Chapter 146: A strange new mentor?

Doctor: So Homura-kun, Do you like nurses?

Homura, still contemplating the impact of staying after school for concentration training, was taken aback by the unexpected question from the eccentric doctor. He blinked in confusion, his mind racing to process the inquiry.

Not only that but everything since he came to this small clinic on the southeast side of Konohagakure, on the weekend…Everything has been quite weird.

Since he arrived, he took a small written test for about 40 minutes and was made to wait until he met with the doctor in question.

A man named Ueno Kaneda.

He was a man seemingly in his late 40s or early 50s.

He wore a slightly dark brown traditional jinbei, with long shorts, just a few inches shy away from his ankles, and a long white coat on top of it.

If not for the lab coat he was wearing, he would be your average 'I spend my days at the park' or 'I am retired, leave me alone' plump old man that you would see anywhere in the village around early noon.

But the fact that he was wearing these casual clothing and not the traditional medical-nin type of uniform, it could mean that the man in front of him was either a regular doctor and not one of those medic shinobi that are sent to the battlefield or a regular ordinary doctor that may or may not know ninjutsu.

Since not all doctors are required to know ninjutsu.

The number of doctors that could actually use ninjutsu was actually quite rare and were normally found at the central hospital of Konohagakure and even then getting an appointment with a doctor who specialized in ninjutsu was actually quite rare.

Since it was quite common for most of the patients that were admitted with priority, were, of course, shinobi that were admitted because of severe injuries or people with severe medical conditions.

Homura himself had never been healed with any type of healing technique when he went to the hospital or school nurse due to an injury during training, though that could also be because he tended to avoid having people taking a blood sample from him.

Though that was practically impossible to avoid not giving some of his blood for many different reasons.

Regardless, none of that mattered to a confused Homura, who could not for the loss of all that is sacred answer the question the doctor had just asked him.

Last week he was given a book to read by Umino Iruka, about several things concerning plants and their effects, before he was to go to the appointed clinic.

He actually had 2 weeks to do it, but Homura could easily record anything without much difficulty even if he himself does not have the information he read at all times in the front of his mind.

He was actually about to go see the clinic the next day, but it would probably be a bad idea and he had other stuff to do, mainly help out at the shop he worked after classes.

Though he did not expect to be tested as soon as he explained to the receptionist the reason for his visit.

Nonetheless, reading the book was quite useful for the questions and problems he had to answer and resolve, but nurses?

None of the text that he read and was actively trying to recall had anything written on it about nurses, the closest thing that could come to nurses written on the textbook were patients and the effects certain things would have on the body of people with health-related conditions or genetic disorders…but what did any of that had to do with nurses of all things?

Homura was sadly incapable to process the meaning of liking nurses in relation to the mountain of information that he had at his disposition.

Homura: "Uh... nurses? Do I like nurses personally…or do I like nurses in general because of their… abilities?"

At the end of the day, everything came to power or ability inside Homura's mind. Ever since he became more aware of his previous life and the dangers that lurked within this strange world.

So in a weird way, he had become as dense as a brick in cases that have nothing to do with ninja arts or personal relationships directly involving him in the mix.

Doctor: "Ah, my apologies for the ambiguity. Let me rephrase it. Do you find yourself drawn to the company of nurses? Perhaps you appreciate their dedication to healing and their nurturing nature. Nurses, the angels of the medical world. They assist us, doctors, in providing care and support to patients. So, do you like nurses?"

Homura's brows furrowed as he tried to grasp the concept. The thought of nurses had never crossed his mind. His focus had always been on studying, training, and working diligently to improve his skills as a ninja. The idea of forming personal connections or having preferences for certain professions seemed foreign to him.

Homura: "(I feel like the last part reflected his true feelings more rather than the first part…Why did Iruka tell me to meet with this weirdo?) Well, I... I've never really thought about it. My primary focus has always been on my studies and training. I haven't had the opportunity to consider such things."

The doctor chuckled, finding Homura's response amusing.

