Akihiro was in a shared hotel room with Hiroshi, resting. They had stopped in a nearby city to recover after the events of the previous day.

  Aiko, Miyuki, and the girl from the Ryumei cn were staying in the same room. This arrangement was to protect the girl, as the threat of another Taki Anbu team infiltrating and abducting her still loomed. To minimize risks, they decided it was best for them to stay together.

  Miyuki had been gravely injured in the st battle. Her recovery would take several days before she could even walk normally. While the others were in better condition, the fight had left them with severely depleted chakra and significant physical and mental exhaustion.

  Under those circumstances, the wisest course of action was to stop and take a few days to rest and regain their strength before continuing.

  Akihiro y on the bed, staring out of the window. The events of the previous day had been terrifying; he had never been so close to death before. Even the battles against those bandits hadn’t posed any real danger—they had been more like living training dummies.

  The thought of dying in those situations was almost absurd. There was such a vast difference in skill between ninjas and bandits that perishing at their hands seemed ughable.

  As Akihiro reflected on these thoughts, the door creaked open slowly. Hiroshi entered, his expression serious but calm.

  —Akihiro, Miyuki wants us to go to her room. She says she needs to talk to all of us —he said, leaning against the doorframe.

  Akihiro sat up with some effort, still feeling the lingering fatigue in his muscles.

  —Did she say why? —he asked, stretching slightly.

  —No, just that it's important. Aiko and the Ryumei cn girl are already there —Hiroshi replied, stepping back.

  With a sigh, Akihiro got to his feet. The exhaustion still weighed on his body, but orders were orders. He had never been one to ignore them, especially not out of mere tiredness.

  —Let’s go.

  Hiroshi nodded silently and followed as Akihiro left the room. The hallway was dim, lit only by the faint glow of the street nterns filtering in through the windows. They passed several doors, their steps echoing softly against the wooden floor, until they stopped in front of a particur room.

  —Here we are —muttered Hiroshi, gncing at Akihiro before gently knocking on the door with his knuckles.

  From inside, muffled voices could be heard, and after a moment, Aiko opened the door. She gnced at them briefly before stepping aside to let them in.

  —Took you long enough. I’ve been waiting for you —said Miyuki, seated in the center of the room. She was wearing only a yukata, holding the young girl in her arms.

  —What are you doing with that girl? —asked Akihiro, visibly surprised. Seeing Miyuki in just a yukata was too much for him. Even if he had two lives, he couldn’t help feeling tempted in such a situation.

  Moreover, the girl she was holding was none other than the one they were tasked with protecting. Watching his teacher cradle her so intimately was hard to ignore.

  —Her name is Kōsetsu, she’s nine years old, and she’s from the branch family —Miyuki stated calmly.

  Akihiro was startled by the answer to a question he hadn’t even asked.

  —Nine years old? That’s the same age as Aiko —he commented, recalling his teammate’s age.

  —Yes, although Aiko will have a birthday soon, so the age gap will grow slightly —Miyuki added, gently stroking the young girl’s head.

  Aiko shrugged indifferently.

  —I’m not pnning to celebrate it anyway. I don’t have anyone to celebrate with.

  —You have us. We could throw a party for you at my pce if you want. You know my mom loves you —Akihiro replied with a smile.

  Akihiro knew how much his mother adored Aiko, not just because she was his teammate but also because she was one of his few friends. His mom also valued Hiroshi and deeply appreciated their team leader, Miyuki. But her affection for Aiko sometimes went beyond that, making Akihiro a bit uncomfortable. At times, it felt like his mother cared more for Aiko than for him, her own son.

  —Are you sure? Your mom is a bit… clingy —Aiko replied, recalling the st time she visited Akihiro’s house. It hadn’t been a comfortable experience, especially since his mom wouldn’t leave them alone to train in peace.

  —We’ll discuss whether or not to have Aiko’s party at my pce ter. For now, let’s get to the important matter —Miyuki interjected firmly—. I have a proposal for you, my adorable subordinates.

  —Adorable? —repeated Akihiro, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.—Subordinates? —asked Hiroshi, lifting an eyebrow as well.

  —This girl —Miyuki said, gesturing toward the child in her arms, Kōsetsu—. I want her to join our little group.

  —Join the group? —Akihiro repeated, gncing at Aiko. She nodded in approval, making it clear she agreed with the idea of Kōsetsu’s inclusion.

  —But… we’re three. Wouldn’t a group of four be a bit…? —Akihiro commented, leaving the thought unfinished.

  —Normally, I wouldn’t make this suggestion, but I’ve found an issue with our formation —Miyuki replied, her tone serious—. Something I thought we could overlook. Now I realize that’s not the case.

  —And what’s that problem? —Hiroshi asked, leaning forward slightly, intrigued.

  —We’re missing a medical ninja —Miyuki decred firmly—. Initially, I wanted to train Aiko as a medical ninja, but she’s much more competent as a sensory ninja. Her main focus should be her elemental ninjutsu. Even when I tried teaching her medical ninjutsu, the results weren’t promising.

  Miyuki paused, letting her words sink in with the group.

  —But ninja teams don’t usually include medical ninjas anyway. Why should we? —Akihiro asked, genuinely curious.

  In this world, Tsunade hadn’t yet established the standard of including medical ninjas in field teams. Typically, they were kept in separate units, strategically stationed to provide support during critical moments.

  —Isn’t that a bit stupid? —Miyuki shot back, crossing her arms.

  —Why do you say that? —Akihiro pressed, still curious.

  Miyuki sighed, adjusting Kōsetsu in her p.

  —Think about it: what’s the point of medical ninjas if they never arrive on time? I’ve seen too many of my comrades die because the medics didn’t make it in time, and I’m not letting that happen to our team.

  Hiroshi nodded slowly, understanding her reasoning.

  —Without someone to treat injuries immediately, we rely too much on our stamina and luck. If one of us goes down, the entire group weakens. Having a medical ninja isn’t just a strategic advantage; it also increases our chances of survival.

  —But training Kōsetsu for that will take time, —Akihiro commented, gncing at the girl with some doubt.—We’ll also have to protect her, which will leave a weak point in the team, —added Hiroshi.

  —I know, but it’s a calcuted risk. She has the innate ability to learn medical ninjutsu thanks to her Kekkei Genkai, and she doesn’t have prior training that could interfere. Moreover, being from the branch family, her cn members won’t be overly concerned about her. With a bit of negotiation, it’s even possible to officially include her in the team, —Miyuki said firmly, looking at everyone in the group.

  Silence reigned for a few seconds until Akihiro shrugged.—I guess that makes sense. It’s not like I’d mind having a medic around during a dangerous mission anyway.

  —Agreed. If it’s to strengthen the team, I don’t see why not, —Hiroshi added.

  Akihiro nodded as well. He had been on board from the start, but he wanted to understand Miyuki’s reasoning for including her.

  Miyuki gave a slight smile, satisfied with the group’s acceptance of her proposal.—Then it’s decided. Once we return to the vilge, Kōsetsu will begin her training as a medical ninja. You all will also resume your training. I noticed many fws in each of you: Akihiro, who focuses too much on his Genjutsu; Aiko, with her Earth Release Ninjutsu; and Hiroshi, with his Fire Release Ninjutsu. You need to expand your skill sets to become more well-rounded ninjas. Otherwise, at best, you’ll end up as mediocre ninjas like the majority.

  —Back to training again, —Akihiro sighed. Training to grow stronger was great, but it was also mentally exhausting.

  —Don’t compin. It’s for your own good, —Miyuki said, ending the conversation.

  A few days ter, they returned to Kusagakure.