Konoha Hospital.
At this moment, Shikamaru, with simple bandages on, was sitting on a nearby chair. His fingertips were unconsciously interlaced and twitching, his eyes glancing toward the operating room from time to time.
Although he knew Choji had only taken two of the secret pills, he knew the third one was meant for mutual destruction with the enemy.
Just using the green and yellow Curry Pills was already the limit for the human body.
The moment the yellow curry pill is consumed, the Chakra within the body runs wild uncontrollably, granting ten times the strength for a short period.
But the price is that the body is instantly torn apart by the overloaded power; bones shatter, muscles burn, and internal organs are twisted and pulled. Every movement feels like being carved by a knife.
Choji's current state was like Rock Lee after using the Eight Gates. Although his life wouldn't be in danger, Shikamaru was still worried about whether it would affect Choji's career as a Ninja.
"Da-da-da—"
Suddenly, a hurried sound of footsteps rang out.
Shikamaru turned his head to look, only to see Lady Tsunade and Aoki Yoru walking toward him, and a surprised smile instantly appeared on his face.
He jumped up from his chair and bowed to her in greeting: "Lady Tsunade."
"Good work, Shikamaru. Don't worry about Choji," she said, before walking straight into the operating room.
Seeing Lady Tsunade go in, Shikamaru let out a heavy breath, and his shoulders finally relaxed.
"Senior Yoru, thanks to you this time, otherwise we would have been in dire straits."
As he spoke, a look of self-reproach appeared on his face. "I thought I had accurately calculated everyone's combat parameters, that they could at least stall the enemy, but in the end, I proved to be naive.
If you hadn't arrived, none of us except Neji would have survived. I'm not fit to be their captain."
Looking at Shikamaru's dejected expression, Aoki Yoru adopted a rare serious tone: "Then get stronger. When that time comes, all problems will be easily solved."
This was his creed in life: if you encounter difficulties, it's because you aren't strong enough.
When you stand above the heavens, all the obstacles in the world become a smooth path beneath your feet.
Aoki Yoru then turned and walked toward the ward, leaving behind a nonchalant sentence:
"No matter who led the team, they wouldn't necessarily have done better than you, and they might not have lasted until my support arrived. Since you're unwilling to accept this, then work hard to become stronger."
In the blink of an eye, a week had passed since Sasuke's defection.
Konoha BBQ Shop.
Except for Naruto and Sakura, who were still immersed in sadness, everyone else seemed to have forgotten him and had begun their own lives.
At this time, Aoki Yoru was sitting in the BBQ shop with little Nao, feasting heartily. The little girl's mouth was stuffed full, the corners of her lips stained with oil, eating with a face full of satisfaction.
Slap—
Suddenly, a fair hand lightly patted his shoulder.
Aoki Yoru looked back in confusion, only to see Yui standing behind him with a smile.
"What are you doing here? Join us."
Yui shook her head and looked toward a corner. "No, I brought a few little ones from my clan to eat BBQ."
Aoki Yoru followed her gaze and saw seven kids of various ages sitting around a table, staring expectantly at the grill.
"It seems your financial situation has been good lately!"
Aoki Yoru teased. Being able to bring so many children for BBQ was no small expense. Yui used to be extremely frugal, exhausting herself just to ensure her clansmen could eat.
"I have to thank you for helping me make a fortune, otherwise I'd still be struggling!"
Yui then said with a face full of excitement, "This year, two children in our clan are going to the Ninja Academy."
Looking at her, Aoki Yoru knew exactly how difficult it had been for her these past few years.
The clan's Ninjas were almost all dead, and the entire burden was placed on her shoulders alone.
Yet she not only didn't collapse but instead managed the clan so well that it was thriving. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration in his heart.
When Nao saw Yui, she immediately put down the BBQ in her hand and waved at her excitedly. "Sister Yui, come eat! Brother Yoru ordered a lot of meat."
"Sister's group is eating over there too," Yui said as she walked over and pinched Nao's chubby cheeks.
"Little Nao has grown taller. Tomorrow, Sister will take you to buy new clothes."
"Grown taller?"
Aoki Yoru looked over and noticed that Nao's cuffs were starting to get a bit short. "You're right. Thanks for your help."
After bringing Nao back to Konoha, he was completely clueless about what clothes to buy for a little girl or what to look out for, so he asked Yui for help.
This saved him a lot of trouble. He didn't understand the various issues little girls had, so having someone to teach her was for the best.
In his previous life, he had been single since birth for thirty years, without even a girlfriend, let alone a daughter.
Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Aoki Yoru looked at Yui and asked:
"By the way, didn't Lady Tsunade take Sakura Haruno as a disciple? Don't you have any thoughts on that?"
During this period, two things were being widely discussed in the Village.
One was that the Nine-Tailed fox was taken as a disciple by Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, and it was heard he was being personally taught by his side.
The other thing was that Sakura Haruno, the most inconspicuous person among the three in Team 7, was actually taken as a disciple by the Fifth Hokage.
This news stunned everyone.
Jiraiya taking Naruto as a disciple didn't surprise those who knew some of the inside story.
But Tsunade taking Sakura as a disciple really made their jaws drop.
Adding in Sasuke, who defected to Orochimaru's side—good grief—all three members of Team 7 had become disciples of the Sannin.
In their view, the title of 'Little Sannin' should be given to Team 7.
Hearing this, a look of loneliness flashed in Yui's eyes. "I tried. After Sakura became her disciple, the Director told me to try as well, but Lady Tsunade refused."
"Refused?" A hint of doubt flashed through Aoki Yoru's mind.
That shouldn't be. Yui's talent for Medical Ninjutsu wasn't weak. To become a mainstay of the hospital at this age, she had to have a certain level of talent.
"Yeah! Lady Tsunade said that whether it's Ninjutsu or Medical Ninjutsu, I've already forged my own path. I just need to keep walking along it. Being her disciple wouldn't be very meaningful, and she can only find time to teach one disciple right now."
"I see!" Aoki Yoru said regretfully.
If she could have become Tsunade's disciple, it wouldn't just be a status boost; simply being able to summon a Summoned Beast of Katsuyu's level would have doubled her combat power.
Aoki Yoru always felt that the power of the Three Great Holy Lands was far more than what was shown in the original work, and the Sannin hadn't fully developed their potential at all.
Not to mention the Strength of a Hundred Seal mastered by Tsunade, which was practically a divine technique tailor-made for Medical Ninjas and could also maintain eternal youth. Even as a man, he found it enviable.
At this moment, the slight disappointment in Yui's eyes was suddenly suppressed. As if remembering something, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she said excitedly:
"However! Although Lady Tsunade didn't take me as a disciple, she gave me her Medical Ninjutsu insights and told me I could consult her and Senior Shizune anytime if I have questions. Finally, if I pass her test, she will pass the Strength of a Hundred Seal to me."
"Oh! Then congratulations to you. That's quite a good harvest."