Konoha Hospital's air conditioning was a blessing Hanekawa had learned to appreciate. He leaned back in Nonō's office chair, stifling a yawn as afternoon light filtered through the windows.

  Half a month ago, his life had taken an interesting turn.

  He'd spent months as a surgical assistant—mostly handling anesthesia and hemostasis while Nonō did the real work. Then his medical ninjutsu proficiency had finally crossed a threshold. He'd acquired the B-Rank entry 'Medical Special Jonin,' and Nonō had let him try attending a couple of surgeries solo. Both had gone flawlessly.

  Now, with medical ninjas stretched thin across the village, he'd been officially promoted. No more assisting. He was running his own operations.

  [B-Rank Talent Entry: Medical Special Jonin]

  [Trigger Condition: Master nine medical ninjutsu techniques]

  [Effect: All medical ninjutsu effectiveness increased by 100%]

  [Note: Learning additional medical ninjutsu can lead to advancement to A-Rank Medical Jonin]

  The jump from his previous C-Rank entry—which had boosted effectiveness by 50%—was staggering. Now, if two medical ninjas used identical techniques with the same chakra expenditure, Hanekawa's would be twice as effective. In practical terms, he was operating at Tsunade's level.

  Not bad for a spy with a system, he thought wryly.

  The promotion path was weird though. To reach A-Rank, he apparently needed to master every medical ninjutsu in existence. That was... a lot of studying.

  A knock interrupted his thoughts. A nurse in standard-issue uniform poked her head through the door.

  "Hanekawa, we have an incoming surgery. You're needed in OR-2."

  "Patient and condition?" He was already standing, moving toward the door.

  "Hatake Kakashi. Lightning strike during training."

  Hanekawa paused mid-step. "Lightning strike? Deliberately?"

  "Appears so. He attracted it while practicing Lightning Style ninjutsu."

  Oh. He's definitely trying to create Raikiri. Hanekawa had wondered when that would happen. Kakashi had probably seen Minato's Rasengan and decided he needed his own signature technique. Competitive little genius.

  ---

  Asuma was waiting outside the operating room, and his expression when he saw Hanekawa's attending physician coat was priceless.

  "You're the surgeon?" Asuma's eyes widened. "When did you—"

  "Long story. I'll explain later." Hanekawa was already moving past him. "How bad?"

  "Pretty bad. Lightning damage, burns, nervous system trauma."

  Hanekawa nodded and entered the OR.

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  Kakashi lay unconscious on the table, his exposed skin charred and swollen an angry red. The diagnostic report confirmed what Asuma had said: severe burns and significant nerve damage.

  "Begin," Hanekawa instructed, pulling on fresh gloves. "Prepare hemostasis."

  He formed the hand seals for Chakra Scalpel—an A-Rank technique he'd spent three months mastering after learning Mystical Palm Technique from Nonō. Green chakra coalesced in his right hand, shaping itself into a precise blade.

  The necrotic skin came away cleanly. The moment blood welled up, his assistant deployed hemostatic jutsu. Working methodically, Hanekawa exposed the damaged tissue beneath, then switched to Mystical Palm Technique, his hands glowing with healing green light.

  An hour later, Kakashi's nervous system was restored. His skin was already beginning to regenerate.

  "Transfer him to recovery," Hanekawa said, stripping off his gloves. "He should be fine in a week."

  The medical team moved with practiced efficiency. They already treated him like a jonin-level physician, even if the system still classified him as special jonin. Honestly, after mastering both Chakra Scalpel and Mystical Palm Technique, he'd probably exceeded what most medical ninjas could do. The only techniques left were the Yin Seal and Hundred Healings—Tsunade's personal techniques.

  Asuma caught up with him in the hallway, looking like he'd swallowed something bitter.

  "So when exactly did you become the youngest attending physician in Konoha?" His tone was carefully neutral, which meant he was very annoyed.

  "Half a month ago. Nonō said I was ready, so..." Hanekawa shrugged. "I was ready."

  Asuma's jaw clenched. Hanekawa almost felt bad. Almost.

  "How did Kakashi end up getting struck by lightning anyway?" Hanekawa asked, steering the conversation away from dangerous territory.

  "He's trying to create a Lightning Style technique to rival your Rasengan." Asuma's frustration was evident. "Shisui's been developing his own techniques too—Uchiha Style: Sword Leaping Flame, Uchiha Style: Raging Wind Sword. Kakashi got competitive."

  Ah. The classic genius arms race. Hanekawa had seen this coming. Kakashi was talented enough to create Raikiri, and if he succeeded, it would be a solid technique. Maybe Hanekawa could learn it eventually through his connections.

  "With his talent, he'll probably pull it off," Hanekawa said.

  Asuma looked like he wanted to throw something.

  ---

  Evening found Hanekawa back at Tsunade's house, stomach growling ominously. He'd expected her home by dinner. It was now nine o'clock, and he'd been waiting with increasing irritation.

  When she finally arrived, he didn't bother with pleasantries.

  "Teacher, it's nine at night. I've been starving for three hours."

  "I already ate," Tsunade said, which was absolutely not the right answer.

  "You—" Hanekawa took a breath. "Why would you do that?"

  "I was at the Uchiha compound." She settled onto the couch with unusual grace. "Mikoto needed medical attention."

  Mikoto? Hanekawa's mind raced. "Is she sick?"

  "Quite the opposite." Tsunade smiled, and there was something almost tender in her expression. "She's pregnant. I stayed to give her guidance on prenatal care."

  Hanekawa blinked.

  Itachi's coming.

  For the Uchiha clan, this was huge. The birth of Itachi Uchiha would ripple through the village's entire power structure. The kid would be a prodigy—that was basically guaranteed with Fugaku and Mikoto as parents.

  "That's..." Hanekawa searched for the right response. "That's actually good news."

  "It is." Tsunade's expression softened further. "The Uchiha are important to the village. A healthy heir is good for everyone."

  Except for the timeline, Hanekawa thought grimly. He knew what was coming—years down the line, Itachi would become a problem. But that was future-Hanekawa's concern.

  Right now, he was just hungry.

  "So about dinner..." he started.

  Tsunade laughed. "Come on. I'll make something."

  As she moved toward the kitchen, Hanekawa followed, already mentally cataloging what ingredients she'd have on hand. At least his teacher had decent instincts about food, even if her timing was occasionally terrible.

  Being a spy with a system is weird, he thought, watching her work. But at least the food's good.