Chapter 17: Joining the Ninja Hospital
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"Hey, Kira, am I imagining things, or do you already have chakra in your body? Didn't you say you wouldn't extract chakra until you were five or six?"
Mika casually glanced at Kira while practicing the Perfect Sharingan technique and noticed something unusual. Concerned, she couldn't help but ask. Extracting chakra too early wasn't exactly safe—it could damage the body and drain potential.
"What?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Ken and the others were immediately on edge, turning their worried gazes toward Kira.
"Don't worry!"
Kira quickly waved his hand to reassure them. "I didn't extract it on purpose. The chakra I have now is feedback from my bloodline awakening after unlocking the Sharingan. It didn't harm my body at all.
"Plus, with the foundation and strength of my body, even if I intentionally extracted chakra in small amounts, it wouldn't damage me. Besides, I've already developed a new technique that reverses any damage caused by chakra extraction, replenishing the energy and vitality used up by my cells."
"In other words, I can start training in ninjutsu now."
Plans change.
Kira had originally decided not to extract chakra until he was five, but since he'd found a way to avoid damage entirely, there was no harm in doing so now. Extracting small amounts for ninjutsu training and research seemed reasonable.
"If only I'd figured out a way to directly convert natural energy into chakra or cellular energy, things would be even simpler," Kira thought.
Of course, he could also use his visual powers to convert chakra, as he'd discovered when his awakened Sharingan generated chakra in reverse feedback.
"Huh? Is that even possible?"
Everyone was stunned.
"Isn't chakra supposed to be a combination of cellular and spiritual energy?"
"Wait… how is it that your chakra reserves seem as large as mine already?" Uchiha Hiro said with a sour expression.
Was all his effort over the years meaningless? Kira just wakes up one day, and bam—his reserves are equal?
"Doesn't it make sense, though?"
Kira shrugged. "Every time you guys unlock or evolve your Sharingan, you get a boost in chakra reserves and physical strength. It's the same principle."
Hiro wanted to argue that it didn't feel the same at all but stopped himself.
His little brother had always been a freak of nature. At this point, nothing Kira did should surprise him.
Better to focus on mastering the new techniques and catch up, or at least not fall too far behind. Compared to his peers—and even those a few years older—Hiro was already a standout genius.
That realization cheered him up instantly.
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A few days later, Kira had finished reading all the medical texts available in the clan and fully digested their contents. Having completed the creation of the Sharingan training techniques and other methods, he now had a lot of free time, as his daily routine only required consistent training to improve.
"To further my research into Kekkei Genkai and medical ninjutsu, I'll need access to more resources. The Ninja Hospital would be perfect. I need to find a way to join and study there," Kira thought.
With that plan in mind, he brought it up with his mother during lunch.
"What?"
Uchiha Mika looked surprised. "Kira, you want to join the Ninja Hospital? Isn't it a bit too soon? You're only three years old. Didn't you say you didn't want to draw too much attention to yourself or expose your talents publicly?"
To get into the hospital, Kira would inevitably have to reveal at least some of his abilities.
"But I can't let fear of exposure hold back my growth," Kira replied calmly. "Don't worry, I've already mastered a way to conceal my chakra levels and hide my true strength. A little exposure is fine."
It was only a matter of time anyway.
At this point, Kira's overall strength was on par with an elite Jonin, and he could easily take down a regular Jonin if they weren't careful. There wasn't much to worry about anymore.
"All right, then."
Seeing her son's determination, Mika didn't argue further. Her son had always been mature and decisive, even as a child.
...
"After lunch, I'll take you to the Ninja Hospital to meet Lady Tsunade. If she agrees to take you as her student, it'll be much easier for you to study medical ninjutsu and access their resources."
"Otherwise, with the tension between the Uchiha clan and the village leadership, it might not be so easy."
Mika had become more aware of the village's distrust and hostility toward the Uchiha over the past two years, thanks to Kira pointing out details she'd previously overlooked.
"Thanks, Mom!"
Kira nodded, grateful.
Becoming Tsunade's student would be a great opportunity. Her expertise in medical ninjutsu and extensive knowledge were unmatched. Plus, Tsunade held much of the Senju clan's heritage, which could be invaluable to him.
And, well, she was also a legendary beauty—bonus points.
That afternoon, with his father, brother, and Mika out on missions, Kira accompanied his mother to the Ninja Hospital.
The moment they walked in, chaos erupted.
"Ahhh! Mika, is this your youngest son? He's adorable!"
"What a cute little guy! Come here, let me hold you!"
"Look at those chubby cheeks! It'd be a crime not to pinch them!"
"Mika, how could you hide such a cute kid from us all this time? That's so unfair!"
"...…"
In seconds, a horde of hospital nurses surrounded Kira, completely enchanted by his delicate, adorable features. They were cooing, pinching his cheeks, hugging him, and even lifting him into the air.
Kira was completely stunned.
This… this was not what he'd expected.
He had clearly underestimated how much his optimized physique and natural energy refinement—combined with his inherited good looks—had enhanced his appearance.
For over ten minutes, Kira was stuck in a whirlwind of affection from the nurses, helpless to escape.
Just when he was racking his brain for a way out, a sharp voice called out from the distance.
"What's going on here? Why are you all gathered around like this?!"
"Eh? Lady Tsunade?!"
...