Doctor: "I see. A serious and promising young man. From the test you were given I could see that you truly, give your all to anything that you put your heart into, I can see why Iruka-kun recommend you to me. "

Homura:"(Then why did ask me that weird question? Wait did he say recommended?), I am sorry doctor, I fail to understand what this is about.

Doctor: "Hm? Didn't Iruka-kun recommend you to come see me? "

Homura: "Yes, but I thought Iruka-sensei told me to come to see you in order to see if there's something wrong with my body. I've had several issues for a while now and it seems that I thought I was sent here because I seem to have to get some sort of… exam?"

Doctor:" Really? That is certainly quite normal for a cadet your age to have issues controlling their chakra…the fact children can sometimes take longer than others to find a proper balance on how to properly mold or control their own chakra is quite normal. "

Homura: Is that true?

Doctor: "Yes, physical imbalance and chakra growth expand quite rapidly among young children your age, it is usually not that strange for young cadets to be unable to control their chakra in a variety of ways since they are not used to the density of their own chakra in some rare cases. Or even other cases that they have issues molding their chakra properly due to unknown factors that may range from mental to physical. Normally it is not a problem since most ninjutsu taught at the academy requires little chakra expenditure and more often requires practice to perfectly master, but anything that requires a large amount of chakra, concentration, and such as more advanced applications of the transformation jutsu, can result into students being unable to perform the assigned task."

Homura: "I see.(More advanced applications? What does he mean by more advanced, especially for the transformation jutsu? Like stuff, Kiba will do in the future? That stuff seems like a waste of time and chakra…But now that he mentions it, Naruto seems to be quite good at transforming himself but not good at most other types of ninjutsu…could that be the reason as to why that's the case? He is an Uzumaki and the son of the 4th Hokage and also the host to the kyubi… His chakra should be larger and denser than most normal people.)"

Doctor: "So is there a special thing that you do or a special problem that you have felt that may result in you feeling slightly out of shape or may cause some sort of imbalance inside your body? "

Homura: "That's…"

Homura could not help but think of all the crap he had done to himself in recent years.

From the constant training until he would pass out, to the several DNA he injected himself with, jobs, training inside his mind…and overall lack of sleep that he experienced many times.

Any of those things that he did could be the culprit on any given day.

So what other choice that he has besides lying? At least if he did he could get a free consultation.

Homura: "I-I mostly just train until late at night, and after that, I study for the following day's classes. And try to eat regular foods that benefit my metabolism and sleep as much as I can to recover from fatigue."

Doctor: "Ah, I see. A dedicated shinobi, indeed! Sometimes it's good to focus on your goals and ambitions. But remember, my young friend, life is not just about the path of a ninja. It's important to have a well-rounded perspective and appreciate the different aspects of life. From your answer, it doesn't seem to be anything specifically wrong with you."

Homura nodded, absorbing the doctor's words. He realized that he had been so engrossed in his ninja journey that he had neglected other aspects of life, including personal relationships and interests outside of training. The doctor's question had opened a new perspective for him.

Doctor: "Perhaps we could conduct some exams, and you will finally see the greatness of nurses firsthand. *Wink* *wink* "

Homura: "Thank you, Doctor. I'll keep that in mind. Perhaps, in the future, I'll have the opportunity to explore different aspects of life, including... nurses. (I was right to never trust doctors, they all seem to have shady morals. Doesn't matter in which lifetime I happen to find myself in, it's always the same. And I am sure he is referring to that big-breasted lady that guided me here.)"

Big-breasted women were not exactly rare in konohagakure, but in the world of shinobi, especially in a ninja village like Konohagakure, women seemed to have developed to be rather flat-chested or bodies that were more athletic rather than endowed.

So they tended to be slim and have physics that reflected the hurdles of living in a ninja village, though some seemed to escape the fate of being flat-chested more than others.

Though that wasn't the reason as to why Homura took a slight liking to her, she was overall seemingly very motherly.

For a boy who never knew his mother in this life and former life, he was weak to women like her or people that showed him kindness overall.

