A nameless island, far removed from the continent of the shinobi world.
Thick mist shrouded the endless expanse of ocean, swirling and shifting as dazzling lights flickered and danced within it.
With his face swollen beyond recognition, Yahiko had circled the tiny five-square-kilometer island three times before reluctantly returning to their original landing spot.
On a reef near the coastline, Konan remained fixated on the starry sky above, trying to determine their exact location.
Nagato, meanwhile, crouched before the massive clam that had transported them here, using his Rinnegan to repeatedly attempt communication with it.
"Konan, did you figure anything out?" Yahiko asked, one hand on his hip, a troubled expression on his face.
"I... I think I read the wrong book. The stars here look completely different from the ones we're used to." Konan's cheeks flushed slightly. She was too embarrassed to admit to Yahiko that she had been distracted—captivated by the beauty of the night sky and the soothing sound of waves crashing against the rocks.
"Doesn't matter. Since they brought us here, they'll show up eventually." Yahiko crossed his arms.
"The real question is, what does that Mist Anbu want?"
"Hmph! They didn't kill us, just locked us up here. That means they're trying to break our will! They probably want to use Akatsuki to throw our country into chaos again!"
"So, Yahiko, are you going to give in?" Konan asked with a knowing smile.
"Of course not! I won't bow to those bastards! Don't worry, Konan, I'll find a way out of here!"
"Mm! I believe in you!" she replied, nodding firmly.
The three of them had survived the darkest of times together. Compared to those struggles, this was nothing.
"Actually... I don't think we were captured by Mist shinobi." Nagato finally spoke up, drawing their attention.
"Huh?!" Konan and Yahiko both turned to look at him.
"That clam bears the symbol of Kirigakure, but its summoner is a blonde-haired Konoha Jonin. Recently, he's been accompanied by a Konoha kunoichi named 'Kurenai.'"
"A blonde Konoha Jonin..." Konan tilted her head, then suddenly recalled a certain name from legend.
"The Yellow Flash—Namikaze Minato?" Yahiko asked, uncertainty in his voice.
Nagato hesitated before answering.
"I'm not completely sure. My power isn't strong enough to fully control it, and the clam refuses to communicate. But I think I caught a glimpse of Tsunade."
"If Tsunade is there, then it has to be Minato! She and Jiraiya are the closest of comrades!" Yahiko clenched his fist, coming to a firm conclusion.
"But why would Minato do this...?" Konan furrowed her brows, sensing that something was off.
"Hah! Maybe Jiraiya just thought it'd been too long since we last saw him and asked Minato to put us through some kind of test?" Yahiko mused, but before he could think further, his stomach growled loudly.
Grumble~
As if on cue, Konan and Nagato's stomachs rumbled as well.
The three exchanged glances and chuckled before swiftly springing into action.
Yahiko and Konan scouted the island for edible plants and caught seabirds, while Nagato dove into the ocean to gather seafood. The island lacked large animals, but with their abilities, securing food wasn't an issue.
...
Konoha's Root Base – Medical Ward
Yamanaka Shinno carefully placed the frail young girl into a fresh cultivation pod, then turned to the three Root medical-nin standing nearby.
"Max out the nutrient supply. Perform the Vital Regeneration Jutsu three times a day, for at least an hour each session."
Unlike Yamato—who, after leaving the pod, only needed a brief period of adjustment before he could walk—this girl's condition was much worse.
Without at least a few days of intensive treatment, followed by a full month of conventional healing, full recovery was impossible.
Of course, if Shinno used his Medical Water Release: Water Jellyfish, that time could be cut in half.
But that technique on a child? That would be straight-up criminal.
Shinno's gaze flicked to the system interface, where the trait [Euphoric Healing] was displayed.
"Every time I see this damn trait, I wanna curse." He sighed internally.
A supposedly medical-nin-focused trait, yet it could only be used to inflict suffering. What kind of sick joke was this?
Then there was [Povidone Punch]—another trait he had drawn but had yet to activate.
"Technically, it's also a medical trait, right?"
If he activated it, would it merge with [Euphoric Healing]?
He wasn't hoping for much. He just wanted one thing:
"Please, for the love of all that is holy, let this ability be controllable!"
Shinno pressed his palms together in mock prayer, murmuring solemnly:
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, I offer up ten years of your lifespan for a chance to control this damn trait!"
After a long moment, he finally addressed the system:
"System, activate [Povidone Punch]."
As expected, a flood of knowledge surged into his mind.
Moments later, the system's prompt sounded:
[Blue trait 'Euphoric Healing' and Green trait 'Povidone Punch' detected. Fusion possible. Proceed with fusion?]
"Yes."
[Fusion complete. Congratulations! You have acquired the Purple trait 'Graveyard Nurse.'
Graveyard Nurse: A double-edged sword—salvation or suffering, healing or torment? When treating with hands, the patient experiences intense pleasure. When attacking with fists, damage is accompanied by sterilization and detoxification, with greater injury amplifying these effects. Learning, refining, modifying, and creating medical jutsu is significantly accelerated. Proficiency in medical jutsu, chakra control, Yang Release, healing speed, effectiveness, and taijutsu is greatly enhanced.]
As more medical and taijutsu knowledge flooded into his brain, Shinno quickly absorbed it and skimmed the trait's details.
"The hell?! Ten years of Hiruzen's lifespan for... hmm?"
After poring over the description, Shinno turned to the three Root medics.
"You guys, step out for a bit."
"Yes, Shinno-sama." They bowed and exited, shutting the door behind them.
Only Yamato remained, standing blankly beside the pod, eyes locked on the sleeping girl.
"Eh, whatever. Kid doesn't understand anyway." Shinno sighed, eyeing Yamato's blank expression.
He sat on a nearby bench, removed his sandals, and—after some mental preparation—awkwardly attempted forming hand seals with his feet.
The trait description was clear: hands for healing, fists for fighting. Not a single mention of feet!
If he used his feet to heal, maybe—just maybe—he could bypass the trait's side effects?
...
After dozens of failed attempts, constant adjustments, and precise chakra control...
A faint green glow of Mystical Palm Jutsu shimmered on his soles.
"Hahaha! I'm a genius!" Shinno cackled, gleefully testing the jutsu on his own leg—no side effects!
Next, he cast Water Jellyfish on himself—still normal!
Without hesitation, he redirected it toward the girl.
At this rate, she'd be up and running in fifteen days—tops!
Catching Yamato staring intently at his feet, Shinno quickly slipped his sandals back on.
"Ahem... Don't learn this, okay?"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (258 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)