"Where's Shisui?"

  Hanekawa glanced around the training ground, noting the familiar faces gathered there. Everyone he expected had shown up—except one.

  "He's been absent for two days," Asuma said, frowning slightly. "That's not like him."

  Kakashi nodded in agreement. "He's usually reliable."

  It was true. Ever since Hanekawa had started learning the Leaf Style: Willow from Maruboshi Kosuke, Shisui had been his regular sparring partner for swordsmanship. Though Kakashi was technically the better swordsman, Shisui held his own admirably against most of their peers.

  "Obito, you live near him," Kakashi asked. "Any idea what's going on?"

  Obito shrugged. "He's been staying home lately. That's all I know."

  "Our turn!" Kurenai waved enthusiastically at the ramen shop counter. "Hanekawa, what do you want?"

  Hanekawa snapped back to attention and scanned the menu board. "Barbecued pork ribs ramen."

  "Me too!" Kurenai said immediately, puffing her chest out with satisfaction at matching his choice.

  Obito leaned forward eagerly. "I think the tonkotsu is amazing. Rin, you should try it."

  Rin smiled softly. "Then tonkotsu for me."

  "Uncle! Two bowls of tonkotsu!" Obito shouted, practically vibrating with impatience.

  Kakashi, as usual, ordered something practical. "Vegetable ramen."

  "Children should eat more vegetables," Kushina declared from her seat, nodding approvingly at Kakashi's choice.

  Minato smiled at his companion. "Should we order the same?"

  "Absolutely not," Kushina announced proudly, puffing out her chest. "I'm getting the biggest bowl of char siu pork ribs ramen they have!"

  Kurenai's eyes lit up. "Kushina-sister is so cool!"

  "Don't pick up her habits," Hanekawa whispered urgently.

  The last thing he needed was Kurenai developing Kushina's legendary temper.

  Kurenai tilted her head curiously. "How do you even know her?"

  "Tsunade introduced us," Hanekawa explained, handing her a pair of chopsticks. "Here."

  "Thank you!" Kurenai accepted with a bright smile.

  It made sense, really. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Minato were all connected through the Legendary Sannin. And Kushina had clearly become close with Minato—that much was obvious from the way she monopolized his attention. As for how she'd gotten out of her seal so early in the timeline, Hanekawa suspected it had something to do with her improving relationship with the Nine-Tailed Fox. In the original story, she'd been isolated. But if she and Kyuubi were getting along better now, there was no reason to keep her locked away.

  Which means Itachi should be born soon, Hanekawa thought idly. Wonderful. More complications.

  "Coming!" The shop owner set down steaming bowls. "Barbecued pork ribs ramen for you, young man."

  "Thanks, uncle," Hanekawa said, immediately diving in. The rich broth and tender pork were exactly what he needed. He inhaled the bowl with practiced efficiency.

  "IT'S SO DELICIOUS! THIS IS THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH!" Guy's voice boomed from across the shop, his bowl already half-empty. Hanekawa was genuinely concerned his shirt might explode at any second.

  He pulled up his Ability System while chewing.

  After a month of intensive training, two new entries had materialized:

  [A-Rank Ninjutsu Entry: Leaf Style: Willow]

  [Trigger Condition: Successfully perform this ninjutsu]

  [Effect: This ninjutsu automatically reaches proficient mastery]

  His talent for swordsmanship combined with his Yin Release affinity had accelerated the process considerably. Plus, Leaf Style: Willow wasn't nearly as complex as Superhuman Strength.

  [D-Rank Talent Entry: Water Style Genin]

  [Trigger Condition: Possess three Water Style ninjutsu entries]

  [Effect: All Water Style ninjutsu power increases by 30%]

  [Note: Learning additional Water Style ninjutsu can evolve this to C-Rank]

  The second entry followed the same pattern as his Wind Style Genin ability—nothing surprising, but solid progression. He'd already learned Water Style: Water Wave, Water Style: Water Fang Blade, and Water Style: Water Flickering Technique.

  "I'm so full!" Kurenai set down her chopsticks with satisfaction, her cheeks slightly flushed. "That was amazing!"

  Hanekawa handed her a napkin. "We can come back whenever you want."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "Really?" Her eyes sparkled. "Promise?"

  "Promise."

  Minato chuckled from his seat. "Young people have so much energy."

  Kushina's expression shifted instantly. "Are you calling me old?"

  Minato went pale. "N-no, I didn't mean—"

  "We should get going," Kushina announced, her smile returning at lightning speed. She turned to Hanekawa. "Come visit us sometime, okay? Bring Lady Tsunade if you can."

  "We will," Hanekawa agreed. Probably not, he added mentally. Gambling with the Nine-Tailed Fox sounds like a financial disaster waiting to happen.

  After they left, Kurenai bounced alongside him as they walked. "Are we going to see Uncle Kosuke?"

  "No. I've finished learning the Leaf Style: Willow," Hanekawa said. "I'm heading to the hospital instead. Your water techniques still need work."

  Kurenai's face fell slightly, but she didn't complain. "Okay."

  They reached an intersection and stopped. Hanekawa noticed a strand of hair had fallen across Kurenai's face. He reached out and gently tucked it behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek.

  Kurenai's face flushed crimson—not from embarrassment, but from something else entirely. Her heartbeat quickened noticeably. She looked away, composing herself with visible effort. "Th-thank you," she managed, her voice softer than usual.

  "See you tonight," Hanekawa said, withdrawing his hand.