Homura: " (She seemed to be a quite nice and reliable person so I don't really mind, but now that I think are there male nurses in this universe? Besides nurses, all I know are doctors, and those medics that wear those weird white outfits that cover their bodies almost entirely…are they nurses too, or something adjacent since they come in all genders. )"

The doctor smiled, satisfied with Homura's response; not realizing that Homura's opinion of him was at an all-time low. Though previous biases did not help the matter much.

Doctor: "That's the spirit! Remember, being a well-rounded individual will not only make you a better shinobi but also enrich your life. Now, let's focus on your training and ensure you become a formidable ninja!"

Homura: "Huh? I am sorry but…Am I supposed to train here?"

Homura looked at the tiny room they were currently in, full of appliances and objects related to medicine.

Even the bed next to him had an apparel that seems that it was to monitor heartbeats.

So how could he train in a room like this one? Or rather what type of training.

Doctor: "Did Iruka-kun not explain to you the cause of your visit?"

Homura:" I-I think he did, I was just so focused on learning everything in the book he gave me for study that I may have forgotten, the initial reason altogether. (There was more to my visit?)"

Homura then remembered that it was quite weird that he was tested before coming to this room and had to read an entire manual.

It was certainly weird that he who thought had an appointment with the doctor would find himself tested, in the academic sense.

Doctor:" Fascinating, truly fascinating. A young child as talented as Homura-kun is truly a surprise to see. I thought it was quite strange that you showed up a week prior to the assigned day and you even answered all the questions perfectly…as if you were reciting the textbook word for word….What a memory, good for you young man! Hahaha"

Homura: "Y-yes…Thank you very much."

Homura looked away quite scared, it is the first time anyone has ever said that to him, and it was all the more disturbing to Homura due to the doctor having hit the bullseye.

He had no real idea of the meaning behind the things that he had written down.

He may recall it, but it is all gibberish to him.

Nor did he have any real interest in learning medicine, besides the strict minimum

He was wondering if the old doctor accused him of cheating in a subtle and indirect fashion, but although technically it was not wrong that Homura cheated, it was also not right. It wasn't like he could turn off C. He tried many times before, but C was a part of him the same way his fingers were a part of him.

There was simply no going back in that department, what had been done was permanent.

He had to live with the choices he had made even prior to being born.

Even if the former him was now more or less a stranger and his memories and decisions seemed to be night and day from his.

At this point, they were almost two completely different individuals who simply shared memories in common and even then it wasn't as if all memories were inherited.

Doctor: You may be aware of this but this clinic is among several clinics around the village that are meant to attend to patients in quite distant zones of the village.

As soon as the doctor mentioned the zone, Homura felt slightly a bit more understanding of the doctor's words.

He remembered that in Kabuto's backstory, he didn't seem to be exactly like someone who lived at the center of the village also.

Homura knew that quite well, when he lived at the orphanage, he also didn't live towards the center but in the outskirts and there are relatively fewer people living there.

The center of the village expanded more towards the north until it mostly stopped at the faces of the Hokage, then if one wanted to go to the back hills or somewhere further they'd have to go northeast or northwest.

But even then there was almost nothing besides a few residences and training grounds.

Doctor: Most of our patients are the elderly that live in the area or children when they have mild symptoms or small injuries, however, we also help train and tests genins or other shinobi that want to change their career slightly and focus on medicine instead.

Homura: "(That makes sense…it was really less busy than the hospital I normally go to.)"

Homura remembered as soon as he entered the clinic, he was not shocked by what he saw but the few people that were inside around that time were mostly elderly or people that seemed to be in their 40s and even then, it wasn't that many people.

It didn't take long for Homura to be attended by the receptionist after, he explained who he was and why he came to the clinic.

Doctor: "When Iruka-kun talked to me about your case I was simply going to run a series of exams on you to see if there was something amiss."

