213-220

Chapter 216: The Demon and the Angel  

"Good kids!"  

The man smiled warmly as he picked up one of the children.  

The other children clung to him like koalas, refusing to let go.  

"Here, some candy for all of you! Be happy, okay?"  

Like a magician, he produced handfuls of sweets from nowhere. The children cheered in delight.  

"Thank you, Doctor!" 

"You’re the best, Doctor-sama!"  

In seconds, the candy was completely devoured.  

As the children ran off, the man’s gentle expression shifted—his eyes glinted with cruel amusement.  

"Did they really think my candy was free? Everything has a price."  

"Not that it matters. Kids are so easily bought. If they knew what I had planned for them, they’d be terrified!"  

"But no worries—I’ll never let them see my true face. After all… I still need them for my research."  

Leaning against the window, he smirked. "Honestly, I should thank you, Yoru. If you hadn’t taken over the Land of Water, I wouldn’t have had such easy access to so many children."  

After Yoru assumed control of the nation, he established orphanages to care for the countless homeless children roaming the streets. Seizing the opportunity, the man had registered himself as an orphanage director—legally "adopting" children to use as test subjects.  

His experiments? Human trials.  

If successful on ordinary people, he could rapidly create an army of super-soldiers—enough to dominate the shinobi world.  

The effects resembled the Eight Gates—granting immense power at the cost of burning away one’s lifespan.  

"I wonder how you’d react if you found out, Yoru? You’d be furious, no doubt."  

"But you’ll never catch me. And with how busy you are, you’d never notice my work anyway."  

Shifting his stance, he mused, "Playing the ‘kind doctor’ is the perfect cover. I get to conduct my research openly, and these ignorant fools even thank me for it. Truly, there’s nothing more satisfying than manipulating people."  

While experimenting on children, he hadn’t neglected adults either. His toxin cultivation trials were another project—one designed to trigger a rapid breakdown of the human body, mutating beneficial bacteria and viruses into deadly agents capable of causing widespread plague.  

Even if cured, the damage would be irreversible.  

The perfect weapon for conquest.  

Just then, a towering man barged in.  

"Shinnō, what’s the status of the ‘Human Weapon’ project?" 

"Don’t tell me it failed again. We’ve poured enough money into this—we need results!"  

Shinnō—the man Yoru would soon face—looked up indifferently.  

"Yes. Another failure."  

No remorse. No hesitation.  

"Are you trying to die?!"  

The larger man seized Shinnō by the collar, snarling.  

Shinnō brushed him off, straightening his clothes.  

"These things take time. Don’t worry—you’ll get your results soon. My plans never fail." 

"Yoru will fall right into your hands."  

"You’d better be right. Or the consequences will be… severe."  

With a final glare, the man stormed out.  

"I should speed things up. Those idiots are getting impatient."  

Before he could dwell further, a weak voice called from outside.  

"D-Doctor… please… help me…"  

A man stumbled in, barely able to stand, his face deathly pale. He looked like he’d been drained of all energy.  

"Ah, you didn’t follow my instructions, did you? That’s why the medicine backfired. Lucky for you, you came just in time—one more day, and you’d be dead."  

Shinnō’s tone was stern, making the man bow his head in shame.  

"I… I only cheated a little. I didn’t think it’d be this bad…"  

"Enough. Take him to the operating room—I’ll treat him now."  

Shinnō gestured to the two men supporting the patient. They obeyed instantly.  

Operating Room 

"Doctor… why are you tying me down? What’s… going on?"  

The weakened man grew nervous as Shinnō restrained his limbs.  

"Relax. It’s standard procedure. Your condition is severe—surgery is necessary."  

Shinnō picked up a scalpel, his voice calm. Then—he sliced open the man’s chest.  

"Is that… really it? Something feels… wrong…"  

Before he could finish, his consciousness faded.  

"Why tie you down? Simple—to keep you from thrashing if the fusion fails."  

Shinnō set the scalpel aside. From his palm, a dark, viscous liquid oozed out—the toxin cultivation agent.  

He injected it into the man’s body.  

The substance slithered like a living thing, rapidly infiltrating his organs.  

Soon, the man’s eyes snapped open.  

"Doctor! I—I feel amazing! Full of energy! Did you cure me?"  

Shinnō wiped imaginary sweat from his brow.  

"Mostly. You may experience some side effects, but don’t panic—it’s normal." 

