Naruto: The Medical Shinobi

A heavy silence blanketed the orphanage the next day. Most of the boisterous children were gone, snatched away by the Root Division. The other children moved in a solemn silence, as if the happiness had been sucked out of the space. Even the caretaker, Hiroto, and the cook carried a heavy weight on their shoulders.

The air was thick with unspoken grief, the absence of familiar faces, and laughter, leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. Children huddled in small groups, whispering in hushed tones, their eyes darting nervously as if expecting more ninja to appear at any moment.

As the kids were having breakfast, Dr. Yuki showed up. She had a look of resolve on her face. She had made a decision she earlier didn't want to make.

"Hiroto," she addressed the caretaker, her voice firm, "I'm leaving for some urgent business. Please take care of the children in my absence."

Hiroto nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and understanding. "Of course, Dr. Yuki. How long will you be gone?"

Dr. Yuki hesitated, her gaze sweeping across the room. "I'm not sure. But it's important. I'll return as soon as I can."

With that, she left the orphanage in the care of Hiroto and others.

Ryu was asleep, as he didn't sleep all night and kept reading all the books until he fell asleep. Hotaru, finding Ryu missing from the crowd, reached out to him and woke him up. Ryu had breakfast in the private office of Dr. Yuki.

As Ryu ate, his mind raced with the information he'd gleaned from his night of study. The pieces were starting to come together, but he knew he was still missing crucial elements.

He had made some plans for his supposed treatment. After yesterday, he finally confirmed the diagnosis of his condition. He came up with the idea of the first of many treatments he needed to cure himself completely. The miracle drug, Peniciline, was found by chance in a lab accident and finally gave many a new chance at life. He just needed to be sure of a few things first. He needs just a little more research into it; he already knew the method to synthesise it but wanted to make sure. He needs some time for that and some more data. Also, he was short on resources. He just needed some equipment to synthesise the medicine he thought could improve his condition suddenly.

He thought, "Leaf Central Hospital. It should have all the resources that I need, and Dr. Yuki works there. I just need to convince her.

Ryu's mind whirled with possibilities. He knew the risks were high, but the potential reward was too great to ignore. "I have to find a way," he muttered to himself, his small hands clenching into fists of determination.

The remainder of the day was fairly typical. Silent but typical. No one spoke. It was depressing. Yesterday was still fresh in the minds of everyone.

At dinner, Ryu was eating in silence when suddenly he noticed glares from his bully. He was sitting alone on his table as he was instructed to avoid others.

As he was eating, he suddenly heard some whispers: "You know, many strong kids were selected, but Kaito was left out. He has been angry since yesterday. More than usual. You don't want to cross him any time soon."

The other person replied, "Maybe he is weak, and that is why he wasn't selected. You know ninjas are strong. They must be better judges of strength."

The other person replied, "Maybe you are right. But then why was the weak one selected? If that's the case."

Kaito suddenly stood up. One could hear someone say, "Oh boy.".

Kaito approached one of the whispering kids, grabbed him by the throat, and pushed him to the ground.

He then said, with anger in his voice, "Say that again."

The child trembled, tears welling in his eyes. "I-I'm sorry, Kaito. I didn't mean—"

"Didn't mean what?" Kaito snarled, his grip tightening.

Ryu wanted to keep the kid out of trouble but did not want the kid to be sent to the infirmary. He said, "Leave him alone."

Kaito's anger rose upon hearing him. He then approached him, grabbed him by the throat, and said, "You better stay out of my way, weakling."

Ryu didn't mind being belittled. But what he said next wasn't too pleasant.

"That bitch Mikasa is not here to protect you this time," he said.

Ryu's anger flared up. but he didn't want to resort to violence. Not that he can, considering his frail body.

"Hey, You're angry; I get it." he acknowledged, "and rightfully so. But you don't know how lucky you are. Believe me, you don't understand what she's gotten herself into. So don't say another word about her."

At this moment, Kaito couldn't contain his anger and punched Ryu. A single punch sent Ryu sprawling to the floor. Gasps erupted from the other children.

"Lucky?" Kaito spat, his voice laced with venom. "What do you know? I wanted to be a ninja! Even weaklings were chosen, but not me. And Mother Yuki always treats you differently! like you are special."

Ryu winced, tasting blood in his mouth. But instead of fear or anger, a strange calm settled over him. He looked up at Kaito, seeing not just a bully but a confused, hurt child lashing out at the world.

Ryu gave Kaito a look. He was upset about being told, "You do not know a thing," rather than being angry about getting punched.

Kaito was surprised by how calm and collected he was.

Ryu, wanting to enlighten how lucky he was, said, "Do you know who they were? They were members of the division Root. Those are not like your ordinary ninjas."

He stood up and looked at Kaito. "You know they are trained to be emotionless instruments that only have one purpose—to obey commands without hesitation or free will. During the training alone, many of the chosen children will die."

A hush fell over the room as Ryu spoke. The other children leaned in, their eyes wide with fear. Everyone was shocked and surprised by the sudden revelation.

Ryu then said, "You weren't selected because physical strength was not the only criteria for selection."

Kaito then grabbed him again and said, "Then why were those weaklings selected?"

"Because," Ryu shot back with a serious expression, "they required punching bags. That is how the majority of them will die. The strong and gifted one will join the Root ANBU's main fighting force, while the weak one who survives being used as a punching bag will become spies and informants prepared to be sent behind enemy lines."

Everyone was shocked when they heard it.

"You're lying," one child whispered, but the doubt in their voice was clear.

"How do you know all this?" another asked, their voice trembling.

Ryu's gaze swept across the room. "I listen. I observe. And I read. There's more going on in this village than most people realise."

As for you, "You weren't even fit for being a spy. You are too big and flashy, unlike spies. You possess strength that is above average, but nothing more."

Kaido's anger flared again. He said, "Then why were you left out?"

Ryu said, "I also stand out too much. My hair and eye colour are too eye-catching and not suitable for spies. Besides, no one wants someone who is about to die."

Kaito shook and said, "I don't understand."

Ryu said, "The only reason I was not selected is because I am going to die in a few months."

The sudden revelation hit Kaito. He dropped to his knees and began to consider what he had done. He thought back to all the times he had treated Ryu badly and to all the harsh words he had said to him.

He then said, after a pause, "Besides, I am weak. The weak don't get to decide how they live or die.". 

Hearing this from the guy he thought was the weakest shook Kaito.

Ryu looked at Kaito and said, "Don't think too much. And trust me when I say that you were lucky not to be chosen by Root."

Kaito broke down in tears and said, "All I wanted was to fit in somewhere. And I wanted to become a ninja like my father."

The raw emotion in Kaito's voice struck a chord with everyone present. The other children shifted uncomfortably, some looking away, others drawing closer, drawn by the unexpected vulnerability of their former tormentor.

Ryu reached out to Kaito, placed his hand on Kaito's shoulder, and said, "There is still a chance for you. If you put in enough effort and do not give up, you might be successful. Because unlike me, you are not a weakling."

Hearing this from the person he bullied so much finally broke him. He started crying so hard that it could be heard from even outside the orphanage as well. Even the other kids' eyes went moist hearing all this.

"So this is the boy you were talking about," a sudden voice was heard saying. Ryu turned around only to find Dr. Yuki, who had returned with someone who looked familiar.

Dr. Yuki stood in the doorway, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her. Beside her was a tall man with spiky white hair and a kind face.

[A/N: 

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