Nagato struggled with great effort to sit up, every movement slow and heavy due to the bone-deep ache that permeated his entire body.
Noticing his intention, Yahiko quickly stepped forward, reaching out to support Nagato's arm and carefully helping him sit up against the headboard.
"Thank you, Yahiko," Nagato said softly, nodding slightly.
"No need to be so polite with me," Yahiko replied with a warm smile, gently patting his shoulder.
Nagato forced a bitter smile.
He slowly extended his right hand, leaning forward slightly, but his movement suddenly halted. He rubbed his legs, then clenched his fist, forcefully pinching the stiff muscles of his thighs.
A faint pain registered, but his legs remained weak and limp, unable to muster even the slightest strength.
Nagato sighed softly, a deep bitterness surfacing in his eyes. Perhaps he would never be able to stand again.
He looked up, meeting Yahiko's gaze filled with concern.
No, he couldn't let Yahiko and Konan worry about him.
He quickly suppressed the surging sorrow in his heart, forcing himself to stay strong and reminding himself not to succumb to despair now.
Nagato smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine, Yahiko."
He patted his own legs, feigning ease as he reassured, "Maybe one day, I'll recover without even realizing it."
Yahiko remained silent for a moment.
"Nagato, your legs…" he began.
"Hmm?" Nagato's eyes flickered.
"There might still be hope for treatment," Yahiko said earnestly.
Nagato looked stunned.
Yahiko then recounted what Shinji had told him earlier.
They could go to Konohagakure and seek treatment from Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin. Moreover, their teacher Jiraiya was currently in Konohagakure, and with his mediation, they could surely persuade Tsunade to help.
After hearing this, Nagato's previously dim eyes lit up, and a spark of hope reignited in his heart.
What ninja would willingly spend their entire life confined to a sickbed, unable to stand?
Losing the use of his legs could completely end his path as a ninja and become a burden to Yahiko and Konan—something he could never accept.
But then another thought crossed his mind: traveling all the way to Konohagakure?
The joy slowly faded from Nagato's face, and he fell silent again, looking up to meet Yahiko's gaze.
Years of relying on each other for survival had given them an unspoken understanding, allowing them to instantly recognize each other's concerns.
If they set out for Konohagakure to seek treatment…
This was also the issue Yahiko had worried about earlier.
Either Yahiko or Konan would have to accompany Nagato, leaving the remaining companion and the Akatsuki to face the relentless pressure from Hanzō of the Salamander alone.
The situation was perilous. How could they leave with peace of mind? How was this any different from abandoning their comrades who had fought alongside them?
At this time, Nagato was still unaware that the Akatsuki now consisted of only the three of them.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere gradually spread throughout the hospital room.
A gentle voice broke the stagnant silence at just the right moment: "Since you're awake, let's do another checkup to rule out any lingering effects."
Shinji walked slowly into the room, lightly patting Yahiko's shoulder.
Yahiko understood immediately, stepping aside and saying sincerely, "Thank you for your trouble."
Nagato pursed his dry, chapped lips, his eyes also filled with gratitude.
Shinji smiled gently.
Shinji was their only hope as a Medical Ninja, their sole reliable support.
He slowly raised his hand, pressing his palm lightly against Nagato's chest. A warm, gentle stream of Chakra gathered and seeped through Nagato's skin into his meridians, precisely probing the health of his internal organs.
After a moment, Shinji had reached a conclusion.
As a patient, he meticulously examined Nagato's physical signs one by one using medical instruments.
Nagato's foundational health was severely depleted. His natural Chakra recovery was slow, and the flow of Chakra through his meridians was sluggish and obstructed.
Shinji privately speculated that this was likely the result of the severe damage inflicted when Nagato had forcibly summoned the Gedo Statue, excessively draining his life force and Chakra.
As long as he refrained from forcibly summoning the Gedo Statue again, Nagato's body, with the innate formidable regenerative abilities and immense vitality of the Uzumaki clan, would gradually recover on its own before long.
Under the tense gazes of Yahiko and Nagato, Shinji withdrew his diagnostic hand and methodically tidied the various medical instruments on the table.
"The core physical damage has been stabilized. All that's needed now is peaceful rest and recuperation," he instructed. "Remember to avoid extreme emotional fluctuations, and above all, do not overdraw your life force again."
Upon hearing the recovery guidelines, expressions of joy spread across Yahiko and Nagato's faces, and they thanked him sincerely:
"Thank you!"
"You've worked hard!"
For Yahiko, this was a rare piece of good news amid the continuous gloom of recent days.
Shinji nodded, accepting their gratitude with composure.
After a brief, casual conversation among the three, Shinji felt he had little to contribute and simply sat to the side, closing his eyes to rest.
He had only known Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan for three days. Even though he was aware of their past circumstances, their relationship remained shallow, with no deep topics to discuss.
Nagato glanced at Shinji, who was resting with his eyes closed, then looked toward Konan, who remained unconscious nearby. He subtly signaled to Yahiko with his eyes.
Yahiko understood immediately—Nagato wanted to speak with him privately.
He turned his head slightly, wearing an awkward smile as he spoke up: "Shinji, may I take Nagato outside for some fresh air?"
"Fresh air? Now?" Shinji opened his eyes, looking puzzled. "With his legs in this condition, how can he go outside?"
"Well…"
"Um…"
Shinji's gaze swept over the two, who were avoiding eye contact, and he sighed inwardly: It seems they want to talk privately without me. They could have just said so—I wouldn't have stopped them.
What Shinji didn't know was that the two felt somewhat reserved and shy in his presence.
Shinji was their savior; they shouldn't have kept anything from him.
But having grown up in the environment of the Land of Rain, expressing such matters indirectly was already a significant effort for them.
After a moment of contemplation, Shinji spoke: "Nagato has limited mobility, Yahiko. Find him a wheelchair. If you don't want to stay in the ward, that's fine, but make sure to return daily for IV drips and check-ups."
He spread his hands, signaling for the two to go ahead.
With permission granted, Nagato felt a wave of relief and whispered to Yahiko, "I'm counting on you, Yahiko."
"Leave it to me."
Before leaving, the two turned back together and once again bowed solemnly to Shinji in gratitude.
Shinji watched the scene, his lips twitching slightly, momentarily at a loss for words. He couldn't help but feel their actions were particularly cringeworthy.
He rubbed his arms, trying to shake off the goosebumps that had risen all over his body.
"You two definitely have something going on!" Shinji silently grumbled in his heart.
Only the unconscious Konan and Fugaku remained in the ward. Shinji glanced at them, then closed his eyes again, sitting quietly by their side to keep watch.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.
Suddenly, a sharp groan of pain came from the middle bed. If Nagato and Yahiko had still been there, they would have been overjoyed.
Shinji's expression softened slightly, and he immediately stood up and hurried over. He saw Konan slowly waking up, her brows furrowed tightly, her expression weak and uncomfortable from just having regained consciousness.
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