"If you ignore my orders again, even I won’t be able to save you."  

He stitched the man’s chest shut, then used medical ninjutsu to accelerate the healing.  

"Done. Rest well."  

As the restraints loosened, the man knelt in gratitude.  

"Thank you, Dr. Shinnō! You’re a miracle worker! We’re so lucky to have you!"  

Shinnō chuckled humbly.  

"You flatter me."  

Chapter 217: The Fanatical Devotees  

Hmph. Fools are so easy to manipulate, Shinnō sneered inwardly. If you knew I was using your life as fuel to cultivate toxins, would you still be thanking me?  

But no matter. Keep praising me, worshipping me—that way, even if Yoru tries to move against me, she’ll have to think twice about public opinion!  

The thrill of toying with people’s lives sent a rush through him.  

After ushering the man out of the operating room, Shinnō beckoned a child over. With a pair of lollipops in hand, he coaxed, “Kotarou, how about helping me with something?”  

Kotarou grinned eagerly. “Okay, okay!”  

He had no idea what awaited him.  

Meanwhile, outside Shinnō’s clinic—  

“Dr. Shinnō, come out! I was perfectly healthy before, but ever since you ‘treated’ me, my body’s been falling apart! You owe me an explanation!”  

“I went to another doctor—they said my organs are failing, that I could die! I trusted you, and this is how you repay me?!”  

A young man stood in the street, shouting furiously. A crowd began to gather, murmuring in curiosity.  

“Hey now, watch your words! Dr. Shinnō would never harm anyone!”  

“He’s a living saint! His treatments are free, and his skills are unmatched. Everyone in this town feels better thanks to him!”  

Another voice chimed in—an elderly man. “That’s right! Look at me—I was practically knocking on death’s door, but after Dr. Shinnō’s care, I feel decades younger! There’s no way he’d do something like this. You must’ve neglected your health!”  

“Bullshit!” The young man’s face twisted in rage. “You enablers won’t gaslight me! I know my own body—it’s been getting worse since I came here. If it’s not him, then who?!”  

“How dare you curse at us? Can’t you talk properly?”  

“Yeah! If you’re accusing Dr. Shinnō, where’s your proof?”  

One man narrowed his eyes. “Wait—I heard the clinic in the next town’s been losing business to Dr. Shinnō. Are they paying you to slander him?”  

The crowd’s expressions darkened. Some cracked their knuckles, ready to throw hands.  

“Y-you’re twisting my words! I’m not—” The young man stammered, shrinking back. Their sudden hostility was terrifying.  

“Liar! You’re shaking! We won’t let you smear Dr. Shinnō’s name!” A booming voice cut through—a muscular man from the orphanage stepped forward.  

“Listen here—five minutes ago, I could barely walk without wheezing. Now? I’m stronger than ever! And you have the nerve to claim Dr. Shinnō made you worse? You’re clearly here to stir trouble!”  

He raised a fist. “Let’s drag him to the authorities! Clear Dr. Shinnō’s name!”  

“Yeah! Hand him over!”  

“No one drives the doctor away!”  

“Without him, who’ll treat us?!”  

The mob roared in agreement—less like concerned citizens, more like a cult of fanatics.  

The young man’s courage shattered. He never expected this when he came for answers. Now, he just wanted to leave.  

But as he turned to flee, someone grabbed him. “Oh no you don’t! You’re not running until you apologize!”  

“F-fine! I won’t press charges! Just let me go!”  

“You think it’s that easy? You can’t ruin Dr. Shinnō’s reputation and walk away!”  

The young man paled. “You lunatics! This is illegal detainment! I’ll sue—”  

THWACK!  

A punch sent his teeth flying. Just as others moved to join in—  

“*Stop.*”  

A gentle voice cut through the chaos. Shinnō emerged, frowning. “Let him go. This is a crime. If you continue, I’ll have no choice but to leave.”  

Instantly, the mob recoiled. “N-no, Dr. Shinnō! Please don’t say that!”  

“We’ll release him! Don’t be angry!”  

They dropped the young man, hanging their heads like scolded children.  

Shinnō sighed, bowing deeply. “Thank you for defending me. But next time, please stay calm. Otherwise, people might think I’m the villain.”  

“Of course, Dr. Shinnō!”  

“We overreacted!”  