Homura: "(Exams!? I don't want to be examined!… though I don't think this man is connected to shady dealings if most of his patients are the elderly and children that are not academy students or too young to be academy students…But I can't exactly trust his words. )"

Doctor: "Though I was quite skeptical about your age… but I see now that you truly are quite bright and serious young man…though that I was simply looking for an assistant that could run errands for me and help me clear and catalog the inventory on weekends, I see now that you may have potential."

The words of the doctor in front of him made Homura quite perplexed, he wasn't exactly sure what kind of crazy talk Naruto heard, or what exactly Naruto told Iruka and what ultimately Iruka told the doctor.

There seemed to be a degree of misunderstanding the longer things went along.

Homura: "…Sensei, I don't quite understand what you mean…"

Doctor: "It is quite easy, actually. Iruka-kun told me that you were quite interested in learning medical ninjutsu in order to one day become a medical-nin."

Homura: "(What!?)…I see."

Homura swore to hit the boy that was the reason for all this mess. He had no time to waste on medical ninjutsu. Sure it fascinated him, but not as much as he was busy with other things in general.

Doctor: "Though I can't really teach an academy student medical ninjutsu, there are programs for cadets that fail to perform in certain areas but are gifted in others, or want to learn certain things not taught at the academy. You could enter if you desire to do as much since we provide classes at night and on weekends, on top of your assistant duties of course."

Homura hearing this, didn't really like what he heard overall, especially for the last part, he didn't like it at all.

Why would he want to become the assistant of a man he just met?

Especially over a huge misunderstanding.

Medical ninjutsu was the stuff of nightmares.

That demanded extreme chakra control and a lot more needless practice in fields he didn't particularly care about.

Though it was a great opportunity, that much Homura seemed more or less agree.

It did come at a great disadvantage.

He just had started helping at the shop near the junkyard and had learned so much, and more importantly, made the money he needed to finance certain endeavors.

He also got a good deal on spare parts that could be salvaged and that he could take a good deal.

It wasn't that he worked all day on weekends, but it usually did take a huge chunk of his day and the latter half was spent training, tinkering with the parts he got from working near the junkyard, or just polishing and tending to his many weapons.

Homura: "I…I don't think I can do this sensei. Besides I don't think I am someone capable of helping… or saving someone to begin with. (That's right…I am…)"

Homura couldn't help but remember that at the end of the day, he had failed most of the people he cared about.

The reason he even wanted to become a shinobi, was to grow strong so that he could avoid tragedy befalling the few people he still cared about.

The world didn't seem to be as joyful as in the manga, and even there people died left and right.

Sadly the people he cared about were not the protagonist or had a demon inside themselves.

Homura himself was only able to be as confident as he was because he possessed 2 powerful abilities, but those currently paled at the sheer insanity of the threats that will once again descend upon this world.

If he wanted to have a chance of protecting anyone, he needed strength.

He could no longer use the excuse that he was a powerless child.

Soon he would become a shinobi and then he could truly have a chance to change things or at least prevent more needless tragedies from occurring.

Doctor: "I…see."

The doctor for the first time since Homura sat down his expression and voice change to reflect his change in demeanor.

He then proceeded to stand up and walk towards the only window present within the small room.

A few small children were outside playing.

Doctor: "Saving someone…That's a tall order."

Homura: "…"

Doctor: "At the end of the day, all that I can hope to achieve is to ease the pain and fears my patients may experience. Though I can't deny that even at my age I hope to be able to cure any ailment any patient is under, but that's just this old man's silly dream. What every medical professional can attest to is that…unfortunately, we can't do much besides hope that our patients will pull through after doing all that we can at the behest of our abilities and give them a fighting chance to recover. Sadly, it is sometimes not enough. Not everyone is even granted that chance…"

As the mood became more somber Homura couldn't but notice that the smile the doctor now sported was not as jovial as the one he had all those times prior.

Either be experience or regret in the face of the doctor, one could not help but feel slightly intimidated by the man's current demeanor.

