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Ruri opened her eyes, her mind still hazy.
The chaotic noises around her made it difficult to rest peacefully.
She was exhausted and needed sleep.
"Oh, you're awake?"
A voice nearby caught her attention.
"Who are you...?"
Ruri stared at the person in front of her—dressed in a white coat, wearing a mask, and holding a metal tray filled with medical tools and medicines.
"I'm a medical ninja," the white-coated figure said.
"Where is this...?"
"The medical division. When you were brought in, your condition was critical. Fractured hand bones, ribs, multiple injuries... and internal damage, from what I heard."
"Then... I..." Ruri lifted her arm and clenched her fist. Surprisingly, she didn't feel much pain. "Seems like I'm fine."
"You were saved by Midorima," the medic said with a smile.
"Him? Saved me?" Ruri was stunned.
"Exactly. To be honest, his expertise in medical ninjutsu is so impressive that even Shimomura-senpai praised him. The only reason he left the medical division was to participate in the Seven Swordsmen selection for something more important."
At the mention of the "Seven Swordsmen selection," a wave of disappointment washed over her.
If Midorima had saved her, that meant she had lost the match.
All her hopes—paying off her debts, getting her mother treated—had vanished.
"Actually, we could have treated your injuries too. But he insisted on doing it himself, saying you were the pillar of your family and needed to recover quickly. It took him three hours to fully heal you."
"Why did he join the Seven Swordsmen selection?" Ruri asked.
"For the medical division... You see, there aren't many medical ninjas left. If this continues, in the event of a major war, casualties won't just be from injuries—they'll be from the lack of healers. If Asachi-senpai becomes one of the Seven Swordsmen, he can draw attention to our cause. Maybe then, more people will think being a medical ninja is something worth pursuing."
Ruri looked at the medic, whose eyes crinkled with a smile, and felt a complicated mix of emotions.
Everyone has their own struggles...
She didn't remember how she got home, only that her body was utterly drained.
Even though her injuries weren't as severe as expected, she'd still need at least a few days of rest to fully recover.
The only silver lining was that the Anbu hadn't come after her—if she had actually accepted their deal, they would've surely come to collect.
With a heavy heart, Ruri reached her house. Just as she was about to push the door open, she heard voices inside—sometimes loud, sometimes soft.
Her mother was seriously ill and wouldn't have the energy to talk so animatedly. Her younger brother, Yota, was playful, but who could he be talking to?
The Anbu!?
Those bastards!!
Ruri drew her kunai and kicked the door open. "I already refused you! Stay away from my family!"
Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at her.
"Told you she'd come in yelling," Yota said, pointing at her with a grin.
Ruri glared at him, only to realize the person talking to Yota was none other than Midorima. Even more shocking—her mother was sitting up, smiling at her.
What… is going on?
"Mom, you…"
"Your friend came to treat me. I'm feeling much better now." Her mother finally smiled.
Ruri blinked in confusion. What… just happened?
"Sorry for coming unannounced," Midorima stood up. "I don't have the money to help with your debts, but as a medical ninja, I can at least treat illnesses. I've written down the medicines your mother needs—they're all affordable herbs. She should recover soon."
So that's what happened.
Ruri finally understood.
"You should keep fighting too. The other medics told me about your goal—for the sake of the medical division. Keep going..." She felt like this was surreal. Just seven hours ago, they had been fighting fiercely for a promotion spot. Now, they were talking like old friends.
Huh? For the medical division?
Cough… Seems like a nice misunderstanding.
But in the end, Midorima didn't correct her.
"Big sis, your match with big bro today was awesome!" Yota grinned.
"What do you know… Wait, you watched the match?" Ruri was stunned.
Tickets for the matches were near impossible to get, even with money.
"An old man took me through the back. He just hooked the window with his fishing rod and—whoosh!—we were in!" Yota waved his arms excitedly.
An old man? A fishing rod? Don't tell me… the Third!?
Midorima had a bad feeling about this.
"What did the old man look like?" he asked.
"Thin, white hair, always squinting, carrying a fishing pole." Yota spread his arms. "But he moved really fast!"
It's him…
Midorima rubbed his temples, then turned to the three of them. "I've got something to take care of, so I'll head out now. Don't forget to take the medicine on time."
"Big bro, will you come back?" Yota asked.
"Probably…?"
After all, they all lived in Kirigakure. They were bound to meet again.
With that thought, Midorima bid them farewell and hurried off.
Yota nudged his sister, who seemed lost in thought. "Sis, I already set things up for you."
"Huh?" Ruri snapped out of it. "Set what up?"
"Tch. If he comes back, you'll have more chances to get closer—"
"Stop talking nonsense!" She rolled her eyes, though she did feel a pang of regret for not asking Midorima to stay for dinner.
"Then just ask him straight up—'Didn't you say you'd come back?'—and drag him here!" Yota said proudly.
"You're too clever for your own good," Ruri sighed, flicking his forehead.
Yota stuck out his tongue and made a face.
...
After learning that the Third Mizukage had entered Kirigakure, Midorima lost his appetite. He searched nearly half the village before finally spotting the old man perched on a tree in a secluded corner.
"What are you doing?" Midorima called up.
Though the Third was old, he wasn't senile. If not for Midorima's sharp eyes and the dim light, he might have missed him entirely.
The Third raised a finger to his lips. "Quiet. Someone's looking for me."
"What's that in your hand?"
"Takoyaki."
"Where'd you get that?" Midorima asked, baffled.
"From a stall. They asked for money, but where would I get money?" The Third popped a piece into his mouth, completely unbothered.
Midorima massaged his temples and sighed.
*****
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