Treatment (Update 1)
"And this... this is what happened to the child after drinking that potion."
The dean had just begun examining Bai Ye when Hizashi stepped forward, producing a vial of cloudy liquid—the same potion Bai Ye had consumed.
"This potion," the dean said, taking it into his hand with a puzzled expression, "I've never seen this before. Is it from the village?"
"No. We recovered it during today's mission outside the village. It came from the enemy. You could call it a trophy," Hizashi explained, catching the dean's suspicious look and clarifying quickly.
"You were too careless," the dean said sharply. "How could you let a child drink something of unknown origin? That's extremely reckless."
Hizashi looked away, slightly embarrassed. Truthfully, he had tasted a small amount of the potion himself earlier—just enough to ensure it wasn't immediately toxic—and had assumed it was safe enough.
Before the dean could resume treatment, the air in the corridor turned inexplicably cold. A low, chilling voice broke the silence.
"Oh? I couldn't help overhearing. Mind if I lend a hand?"
The dean and Hizashi turned. From the shadows emerged Orochimaru, a snake-like smile curling across his lips.
"Ah, Lord Orochimaru," the dean greeted with an awkward smile. "If you're offering, of course—your understanding of the human body far exceeds my own."
Despite the tension, no one objected. Orochimaru, after all, was still regarded as one of Konoha's Sannin—his reputation not yet fully tarnished by his more... questionable experiments. Officially, he was still a war hero.
Still, Hizashi felt uneasy. Orochimaru had long since given him a sense of foreboding. Something dark lingered beneath that pale skin and polite smile. But now wasn't the time for suspicion. Bai Ye's life came first.
Orochimaru slithered into the room, licking his lips with his unsettlingly long tongue as he entered. The air seemed to grow heavier.
Outside the operating room, Hizashi activated his Byakugan to observe. But the techniques and chakra patterns within were too complex even for him to decipher. Eventually, he sat down to wait, exhausted from the mission and the high-speed return to the village.
Time dragged on.
The clock's minute hand circled again and again. Inside, Orochimaru and the dean worked tirelessly. There was no sign of progress—or failure.
Footsteps echoed from the stairwell. Yue and Yuyan appeared, supporting each other. Their clothing was drenched in sweat, and their faces were pale with fatigue. They had clearly pushed themselves past their limits to return so quickly.
"Hizashi-sensei... is Bai Ye okay?" Yue asked breathlessly.
"It's unclear," Hizashi replied, scanning the room again with Byakugan. "Orochimaru and the dean are still working."
"Tch. It would've been better if it were Lady Tsunade..." Yuyan muttered under her breath. Yue silently nodded in agreement.
"Don't complain," Hizashi said firmly. "Tsunade-sama is far from the village, and we don't have time to summon her. Besides, even I admit Orochimaru is brilliant in his own way... if a bit unsettling."
Just then, the door opened with a soft creak.
"You're all so rude," Orochimaru said smoothly, stepping into the hallway. "I'm doing my best to save your precious disciple, and this is how you repay me?"
Yuyan and Yue both flinched, caught off guard. Hizashi cleared his throat and gave a small bow.
"My apologies, Lord Orochimaru. I only meant... we're grateful for your help. Truly."
"Is Bai Ye alright?" Yue asked quickly, brushing past the awkwardness.
"You can see for yourselves," Orochimaru said. "He's stable. The transformation brought on by the potion... is actually beneficial."
The tension broke in an instant. The three of them exhaled in relief.
"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru," Yue and Yuyan said in unison, bowing deeply before rushing inside.
"This favor won't be forgotten," Hizashi added, his voice sincere. "If there's anything I can do to repay you—"
"No need," Orochimaru interrupted with a lazy wave. "I was simply passing through. I've other... duties to attend to."
He turned, walking away with an unreadable smile. Once beyond the hospital gates, his expression changed. Pulling out a sealed vial of Bai Ye's cells, he disappeared silently into the night.
Back in the hospital, Bai Ye had been transferred to a general ward.
"His condition is stable," the dean explained to the group. "He's undergoing some kind of internal evolution. Once all his cells adapt to the new state, he should awaken."
"You didn't operate?" Hizashi asked.
"No need. Orochimaru and I merely observed. The changes weren't harmful. In fact, they're... extraordinary."
"But why Bai Ye?" Hizashi asked. "Others drank the same potion. I even tried a drop. I felt nothing."
"I ran tests," the dean explained. "The potion is a highly active cellular fluid. Somehow, Bai Ye's unique physiology responded to it. His cell activity is increasing dramatically."
"That's good, I guess," Yuyan said, poking Bai Ye's arm. "But he's burning up. Won't his brain fry or something?"
"No damage detected. His body is simply running hot during the transformation. He'll likely awaken by nightfall. I'll remain here for monitoring."
Hearing that, Yuyan and Yue finally relaxed. Their nerves loosened, fatigue overtaking them. They collapsed together onto the bed beside Bai Ye and fell asleep almost instantly—completely spent from the battle and the emotional toll of the day.