Homura: "…"

Doctor: You may not believe it now, but I do believe that after listening to you just now, you do have qualities that would make you a great assistant or even someone fit to work at this clinic, even in small ways. Sometimes It can be as simple as lending a helping hand, showing kindness to someone in need, or just being there for others when they need support.

The doctor's tone was gentle, trying to convey the message of hope to Homura.

Doctor: The path of a shinobi is vast and diverse. There are many ways to serve your village and protect those you care about. It doesn't have to be through grand displays of power; it can be through the small acts of compassion that make a big difference in someone's life.

Doctor:" I am sure that one day you will be able to find the right path that best suits you. Well since that serious Iruka-kun is the one who recommended you, there were never any issues to begin with."

Homura: But... I don't have any special skills. I can't even control my chakra properly.

Doctor: Skills can be learned, and chakra control can be improved with time and practice. What's more important is your heart, your willingness to help others, and your dedication to becoming a better person. Those qualities are already within you, Homura.

Homura: "(A better person?…)"

Never in his short life, Homura felt that he could be a good person.

Much less ever hope to become a better person than the person he currently was.

He was a coward through and through.

Angry.

Manipulative.

And resentful.

How could he ever hope to be a better person, when he was all those things and had to mask his true self from everyone?

He felt that he didn't belong in this world, his existence was just a mistake that caused more harm than good.

He hadn't been honest for a long time.

Homura: But... I am not even that good at learning things… I don't have any special skills that could help me with all of that…and I can't even control my chakra properly.

Doctor: One can always improve, skills can be learned, and chakra control can become easier with time and practice. What's more important is your heart, your willingness to help others and your dedication to becoming a better person. Those qualities are already within you, Homura.

Homura:….but…

Doctor: "Homura-kun, the life of a shinobi is quite arduous. Many of the students that have come here are not people that graduated here with the intention to become a medical ninja. But people that have experienced things and decided that they would be better in trying to help others instead of fighting on the battlefield."

Homura:…(He's right…but I can't… I can't…)

Homura found himself troubled by the path he never intended to take so suddenly opening itself to him.

He wanted power to protect and be able to exact his vengeance, but the people he wanted to enact vengeance against would surely die if events transpired more or less as they did in the manga.

Was he even needed?

Saving those he cared about should take precedence above those who had died, Homura knew that.

But he couldn't completely understand that.

No, he couldn't allow himself to understand that.

That's why he couldn't take the enemy kunoichi's life when he was about to.

His blade was not pointed toward her.

His anger was not directed at her.

At that point, he was just using her as an excuse to commit murder and become like the people he hated so much to have a chance at becoming as cruel as them.

He knew that, and he hated that he pretended not to, up until the end.

He could have run away at any time. He could have tried to protect or ensured that Naruto was saved, but he did none of that.

He didn't truly think of Naruto before he chose to chase after the lone kunoichi.

It was certainly not for anyone's protection but a desire to hurt someone.

To hurt them the same way he had been hurt.

At this point, it was more just pride and a desire and his hatred driving him towards seeking vengeance, he could not forgive the people who took away his chance at happiness a chance of having a family that he could truly belong to.

But since he couldn't take it on them, he was always looking for others that he could take those frustrations on; but there was never someone like that.

So those feelings just festered until he finally had an opportunity to act on them.

He enjoyed it.

The thrill of battle, crossing his sword against a real opponent.

Betting his life.

All of it felt wrong.

He was never one to enjoy fighting, much less hurting others… but at this point, Homura just didn't know who he was any longer.

Heading down that path that he was carving for himself…he could end up losing himself altogether.

Doctor: It's okay to have doubts, Homura. We all do at times. But remember, doubt doesn't define you; it's what you do despite those doubts that shape your path.

The doctor's compassionate smile reassured Homura, making him feel a little less uncertain about his future.

After all, this could be the change he needed, and avoid becoming an angry murderer. Detached from reality altogether.

Though Homura was too young to understand all the implications that entailed.

Or even realize what was happening to him.

Homura: Thank you, doctor. I'll... I'll think about it.

