**Chapter 6: Nawaki, you are sick!**

"Ding! If you find an injury, please treat the patient as soon as possible."

Just as Tsunade was introducing Senju Nawaki, the system beeped, targeting Nawaki directly.

Nawaki's potential was a bit underwhelming—neither exceptional nor terrible. Moreover, with the Second Ninja War escalating, most of Konoha's Chunin were deployed to the front lines. Tragically, Nawaki would die in this conflict shortly after becoming a Chunin, along with Kato Dan, another close relative.

Tsunade, having lost two loved ones in such a short span, developed a fear of blood (hemophobia) and, disillusioned with Konoha's leadership, eventually chose to leave the village.

"My sister's disciple?" Nawaki asked, confusion crossing his 12-year-old face. "Does that make him my junior?"

"Ahem... I'll cover you from now on!" he declared, puffing out his chest.

"Nawaki, you're sick!" Reiki interjected before Nawaki could get too proud.

"What!?"

"You... you're the sick one!" Nawaki shot back, anger flaring. "My sister is the strongest medical ninja. If I were sick, she would know!"

His outrage was palpable, but he could only lash out verbally due to Tsunade's protective nature.

"Reiki, were you joking just now?" Tsunade asked seriously.

From their brief interaction, she sensed Reiki was neither frivolous nor reckless.

"Nawaki is sick, but the cause is unclear. I need to check further to be sure," Reiki replied, glancing at Nawaki.

The system indicated an injury, and while trauma was easily identifiable, Nawaki's issue was clearly different.

"Let's take a look," Tsunade decided, trusting Reiki's instincts.

"Sister..."

"Reiki is a medical ninja. Trust me!" Tsunade interrupted Nawaki before he could protest.

Nawaki reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"All right," Reiki said, placing his hands on Nawaki. A red light illuminated the area.

"What is this?" Tsunade observed, intrigued. She had never seen this form of medical ninjutsu before, sensing something mysterious about it.

"Found it!" Reiki announced moments later.

Nawaki's meridians were poisoned, beginning to harden... a clear sign of chronic poisoning.

"Teacher, Nawaki is poisoned. It seems like chronic toxins have invaded his meridians. It's not detectable without a close inspection," Reiki explained.

Treatment was possible, but it would expose his unique abilities.

"Meridians?" Tsunade rushed to Nawaki and grabbed his hand.

She released her chakra and began her own examination.

"Boom!"

Minutes later, Tsunade sank to the ground, despair etched across her face.

Chronic poison and rigid meridians meant Nawaki couldn't improve and might even face death due to this affliction. As the strongest medical ninja, she felt helpless.

Did she really have to...

"Teacher, I can treat him," Reiki said, helping Tsunade to her feet. "But it will require a lot of chakra and preparation. I need to gain more experience with other patients first."

"Can you heal him?" Tsunade asked, concern in her eyes.

"I can!" Reiki insisted, a determined look on his face. "I have three days before I head to the front lines. You can arrange for the injured patients I need to treat."

Tsunade, renowned as one of the Legendary Three and the strongest medical ninja, realized this was an opportunity.

"Three days is enough," she agreed. "Nawaki, you should head home. Reiki and I are going to the hospital."

As Tsunade turned to leave the yard, she advised Nawaki, "You're not fit to be a ninja for now. The battlefield is more brutal than you think. Stay in the village and take care of yourself until the war ends."

Reiki followed Tsunade, a smile on his face as he considered the possibilities.

---

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office...

"Has Tsunade accepted a disciple?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.

"Yes, this child has great potential," replied Hatake Sakumo, who had returned from his injuries and was nearly fully recovered.

"Does she still refuse to come back?" Hiruzen's gaze dimmed.

"Tsunade-sama will understand your intentions. After three days, she'll head to the battlefield with me. Once we complete the mission to assassinate the Kazekage, the war may finally come to an end." Sakumo was preparing for the next mission.

"The command will go to Orochimaru. Your primary task is to assist in the assassination of the Kazekage."

He gestured to Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Sarutobi Rie, who approached.

"Understood," Shinnosuke replied, though dissatisfaction lingered in his tone.

"Why send us to assassinate the Kazekage?" he asked. "I wanted to earn glory on the front lines, not get entangled in this."

"Sakumo is capable. Just follow his lead, and you'll gain recognition," Hiruzen reassured him. "Now, go prepare for the mission."

Once they left, Hiruzen picked up the document in front of him, a deep sigh escaping him.

"Is it really this complicated?" he murmured. "It's time to consider the next Hokage, but... my son..."

>>>>>

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