Chapter 28: [BONUS] Gratitude Value
The two medical ninjas exchanged glances. They didn't understand what Hanzō was doing.
Why bring a child here?
Although they were puzzled, they did not question Hanzō's decision. They just watched the scene quietly. But they still couldn't help but find it absurd.
Haruki extended his hands and placed them on the ninja's legs.
Cursed Energy surged within his body, flowing continuously towards his hands. A green light emanated from his palms. It was like a vibrant green sprout.
Upon seeing this, the two medical ninjas' numb expressions shattered. Their eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets. However, what happened next completely stunned them.
The green light covered the injured ninja's legs. Charred scabs continuously fell to the ground. Fresh, red flesh began to regenerate at a visible speed.
Not only the two medical ninjas, but even Hanzō's breathing became rapid. Flames burned fiercely in his pupils as he stared intently at Haruki.
"Ugh…"
The ninja, whose consciousness had long since fallen into darkness, suddenly let out a cry of pain. He struggled to open his eyes and saw an unfamiliar child.
The two medical ninjas simultaneously held down the injured ninja's shoulders.
"Don't move!"
"He's helping you heal!"
The two medical ninjas gulped, their gaze never leaving Haruki.
"Ha… Hanzō-sama…"
The injured ninja raised his eyes and saw Hanzō and Suzaku standing nearby. Hanzō was too preoccupied to pay attention to him at this moment. All his energy was focused on Haruki.
The injured ninja's gaze slowly shifted downwards. He saw his gradually recovering legs and the exceptionally serious child.
His pupils suddenly widened, and he looked at the child before him in disbelief.
His legs actually…
But didn't the medical ninja say they couldn't be healed back then?
What was happening now?
And who was this child?
A series of questions filled his mind. He was no longer able to think. And beside him, the two medical ninjas were in the same state.
The intense shock left them unable to do anything but stare blankly at the child's actions before them.
Haruki watched as the charred legs beneath his palms returned to normal, then he withdrew his hands. Cursed Energy flowed within his body.
"All done!"
Haruki wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead, smiled, and gasped as if utterly exhausted.
"My legs…"
The ninja extended his trembling hands. His hands pressed against his legs. A little stinging pain.
Pain?
He could feel pain?
"Let me help you up to walk."
Haruki stood up, extended his hand towards him, his face full of anticipation.
"Walk?"
The ninja was stunned.
He could actually walk?
Looking at the child's outstretched hand, the ninja tremblingly offered his own. Leaning on Haruki's hand, the ninja slowly got up from the ground.
Aside from the initial awkwardness, he didn't notice any abnormalities.
Haruki released his hand. He didn't notice. He was completely immersed in the ecstasy of his legs recovering.
"I can walk!"
"I've recovered!"
"…"
He looked up, his tear-filled eyes brimming with surprise and relief.
Seeing his appearance, Suzaku breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze falling on Haruki. Fortunately, he had brought Haruki back.
"That's wonderful." Haruki looked at the ninja before him and said happily.
The ninja looked at Haruki, his hands gripping Haruki's shoulders. "Thank you…"
Tears welled up in the ninja's eyes.
[Ding!]
[System detected ninja Tetsu's Gratitude Value +1000]
[Did not reach the activation value for a Cursed Spirit, Gratitude Value has been stored]
Gratitude Value?
What kind of Cursed Spirit can be activated by Gratitude Value?
Haruki's peripheral vision swept over the large group of injured ninjas.
Aren't these all his Gratitude Values?
Haruki said to the ninja named Tetsu before him, "You're welcome. You are a hero who protects Amegakure, and I'm very happy to help you."
Before Tetsu could say anything more, Haruki hurriedly said, "I need to save the others. I can't delay."
Tetsu watched with wide eyes as he ran to another injured, unconscious ninja and squatted down.
Tetsu's eyes were red, a hero? So, in this child's eyes, even an unknown person like him was a hero?
Suzaku patted Tetsu's shoulder and said, "It's good that you've recovered."
"How did he do it?"
Even now, the two medical ninjas couldn't believe their eyes.
"I don't know."
The other medical ninja shook his head and said, "Logically speaking, even if Tsunade, the most renowned medical ninja of the Ninja World, came, Tetsu's leg injury couldn't be restored to its original state."
"But he did it…" The medical ninja murmured.
"Perhaps this is a gift from heaven to our Amegakure."
Seeing Haruki begin to heal again, the two medical ninjas quickly ran to his side to help him.
Although they couldn't help with the healing itself, they could at least help him hold down the injured. To prevent the injured from moving around and interfering with the treatment.
"What's his name?" Hanzō watched Haruki intently treating the ninja and asked.
"Haruki Shiratori."
Suzaku said each word carefully and seriously.
"Haruki Shiratori." Hanzō repeated.
He thought of what the medical ninja had just said. Perhaps Haruki truly was sent by heaven to help Amegakure.
Hanzō was indeed powerful, but no matter how strong he was, he couldn't prevent casualties among his subordinates. And now, Haruki's arrival perfectly compensated for his weakness.
With Haruki's presence, Amegakure would become even stronger.
Hanzō's heart was immediately filled with boundless ambition.
[Ding!]
[System detected Takigawa's Gratitude Value +1000]
[Did not reach the activation value for a Cursed Spirit, Gratitude Value has been stored]
Takigawa tremblingly caressed his chest, his heart beating powerfully, and tears of gratitude streamed from his eyes.
"Thank you…"
Haruki smiled at him and then, without stopping, went to collect Gratitude Values from the remaining ninja.
He already had Rika, Sukuna, and Choso, but of course, the more Cursed Spirits, the better.
A medical ninja followed Haruki and reminded him, "Do you want to rest for a bit?"
Haruki was still a child after all, and continuous healing like this must be very draining for him.
"No need. Saving lives is more important." Haruki tightened his face and said seriously.
"Rest first." Hanzō's hand rested on Haruki's shoulder, his attitude firm.
He couldn't let saving others harm Haruki's body.
Haruki shook his head at Hanzō and explained, "I'm really fine. If I couldn't handle it, I would definitely stop and rest."
Don't disturb him from earning Gratitude Value!