**Chapter 37: A Strange Conversation**

Late at night, the street was pitch black. 

Only a few scattered street lamps were still working. 

Kimimaro walked down the street, and the surrounding shops were already closed. 

"Looks like I'll have to find a place to stay for now and gather information tomorrow," he thought. 

Kimimaro headed to a nearby inn and booked a room. 

In the room, he found it hard to sleep. 

"I wonder if I'll be able to find Tsunade tomorrow. I wonder if she can cure my Kekkei Genkai illness." 

He sighed, his thoughts inevitably messy. 

At this point, Tsunade seemed like his only hope. 

If even she couldn't help, he might have to resort to forbidden techniques. 

But turning into something like Orochimaru was something he really didn't want. 

"Forget it, I shouldn't think too much," Kimimaro muttered, walking to the balcony to calm his emotions. 

However, when he opened the balcony door, he saw a small pink-skinned pig holding a pillow, lying on the balcony and looking rather content. 

"What is this…" 

Kimimaro was stunned, and the little pig, hearing the noise, looked at him. 

Man and pig locked eyes, and the scene was rather amusing. 

"Tonton?" 

Kimimaro immediately recognized the little pink pig. 

There was only one pink-skinned pig in the entire ninja world who wore red clothes, and that was the one with Shizune. 

Since the pig was here, did that mean Tsunade was nearby too? 

Realizing this, Kimimaro felt a surge of joy. 

It seemed he had finally found the right place. 

"This balcony is mine, you know. Isn't it a bit rude to just occupy it like that?" 

His tone was slightly amused, but the pink pig looked a bit embarrassed when it heard this. 

Tonton squealed twice, and Kimimaro used his mind-talk ability to translate the pig's squeals into words he could understand. 

The marvel of his mind-talk power became clear. 

It was like telepathy, allowing him to communicate directly with any creature. 

"Um… Is it not okay?" 

Seeing how cute Tonton looked, Kimimaro smiled and said, "Just now, it wasn't okay, but now it is." 

"You can understand me? How?" 

Tonton was shocked. 

All these years, only Shizune and Tsunade had understood it. 

Who would've thought this young man could as well? 

"You can think of it as a type of ninjutsu," Kimimaro replied. 

"That's a pretty amazing ninjutsu." 

Tonton suddenly felt a sense of closeness to Kimimaro, as if they were the same kind. 

Of course, if Kimimaro knew the pig was thinking this, he wouldn't be too pleased. 

"By the look of you, you're a pet, right? Why aren't you staying at home?" 

"My owner lives next door. The balcony over there isn't as nice. This one lets me bask in the moonlight." 

"Bask in the moonlight?" 

Kimimaro was stunned—this was a pig with taste. 

"Yeah, look, the moon is so round tonight," Tonton squealed. 

"It is quite round," Kimimaro agreed. 

And so, a strange scene unfolded: man and pig enjoying the moonlight together. 

Kimimaro opened the curtains, letting the moonlight flood the room. 

The feeling was rather magical. 

"How does it feel? Do you feel calmer now?" 

"I do. It's not bad." 

Kimimaro smiled, finding this little pink pig to be quite thoughtful. 

It's no wonder Tsunade kept it; it was definitely unique. 

"Are you a ninja?" 

"I guess so. But I prefer being called a traveling doctor." 

"A traveling doctor? Could it be that you're the famous Doctor Kim I've been hearing about?" 

"You've heard of me? Seems like I'm getting quite well-known." 

Kimimaro smiled. 

"Very well-known. I've heard quite a bit about you recently." 

"Cough, cough…" 

Just then, Kimimaro coughed twice, a bit of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. 

He wiped it away casually, showing no concern. 

"Young man, your body doesn't seem to be in great shape," Tonton remarked, having spent enough time with Tsunade and Shizune to have a sharp eye. 

Seeing Kimimaro like this, the pig knew he was ill—and not lightly. 

"It's an old illness," Kimimaro said calmly. 

"You're a doctor, yet you can't cure yourself?" 

"I can't. It's a Kekkei Genkai disease." 

Kimimaro didn't hide the truth. 

"A Kekkei Genkai disease? That's tough." 

As Tsunade's pig, it was no ordinary animal and knew about such illnesses. 

"I didn't expect a pig to know so much," Kimimaro commented. 

"I'm no ordinary pig. My owner is the best medical ninja in the world." 

"Oh? Could your owner be Lady Tsunade?" Kimimaro teased. 

"Exactly! The medical genius, Lady Tsunade!" 

"Hmm?" 

Kimimaro looked surprised. 

Tonton looked proud. 

Playing along with a pig, Kimimaro felt like his acting skills were improving. 

"Surprised?" 

"Indeed. So, Lady Tsunade is next door?" 

Kimimaro grew excited. 

"Yes, right next door. But she's already asleep. If you want to see her, you'll have to wait until tomorrow." 

"Tomorrow is fine. I can't believe my luck, just randomly choosing an inn and finding Lady Tsunade." 

Kimimaro's face lit up with excitement. 

"Even if you didn't run into her today, Lady Tsunade would come to find you tomorrow. Haven't you been treating people in a nearby village recently?" 

"Yeah, how did you know?" 

"Your name has been spreading. Lady Tsunade is interested in you and wants to meet." 

"Lady Tsunade wants to meet me? What an honor!" 

Kimimaro appeared even more "excited." 

"Don't get too happy just yet. Kekkei Genkai diseases are incurable. Even Lady Tsunade might not be able to help." 

Tonton's words poured cold water on Kimimaro's excitement. 

But he was already prepared for this, so he wasn't too disappointed. 

"I know. But even if there's a sliver of hope, I won't give up. As a doctor, I never give up on any patient. And in this case, that patient is me," Kimimaro said with a wry smile. 

In the moonlight, he looked particularly serene. 

"Young man, don't dwell on it too much. With such beautiful moonlight, thinking about life and death is a bit dull. Why not just enjoy the moment instead of worrying about tomorrow? 

Tomorrow's troubles can wait for tomorrow's you. Relax. 

After the full moon, the sun will rise again. New hope will always come." 

Tonton spoke as it lay back on its pillow, gazing at the bright moonlight outside the balcony. 

Kimimaro looked at the content pink pig and smiled faintly. 

It seemed he wasn't as good at enjoying life as a pig. 

How amusing. 

(End of Chapter)