Evening fell.
The dim yellow light enveloped the entire corridor. Yahiko leaned against the wall, his gaze repeatedly lifting to look toward the simple infirmary door across the way.
Click—
The door made a soft sound. Yahiko straightened up and quickly stepped forward.
Shinji removed his medical coat and pushed open the door to the examination room, his face full of exhaustion.
"Shinji?" Yahiko spoke urgently, his tone filled with concern.
Shinji nodded but didn't answer immediately. His gaze first fell on the person before him, noticing the gauze patches on both cheeks and the layers of bandages wrapped around his shoulders—clearly, he had already tended to his own wounds.
He smiled and said, "It seems I don't need to heal you anymore."
Yahiko gave a bitter smile. Seeing Shinji's calm expression and lack of gravity, his anxious heart quietly settled, and the tension he had been suppressing eased slightly.
There must be good news.
He raised a hand to touch the wound on his face and said softly, "My injuries are nothing worth mentioning."
Shinji waved his hand dismissively and gestured with his head toward the room. "Let's find a quiet place to talk."
Yahiko nodded in agreement. The two walked side by side down the corridor and entered a simple, small lounge.
As soon as they entered the room, Shinji slumped directly onto the sofa, leaning back with his eyes closed, unable to hide his exhaustion any longer.
If there had been a bed and blankets at that moment, he would have fallen into a deep sleep instantly.
But there was still business to discuss. He raised his hand and lightly patted both cheeks to rouse himself, then spoke: "Konan's injuries aren't serious. With some rest, she'll recover..."
His voice trailed off slightly, then grew heavier. "As for Nagato..."
"What about Nagato?" Yahiko tensed instantly and pressed urgently.
Shinji's expression turned troubled. He spread his hands and said, "His life isn't in danger, but the injuries to his legs... I can't do anything about them."
Yahiko's eyes widened. "What?"
Shinji explained, "The bones in Nagato's legs are partially shattered in small areas. The fragments have invaded various chakra pathways. It's already beyond the scope of my medical ninjutsu to treat."
He detailed Nagato's condition to Yahiko.
"In other words, Nagato will most likely never be able to stand again."
Upon hearing this, Yahiko's heart sank. He lowered his head, falling silent.
After a moment, he looked up, forcing out a faint smile, his eyes filled with gratitude as he solemnly met Shinji's gaze. "Thank you for doing everything you could to save us. This debt of gratitude—the three of us will repay it in the future."
Shinji smiled faintly, not placing much importance on Yahiko's promise.
The current Yahiko and his companions were still weak, but Shinji deeply understood their future potential. Forming a connection now would surely be of great use later.
He thought for a moment, then shifted the topic: "However, Nagato's legs might not be completely beyond healing."
"Really?!" Yahiko's eyes lit up, his voice unable to conceal his elation.
He and Nagato had relied on each other since childhood. The thought of his close friend being disabled for life made his heart ache. Now, hearing there might still be hope, how could he not be excited?
Shinji continued slowly, "I can't do it, but my teacher Tsunade might be able to." He added, "She's in Konohagakure. If you're willing to come back to the village with me, given Lord Jiraiya's relationship with her, Teacher Tsunade might be willing to treat Nagato."
He seized the opportunity to extend an invitation: "How about it? Come back to Konohagakure with me."
Shinji secretly calculated in his heart:
Now that the battle in Amegakure had concluded, only eight members remained in the Akatsuki.
If he brought these eight back to Konohagakure, given Jiraiya's connections and their future combat potential, Sarutobi Hiruzen might not necessarily refuse to accept them.
Jiraiya would be staying in Konohagakure for an extended period, and by then, the only person the eight could rely on in the village would be him.
He planned to do something after returning to Konohagakure this time and was in need of reliable manpower. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were the perfect candidates.
Tsunade would definitely not come to Amegakure in person. It would be better to guide the situation and have Yahiko and the other two take the initiative to go to Konohagakure to seek medical treatment for their injuries. This way, it would be like pushing the boat with the current.
"That's right!"
Yahiko suddenly stood up and punched the air.
He had been so anxious earlier that he hadn't thought of it—Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin, might actually be able to heal Nagato's legs!
After the initial joy, Yahiko slowly lowered his head, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.
After a long moment, he spoke carefully, neither agreeing outright nor refusing outright: "I want to discuss this with Nagato and Konan first.
This concerns the future of the three of them. He couldn't make the decision for Nagato and the others.
As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Shinji with great solemnity: "Thank you for considering so much on our behalf."
Seeing his earnest demeanor, Shinji felt a stir in his heart. This might be a good opportunity to earn points.
He discreetly opened the system, stood up to help Yahiko to his feet, and then took out a personnel detector from his inventory and casually tossed it to him.
For now, there was no rush to check the system rewards. There was another important matter that required Yahiko's help.
Shinji stood up as he spoke and helped Yahiko to his feet: "Yahiko, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Just say it! I'll do everything I can to help!" Yahiko immediately responded.
Shinji took out a stack of silver coins from his Ninja Tool Pouch, along with five or six empty blood transfusion bags connected to rubber tubes and needles, and handed them over together.
Yahiko took these items with a bewildered expression.
Shinji smiled and explained: "Our clan leader, Fugaku, although he's out of immediate danger, lost too much blood, which could easily lead to fatal complications. He urgently needs a blood transfusion to stabilize his condition."
He briefly detailed Fugaku's injuries.
The Akatsuki didn't have a proper blood bank here, and as an outsider, he couldn't find a reliable blood source. Only Yahiko, as a local of Amegakure, was the most suitable person to handle this matter.
As for the silver coins, they were payment for the blood source. Yahiko could use this money to purchase the needed blood.
Earlier, when he looked around, he could tell that the Akatsuki was already strapped for cash, having spent all their funds on preparing various war supplies.
At the same time, Shinji also entrusted Yahiko with purchasing some daily necessities. He might have to stay here for a while before Fugaku regained consciousness.
"So it's for Mr. Fugaku?" Yahiko's expression turned serious. He looked down at the silver coins and transfusion tools in his hands and nodded firmly.
During the daytime battle, Fugaku had managed to restrain Danzo. If he hadn't stepped in to hold him back, Danzo would surely have hunted down Shinji, Nagato, and Konan to the last.
Clearly, Yahiko had mistaken Fugaku's confrontation with Danzo during the day as Fugaku stepping in to stop Danzo.
Although both were Konohagakure ninja, Shinji and Fugaku had shown them immense kindness. Now that Fugaku was in danger, it was only right for him to lend a hand.
"I understand. I'll go take care of it right away!"
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Afterward, Shinji personally taught Yahiko the details of the blood collection procedure and added, "I've already tested it. Fugaku is a type AB universal recipient, so there's no need for complicated cross-matching. This will greatly improve efficiency."
Once Yahiko understood the process, he bid farewell to Shinji, threw on his cloak, and quickly left the hideout.
Watching him go, Shinji returned alone to the rest area, leaning lightly against the sofa and murmuring with a sigh, "So much has happened today!"
Resting his head against the back of the sofa, he closed his eyes, and a wave of exhaustion washed over him once more.
Before long, the gentle, steady sound of snoring gradually filled the rest area.
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