Doctor: Take your time, young one. The journey of a shinobi is full of discoveries, and sometimes, it's the unexpected paths that lead to the most fulfilling destinations.

Homura and Doctor Ueno talked more about a few things and proceeded to run a few tests on Homura's body before Homura eventually left the clinic.

As Homura left the office, he couldn't help but feel that his life had been completely turned upside down.

So as he walked down the streets and saw the happy villagers, walking with their families or friends.

He couldn't help but wonder why he couldn't have that as well.

He was an orphan, and having parents was already too late.

Not that he could get adopted at this point.

Besides, he didn't whom he was related to besides those that used to belong to the Uchiha clan.

So as Homura entered his dark, practically empty apartment, there was nothing there for him.

Somehow the apartment that he never truly cared about felt bigger and more daunting than ever.

He didn't even bother turning on the lights as he entered and simply closed the door.

A simply proceeded to go to bed.

After all, there was no food to be found, no apparel, and nothing to do besides reading due to several textbooks found in almost every room and weapons that he kept safely tucked away.

It was truly a lonely existence that he was living.

It was the environment he had grown accustomed to.

Homura: "(I think the first Hokage was a medical ninja as well…maybe it won't be so bad.)"

Homura was trying to emulate the two strongest Hokage that he knew, those were the 1st and 4th.

He believed that if he applied himself to becoming like them, he would one day truly be strong enough to change things for the better.

That's why he always wanted to learn ninjutsu, especially fuinjutsu.

Those two hokage were known not only for their incredible strength and kindness, but also for the fact that they were able to deal with most threats.

That was due to their ability to use fuinjutsu but Homura lacked the talent seemingly to control his chakra properly.

So for him controlling his chakra better was always something he wished for, though realistically it was better to use just normal ninjutsu.

Most basic ninjutsu didn't demand much chakra control but just chakra and affinity.

If he who has an affinity for 3 different kinds of release could train hard enough, he knew that he could be more or less proficient in elemental jutsu before graduating.

Although there was something that had changed recently.

Homura's goal changed as soon as he discovered that his sharingan which had been seemingly stuck on the first level for almost 3 years had finally evolved.

Which meant that his ocular powers had evolved, though he couldn't exactly put it to the test.

Since he wanted to lay low for at least a couple of more months so that the incident that happened in the back hills could be forgotten by most.

However, when that was over he planned on reading the scroll he had obtained which contained genjutsu teachings on how to use the sharingan more effectively.

He also planned on visiting the Uchiha clan, since it had been a long time.

He doubt no one was paying attention to the clan that much, it was pretty much abandoned.

Sasuke, went there less and less as the years went by.

It was probably the same for Homura.

Too many memories that had now turned sour.

But regardless of his desires, if Homura could not better himself at controlling his chakra, he could never truly become good at genjutsu or fuinjutsu.

Thus why the words from the doctor did resonate so much with him.

Whatever small amount of knowledge could impart to him, he thought that could be useful towards helping him become stronger, and he could have access to many ingredients and tools that he would never be able to realistically use.

It wasn't the path he wanted to follow but the more he thought about it, the more he saw the advantage, though he couldn't keep continuing in his current path.

Something had to give, either it will be his intensive regiment or his work.

He didn't know which was the best option.

He had known Might Guy for almost 5 years now, they didn't train much together, pretty much never. But every time he would show up to Homura's usual training ground he would impart new knowledge.

There was still a chance that he could impart one of the strongest techniques ever created by shinobi in shinobi history.

However, the chance of getting to work at the clinic was also all too enticing to pass over, especially since he could collect several things and data that he wanted on people or overall products and their effect on human bodies.

He could perhaps find ways of enhancing himself or test out many things.

Due to C's intervention, he was pretty much very resistant to poisons but with the proper dosage and knowledge, he could improve on this condition.

Homura: "(Stronger…I have to become stronger….)"

Sadly for Homura the more he thought about those things the more his mind grew tired and his body relaxed.

Allowing him to fall asleep as he debated the best course of action.

Chapter end