Naruto: The Medical Ninja

Chapter 218: Chapter 215: The Eyes Upon Ryu

A day before Team Ryu left the village, in his office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood with four masked ANBU ninjas from Team Ro: Kakashi Hatake, Yugao Uzuki, the Inuzuka tracker along with his loyal nin-ken companion, and one other trusted senior member of ANBU known as Captain Ro. Hiruzen’s expression was heavy with concern as he gave them their mission briefing.

”Dan Hamura’s grandson, Ryu, will be leaving the village soon for the Land of Rivers,” Hiruzen said, his voice grave.

This was just enough for Kakashi to understand the mission, but Hiruzen continued with his briefing.

Hiruzen continued, ” Dan Hamura is one of our best fuinjutsu grandmasters, and a bounty was recently issued on his head by our enemies; his grandson may also be a target, even at his young age. Far too soon for my liking.”

Kakashi spoke, ”Why didn’t you stop him from going?”

Hiruzen sighed, a wisp of smoke escaping his pipe. He said, ”I couldn’t outright forbid him from going. You will understand when you have children of your own. Besides, his mission is somewhat diplomatic and important for the village’s future relationship with the Land of Rivers Daimyo.”

Hiruzen looked at the ANBU before him. ”All I could do was assign him protection, so I’ve chosen my best. Your team is both good at tracking and protection missions.”

Kakashi nodded, recalling the rumours, truths, and accomplishments surrounding Ryu. The prodigious child was making waves. He had suspected Ryu would become a target, but it happening this quickly was concerning to him.

”You four will provide discreet protection,” Hiruzen instructed. ”Stay hidden, observe, and intervene only if absolutely necessary to ensure his safety.” He then added, lowering his voice slightly, ”After you leave the village completely, I will send a backup team to provide further support, completely off the official records.”

Kakashi understood the reason for caution, as Ryu was close to Hiruzen, but his team found it strange. While others hesitated to question the Hokage’s decision regarding the mission, Kakashi, due to his close relationship with Hiruzen, felt compelled to voice his opinion.

Kakashi tilted his head slightly. ”Hokage-sama,” he asked, ”why such extreme caution? It’s more than just standard protection.”

Hiruzen’s gaze drifted towards the window, looking out at the village rooftops. ”My spies in the Cloud Village have reported chatter about him.”

Kakashi’s eyes narrowed in concern, sensing the gravity of the situation. Kakashi asked, ”Is it about the company or the seals?”

”Both,” Hiruzen replied, ”Keep him safe.”

Team Ro nodded. They understood the weight of the mission and the potential dangers that lay ahead. ANBU missions were considered secret missions, and issuing a secret mission to assist another secret mission was another level of cautiousness.

The next day, bathed in the soft morning light, Dan and Ryu stood outside the Leaf Village main gate. Beside them were Mukai Kohinata, their newly assigned Jonin bodyguard, and Enjomi Kaori, Ryu’s secretary.

Dan looked at Ryu one last time. ”Ryu,” he said, his voice a little strained. ”Are you sure you don’t want me to come? There are others who could look after Jiyuu and Yasashii.”

Ryu shook his head gently, acknowledging the significance of allowing his grandfather to enjoy his well-deserved retirement after years of hard work. ”No, Grandpa,” he said, ”You’ve worked hard. It’s time for you to take a step back and enjoy your retirement.”

Ryu thought, ”My intuition is screaming that if Grandfather leaves the village right now, bounty hunters will target him due to his reputation and recent activity.”

Keeping Dan in the village and safe was a priority for Ryu; therefore, he was not letting him leave, but, unbeknownst to him, Ryu himself was in danger.

”We will be fine,” Ryu said, offering a reassuring smile. ”Mr. Kohinata is an elite Jonin, and we’ll be well protected.”

”Then why do I still feel so uneasy?” Dan thought. ”I promised myself I would never doubt him, but it’s hard when the feeling is this strong. But... I also don’t want to be the one to stop him from fulfilling his dreams.”

”Alright, Ryu,” Dan said, his voice softening slightly, ”Just... be careful out there. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

”Don’t worry, Grandpa,” Ryu replied. ”We will.”

Ryu’s thoughts drifted to Kaori standing beside them. ”The secretary told us she’s a genin and can keep up. My best guess is that her being a genin ninja is true. She was likely recruited into the ANBU during her Chunin exam, perhaps selected due to that unusual chakra-hiding technique of hers.It’s not a normal technique, as it is quite rare. Although it’s not flawless and has flaws, it serves a useful purpose in espionage.I should try to train in it later.”