Then, turning to the battered young man, Shinnō smiled warmly. “My apologies for the scare. These folks are just… passionate. I hope you won’t hold it against them.”  

The young man’s anger wavered. The doctor’s humility left him flustered, his accusations dying on his tongue.  

“I-It’s fine. I’ll just… go.”  

“Are you sure? Your condition is critical. I can still help.”  

“No need. Goodbye.”  

The young man glanced at the lingering crowd and bolted.  

Once he was gone, Shinnō addressed the crowd. “Everyone, please disperse. And thank you.”  

“Tch. Letting him off so easy…”  

“Dr. Shinnō’s mercy knows no bounds!”  

“True saints forgive!”  

Their voices faded into the distance, dripping with reverence—unaware of the poison lurking beneath his saintly smile. 

Chapter 218: Children Shouldn’t Be So Curious 

None of them noticed the cold glint in Shinno’s eyes as he watched the departing man. 

Then, he returned to his lab. 

But inside, he found an unexpected guest. 

“D-Doctor… Shinno… why… why is Kotarou dead? What… did you… do to him?” A little girl, trembling against the wall, stammered in terror. “Th-The people… hanging on the walls… th-they must’ve been… bad people… right?” 

Her eyes still held a sliver of hope. "Doctor Shinno… you’re not… a bad person… right?" 

Behind her, the room was filled with limbs, corpses, and grotesque preserved skins and organs floating in solution. 

Shinno’s face remained eerily calm. “Didn’t I tell you not to come in here?” 

He leaned in, his smile stretching unnaturally wide. “Well, since you’ve seen everything… I suppose I’ll have to silence you.” 

“D-Doctor Shinno… I-I’ll be good! I w-won’t tell anyone! P-Please don’t—” 

The girl shrank into a ball, begging, but before she could finish— 

Thud. 

Her skull was pierced. She collapsed, her final whispers fading: "I… won’t… say anything… don’t… kill me…" 

Shinno stood up, muttering to himself, "Kids these days… too curious for their own good. Why couldn’t you just wait quietly until I summoned you? Now you’ve chosen death early." 

He resumed his research, murmuring, "Yoru… I wonder how long it’ll take for you to notice something’s wrong here?" 

"No, no… you won’t notice a thing. I’ve managed this place so perfectly, so harmoniously. Even someone like you wouldn’t suspect a thing." 

"By the time the higher-ups realize something’s off, I’ll already be gone. That’s how they always are—only acting after disaster strikes, never before." 

His expression twisted into something manic. 

"Yoru… your days are numbered. Enjoy your little golden age while it lasts. The prosperity you’ve built for the Land of Water? Soon, it’ll be mine." 

"A brat like you doesn’t deserve to rule a nation. You’re unworthy. I—I alone—am fit to govern the Land of Water… no, the entire shinobi world!" 

His fists clenched in near-delirium. 

"The Five Great Daimyō? Useless parasites, wasting resources just by breathing. And yet, out of the Five Kage, only Yoru dared to oppose them." 

"Your time is up. You don’t deserve your thrones. I, the great Shinno, will usher in a new era—one the world has never seen!" 

"If not for your nations and villages fighting over resources, my homeland wouldn’t have been destroyed in the war. My little sister wouldn’t have been defiled… my parents slaughtered. You will pay for your sins." 

Of course, no one heard his words. 

What Shinno didn’t know, however, was that Yoru’s men had already arrived in his town. 

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Shinno called out to the shadows of his lab: 

"Go. Kill that loudmouth from earlier. The toxin vessel I planted in him should be ripe—extract it." 

"Not only did he interrupt my research, but he also forced me to kill such a cute little girl. He deserves death." 

A distorted, inhuman figure stirred in the darkness—then vanished. 

Elsewhere in Town 

The man who had confronted Shinno trudged down a dirt path, grumbling. 

"Damn this cursed town. Everyone here’s insane! Shinno’s not some god—why worship him like one? I came to him for treatment, and now my body’s falling apart! Was it wrong to demand answers? Even ‘miracle doctors’ make mistakes!" 

His rant was cut short by a searing pain in his gut. He doubled over, sweating violently. 

But as the pain subsided and he straightened up— 

Red eyes. 

Before he could react— 

RIP. 

A clawed hand tore through his abdomen, yanking out a fat, writhing black worm. 

For a brief moment, relief flooded him. 

Then— 

Slice. 

