[NTU] [ARC-06-WAR] Chapter : 68 (Patreon)

Toshiro slowly made his way to the edge of the crowd. He was unable to see what was happening in the treatment room because a group of onlookers had blocked the entrance.

"Saochi-nee, what's going on inside?"

He gently tapped the shoulder of a young woman outside, Mei-nee’s assistant and a member of the Uchiha clan. Unable to squeeze through, Toshiro's curiosity led him to inquire about the situation from this acquaintance, being extremely cautious with his voice and movements.

Startled, Uchiha Saochi turned around. As a ninja, it was unnerving to be touched unexpectedly from behind. If the circumstances were different, she might have screamed. Seeing that it was Toshiro, she patted her chest and sighed in relief.

"Oh, it's you, Toshiro! Come in and take a look."

She stepped aside, motioning for Toshiro to enter. His heart skipped a beat.

'Did something happen inside? Could it involve me?'

In this camp, his only relative was Mei-nee. Judging by Saochi's demeanor, it seemed serious. Handing her the box of medicine, Toshiro pushed his way inside.

'

Fortunately, it wasn’t Mei-nee who got into trouble!'

Reaching the door, he saw Mei-nee busy with a figure on the hospital bed, performing CPR. His initial worry eased—at least Mei-nee was okay. If something happened to her, he wouldn’t know how to cope, given her meticulous care for him over the years.

Then his eyes fell on the figure on the bed—his brother-in-law, Uchiha Akihiro. Akihiro lay there, pale, his body covered in wounds. His limbs were mangled, and a penetrating chest injury compounded the mess in his stomach. His right arm was twisted from a comminuted fracture. The heart rate monitor displayed a flat line.

Toshiro was at a loss for words. He wanted to comfort Mei-nee, but nothing he said would help. Akihiro, always cheerful and generous, was a beloved figure, and seeing him in this state left Toshiro confused and distraught.

“Mei-nee…”

Hearing Toshiro’s voice, Mei continued her mechanical efforts, barely acknowledging him. She glanced at him with empty, frightened eyes before returning to her task.

"Toshiro! You're here, it's okay... Akihiro just fell asleep and will wake up soon!"

Toshiro felt a pang of sorrow. Mei was clearly in denial. He decided to help, hoping to save Akihiro. Forming seals with his hands, he performed a resuscitation technique and joined the effort.

However, Mei’s futile attempts broke Toshiro's heart. Akihiro's body, though still warm, was slipping away.

“Mei-nee, let me try next. If there's anything I can do for Akihiro, I will.”

With a desperate thought, Toshiro decided to try something unconventional. He formed seals and placed his hands on Akihiro’s chest.

"Lightning Release: Electric Shock!"

His chakra transformed, sending an electric current into Akihiro’s chest. The body trembled slightly, but the heart monitor remained unchanged. Ignoring the murmurs of the onlookers, Toshiro focused.

'Is the voltage too low?'

Determined, Toshiro ordered, “Mei-nee, use medical ninjutsu to stimulate Akihiro’s heart and keep it active!”

As he spoke, he increased the voltage and tried again. Akihiro’s body jolted, but still, there was no response. Mei, finally comprehending Toshiro’s efforts, wiped her tears and joined him, performing the resuscitation technique.

No matter how grim the situation, she had to try. What did they have to lose?

The medical tent was eerily silent. The voices that had previously commented on Toshiro’s efforts had vanished without a trace. All the onlookers watched the two work in silence, careful not to disturb them, despite their belief that their efforts were futile.

As Toshiro's chakra surged, Akihiro’s body arched like a dead fish, only to fall weakly again and again. The heart rate monitor showed no signs of life, causing Toshiro to doubt his efforts. He had seen patients on TV being revived with CPR or electric shocks, but now, in practice, he was at a loss.

He didn’t know the right voltage, the necessary current, or the optimal rescue time. He lacked professional knowledge and could only keep trying, increasing his chakra output with each failure, hoping for a miracle.

On his seventh attempt, Akihiro’s body trembled again but showed no change. Toshiro was sweating profusely, and his hope dwindled. He knew that the effectiveness of emergency rescue diminished with time, and every passing minute exponentially decreased the chances of success.

Determined, he looked at Mei-nee, who was still performing the ‘Resuscitation Technique’ despite the sweat dripping from her forehead. Toshiro continued to pour his chakra into the effort, hoping for a miracle.

With each attempt, he increased the chakra output, sending clusters of blazing white and purple arcs across Akihiro’s chest. A faint burnt smell began to permeate the room, but it was from the arcs interacting with fabric, not the high-voltage current contacting proteins. Otherwise, Toshiro might have given up.

Minutes passed. After numerous failed attempts, Toshiro's hope began to wane. Just as he was about to give up, a heavenly sound reached his ears—a single beep from the heart rate monitor.

Toshiro’s head shot up, and he saw the heart rate monitor showing a heartbeat. Waves of feedback reflected the heart’s return to life.

"Mei-nee! We did it! Now we need to act quickly!"

Still dazed from the emotional rollercoaster, Mei needed a reminder to seize the moment.

Although Akihiro’s heart had started beating, his injuries were severe. Immediate treatment was crucial, or he would soon die again. Toshiro knew that if Akihiro’s heart stopped a second time, he might not be able to revive him again.

