Naruto: The Medical Shinobi

Ryu was confused about what was happening and why he was here.

"Mr. Dan here is saying that he will adopt you," declared Dr. Yuki.

The announcement both baffled and intrigued Ryu, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within his young heart. The notion of being adopted. Adoption? Him? The thought was too strange for him to process, especially since he was a grown man living inside the body of a six-year-old.

He hesitantly asked, "Why would someone be willing to adopt a child who is terminally sick, knowing that his time on this earth is limited?"

Dan's eyes softened, a mix of pain and determination flickering across his face. "Because," he said softly, "every life is precious, no matter how long or short. And you deserve to know what it's like to have a family."

Dr. Yuki answered him, "Mr. Dan is not a stranger to you. He is a distant relative of yours. He is the brother of your late grandmother, Tsuki."

Brother of his late grandmother, Tsuki. Suddenly, it all clicked into place—the resemblance, the shared hair colour. There was no doubt that they were related.

"My grandmother?" Ryu asked, his eyes widening with surprise.

Dan nodded, a sad smile on his face. "She was an incredible woman. I see so much of her in you."

He had not made any long-term plans or thought about being adopted. All he was thinking about was curing himself. Everything else comes later. This sudden request for adoption shook him.

He pondered for a while, and suddenly an idea came to his mind. He thought, "I need to capitalise on this. I can make them agree to anything if I play my cards right."

Ryu took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to do. He knew it was manipulative, but he also knew it might be his only chance to access the resources he needed. With a serious expression, he turned to face Dr. Yuki and questioned, "Do I have a say in this?"

Both Dan and Dr. Yuki were taken aback. Any orphan will jump at the chance of being adopted. But his face showed not the slightest sign of happiness. Dr. Yuki thought for a moment and finally spoke, "Why would you ask that?".

Ryu then smiled and said, "I will agree to be adopted by Mr. Dan only on one condition."

"Condition, what condition?" exclaimed Yuki and Dan in unison.

Ryu said, "I want you to take me to Leaf Central Hospital every day. I know there must be a library there where I can find medical books and read them without any disturbance."

Dan and Dr. Yuki exchanged glances, a mixture of surprise and admiration in their eyes. "Every day?" Dan asked, his voice soft. "That's quite a commitment, Ryu."

Dr. Yuki was surprised by such a strange condition.

Ryu then continued, "If you agree to it, then only I will go with Mr. Dan." He thought the hospital would have all the necessary information as well as resources at the same place that would be required to synthesise the cure he had planned to cultivate for his condition.

Therefore, with a determined glint in his eye, he presented a condition. If his request was met, he would be willing to be adopted.

Yuki and Dan were surprised. In there eyes, Ryu expressed his burning desire to read more, to learn, and to grow.

"Ryu," Dr. Yuki said gently, "I understand your thirst for knowledge, but spending all your time in a hospital library... is that really how you want to spend your days?"

Dan pondered for a while before asking, "Why do you want to do this? Why would you want to spend your days reading books instead of playing and enjoying the last days you have?".

Dan is already aware of Ryu's previous displays of emotional intelligence, so he directly asked him this question.

To this, Ryu smiled and replied, "Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated." His words carried a weight far beyond his years, leaving Dan and Dr. Yuki momentarily speechless

Ryu quoted Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist and author of The Art of War, from his old world before he was born into this new one. He cannot say he already has the cure, and he wanted the resources the hospital can provide. Can he? 

Ryu then continued, "I wanted to know more about my illness and find a cure. I understand that it is difficult, and you see me as a mere child. But I am not going to give up without a fight."

Dan leaned forward, his eyes intense. "And what if you don't find a cure, Ryu? What then?"

Ryu met his gaze unflinchingly. "Then at least I'll know I tried. Isn't that what being a ninja is all about? Never giving up, no matter the odds?"

"Ninja, you just came out of your nappies, kid," Yuki and Dan thought to themselves.