His vision spun. 

He saw his own headless body collapse, blood gushing. 

"So… I’ve been beheaded? And I don’t even know why…" 

His last thought before darkness took him: This… must be Shinno’s doing. 

The clawed creature—a shaggy, faceless monstrosity—lifted the man’s severed head… 

And began to eat it. 

The sound of crunching bone echoed in the silent night. 

Discovery 

It didn’t take long for the headless corpse to be found. 

Panic erupted. 

How could it not? A decapitated body appearing out of nowhere was enough to terrify anyone. 

The area was quickly cordoned off, investigators swarming the scene. 

But Shinno, deep in his experiments, remained undisturbed. 

At least, for now. 

The Calm Before the Storm 

That Day— 

A young man appeared at the orphanage. 

"Excuse me—is this where Doctor Shinno lives?" 

A nearby villager perked up. "Looking for treatment? You’ve come to the right place!" 

The stranger smiled politely. "Yes. My companion has a rare illness. No one’s been able to cure them. We heard there’s a legendary doctor here." 

The old man chuckled proudly. "Hah! Shinno-sensei can fix anything! Just wait—he’ll be out soon." 

The young man’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. 

He waited. 

Meanwhile, in the Lab 

"Someone’s asking for me? Who are they? How many?" 

Shinno glanced at his cloaked subordinate—one of his most trusted from the Kūnin (Sky Ninja). 

Chapter 219: Drawing the Net, Luring the Snake Out  

"Four of them. Their origins are unclear, but they don’t seem friendly. They claim they want to invite you to treat an illness!"  

The black-clad man’s voice was hoarse as he answered.  

"Invite me to treat an illness?"  

Hearing this, Shinno’s brow furrowed. Something felt off, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.  

"Fine, I’ll go see what this is about."  

Shinno set down his work and turned to the shadowy figure. "If I don’t return soon, make sure to clean up and conceal everything here."  

"If I’m not back within three days, follow the instructions in this scroll. Understood?"  

He handed a black scroll to the black-clad man, who nodded silently before melting back into the darkness.  

Shinno pushed open the door and stepped outside.  

At the Entrance  

The moment Shinno stepped out of the orphanage, he spotted a young man waiting for him.  

Approaching with a kindly expression, Shinno said, "Hello, sorry to keep you waiting. If you have business, come inside."  

The young man immediately seized Shinno’s hand, desperation in his voice. "Great Healer, please save my companion! He’s been unconscious for half a month—his body burns one moment, then freezes the next. We don’t know what’s wrong!"  

Shinno frowned. "Burning, then freezing? Unconscious?"  

He’d never heard of an illness with symptoms like that.  

"Great Healer, please don’t hesitate! My companion’s life is at stake—come quickly! Money is no issue!"  

Seeing Shinno’s hesitation, the young man pleaded loudly, ensuring the surrounding crowd could hear:  

"They say you have the heart of a Bodhisattva, a divine healer! Surely you won’t refuse, right?"  

His voice carried, drawing the attention of nearby onlookers.  

"Doctor Shinno, you should go help him!"  

"That’s right! With your skills, you’ll surely cure him in no time!"  

"You even saved that half-dead old man—this should be no trouble for you!"  

The last remark came from the same elderly man who had once defended Shinno against a disgruntled visitor, boasting that he’d live another thirty years thanks to the doctor.  

Hearing the crowd’s encouragement, Shinno felt a chill.  

The young man had deliberately raised his voice, making refusal impossible. This wasn’t how people normally begged for help.  

But with so many expectant faces watching, Shinno knew that refusing now would ruin the reputation he’d carefully built. Without trust, his future plans would become far more difficult.  

Forcing a smile, he said, "Of course. Allow me to gather my supplies—"  

"No need, Doctor! We’ve already prepared everything. Just your skill is required!"  

"Please, we’ve arranged a carriage for you!"  

As the young man spoke, the sound of hooves and rattling wheels approached. A carriage pulled up, driven by three more young men, who bowed deeply.  

"Great Healer, we must hurry!"  

Anticipating his hesitation, the young man added, "Don’t worry about the orphanage—we’ve arranged for the people of Suketsu Town to watch over it in your absence."  

Shinno’s unease deepened.  

Were these men really here for medical help? Something about this felt… sinister.  

