Chapter 61: Be Better

"As expected..."

After repeated attempts, Link confirmed that the Delicate Illness Extraction Jutsu could repair cell-level damage based on the amount of chakra supplied.

The only issue was the extreme precision required, making the process slow. The rabbit, cut for testing, hadn't lived long enough to see much progress before succumbing.

This jutsu was lackluster in emergency situations, far less effective than direct chakra healing. It likely wouldn't be much help against cancer or viruses either.

However, for eliminating necrotic tissue or repairing physical damage, it was a game-changer. And Link quickly realized another potential application—enhancing physical training efficiency.

On Earth, building muscle involves creating mechanical tension and metabolic stress, which causes micro-tears in the muscle. These tears signal the body to repair and grow stronger. The process requires balancing damage and recovery, taking time and consistency to achieve results.

In the Naruto world, things were simpler for ninjas. Chakra exertion alone put immense pressure on the body, accelerating muscle development with even minor tears. Still, overdoing it risked injuries that could stall progress.

But with Delicate Illness Extraction Jutsu, Link could bypass the risks entirely.

This jutsu allowed immediate repairs without overburdening the body, enabling sustained, high-intensity training. By repeating cycles of damage and recovery, his body could grow far more efficiently.

Link glanced at his two teammates, diligently training nearby, and smirked.

"I hope they'll enjoy what's coming next..."

…

Afternoon, Ninja Academy Gate

"Iris, you didn't need to come," Ami muttered nervously, standing across the street from the academy. She glanced at the entrance, then turned to Iris, who was happily munching on a skewer of dumplings.

"Relax," Iris replied nonchalantly, taking another bite.

Nearby, Link leaned against a wall, arms crossed. His eyes scanned the distant streets as he replied, "Almost done. I had a major breakthrough."

Neither teammate pressed him for details, focusing instead on their own concerns. Ami tried to calm herself, watching students trickle out of the academy.

Among them, a girl in a pink cheongsam and green shorts caught her eye.

"Here goes nothing," Ami whispered, glancing nervously at Link before approaching the pink-haired girl.

"What do you want?" the girl asked coldly.

Ami hesitated, fidgeting, but before she could speak, two voices rang out.

"Ami-chan!"

Two girls rushed to her side, each grabbing one of her arms. They glared at the pink-haired girl and said, "Hey, Forehead! Our Ami-chan is a ninja now!"

"Hmph, what's so great about that, you fat pig and ugly witch?" the pink-haired girl retorted, hands on her hips.

"What did you say?!" one of Ami's friends yelled, incensed.

"Enough, Kasumi," Ami interrupted, her tone firm.

She locked eyes with the pink-haired girl and took a deep breath. "Sakura Haruno, I'm sorry..."

"Huh?" Sakura blinked, surprised.

Ami's tension eased after apologizing, and she continued, "I shouldn't have teased you about your forehead."

Ami had long dismissed the petty squabbles from their academy days. Facing life-and-death missions, witnessing lives slip away—such trivialities now felt laughable.

But memories of mocking Sakura, watching her cry, and laughing with her friends afterward filled Ami with guilt.

Inspired by Link and her desire to improve herself, Ami had decided to make amends.

"You're apologizing to her?!" Kasumi gasped, stepping back in disbelief.

"Seriously? Just because you're a ninja now doesn't mean you get to act all high and mighty!"

Ami's two closest friends suddenly turned against her, their eyes filled with disdain.

Looking at Sakura, Ami hoped for some relief.

"I don't need your apology!" Sakura snapped. "You're so fake!"

Ami felt the weight of her courage drain away. She stood alone, exposed to the judgmental stares of students passing by.

"Give her some time," Link said, holding back Iris, who had started forward. "This isn't something we can fix for her."

"As teammates, we need to give her space."

After a while, Ami walked back, her expression hollow. She asked hesitantly, "Boss, am I doing the right thing?"

"There's no absolute right or wrong in this world," Link replied calmly, releasing Iris. "You're just trying to become the version of yourself you want to be."

He genuinely didn't care about Ami's history with Sakura. After everything he'd done, sympathizing over schoolyard teasing seemed trivial.

But he admired Ami's determination to reflect and improve.

"People who aspire to be better are the easiest to guide."

"Okay," Ami murmured, wiping away her tears. Her expression, though tear-streaked, showed resolve.

Iris, however, looked utterly clueless about how to comfort her, awkwardly standing nearby.

Link turned and began walking down the street. "Let's go. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin hellish training."

"Hellish training?!" Iris froze.

Ami, still sniffling, looked up. She didn't know how to react to his words. Tears and snot dripped down her face as she stared after him, her emotions a mix of confusion and resignation.

When Iris silently handed her a tissue, she blushed slightly and accepted it without a word.

~~~

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