Naruto: Rise of the Medical Ninja

Kakashi explained the full context of their mission to escort Fuu to Takigakure, including why they had climbed the cliff of Takigakure the previous night.

"Oh, so you had no choice but to climb the cliff under those circumstances?" Takikage said lightly.

"Hey, old man, we risked our lives to bring Fuu back! Why are you doubting us? Don't you realize how important Fuu is?" Obito said, jumping up before Kakashi could respond.

"If you're going to be rude to me, there's no way to treat the poison in your breakfast," Takikage said, his expression darkening slightly.

At Takikage's words, Dosuke and the others shot to their feet. Dosuke's hand subtly brushed the summoning scroll in his ninja pouch.

"You old geezer, you're really trying to harm us, damn it!" Obito shouted, pulling out a kunai and charging forward.

*Bang!*

Obito froze in place. Takikage's fist connected with his lower abdomen in a single, precise strike. Obito's eyes widened, and he vomited all the sushi he'd eaten that morning. He collapsed to the floor, clutching his stomach.

"Obito!" Rin cried, starting to rush toward him.

"Rin stop!" Dosuke extended an arm to stop her.

"Dosuke?" Rin looked at him, confused.

"Don't worry, Rin. Takikage likely did that on purpose," Dosuke explained.

As a Kage, recognized or not by the ninja world, Takikage was no weakling. If he had truly meant harm, he could have killed Obito outright instead of merely forcing him to expel his breakfast. Moreover, as the leader of a village, it was odd that no guards had appeared in the room. This suggested Takikage's actions were deliberate.

*Clap, clap, clap.*

A round of applause broke the tension. "As expected of a disciple of the Sannin. You're sharp for your age," Takikage said, looking at Dosuke with genuine admiration.

"Your breakfast was infused with our village's unique Hero Water. Consumed over time, it can increase a ninja's chakra," he continued. "Today's breakfast was portioned for the four of you, but this boy ate too much on his own. There's a saying: too much Hero Water can make a ninja irritable and cause severe abdominal pain. Prolonged overconsumption can even disrupt chakra flow."

"So, I had to resort to drastic measures," Takikage said, returning to his desk. He crossed his hands, rested his elbows on the table, and supported his chin with his intertwined fingers, studying them.

Obito slowly stood, wincing. "Then, you old guy, couldn't you have used a gentler method?"

From the moment they entered Takigakure, despite Takikage's displays of goodwill, the group had remained on edge. Any slight disturbance could set Dosuke and Kakashi's senses on edge, especially concerning Fuu's safety. Takikage was now using his strength to show them that their vigilance was weak in his eyes.

"Sit down. Feeling better now?" Takikage asked Obito.

"Damn it, I can't even fight back after getting hit. But yeah, I do feel better," Obito muttered, still angry.

"Lord Takikage, please state your purpose for summoning us," Dosuke said, fixing Takikage with a steady gaze.

"I called you here to ease your suspicions," Takikage said with a smile. "You're still wary of me. I truly mean you no harm."

"Since you've come to deliver Fuu, let me tell you a story." Takikage rose and walked to the window, turning his back to the group.

"After the First Ninja World War, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, known as the God of Shinobi, brought peace to a chaotic era. He ended the Warring States Period, where powers vied for dominance, and introduced the era of ninja villages. With his immense power, he distributed the nine Tailed Beasts among the nations to balance the strength of each ninja village."

"Takigakure, though not one of the Five Great Nations, was fortunate to receive a Tailed Beast, Seven Tails."

At the mention of Tailed Beasts, Dosuke and the others leaned in, eager to hear such rare secrets.

"Tailed Beasts are a village's vital combat strength, and selecting a Jinchuriki is a critical decision. When our village faced this dilemma, the daughter of the First Takikage stepped forward, volunteering to become Chomei's Jinchuriki."

"But an accident occurred during the sealing. The First Takikage's daughter had a physique unsuited for hosting a Jinchuriki, unable to withstand Chomei's power. In desperation, the seal was placed on both her and the First Takikage's body."

"Ten years passed in a flash. The Chomei Jinchuriki grew up slowly and met a boy in the village. They undertook missions together, drove off wild beasts around the village, and eventually fell in love beneath a magnolia tree. The boy vowed to protect the village and the woman he loved."

"As time passed, the boy matured and took on the title of Takikage. But the girl, now pregnant, suffered a seal failure, causing Chomei's chakra to leak and wreak havoc on the village. Ignoring the man's pleas, she left one night without a word, accompanied only by a nanny who had cared for her since childhood and a chunin."

"When she left, the woman wrote a letter, stating she would leave the Tailed Beast to the village and give everything for it," Takikage said, turning to gaze at Fuu in Rin's arms.

The group sat in thoughtful silence. "My story is over," Takikage said. "You may leave now."

After a long pause, Kakashi stood first. "Thank you, Lord Takikage. We'll take our leave."

"Very well. Go, and remember not to overeat next time. Hero Water isn't easy to digest," Takikage warned.

The group turned to leave, Fuu looking around in confusion as they exited.

Takikage watched them file out of the office building, remaining silent.

"Lord Takikage, you're just letting them go? Those kids, especially the one with the mask and the short ponytail, are rare geniuses," Mizusuke said, appearing behind Takikage.

"If we used the village's brainwashing techniques…"

"Enough, Mizusuke," Takikage interrupted. "You must understand, those children include a disciple of Konoha's Sannin, the son of Konoha's White Fang, who once dominated the ninja world, and a member of the Uchiha clan. We cannot keep them."

"Unless we want to wage war with Konoha. And their team is led by Minato. You saw the aftermath of last night's battle. Didn't you sense the intensity of that fight?"