Meanwhile, the crowd buzzed with excitement:  

"See? Even outsiders recognize Shinno-sensei’s skill! I told you he’s the best doctor in the Land of Water!"  

"Exactly! Otherwise, they’d have gone to Kirigakure’s medical-nin. They came here for a reason!"  

"As expected of the great Shinno-sensei!"  

Internally, Shinno sighed.  

"Best doctor in the Land of Water?"  

Well, he did believe that. But if not for this crowd, he could’ve refused.  

Now, he had no choice.  

"Will I be able to return within a week?"  

He directed the question at the young man, loud enough for the crowd to hear—testing the waters.  

From the moment he saw these men, he suspected his secret research had been exposed.  

Their demeanor wasn’t ordinary. In the Land of Water, only two groups carried such an air: the shogunate… and Kirigakure’s shinobi.  

But if they needed medical help, why not go to Kirigakure’s trained medics?  

No, they had another motive.  

The only thing that would draw them to him was his forbidden research.  

This had to be a trap—lure him away, search the orphanage, then corner him.  

Which meant he needed safeguards.  

Mobilizing the crowd as witnesses was a start. It would also give his black-clad ally time to execute the scroll’s contingency plan, ensuring his escape if things turned ugly.  

"Of course, Shinno-sensei! We would never restrict your freedom or harm you if treatment fails. You have our word!" The young man bowed earnestly.  

"Very well. Let’s go."  

Shinno boarded the carriage and departed.  

Little did he know—the one waiting for him was Yoru.  

Meanwhile, in Kirigakure…  

As Shinno left Suketsu Town, Yoru issued a series of orders to the Land of Water’s court.  

"Notify the Minister of Military Affairs. It’s time to close the net—the rebellion ends now."  

"Tell him: if success isn’t guaranteed at ninety percent or higher, he should prepare to resign."  

Yoru’s tone was calm, but the unspoken threat was clear.  

"Understood!"  

The ANBU operative vanished.  

Yoru murmured to himself, "Shinno… I look forward to meeting you."  

Later, at Sea  

"Tell me, why am I being guarded like a prisoner?"  

Shinno smiled faintly inside the warship’s cabin, surrounded by four men blocking every exit.  

The lead young man replied coolly, "You misunderstand, Great Healer. We’re merely ensuring your safe arrival."  

His tone offered no room for argument.  

"You’re not from the Land of Water, are you?" Shinno probed. "Your chakra feels more like… Kirigakure shinobi."  

Now that they were far from Suketsu, he saw no need for pretense.  

The young man’s eyes sharpened.  

"So the great doctor is also a sensor? How… interesting."  

Chapter 220: Are They Really Here for Treatment?  

"With this, there’s even more hope for our comrade’s recovery!"  

"When the time comes, we humbly ask for your utmost efforts, Great Physician. We offer our thanks in advance!"  

The leading young man bowed deeply to Shinno once more, his demeanor exceedingly polite.  

This only left Shinno more bewildered.  

"Are they really here for medical treatment? Not some ploy to lure me away and investigate me? Am I just being paranoid?" he wondered silently.  

Seeing his hesitation, a faint glint of mockery flashed in the young man’s eyes.  

"The treatment might not be a lie," he thought. "But you won’t be returning."  

Silence filled the journey.  

The ship soon arrived in the Land of Water, where they transferred to a passenger vessel and sailed along the nation’s largest river until they reached Kirigakure—the Hidden Mist Village.  

"!!!"  

The moment Shinno realized their destination was Kirigakure, his body tensed. That ominous feeling grew even stronger.  

"What’s wrong, Dr. Shinno ? Why so nervous? It’s not like you’ve had any unpleasant dealings with Kirigakure, have you?"  

The young man’s voice came from behind him.  

But when Shinno turned, he was met with an entirely different face.  

"The Fourth Mizukage… It’s you?!"  

Shinno sucked in a sharp breath—his sense of dread skyrocketing.  

"Surprised?"  

Another voice spoke up from behind.  

Shinno turned again to see Yoru striding toward him. His unease instantly peaked.  

Before he could speak, Yoru bowed politely.  

"Thank you for your hard work, Dr. Shinno . We wouldn’t have resorted to such abrupt measures if not for necessity. Please forgive our rudeness."  

"You’re too kind. I don’t deserve such courtesy!"  

Shinno hurriedly waved off the formality, but his mind raced.  