  "Ah," Kurenai replied, turning to leave. As she walked away, she took a deep breath, her hand touching her cheek. He's really... pretty, she thought, a small smile playing at her lips.

  ---

  Konoha Hospital welcomed him with the usual fanfare from the nursing staff. After politely extricating himself from their attention, Hanekawa made his way to Yakushi Nonō's office.

  The hospital director looked up from her paperwork, pleasantly surprised. "Hanekawa? It's been a while."

  "Director Nonō," he greeted formally. "Do you have any tasks for me today?"

  "Actually, yes. Perfect timing." Nonō smiled warmly. "I have a surgery scheduled soon. Would you assist?"

  "Of course. I'm ready."

  Nonō handed him a patient file. "Here's the information."

  Hanekawa scanned it and paused. "Uzuki Yugao? She's only five years old?"

  "Broken bones," Nonō explained. "She cried quite a bit during the initial examination."

  Hanekawa nodded sympathetically. Yugao. So she's already in the village. In the original timeline, she'd become a special jonin and Gekkou Hayate's girlfriend. Skilled with the Leaf Style: Willow, if he remembered correctly.

  They changed into surgical attire and headed to the operating room. A young man was pacing anxiously outside.

  "We'll begin surgery immediately," Nonō said gently. "Your daughter will be fine."

  "Thank you so much, Director Nonō!" The man's expression shifted when he noticed Hanekawa. "Why is there such a young medical ninja?"

  "This is Hanekawa," Nonō introduced. "Lady Tsunade's student."

  The man's eyes widened with recognition. "You're the Hanekawa? Please, take care of my daughter!"

  Status really does matter in this profession, Hanekawa thought wryly. Medical ninjas were rare enough that few would risk offending one. It was a significant advantage in the ninja world.

  Inside the operating room, he heard soft whimpering. On the surgical bed lay a small girl with purple hair, tears streaming down her face.

  "Hello, I'm Hanekawa," he said gently, approaching her. He placed a hand on her head. "It will stop hurting very soon."

  After getting Nonō's nod of approval, Hanekawa formed hand seals. Soft green chakra flowed from his palms, enveloping Yugao's injured leg.

  Her eyes widened as the pain vanished. "It doesn't hurt anymore?"

  "Not anymore," Hanekawa confirmed. "Just close your eyes for me, okay?"

  "Okay," she agreed, her small hand reaching up to grab his sleeve.

  Hanekawa kept his hand on her head as Nonō began the delicate work of setting and healing the fractures. An hour passed in focused concentration.

  When it was over, Yugao had drifted off to sleep, her small face peaceful.

  "The surgery was successful," Nonō said as they exited. "Stay with her in the ward for observation."

  The afternoon blurred into evening as Hanekawa assisted with post-operative care. His medical ninjutsu proficiency increased steadily—still far from mastery, but the progress bar was moving. It was only a matter of time.

  As he was preparing to leave, the young man intercepted him again.

  "Hanekawa, are you free? My daughter's awake. I'd like to thank you properly."

  Hanekawa considered, then nodded. "Of course."

  "Big brother!" Yugao's face lit up the moment he entered her room. She tried to sit up, wincing slightly.

  "Easy," Hanekawa said, gently pressing her back down. He touched her head again—a gesture that seemed to comfort her. "How are you feeling?"

  "It's a little uncomfortable, but it doesn't hurt," she said. "Big brother is really... really..."

  "Wonderful at healing!" her father supplied helpfully.

  "Yes! Wonderful!" Yugao echoed enthusiastically.

  Hanekawa smiled despite himself. "You should rest. You'll be back to normal in a few days."

  After a few more minutes of conversation, he excused himself and headed out into the evening air.

  Shisui, he thought suddenly. I should check on him.

  The Uchiha clan compound was more centrally located than in the original timeline. Most ninjas avoided joining their ranks due to the prejudice, but Hanekawa had treated enough Uchiha at the hospital that he'd earned a measure of acceptance. Plus, being Tsunade's student didn't hurt.

  He asked for directions and made his way to Shisui's residence.

  Before he even arrived, he heard the distinctive whoosh of a blade cutting through air. Training. Hanekawa quickened his pace.

  "Shisui," he called out as he approached.

  Shisui turned, sword still in hand, and—

  Hanekawa's breath caught.

  Shisui's eyes were blazing red, intricate black magatama swirling within them. The Sharingan.

  "Sorry," Shisui said quickly, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, they were normal. "I didn't mean to show you that."

  "When did you awaken?" Hanekawa asked, walking closer.

  "Two days ago," Shisui replied, his voice carrying an unusual weight. His expression was darker than Hanekawa had ever seen it. "Something happened."

  The Sharingan requires extreme emotional trauma to awaken, Hanekawa thought. Whatever triggered this, it wasn't good.

  "I came to check on you," Hanekawa explained. "You've been missing training."

  "I need two more days to adjust," Shisui said. "The power increase is... significant. I can't control it properly yet."

  "Want to spar?" Hanekawa asked casually. "I'm curious about the Sharingan's capabilities. Obito keeps bragging that he'll surpass both Kakashi and me once he awakens his."

  Shisui's expression shifted—a hint of competitive fire returning to his eyes. "Obito exaggerates. The Sharingan makes you stronger, but it's not a guaranteed victory."

  "So... sparring?"

  "Come on then," Shisui said, gripping his sword. As a prodigy, he had his share of pride. Losing to Hanekawa last time had stung. This was his chance to prove himself.

  They moved to an open area behind his house.

  This should be interesting, Hanekawa thought, settling into his stance. Let's see what the Sharingan can really do.