Naruto: The Medical God

The Academy's halls were bustling, the sound of footsteps and chatter filling the air. Shin moved through the crowd, his steps purposeful as he made his way to class. His thoughts, however, weren't on the lesson ahead but on his own training. He mentally reviewed the sequences of the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Jutsu, fine-tuning the chakra flows in his head.

As he rounded a corner, Shin collided with another student. The impact sent a jolt through his shoulder, and before he could even process what happened, a familiar, sharp voice cut through the air.

"Watch where you're going," the boy muttered, his tone unusually subdued but still carrying a sharp edge.

Shin looked up and immediately recognized Ryuuji Shimura. His cold, calculating eyes locked onto Shin with a flicker of something Shin hadn't seen before—tension. Ryuuji's stance was still rigid, his aura still brimming with that simmering arrogance, but there was a new element to him.

A fresh scar marred his left cheek, cutting diagonally across his pale skin. It wasn't just a superficial mark—it was deep, raw, and recent. Shin could tell that whatever had caused it wasn't an accident.

"Hamada," Ryuuji said, his voice quieter than usual but no less sharp. His lips curled into a smirk, though it lacked the usual venom. "Still playing the golden boy, I see."

Shin frowned slightly. "Ryuuji." His eyes flicked briefly to the scar but stayed neutral. Whatever had happened, Shin knew better than to comment. Ryuuji wasn't the type to appreciate pity—or even curiosity. "You alright?"

Ryuuji's smirk faltered for a split second, and his hand instinctively touched the scar before he caught himself. "What do you care?" he shot back, his voice tinged with something closer to bitterness than anger.

Shin raised an eyebrow but didn't press. Instead, he said calmly, "I don't. Just surprised to see you like this."

Ryuuji's eyes narrowed, his usual swagger replaced by something colder, heavier. "Don't get used to it. This doesn't change anything."

Shin met his gaze evenly. "You sure about that?"

For a moment, Ryuuji didn't reply. His jaw tightened, and Shin could see the faint tremor in his clenched fists. Whatever Ryuuji was holding back, it was eating at him. Finally, he stepped closer, his voice low and deliberate.

"I'll tell you this, Hamada," he said, his words slow and deliberate. "Next time, I won't lose. Not to you, not to anyone."

Shin's eyes stayed locked on his. "Then I'll be ready."

Ryuuji's expression darkened, but there was no further outburst. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his steps stiff and mechanical, as though he was barely holding himself together.

Shin stood still for a moment, his gaze lingering on the retreating figure. Ryuuji's usual arrogance was still there, but it had been overshadowed by something else—anger, yes, but also fear. Not of Shin, but of something—or someone—else.

As Shin turned and continued toward his class, he couldn't shake the image of that scar or the unspoken story it carried.

...

The final bell rang, signaling the end of lessons for the day. Students stirred in their seats, packing their belongings and chatting animatedly as they prepared to leave. Shin sat quietly at his desk, methodically placing his books into his bag.

At the front of the classroom, Iruka-sensei remained seated at his desk, sorting through a stack of papers. As the last of the students trickled out, he glanced up, his gaze landing on Shin.

"Shin," Iruka called, his voice cutting through the fading noise. "Can you stay back for a moment?"

Shin paused, his hand hovering over his bag's strap. He exchanged glances with a few curious classmates still lingering by the door, then nodded. Once the room was empty, Iruka gestured for him to approach the front.

Shin stood, his steps measured as he approached his teacher. Iruka leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, studying Shin with a mix of curiosity and expectation.

"I wanted to check in with you," Iruka began, his tone calm but direct. "How's your progress with the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Jutsu?"

Shin blinked, momentarily surprised by the question. Collecting himself, he replied, "It's... coming along. I've been practicing the hand seals and refining the chakra flow, but I still feel like there's room for improvement. Genjutsu is more complex than I thought."

Iruka nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "That's to be expected. Genjutsu isn't just about performing the technique—it's about understanding the human mind and using that understanding to create illusions strong enough to manipulate perception. It's a skill that takes time to master."

Shin frowned slightly, his frustration evident. "I know, Sensei. I've been trying to train on my own, but without a real opponent to test it on, it's hard to gauge if I'm doing it right."

Iruka tapped a finger on his desk, his gaze sharpening. "Training alone can only take you so far, Shin. To truly understand Genjutsu, you need to see how it affects others—and learn how they might resist it. You've thought about practicing on a partner?"

Shin hesitated, his mind flicking briefly to Ayaka before shaking his head. "I have, but I don't want to impose. Besides, it feels... personal. Using a technique like this on someone I know feels wrong."

Iruka's lips quirked in a faint smile, his eyes softening. "That hesitation shows maturity, but you shouldn't let it hold you back. Genjutsu, especially one like the Hell Viewing Jutsu, is meant to challenge both the caster and the target. The more you understand about how it works in practice, the stronger you'll become."

Shin nodded slowly, the weight of Iruka's words settling in. He appreciated the guidance but still felt the gnawing doubt of whether he was ready to use such a jutsu on someone else.

Iruka, sensing his reluctance, added, "Remember, Shin, being a shinobi isn't just about strength. It's about understanding your limits and knowing when to push past them. You've shown a lot of promise, but don't let fear of failure stop you from growing."

Shin met his teacher's gaze, the sincerity in Iruka's voice grounding him. "I'll keep that in mind, Sensei. Thank you."

Iruka offered a reassuring nod before sitting forward, the conversation seemingly over. But as Shin turned to leave, Iruka called after him, "And one more thing—don't hesitate to ask for help. Whether it's me or your peers, you don't have to face every challenge alone."

Shin paused, then glanced back with a small smile. "I'll think about it."

Iruka offered a reassuring nod before sitting forward, the conversation seemingly over. As Shin turned to leave, Iruka called after him one more time.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Iruka said, his tone lighter. "Shin, would you be interested in learning other jutsus?"

Shin paused in the doorway, turning back with a curious expression. "Other... jutsus?"

To be continued...

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How was this chapter guys? Yes, it's a bit shorter than usual, but I was in a hurry and this is all I could write today. Hoped you liked it anyway!

Also be sure to check out my own original novel Hyperborea!