"Yes!" Mei responded, quickly issuing orders. “Saochi, prepare the surgical equipment, medicines, and blood packs! Everyone else, clear out! We need space for the surgery!”

Suddenly energized by hope, Mei turned to Toshiro. “Toshiro, stay here!”

Though Toshiro's hands were uncontrollably twitching and he was in significant pain, he stayed to support Mei. The electric shock had severely injured his hands, causing numbness and pain in the muscles and veins. But he endured, staying by her side when she needed someone the most.

As the rescue operation concluded, Toshiro found a place to sit and rest. Exhausted, he fell into a deep slumber. His hands were in terrible condition from the improvised 'electric shock' jutsu, suffering from surface pain and numbness as well as deeper muscular and nerve damage.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Toshiro realized the first ninjutsu he invented as a transmigrator was used to save a life. Even after a long rest, his hands were still in poor condition, making movement difficult and self-treatment almost impossible. Despite the pain, he found solace in knowing he had done everything he could to help.

“Toshiro… Toshiro…”

Suddenly, he heard someone calling his name.

'Who is Toshiro?'

'Oh, right! That’s a character from one of my favorite anime!'

Before fully waking up, he felt a warm sensation enveloping his arms.

“Um… Mei-nee?”

“How is Nii-san? Is he okay?”

Upon opening his eyes, he saw Mei looking at him with a gentle expression, her eyes shimmering with relief. She was tending to his wounds, holding his hands tenderly.

Overwhelmed by her gaze, Toshiro quickly changed the subject to avoid her affectionate look.

“Akihiro has been moved to the ward. He’s stable now, and with consistent physical therapy, he should recover well,” she said, examining Toshiro’s injured hands carefully. “Your hands are severely damaged, and the nerves in your arms need time to heal. You won’t be able to use chakra for at least two weeks.”

“I will arrange for you to be hospitalized in the rear hospital,” she continued after a pause. “Both you and Akihiro.”

“Ha! Hospitalized… My injury isn’t that serious,” Toshiro protested, trying to downplay his condition. “I don’t want to take up a precious bed…”

But seeing her resolute expression, he gave up trying to persuade her.

“When Akihiro’s condition stabilizes, I will personally take you to the rear hospital to recover,” Mei said, still shaken by the recent events.

What happened had terrified her. Just this morning, everything seemed normal, and now her husband was barely hanging on. According to the other Uchiha who had brought Akihiro in, they were attacked by a squadron of elite Sand Ninjas. Akihiro had been severely injured protecting his comrades. Without immediate reinforcements, they might not have been able to bring him back at all. Even then, Akihiro returned to the camp with just his last breath.

If Toshiro hadn’t appeared at the critical moment, Mei wouldn’t know how she would have faced this reality. As a medical ninja, she had seen a lot of life and death, but seeing Akihiro like that had almost made her lose control on the spot.

“Does it still hurt?” Mei asked, holding Toshiro’s hands and rubbing her cheek against them, tears slowly falling.

“It’s okay, Mei-nee! It’s just a small injury. I’ll be fine in a few days! By then, I can bring you the three-color dango from Konoha.”

“Hmph… always trying to cheer me up,” she said with a smile. “I wonder how many girls you’ll charm in the future.”

Laughing through her tears, she said, “Toshiro, thank you.”

She gently hugged him and whispered in his ear.

—

In the rear hospital at Konoha, Toshiro lay on a hospital bed, bored, trying to pass the time by reading a medical book. Next to him, Akihiro was in a plaster cast, covered in bandages. Under Mei’s arrangement, they were treated well and had separate tents.

The curtain opened, and a beautiful figure entered.

“Mei-nee, I’ve really recovered. Please let me go! I know medical ninjutsu myself. I’ll get moldy if I stay here any longer!”

Seeing Mei, Toshiro complained. He had been there for days, unable to practice due to his injury. Sharing a tent with Akihiro and Mei-nee made it hard to practice his secret techniques.

He had asked to be discharged on the third day, but Mei refused each time.

“If you’re discharged, you’ll need to be observed for a few days!” she said. “But don’t worry, Toshiro, you have a visitor!”

She stepped aside, revealing someone else. To Toshiro’s surprise, it was a famous figure from both his past and current life.

“Is this the kid who developed the ninjutsu that can restart a heart in an emergency?”

The newcomer got straight to the point, showing no courtesy. She was too busy for pleasantries and wanted answers.

“Yes, the technique called ‘Lightning Release: Electric Shock’ was invented by Toshiro!” Mei answered for him.

“Oh… brat! How did you come up with the idea of using Lightning Release to stimulate the heart?” she asked directly, ignoring Mei’s response.

'How did I think of it?'

Toshiro inwardly rolled his eyes. What could he say? He couldn’t tell her he saw it on TV.

Seeing the woman standing proudly before him, Toshiro knew he had to answer. He racked his brains for a plausible explanation.

The visitor was none other than Tsunade, one of the Sannin of Konoha, and the future Fifth Hokage. She stood with one hand on her hip, wearing a loose kimono and a green haori with the word “Gamble” on the back. Her beautiful face and determined eyes were striking. Tsunade’s figure was also impressive, with perfect proportions that made heads turn. Her beauty was unmatched in Konoha, She still didn't have the diamond-shaped mark between her eyebrows.

'She is beautiful…'