Chương 16: An Eternal Genin in Dai’s Footsteps

Soon, Dongye Hui walked in carrying several files, and the classroom fell into a sudden hush. Even the thick-headed Obito quieted down; he couldn't let himself interfere with Rin's studies. Hui glanced at her son, then shifted her gaze to Uchiha Obito, who was looking away with a sulky pout. She immediately understood that Zhen had been needling the boy again. In truth, she wasn't particularly fond of Obito either, mainly because it was clear he hadn't come here to actually master medical ninjutsu.

Still, since he had enrolled, she treated him with professional neutrality. Even if he never became a medical ninja, learning basic first-aid techniques was invaluable—it could mean the difference between life and death on the field. The Dongye family held no prejudice against the Uchiha clan, unlike many in the village who complained about them daily. The lesson commenced swiftly.

The first two periods covered theoretical medical knowledge and the specific cultivation methods and application techniques of medical ninjutsu. Medical ninjutsu was like a formula; simply knowing it wasn't enough. One had to adapt it to the unique physical condition of the patient—a judgment that relied entirely on one's breadth of knowledge. It was a rigorous system of both theory and practice. The final period was a practical lab. The students gathered their notes and followed Hui to a specially prepared ward.

Inside were four shinobi who had been injured during training or missions and were awaiting treatment. They had consented to wait, willing to endure a bit of discomfort to provide the village's youth with hands-on experience. After all, more skilled medical ninja in the village meant better survival odds for everyone in the future. Zhen didn't recognize three of the patients, but he identified the last one instantly.

Though the man wasn't wearing his signature green jumpsuit, his lustrous black hair and excessively thick eyebrows and beard gave him away. It was Konoha's famous eccentric, the "Eternal Genin," Might Duy. Back in the days before Zhen realized he had a "cheat," he had actually considered asking this man to be his adoptive father if all else failed. Fortunately, he found his own path in time. With an "overflow" of power available, who would want to learn the suicidal Eight Inner Gates?

It wasn't that he looked down on it, but Natural Energy was simply far more versatile. The first three injuries were minor—lacerations from weapons during training or simple muscle strains. Hui had the students offer their own diagnoses first, correcting their errors based on her experience before allowing them to apply medical ninjutsu themselves. She acted as the final safeguard, checking for any deficiencies in their work.

With Konoha's large shinobi population, a few months of internship at the hospital was enough to accumulate a wealth of practical experience. The real challenge was Might Duy. His body was a map of new injuries layered over old scars: severe joint wear, twisted meridians, extreme muscle fatigue, and even deformed knuckles. By observing his breathing rhythm and scent, and listening to the faint internal murmurs through a stethoscope, Hui could even tell which internal organs were struggling.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Even as a Special Jonin in the medical field, Hui had no magic cure for these years of accumulated damage. She could only teach the students how to use gentle chakra to perform a full-body conditioning. She took the opportunity to warn these fresh graduates: while diligence is admirable, one must never overtrain. Might Duy was the ultimate cautionary tale of what happens when you push the body beyond its limits.

Zhen suspected that fully healing Duy would require Tsunade herself, along with countless surgeries and a recovery process measured in years. This was clearly something Duy couldn't afford; he had a family to support and a son to train. He simply didn't have the luxury of time. Furthermore, Tsunade was currently suffering from hemophobia—a secret known only to the village elders and her teammates. His mother had mentioned that Lady Tsunade hadn't been seen at the hospital in a long time.

Zhen suspected she had already fled the village with Shizune. As the day's lessons concluded, Hui finished her shift. At the hospital entrance, students bid her farewell. Despite there being many instructors, they held a deep respect for anyone who shared knowledge. Even Uchiha Obito bowed respectfully, saying, "Hui-sensei, thank you for your hard work today." However, when he turned to Zhen, Obito immediately changed his tune.

He leaned back with his hands behind his head, looking away dismissively with a defiant "Tch."

"Obito, don't be rude!" Rin scolded.

"I know, I know," Obito muttered, his demeanor shifting instantly at Rin's sternness.

"Later, kid!" Rin sighed, then turned to Zhen with a smile.

"Zhen-kun, I didn't expect your mastery of medical ninjutsu to be even better than mine. You'll definitely become someone like Lady Tsunade in the future." It was half-sincere praise and half-damage control for Obito. Smoothing over Obito's social blunders had become instinctual for Rin since they were children. She was a kind, perceptive girl—the "White Moonlight" for a sensitive boy like Obito. It was no wonder the "Sage of the Six Paths' second coming" would eventually fall into darkness because of her.

"You flatter me, Rin-senpai. You're very skilled yourself. Get some rest. Goodbye."

"Yes, goodbye! Goodbye, Hui-sensei!" With that, Obito grabbed Rin and pulled her away in a flash. Hui watched them go, shaking her head with a smile. The hazy, sensitive emotions of youth were always beautiful to witness. She counted herself lucky that Jiro hadn't been as clingy as Obito back in the day, or she might have been scared off before Zhen ever had a chance to be born. Walking home, Zhen asked curiously, "Mom, does that Might Duy guy come to the hospital often?

With his physical condition, he should have collapsed a long time ago. I've seen him and his son training; even a body made of iron couldn't handle that." Hui sighed.

"Yes. That's why your father and I always remind you not to overtax your body. It sacrifices your future and consumes your lifespan. But Duy's situation is special. As you know, he's famous for being the 'Eternal Genin.' He only knows unrefined taijutsu and isn't very socially adept, so few people want to team up with him. He's limited to simple D-rank missions, which don't pay much, and he has a son to raise.

The hospital made an informal agreement with him: he comes in regularly as a 'patient' for the students to practice on. His body is a textbook case of overtraining, which helps the beginners understand the depths of medical ninjutsu. In exchange, the hospital pays him a small stipend to help with his living expenses and we provide basic physical conditioning. It's a win-win. After all, regardless of rank, he is still a comrade of the village."

"No wonder he's lasted this long. He's a strong father."

"He is. We've given him many suggestions and occasionally prescribed nourishing tonics for his condition, but it seems he gives all of them to his son instead." Zhen thought to himself: If he didn't love his son that much, he wouldn't have raised a beast capable of kicking a god. Might Duy was actually quite remarkable. He left his son a powerful forbidden technique and, more importantly, a relentless shinobi spirit. But what about the other aging Genin?

Most had limited talent, no secret techniques, and no bloodline limits. Many took the Chunin Exams year after year only to be rejected, much like scholars failing the imperial exams in ancient times. In the original story, Chunin seemed like fodder, but in reality, that rank was a height many could never reach. They might have the basics down and plenty of experience with low-level tasks, but in the end, a shinobi's worth was measured by combat power.