However, before Hiruzen could start his usual speech about the "Will of Fire," he was quickly ushered out by Tsunade, who directly sent her former teacher packing without a second thought.
Hiruzen could only keep up his Hokage-like composure as he left with his guards, leaving Kiyoshi struggling to hold back laughter.
"Haha, nothing beats Akimichi barbecue!" Kiyoshi exclaimed, savoring a piece of meat.
"No wonder Uncle Choza's family has so many members with such big appetites—they haven't gone bankrupt."
In the past, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza had brought him and Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji—here a few times, and Kiyoshi had been hooked ever since.
Thanks to the financial support from his grandmother, he'd made it a point to come for barbecue once or twice a month.
Although he didn't mind Ichiraku Ramen, it just wasn't quite his thing.
He passed a piece of meat to Tonton, who was drooling beside him, and Shizune nodded in agreement. "Akimichi's barbecue really is one of Konoha's best."
"If you like it, eat up to build your strength…" Tsunade said, adding a few more pieces to Kiyoshi's plate.
She tousled his hair affectionately, smiling as she looked at his young face. "You'll need it this afternoon, we have some major surgeries lined up."
These past few days, Kiyoshi's humility and focus had impressed Tsunade. He showed no signs of arrogance despite his young age and rising reputation.
To be honest, if it were her with this level of skill at his age, Tsunade thought she might have let it go to her head a bit.
"Thank you, Tsunade-nee," Kiyoshi replied cheerfully, without a hint of shyness.
Though he didn't actually need regular food, he did enjoy the taste, which he had grown quite fond of.
"But the Akimichi family doesn't only run a barbecue business…" Tsunade continued with a smile, chewing on her own piece of meat.
"Their food pills are also famous across the shinobi world and are extremely popular among ninjas."
"Now that's a profitable business."
"So that's how it is," Kiyoshi murmured, intrigued.
Initially, he thought the Akimichi family only had their secret three coloured pills, but it turned out they also sold food pills.
Curious, he looked at Tsunade's face. "So, no one's ever tried to analyze and replicate the ingredients in food pills?"
Of course, Kiyoshi knew about food pills, they could quickly replenish chakra but were hard to digest if consumed in excess.
They were widely used in battles, especially for situations when one's chakra was running low.
Certain specialized food pills could even give a temporary boost in chakra, a highly valuable effect in combat.
"It's not just the Akimichi family, the Uchiha, Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans all have their own food pills," Tsunade explained.
"The basic food pill recipe isn't exactly a well-guarded secret, and it's fairly easy to analyze the main components."
"But Akimichi's food pills are generally more effective, so they're more popular," she added.
"Then there are the Akimichi clan's special three coloured pills, which can instantly increase chakra levels, though they're not sold publicly and are only for the clan's use. Plus, they come with significant side effects."
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