Early the next morning, Akira carefully hid the incubator at home. After using the Gourmet Tablecloth to prepare a hearty breakfast and eating his fill, he headed to the hospital to continue studying medical ninjutsu and related knowledge under Tsunade.
Of course, he didn't forget to create a shadow clone to attend the ninja academy, maintaining both his studies and his relationships with classmates.
"Your fundamentals are more or less solid now. Starting today, you'll intern at the hospital under Meiko. Begin with the basics—wound treatment, bandaging, and healing."
As soon as Akira entered the office, Tsunade introduced him to the vice director of the ninja hospital, then gave her instructions.
"Huh?"
Akira was briefly stunned, then nodded. "Understood!"
He then turned to the woman politely. "Hello, Sister Meiko. I'll be in your care from now on."
"Hehe!"
Meiko smiled warmly, ignoring Akira's helpless resistance as she reached out and ruffled his hair. "No need to be so polite, little Akira! Lady Tsunade told me your talent in medical ninjutsu is exceptional—even surpassing hers. You've already mastered several healing techniques in just two days. I'm really looking forward to your future."
At first, Meiko had found it hard to believe Tsunade's praise.
But after witnessing it herself the previous day, she was completely convinced.
She was also aware that Tsunade had been planning to leave the village.
In fact, over half a year ago, Tsunade had already begun training her and gradually handing over responsibilities for the hospital and medical division.
By now, Meiko had essentially taken full control of the hospital's operations.
If Tsunade could leave behind a capable successor before departing, Meiko would naturally welcome it wholeheartedly.
"You flatter me. I'll do my best."
Akira smiled modestly.
"I look forward to your growth. Come with me."
Meiko nodded and led him out of the office, not forgetting to bid Tsunade farewell before leaving.
…
"Have you heard? Lord White Fang has resigned from his position as ANBU commander!"
"Yeah! I heard Danzo forced him into it."
"That's too much!"
"Wait… who's Danzo?"
"Huh? What kind of weirdo are you? You don't even know Danzo? He's the shadow figure of Konoha—the darkness of the ninja world, always scheming against his own people!"
"Shh! Don't talk nonsense! Are you trying to get killed? He's still one of the village's higher-ups!"
"Right, right—I didn't say anything. You didn't hear anything either!"
As news of Sakumo's resignation spread, the villagers of Konoha were thrown into heated discussion.
Most of them felt guilty.
After all, they had previously misunderstood and slandered him.
Now that Sakumo had taken responsibility and stepped down, their shame only deepened.
Because deep down, they knew—
It wasn't his fault.
Abandoning a mission to save comrades—how could that be wrong?
Who wouldn't want a companion like that in their darkest moment?
In the end—
Everything was Danzo's fault.
At that very moment, Danzo himself was wandering through the village in disguise, listening to the countless accusations directed at him.
His face twisted with rage.
Even the cane in his hand cracked under his grip.
"That damned Sakumo… just you wait. This isn't over."
But for now, he knew he couldn't make any moves.
Not only was the Third Hokage watching him, but his reputation had completely collapsed.
He needed to lie low.
Then find a way to restore his image.
Otherwise, the position of Hokage would drift further and further out of his reach.
…
At the Hatake residence—
"Kakashi, take a break."
Watching Kakashi Hatake training like a man possessed since returning from school, Akira finally spoke up. "Training needs to be gradual. Overdoing it won't help—it'll only damage your body and hurt your potential."
Something about Kakashi's state over the past two days felt off.
"Haah…"
Only after hearing the words damage your potential did Kakashi finally stop.
Panting heavily, he walked over, sat beside Akira, and gulped down a cup of tea.
"Haah…"
"Something on your mind?" Akira asked.
"…Yeah."
Kakashi nodded, his expression complicated. "After what happened… I feel like I'm useless. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't help at all."
"So I want to get stronger—as fast as possible. I never want to feel that kind of helplessness again."
It was his father's problem—
Yet Akira had been the one to handle everything.
Kakashi felt utterly inadequate.
"You…"
Akira chuckled and patted his shoulder. "You're still young. There's no need to rush. Strength doesn't come overnight—it takes time."
Kakashi's eyelid twitched.
Still young?
Aren't we the same age?
He shot Akira a sideways glance. "You're the last person qualified to say that. A month ago, you were weaker than me. Now? I don't even know how far ahead you are."
"Even in terms of thinking, you're way beyond me. Even my father couldn't handle this situation as well as you did."
"Are you sure you're the right person to say this?"
To Kakashi, Akira wasn't comforting him.
He was just making things worse.
Having someone like Akira as a comparison was crushing.
"…Fair enough."
Akira shrugged helplessly, then looked at Kakashi seriously.
"Since you're determined to grow stronger, then starting today—I'll teach you my self-created Lightning Body Tempering Technique."
"Oh?"
Kakashi's eyes lit up with interest. "You're willing to teach me?"
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