Just when Dan and Dr. Yuki thought the boy could not surprise them anymore, he was again surprised by such profound wisdom. Not even battle-hardened ninjas have such an understanding of the world. With such resolve from a 6-year-old kid, they were lost for words. They thought that if he wasn't terminally ill, he would have done great things.

"Ehem, hem." Ryu then cut them off from their imaginations and brought them back to the real world. 

Dr. Yuki said, "I am ok with it if Dan agrees.". She just couldn't disagree with his request.

Ryu turned to face Dan at that moment, and Dan said, "It is okay with me too."

With a smile, Ryu said, "I guess I will have to call you grandpa from now on."

Dan's breath caught in his throat, emotions welling up at the simple word. "Grandpa," he repeated, testing the word. "I... I'd like that, Ryu."

Dan and Dr. Yuki smiled a little, watching him mischeviously smile.

Dr. Yuki said to Dan, "Come tomorrow morning. I will have all his belongings packed by then. And since you are family, there is no need for many formalities. I will vouch for you on the adoption papers. Everything will be smooth."

Dan nodded, his eyes never leaving Ryu. "Thank you, Yuki. For everything." He turned to Ryu, his voice gentle. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

The next morning, the orphanage buzzed with whispers as the news spread that Ryu was leaving. Emotions ran high; sadness lingered in the air, especially for the cook lady and the caretaker who had grown fond of Ryu. One more person who was also in shock was the bully kid, Kaito.

By the time Dan showed up, Ryu had said goodbye to everyone. He then expressed his gratitude to the staff, especially Dr. Yuki, for all that they had done for him.

"Mother Yuki," Ryu said, his voice thick with emotion. "I... thank you. For everything."

As he was about to leave, the Kaito shouted his name. Hearing his name called, Ryu turned to face Kaito. In Kaito's eyes, sadness was evident.

"Even if they did not choose me," he declared, "I would work very hard to train to be a great ninja like my father and defend this village." Sobbing, he asks, "Please watch me be a Ninja." He halted before continuing, saying, "Do not die."

The sudden emotional breakdown of what everyone thought was just a regular bully shocked everyone.

Ryu's eyes softened as he looked at Kaito. He saw not the bully who had tormented him, but a scared child, desperate for approval and recognition.

Ryu then smiled and said, "I will not die." With a smile on his face and unlimited determination, he added, "And I will become someone all ninjas can only dream of becoming."

He moved forward towards the crying kid with his hand out and said, "I will become someone; even the five great Kages will dream of shaking hands one day." 

"You better shake this hand, as you may not get this chance in the future," he said.

Kaito stared at the outstretched hand, tears still streaming down his face. For a moment, he hesitated, years of anger and resentment warring with the newfound respect he felt for Ryu. Then, slowly, he reached out and grasped Ryu's hand.

Many, including Dan, suddenly felt goosebumps upon hearing their declaration. The scene was awe-inspiring. even emotional for some. The cook was crying. The caretaker was also trying not to cry. Dr. Yuki and Dan had faces filled with pride and respect. 

Dan stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Ryu's shoulder. "Ready to go, kiddo?" he asked softly.

Ryu looked up at him, then back at the orphanage that had been his home for so long. "Yes," he said, his voice steady. "I'm ready."

And with that promise echoing in their hearts, Ryu and Dan embarked on a new beginning, leaving behind a legacy of courage and determination that would be remembered long after their departure from the orphanage.

[A/N: 

Please follow me on P@treon to get earlier access. Even the public chapters are made available on P@treon a little bit earlier. Lates Chapter on P@treon :- Chapter 61: A New Dawn

You can read 20+ additional chapters on P@treon : [email protected]/PageTurnerPJ

You can also tip me at ko-fi. com/pageturnerpj (no spacing)

You can also support me on UPI: pageturner@ybl 

Your support is what gets this story going, so please donate power STONES to the story.

Please like and share your review to the story.

You can also follow me on X : @PageTurnerPJ

]