"Are they really just here for medical treatment? Not some scheme to investigate me? Am I overthinking this?"  

"Dr. Shinno , please—this way to the village."  

Seeing his hesitation, Yoru gestured invitingly, still the picture of politeness.  

"Well then, I’ll accept your hospitality."  

Suppressing his suspicions, Shinno followed them into Kirigakure.  

At this point, he was in too deep—he’d have to adapt as things unfolded.  

"Who is the patient I’m meant to treat?" he asked.  

Since he’d been invited as a doctor, he’d play the part—at least until something felt off.  

Besides, he had another reason for wanting to know: the sooner he finished, the sooner he could leave.  

This village put him on edge.  

Though he secretly dismissed Yoru as a threat, in reality, he was deeply wary of him—especially with the Zero-Tails only at 80% recovery.  

"The patient is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—*Ameyuri Ringo,"* Yoru replied, then added with admiration, "With your skills, I’m sure you’ll find the root of her condition. Please."  

"I see."  

Nodding, Shinno allowed himself to be led to the medical ward.  

"This is Dr. Shinno ," Yoru introduced him to a bespectacled, intellectual-looking woman.  

Then, turning to Shinno , he said, "And this is the director of our medical ward—Lady Ruri."  

Ruri immediately stepped forward.  

"We’ve long heard of your reputation, Dr. Shinno . It’s an honor to finally meet you."  

Her tone was exceedingly respectful.  

"You flatter me. My reputation is merely exaggerated," Shinno replied humbly—though his expression betrayed his satisfaction.  

"Then let’s not waste time. Please examine the patient," Ruri said. "We’d also love to observe and learn from you. We look forward to your guidance."  

Shinno ’s heart sank.  

"So they plan to keep me here for a while? That’s not what I wanted."  

Still, he maintained his humble façade. "You honor me too much."  

The Diagnosis 

Under their watchful eyes, Shinno began examining Ameyuri Ringo.  

His hands glowed with chakra as they traced over her body, forming a chakra meridian map—a detailed visualization of her energy pathways.  

A dark, shadowed area appeared near her brain.  

At the sight, Ruri gasped.  

"Is this… the legendary Floating Vein Technique?! I never thought I’d witness it in my lifetime!"  

Her face was alight with awe and excitement.  

"The Floating Vein Technique?" Yoru asked.  

*"One of the Three Great Medical Arts—alongside Lady Tsunade’s Mystical Palm Technique and the lost Salvation Technique,"* Ruri explained. "It’s said to be extinct!"  

"Sounds impressive," Yoru remarked.  

*"Of course! The Floating Vein Technique can detect any ailment in the body, allowing for precise treatment. With this, no disease is incurable—it’s the dream of every medical ninja!"*  

"You praise me too much. I’ve only just begun mastering it," Shinno said modestly.  

Then, studying the map, he frowned.  

*"Strange. Her Heaven’s Gate and Life Meridian convergence point are naturally underdeveloped. By all logic, she shouldn’t have lived past ten years old—yet not only has she survived, she still has over five years left. A true miracle."*  

"Can she be saved?" Yoru asked, hope flickering in his eyes.  

If Shinno really was this skilled, maybe there was a way.  

"It’s not an incurable condition," Shinno declared confidently.  

Just as Yoru’s face lit up—  

"However… the primary medicinal ingredient required for treatment no longer exists," Shinno continued, dashing his hopes. "Thus, it’s effectively untreatable. I’m afraid even I can’t help."  

"What’s the ingredient?" Yoru pressed.  

Shinno glanced at him. "The Blood Sun Flower. It’s said to have gone extinct decades ago."  

"No…!" Ruri whispered in despair.  

But the patient herself, Ameyuri Ringo, remained unfazed.  

"If there’s no cure, then so be it. Don’t waste any more effort on me. I’d rather spend my remaining time living without regrets."  

Yoru refused to accept that. Silently, he committed the name "Blood Sun Flower" to memory.  

"There’s one more patient, Dr. Shinno . Would you take a look?"  

He gestured to Hōzuki Kimimaro, lying beside Ameyuri.  

"Of course. But after this… may I leave?" Shinno asked with a smile.  

"Naturally," Yoru replied, equally polite.  

With that, Shinno began his examination.  

Another meridian map formed—but this time, crimson dots littered Kimimaro’s entire body.  

His condition was far worse than Ameyuri’s.