Kiba arrived for his assigned shift, dressed in the standard Medical-Nin attire. He had forgone the traditional Medical-Nin headgear, as he lacked the qualifications for surgery or advanced healing, and his usual blindfold was absent after all, he was on duty.
Making his way toward the conference room, he paused briefly to gaze out the window. The quiet moment was interrupted when footsteps fell into pace beside him.
A man with white-grey hair and round glasses offered a kind smile. "Are you new here?" he asked, his voice warm. "I'm Yakushi Kabuto."
Kiba's mind stalled. He didn't recall Kabuto working at the hospital. Why was he here?
'Shit. Forgot he's still undercover as a Medical-Nin.'
Kiba masked his hesitation with a polite nod. "Sorry, I blanked out for a second. I'm Kiba," he said, keeping his tone steady despite the slight stumble in his words. "And yeah, I'm new."
Kabuto's smile never wavered as he nudged Kiba's shoulder with his elbow. "If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask. I mean it."
"Got it," Kiba replied.
They entered the conference room and took their seats among the assembled staff doctors, Medical-Nin, nurses, and the director. The meeting began with the director launching into a lengthy speech about the Will of Fire and unity.
Kiba, along with several others, tuned out. Instead, he discreetly trained his chakra control by manipulating an air-filled balloon concealed in his pocket, his hands hidden beneath the fabric.
Finally, the director concluded. "Today, we welcome a new recruit from the Academy," he announced. "Kiba, please stand."
Rising to his feet, Kiba offered a brief smile and a shallow bow before sitting back down.
"As part of our family, we expect everyone to guide him so he may grow into a capable healer," the director added.
With the meeting adjourned, a Medical-Nin approached Kiba with a curt expression. "Follow me," he ordered, then glanced at Kabuto. "You too."
The trio moved through the hallways, the Medical-Nin's irritation evident in his stiff posture. "Kiba," he said flatly, "you'll start with minor injuries."
'What's his problem?' Kiba thought, suppressing a frown.
Upon reaching the designated room, the Medical-Nin turned to Kabuto. "Since you're his senior, you'll oversee him. I have other duties."
Kabuto nodded in acknowledgment.
With that, the man strode off. Normally, multiple interns would be trained at once, but due to Kiba's late application, he was the only one assigned today.
Kabuto gestured toward the supplies. "Let me walk you through the basics," he said, demonstrating the proper procedures.
Kabuto had explained everything treatment costs, bandaging procedures, even the chakra ratios needed for different wound severities. Kiba absorbed each detail, filing them away for later.
"Think you've got it from here?" Kabuto inquired, pausing before stepping away.
Kiba gave a firm nod. "Should be fine."
With a reassuring pat on his shoulder, Kabuto departed to tend to more urgent cases, leaving Kiba to his duties.
His first patient was a middle-aged man slouched in a chair. Kiba approached him with professional courtesy.
"How can I assist you today?"
The man's eyes flicked over him, lingering on his youthful face before scoffing. "You're just a kid. What do you know?" He jerked his chin toward the hallway. "Get me that guy with the glasses."
Kiba inhaled slowly, then released the breath through his nose.
"Understood."
Moving on, he spotted a child clutching a scraped knee. Kneeling to their level, he activated the Mystical Palm Technique, letting green chakra knit the wound shut.
"All better," he announced, ruffling the kid's hair.
The child blinked. "How much do I owe you?"
Kiba waved it off. "Don't worry about it. Minor injuries are free."
Grinning, the kid bowed hastily before darting out.
From the corner of his eye, Kiba noticed the middle-aged man staring first at the departing child, then at Kiba's hands, where residual chakra still flickered. His earlier skepticism wavered, replaced by dawning regret.
Kiba paid him no mind. He moved to the next patient, assessing their condition. When injuries exceeded his expertise, he directed them to the proper examination rooms without hesitation.
The hours slipped by until dusk painted the sky in deepening hues. The same Medical-Nin who had dismissed Kiba earlier returned to find the room unusually quiet until he glanced up.
'No wonder there's no noise.'
Kiba clung to the ceiling like a spider, entertaining a cluster of wide-eyed children below.
"Kiba," the Medical-Nin called, arms crossed. "Shift's over. Head home."
"Sorry, guys," Kiba called down, flipping gracefully to the floor. "Duty calls."
A chorus of disappointed groans erupted.
"That's not fair!" protested one child, tiny fists balled. "You just started showing us ninja moves!"
Kiba rubbed the back of his neck with an apologetic chuckle. "Guess I lost track of time."
Another kid piped up, bouncing on their toes. "We heard you can shapeshift! Show us!"
"Yeah! And clones! Please, Kiba?" begged a second, tugging at his sleeve.
The Medical-Nin watched, lips twitching despite himself. Even the other patients hid smiles behind their hands.
'Huh. Maybe I misjudged him.' The man studied Kiba's patient grin, the way the kids clung to him without a trace of fear. 'Rumor said he was some cocky prodigy, early graduate, too. But this?'
Shaking his head, he left Kiba to his adoring crowd and returned to his duties.
. . . .
Kiba walked home with a satisfied smile, the day's lessons fresh in his mind.
The practical application of the Mystical Palm Technique had taught him valuable control particularly in regulating just the right amount of chakra for effective healing without wasteful expenditure.
'Precision matters more than power here,' he reflected, mentally reviewing his successful treatments.
The work suited him well straightforward medical tasks paired with genuine human interaction. No complicated politics, just helping people in need.
His fingers flexed unconsciously as he walked. "Still need to maintain my physical training though," he murmured to the evening air. The thought triggered another realization, causing his steps to momentarily falter.
Genjutsu. The entire field he'd neglected in his focus on Medical Ninjutsu, Fuinjutsu, Earth Nature Ninjutsu and physical conditioning. 'Can't afford that weakness,' he chided himself. 'At minimum, I need intermediate-level resistance and understanding.'
A weary sigh escaped him as he acknowledged yet another item for his growing training regimen.
The path of a shinobi truly never ended for every skill mastered, three more demanded attention. Straightening his shoulders, he quickened his pace toward home, already planning his next training schedule.
— — — — —
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