”We have to run all the way to the Land of Rivers,” Ryu stated, looking ahead at the road stretching out before them.

Kaori stepped forward slightly. ”I will keep up, Boss,” she confirmed, her tone professional. ”As a former ninja, I am capable of maintaining pace. I will not slow you down.”

Mukai Kohinata stood silently, his gaze watchful. ”Should I ask it now?” Mukai thought, a question forming in his mind. ”About the Healing Seal...The one they talked about at the hospital.Or should I wait and complete my mission first?”

”Okay,” Ryu said, turning towards the gate. ”Let’s go.”

With a final wave to Dan, Ryu, Mukai Kohinata, and Enjomi Kaori passed through the Leaf Village main gate and began their journey. As they left, unaware, they were being followed by many ninjas – the four ANBU from Team Ro and likely others from the shadows of the village’s various factions, all eyes on the young prodigy.

At the speed of Ryu, both Kohinata and Ryu’s secretary were impressed.

Kohinata thought, ”That level of speed... But he is still in the academy... that speed is at least genin level. What more is this kid hiding?”

As the ANBU squad leaped silently from branch to branch, keeping a discreet distance from Ryu and his group, Yugao Uzuki turned slightly to the masked figure beside her. ”Kakashi-senpai,” she asked softly, her voice a low murmur in the wind, ”do you know this boy?”

Kakashi’s single visible eye crinkled slightly above his mask. ”I’ve trained him a bit,” he replied. ”At the Hokage’s request, mostly on lightning release.”

”But he’s still in the academy, isn’t he?” Yugao said, a hint of surprise in her tone.

”Yes,” Kakashi confirmed. ”He’s a genius in multiple fields. He excels in ninjutsu, medical ninjutsu, and even in civilian fields like medicine-making and technology.”

”Senpai, you called him a genius,” Inuzuka pressed. ”But I still have doubts.”

Kakashi looked ahead at the small group they were tailing. ”This boy is a once-in-a-lifetime genius,” Kakashi said, his voice carrying a rare note of certainty. ”His name is already becoming famous around the world in the medical community.”

He added, ”I’ve been watching him for a while now. He’s a splendid ninja as well.”

Kakashi replied, ”My last encounter with Orochimaru... Ryu saved me. Orochimaru would have likely killed me if not for him.”

Yugao’s eyes widened under her mask. ”What did he do, Senpai?” she asked, intrigued.

”He gifted me a fuinjutsu seal,” Kakashi explained. ”One made by his grandfather. It saved my life.”

”If Senpai is impressed by him,” Yugao said, her doubts seeming to fade, ”then I believe it.”

Captain Ro, the ANBU Captain of their team, maintained his steady pace, his presence a silent anchor as he listened to the conversation.

While the Hokage’s ANBU were tailing Ryu and his group, maintaining their unseen vigil, the scene shifted inside the Root ANBU headquarters. A cloaked Root operative knelt before Danzo Shimura, giving his report.

”Lord Danzo,” the operative reported, his voice flat and emotionless, ”they have left the village. The primary tail unit consists of Kakashi Hatake, Yugao Uzuki, the Inuzuka tracker, and Captain Ro.”

Danzo’s fingers tapped lightly on the arm of his chair. ”Captain Ro,” he repeated, a cold knowing in his voice.

”Yes, Lord Danzo,” the operative confirmed. ”Our source within the regular ANBU deduced the existence of at least one more hidden team, though the Hokage has made efforts to keep them completely off the records. Regrettably, our source was unable to determine their identities.”

Danzo nodded slowly. ”Inform Tatsuma immediately,” he commanded. ”Tell him there are multiple ANBU tails, including Kakashi, Yugao, and Captain Ro.” Danzo’s eye gleamed with a cold, predatory ambition. ”And instruct him that I want Kakashi’s Sharingan.”

Danzo thought, ”Acquiring it from him will be far easier than attempting to take one from a Uchiha Clan member. They rarely leave the village, and when they do, they are almost always with someone. An entire pack of the Ninja Police force is usually with them.”

His voice hardened into a sharp warning. ”Under no circumstances must that eye fall into the hands of enemy ninjas. Do you understand?”

The Root ANBU nodded, and Danzo then added a note of caution, ”And be warned. Captain Ro is capable. He may cause trouble. Be careful when dealing with him.”

”Yes, Lord Danzo,” the operative replied. He performed a hand seal. ”I will send a messenger bird immediately.”

As the operative took off to relay the message, Danzo looked towards the shadows, his thoughts fixed on the Ryu. ”You will die,” Danzo thought, his mind a landscape of cold calculation. ”And meet your bastard grandfather.”

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