The day, Yomi was getting ready to leave for the border outpost. The whole family was out to bid her farewell.

  "Make sure you eat on time and take proper care of yourself," Hae said, hugging Yomi tightly.

  "Okay, Aunt," Yomi replied, returning the hug.

  "If things get too hectic there, just use my name and e back. I'll hahe rest," Shisui added, patting her head gently.

  "Yes, brother."

  "Bye, sister! Please e back soon!" Naruto excimed.

  "I’ll be back before you even notice I'm gone," Yomi assured him with a smile.

  "Bye," was all Kaida said.

  "Bye," Yomi echoed before heading outside, where she found Ryota waiting for her.

  "Are you here to say farewell to Yomi?" Kaida asked. Ryota had bee a regur guest at the house because of his frequent sparring sessions with Kaida.

  "No, I’m here to take my partner. I’m also going to the outpost as part of the sensing and trag unit," Ryota replied, followed by the familiar sound of barking.

  Bark! Bark!

  "Yes, along with Kiba, of course," Ryota added with a grin.

  "Oh! Thankfully, I won't be alo the outpost," Yomi said, patting Kiba, the Inuzuka hound.

  "Yeah, I was also relieved to hear that you’d be ing with us," Ryota said, smiling at her.

  "It's great yoing too," Kaida said, feeling slightly more at ease about Yomi's safety. Having sparred with Ryurly, Kaida knew Ryota was at mid-Jonin level when fully powered. At least, they’d be able to escape if somethi wrong.

  Over the past week, Kaida had repeatedly told Yomi to run if her life was ever in danger. He was fident she’d heed his adviless, of course, somethireme happened—like if her sensei was taken hostage. He knew Yomi might choose to fight rather than flee in that case.

  But these were just worst-case sarios swirling in his mind. Being aware of the world's harsh truths, Kaida couldn't help but worry.

  With Yomi, Ryota, and Kiba on their way to the vilge gates to joieam, the m ended quietly. Kaida had one more day off, staying home with Shisui and Naruto, while Hae went to the bathhouse.

  Their pns to expand the bathhouse business were temporarily put on hold due to the sudden expenses reted to Kaida's training. But there was no rush. Even earning 10 million Ryo per month was a great achievement. With the bathhouse gaining popurity, others had sidered entering the same business. However, no dared openly pete with the Uchiha. To do so would be a subtle aowledgment that the Uchiha were superior. No one wao admit that.

  Hae was skillfully leveraging the Uchiha o suppress any petition. In three more months, their dominance would be solidified. With low prices and excellent service, it would be nearly impossible for ao overtake them in this field.

  …

  The day passed, and finally, it was time for Kaida to plete the jutsu training he had been w on for months. Learning the Mitotic Regeion Jutsu wasn’t a priority at the start of his journey, but over time, it became crucial.

  The reason Kaida had chosen medical jutsu was simple—it was the easiest and most guaranteed path to obtaining an S-rank jutsu. Learning the Flying Thunder God teique was unrealistily Minato had mastered it, and evehree others had to assist him. So, it was impractical to think Kaida could learn it.

  The Mitotic Regeion Jutsu, however, was different. It was well-known that Hiruzen knew every jutsu in Konoha, except for the Flying Thunder God teique, so there was a ce Kaida could master this jutsu even without Tsunade’s help.

  That's why he chose this path. But now, he desperately he strength boost this jutsu would provide to protect those in need and to form a powerful team. Today, he was about to gain that strength. Excited, he headed straight to the hospital after having breakfast with his family.

  …

  "Good m, Sensei," Kaida said as he entered Mitsuru’s office.

  "Good m. You look quite excited," Mitsuru replied, notig the expression on his face.

  "I am, Sensei. When do we start the procedure?" Kaida asked eagerly.

  "Soon. I’ve called both Fuinjutsu masters, and they’ll be here within half an hour. You have some time to rest until then, because ohe procedure starts, there won’t be much time for that," Mitsuru expined.

  "Okay, Sensei."

  Kaida waited in his room, reading a book, when a nurse came in to summon him.

  "Kaida, Mitsuru-sama is calling you," the nurse informed him.

  "Yes, ma'am," Kaida responded out of habit ao the room door.

  "May I e in, Sensei?" he asked, seeing that the door was already open.

  "Yes, e in, Kaida. Meet Tatsuo-sama and Kiyoshi-sama. They’ve e here to help you today," Mitsuru said, gesturing toward two elderly men sitting before her.

  Uanding the importance of the moment, Kaida bowed at a 90-degree ahank you for ing all the way here to help me, sir."

  Tatsuo, an elder wearing the Sarutobi symbol, chuckled. "o thank us. It’s our job as elders to help young people like you."

  Kiyoshi, though silent, smiled kindly. He bore no symbol, but the fact that he had reached Fuinjutsu grandmaster level without any support was an impressive testament to his talent.

  After hearing this, Kaida straightened up.

  "Shall we begin the procedure?" Mitsuru asked the two men, eager to avoid prolonging the iion and risking any offense.

  "Of course. Let's start," Kiyoshi said as he stood up slowly with the aid of his e.

  In a fsh, Kaida appeared beside him. "Sir, may I assist you?"

  Kiyoshi smiled warmly but waved him off. "No need, son. I still have enough strength to manage myself."

  "See? He never likes accepting help," Tatsuo said with a ugh.

  "Why trouble others when I hahings myself?" Kiyoshi replied as they both made their way out, followed closely by Mitsuru and Kaida.

  As they walked, Mitsuru whispered to Kaida, "Make sure you don’t offend them. They’re well-ected, and you don’t want to be on their bad side. Fortunately, they’re kind people and don’t abuse their power. Not everyone is like that..." She trailed off, clearly recalling something unpleasant.

  Kaida simply nodded, respeg her privacy.

  They reached a room where a bed was set up, fnked by two chairs positioned so that the men could easily access the entire bed.

  "Okay, Kaida, remove all your clothes and lie on the bed," Mitsuru instructed, her tone ical.

  "All of them?" Kaida asked, his face reddening.

  "Yes," Mitsuru replied, as if speaking to a teenager embarrassed by a routine checkup.

  Sighing, Kaida plied, preparing himself for the final phase of the procedure.