[88] Japan's Number One Doctor

Yakushi General Hospital.

This hospital, though not the largest in scale, is actually quite famous throughout Japan and even the world.

This is because the hospital's director, Miss Kiriko Yakushi, is a water mage skilled in healing and is recognized as Japan's number one doctor. Her meticulous control over the human body has allowed her to overcome numerous difficult and complex medical cases, earning her international acclaim.

If Shizuku Kurogane's healing abilities as a water mage are only close to that of a regeneration pod, then Kiriko Yakushi's medical abilities completely surpass it.

Even those who have been declared dead can potentially be revived after passing through her hands.

Her talent and skill in this field are acknowledged worldwide, and she is publicly recognized as one of the top three doctors in the world.

"Hello, I am Eiji Nangou. I have an appointment with Miss Kiriko Yakushi today."

Eiji arrived at the reception desk of Yakushi Hospital and greeted the receptionist.

"Ah... You are Mr. Nangou? The director has already instructed us. You may go right in."

The receptionist glanced at Eiji, couldn't help but look again, and after several glances, finally reacted and quickly responded to him.

"The director is currently doing her rounds. You can go this way."

Eiji took the map thoughtfully provided by the receptionist and followed the instructions through the courtyard, entering a particularly large inpatient building in the rear. He took the elevator to the third floor.

The decor here was no different from other hospitals, with no VIP rooms set up. It didn't even look like a hospital.

Saying it didn't look like a hospital wasn't referring to hygiene or anything else, but rather the patients here.

No one was wearing hospital gowns. The women were even wearing makeup, chatting happily in the corners, while the children sat on the sofas, playing card games with joy.

Unlike the hospital corridors filled with the smell of disinfectant and the listless, weary patients in his memory, the air in the hallways here was fresh, and the patients were full of vitality.

Eiji found Kiriko Yakushi in the third room.

At the moment, she seemed to be in the middle of a consultation, placing her hands on an elderly man who was at least in his nineties, with a faint blue magical glow emanating from her hands.

"That should do it. The pain should be gone now, right?"

"Hahaha, as expected of Kiriko. Now I can drink again!"

"Don't drink too much."

The one gently advising the patient was a beautiful girl under twenty years old.

She was only wearing a black T-shirt with a white coat over it, looking very simply dressed, but her figure was quite impressive. Though not as good as his senior sister, she exuded a mature charm.

She had slightly wavy green hair, emerald eyes that held the gentleness unique to doctors, and flawless, fair cheeks with a roundness that made it clear at a glance that she was a very touchable woman.

"Oh, you're here, Eiji."

She turned and walked out of the room, just seeing Eiji waiting at the door, so she raised her hand in greeting. At the same time, her emerald eyes swept over Eiji's body.

"Heartbeat, pulse, muscles, bone marrow, adrenaline... all normal. It seems you've recovered well."

She didn't use any instruments, just a glance at Eiji was enough to determine his current condition.

"Long time no see, Miss Kiriko."

Facing this woman, even Eiji put away his usual casual demeanor and greeted her very seriously.

Eight years ago, when she had just become famous, she was invited by his Master Torajirou Nangou to help Eiji with several years of rehabilitation training, solving many of his physical issues.

Since then, Kiriko Yakushi had been his primary doctor, and that hadn't changed to this day.

His current state was largely thanks to Kiriko Yakushi.

"We're old acquaintances, no need to be so formal."

She shrugged her rounded shoulders, speaking indifferently.

"You're here to see Kaito Ayatsuji, right? Follow me."

She led Eiji deeper into the hospital.

"The atmosphere here is completely different from other hospitals."

On the way, Eiji looked at the rooms on either side, seeing patients who completely ignored hygiene, playing happily, and couldn't help but sigh.

This was his first time visiting this hospital.

"Is that so? In your eyes, they seem to be having a good time?"

Kiriko raised her willow-like eyebrows slightly, her thin lips pursed as she asked him.

"Very happy."

"Hehe, that's good."

Kiriko smiled, but the smile soon turned bitter.

"They are all terminally ill patients."

"?"

"Though I am called Japan's number one doctor, I am not the god of the underworld. I can't save everyone. The patients in this building have all been given a death sentence. All I can do is alleviate their pain and let them spend their final days in happiness."

Even in this supernatural world, diseases like heart disease remain incurable. Even Kiriko can't save such patients.

But she couldn't bear to see the pain and helplessness of terminally ill patients before their deaths, so she used her Blazer ability to block their pain receptors, allowing them to at least live out their remaining days in peace.

To prevent sudden attacks, she makes her rounds every day, wiping out bacteria in the rooms and adjusting the patients' conditions daily.

In her presence, patients don't need to watch their diets, lie in bed looking pale, or spend their days frowning. They can happily indulge themselves and enjoy their remaining time.

"That's very noble."

Eiji said sincerely.

Any doctor is worthy of respect, let alone someone like Kiriko.

"But in the end, I can't save them. The Kaito Ayatsuji you sent is the same."

Kiriko smiled bitterly.

"I've repaired his body. You could say he's as healthy as a normal person, and his consciousness is almost awake, but heart disease is still beyond me..."

Kiriko is a great doctor.

Though when they first met, this girl was cold to everyone, looking at him as if he were a lab rat that could be disposed of at any moment.

Back then, Kiriko seemed to have no humanity, viewing all life as mere objects to be manipulated at will.

—Because she was too powerful.

She could manipulate the trillions of cells in the human body at will, shape the biology of any creature as she pleased. Humans were like grains of sand to her, to be toyed with as she wished.

But not long after they met, she gradually changed, coming to understand the preciousness of life, and became as gentle as she is now.

 Kiriko glanced at the young man following her, her eyes flickering with emotion.

To Eiji, she might indeed be his saviour.

But to her, he was also the teacher who taught her the value of life.

In this young man, she saw the indomitable will to live, watching him persist day after day, feeling the awe-inspiring determination, and only then did she realize the preciousness of life.

"This is the place."

The two stopped in front of a certain room.

From inside the room, faint sounds of an argument could be heard.

"I already said I'm fine, Ayase. I'm healthy enough to swing a sword a hundred times!"

"No, Dad, stay in bed. I'll go find Dr. Kiriko. Don't get up now!"

***

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