Chapter 99

- "But what about...?" Shika hesitated to ask directly.

- "Well, she'll have to rest a bit, but I'm sure that by the end of the year or so, she'll be able to stand on her feet. Of course, not to the extent of running on walls, but with a little support, she'll definitely be able to walk," I shrugged.

At least, I hope so, if the assigned seals' capabilities aren't lying.

- "Well, at least something good," Chouza sighed.

- "Attending funerals is too troublesome for my taste," confirmed the brother, "the fewer I attend, the more peaceful I feel."

On that, I could fully agree with him - being present at the funeral of someone you even slightly knew is always difficult and depressing, especially if they're from the same clan.

- "Alright, we won't bother you anymore, take care Ryo, if anything - call us, we'll always help," Inoichi waved his hand and, along with the rest of the group, bid farewell and left.

Watching the group depart, I turned to the last visitor, who stood shyly and nervously a little aside.

- "How can I help you, Lina-chan?" I asked, scrutinizing her, noting the swollen lips, dark circles under her eyes, and barely noticeable traces of tears on her face.

Hmm, it seems like she's had a rough few days... After a moment of thought, I missed the moment when the little Nara unexpectedly started from her place and literally jumped on me, enveloping me in her embrace and wetting my kimono with tears.

- "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

- "There, there," I soothingly patted Lina's head, "what are you thanking me for?"

- "The nurses at the hospital said it was you who saved Rena-nee!"

- "Eh?"

The only person I treated in the past few days was that guy who got pierced through by an earth spear, in the ward opposite my mom's, whom the clones took care of and that Iryo-nin.

- "Was that your brother?" I asked for confirmation, hoping it would distract the kid from further shedding tears.

The trick worked, as the little Nara let me go and, wiping away her tears with her fists, smiled joyfully, radiating adoration and looking at me with literally sparkling eyes. Oh damn, it seems I've gained another admirer!

The only consolation is that she's almost a year younger than me, and this kind of adoration is a common thing among kids of different ages. I remember, I used to admire the guys from the neighboring boxing section who could break wooden boards two centimeters thick with a punch.

A big achievement for non-chakra people. Maybe she'll follow me into medicine.

- "Ka-san also sends her thanks," the girl suddenly bowed overly formally.

- "It's my job, so everything's fine," I shook my head negatively, "please convey my best wishes to your family from me."

- "Definitely! When I grow up, I'll also study to become an Iryo-nin!" Lina flashed a smile. "Bye for now."

Nodding in response, I returned to the house, carrying the gifts. Nothing special, but it's nice!

- "Ryo, who was that?" Ma asked, hearing that I had returned.

- "Shikaku and company came to check on us, as well as express condolences and hand over some small gifts from the clan," I reported, entering her room and showing her the basket. "Actually, it was Namio-ba-san who came as a representative of the clan and handed this over, and the others just came along, as I understand it."

- "Oh, that's nice," Saya immediately grabbed the bag of apples and began to empty it.

- "Alright, time for a massage, but before that..." I hesitated and glanced away, "about today and the clone..."

- "Uh," Ma coughed embarrassedly and blushed slightly.

- "Let's just agree that it was a natural reaction of the body and let's not pay attention to it next time."

At least for the next couple of years, slipped an involuntary thought, but I quickly squashed it.

- "No problem!" Saya agreed with relief.

- "Great, and now it's time for a massage, and we'll try out the gifted ointment," I nodded with relief.

Yes, I feel like some fun days are ahead of me. Ha, who am I kidding — it's great to be young again! Of course, it sounds silly coming from a ten-year-old, but who can blame me for that?

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