"Fenghuo, you learned medical ninjutsu from Yakushi-sensei, right? Hurry up and save Inoka-kun!" Obito Uchiha shouted loudly, puffing out his chest with pride—though he hadn't learned a single healing technique himself.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot." Fenghuo shrugged and sighed helplessly. You guys only believe me when I start showing off, huh? Fine. If that's what it takes…
Asuma Sarutobi stepped forward, his expression conflicted. "Fenghuo… you really know medical ninjutsu?"
Fenghuo nodded. "I've already mastered basic healing and hemostasis."
"What?!" Asuma's eyes widened. He had assumed Fenghuo was only dabbling in theory—not performing actual jutsu. Is he really a prodigy? The thought unsettled him.
"Jingxia's not breathing properly! Hurry!" Rin Nohara called out tearfully. Beside her, Kurenai Yūhi was just as distressed, clenching her fists. Both girls were known for their compassion—they couldn't stand seeing a classmate in pain.
Fenghuo nodded and knelt by Inoka's side—but a pale hand grabbed his shoulder.
White-haired, still trembling, Mizuki stepped forward, eyes wide with panic. "Stop! You can't touch him! Kiyono-sensei said no one should interfere with Ishita-san!"
"What the hell, Mizuki? Inoka's dying!" Asuma growled.
"Yeah! Let Fenghuo help!" shouted another student.
"Mizuki, you bastard! Get out of the way!"
The crowd turned on him, but Mizuki stood firm, even as sweat dripped from his brow.
"I'm not wrong! Kiyono-sensei gave clear orders! Are you all seriously going to trust Uchiha Fenghuo over a jōnin?"
His voice cracked, but his stance was stubborn.
Fenghuo narrowed his eyes, analyzing Mizuki's expression—the twitch in his brow, the slight quiver in his voice. Then it clicked.
"You said earlier that Jingxia was distracted and accidentally ran into your kunai," Fenghuo said, tone cold. "But it's obvious you were the one distracted—and you stabbed him. Now you're terrified he'll wake up and expose you."
"You're lying!" Mizuki shouted, but his body trembled and his eyes darted.
Fenghuo smiled faintly. "Funny. You're sweating like crazy. Scared? Or maybe you forgot—my clan's Sharingan can read emotions... and even pull memories out of your head. Want me to try?"
"No—no, stay away! You demon!" Mizuki shrieked, backing up until—
Thud! Asuma lost patience and kicked him aside. "Fenghuo! Do it!"
"Right."
Fenghuo placed his glowing, chakra-infused hands over the wound on Inoka's chest. Soft blue light spread, and slowly, the bleeding began to slow.
Meanwhile, the rest of the class encircled Mizuki.
"I can't believe you, Mizuki!"
"Lying about hurting him—then trying to let him die to cover it up? You're a monster!"
"I don't want to be in the same class as him anymore!"
"Leave the Academy, Mizuki! You don't deserve to wear a forehead protector!"
Mizuki curled up on the ground, hiding his face in his arms, body shaking. But beneath his fear, a spark of rage flickered—deep, bitter hatred.
"That's enough!" Asuma snapped. "Quiet down! Fenghuo needs concentration!"
Oh, come on, Fenghuo thought, exasperated. When did I say I needed quiet? Keep yelling, keep throwing rocks if it helps you vent—just don't disturb the patient!
But of course, no one could hear his internal sarcasm.
"He's right. Let's stay calm and let Fenghuo work," Rin said, calming the others.
"We'll report everything to Kiyono-sensei," Obito added with a glare toward Mizuki. "Let him see what kind of person you really are."
"Yeah!"
Within moments, the bleeding had stopped. The wound was crusted with a thin chakra-sealed layer.
Under Asuma's guidance, Inoka groaned and opened his eyes slightly.
"The bleeding's stopped!" Rin jumped. "Fenghuo, you're amazing! I want to become a medical ninja too!"
"You're amazing, Fenghuo—eh? Rin, you—" Obito's grin vanished as Rin looked at Fenghuo with admiration. Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have encouraged him!
"Fenghuo's totally changed," another student whispered. "First Fire Style, now medical ninjutsu…"
"I bet he could even beat Kakashi someday."
Fenghuo chuckled. Typical. They badmouth me one minute, then switch sides the next. Fair-weather friends. Better keep my distance or I'll get caught up in their drama next time.
Suddenly, two figures appeared—one of them was Makoto Kiyono.
"What happened here?!" Kiyono's eyes widened at the blood—but relaxed when he saw Jingxia blinking.
A tall woman in a pale green jacket stepped forward. She knelt beside Fenghuo, her expression stern but amused.
"Trying to stop bleeding, huh?" she asked, her voice low and warm.
Her breath tickled the side of Fenghuo's neck. He shivered instinctively and turned—
No way. That face... that hair...
His heart skipped. Tsunade Senju?!
He nearly fell backward. Kiyono-sensei said he'd bring a medic… but I didn't expect her! The Princess of the Senju Clan—one of the Legendary Sannin!
Wait… doesn't she have hemophobia?! Isn't she… kind of the worst person to bring to a bloody scene?!
Tsunade was still watching him closely. Her sharp, golden-brown eyes narrowed with interest.
Fenghuo broke out in a cold sweat. She's looking at me like I just broke one of her sake bottles…