Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

---

Konoha Hospital successfully cooperated with Shan Jianhe and completed its first blood transfusion mission.

Refrigerated cabinets held blood that had been sterilized and treated at low temperatures to ensure it wouldn't spoil. The blood-separation machine, a recent acquisition by Konoha Hospital, was left behind. The hospital had eagerly purchased it soon after its invention.

Each machine was as valuable as a B-rank mission, highlighting its importance to Konoha Hospital. Many families, especially the larger ninja clans like the Hyūga and Uchiha, planned to buy one for daily needs. With numerous shinobi in their ranks, injuries were common, and home treatment was more economical than hospital visits.

The machine's production ensured a thriving market, and Muzan's capital doubled in a short time.

"This blood must be sent as soon as possible."

Shan Jianhe didn't worry about blood expiration. Recent battles had left many shinobi injured, creating an urgent need for blood. However, he hoped the blood packs would never be needed, meaning no one would be hurt.

Leading the team, Muzan was responsible for transportation. His voice, slightly hoarse, came from under his black robe:

"I will escort you, and there will be shinobi protection along the way. There will be no problems."

The journey was uneventful, surrounded by Jōnin. To support the frontline, the leader even sent the Ino-Shika-Chō formation, whose teamwork was formidable even against Kage-level opponents.

At the camp, they found an increase in injured shinobi. With Muzan and Shan Jianhe's departure, the camp's medical ninjas had briefly been in disarray. Fortunately, under Sakumo Hatake's leadership and with cooperation from Konoha Hospital's medical ninjas, panic was avoided.

"We were a step too late."

Shan Jianhe frowned at the camp's gloomy atmosphere. Nearby, freshly dug graves held Konoha's fallen shinobi.

Due to the war, transporting bodies back to Konoha was unrealistic, so they were buried on-site, in line with the principle of resting in peace.

"The situation is worse than I thought. The blood will be prioritized for the severely injured."

Shan Jianhe quickly organized the chaotic camp, dividing patients by injury severity.

As the attending doctor, Muzan was renowned for his mastery of chakra-based surgery. After changing clothes, he began treating the wounded.

"Your life is saved now."

A shinobi, waking from a coma, felt pain in his abdomen and noticed Muzan.

"Those two guys were ruthless..."

"Many friends died by their hands."

Muzan finished suturing and calmed the patient, who was upset by the memory. He continued the conversation to keep the patient awake.

"What happened on the front line?"

"Last night, the AB combo from Kumogakure attacked us."

The details were likely harrowing, evident from the camp's injured state. Killer B's tailed beast transformation had caused significant casualties.

Stopping the AB combo, even with his father's help, was difficult. Though not at their Fourth Shinobi War level, they were near their peak strength.

After the Third Raikage's death, A of the AB combo would dominate. In Kumogakure, only strength determined leadership, regardless of lineage.

Using the Mystical Palm Technique, Muzan stimulated cells at the wound, completing the healing process.

"Your problem is solved. Next one!"

Muzan's treatment was swift, particularly for the severely injured. Under Shan Jianhe's organization, many patients were brought to him.

With the blood-separation machine, blood transfusions reduced rejection, saving many lives through healing techniques.

Despite their efforts, some patients succumbed to infection, turning into corpses during treatment.

Muzan did his best, but he couldn't save everyone. By nightfall, he was physically capable but mentally exhausted. Every step was taken with caution, as a mistake could mean a lost life.

"I've done all I can. The rest is up to you for the next battle."

Muzan's patients listened carefully, some even clapping gently despite their pain.

"Doctor Muzan, thank you. Without you, I'd probably be gone."

"Yes, but the next Hokage election will be tough. Will it be Sakumo-sama or Orochimaru-sama?"

"Don't worry about that. Anyway, the Fifth Hokage must be Doctor Muzan!"

A powerful shinobi is respected, but a skilled medical ninja earns deep admiration from ordinary people.

Not only the strong support Konoha, but also people like Muzan. This is why Danzo wants to win over Muzan, to attract votes for Orochimaru and increase his chances of becoming Hokage.

"Everyone is joking. Your wounds haven't healed yet, so be careful."

Medical ninjas and nurses cared for the wounded, so Muzan didn't need to visit daily. He had become a true doctor, not just someone studying his cells, and he had no regrets.

As Muzan prepared to leave, his attention was caught by the familiar figures of Anko and Mari, the gleam of a machete catching the light.

"Why do you have a machete?"

---

"What do you think?"

Anko narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at Muzan, who had just emerged from the camp. The camp wasn't large, and everyone knew the two of them were Muzan's teammates.

A little inquiry revealed that Muzan had returned to the camp.

"You jerk! You actually abandoned us and returned to Konoha alone. Did you go back to steal food?"

She punched Muzan in the chest, but fortunately, she didn't use the machete.

Seeing the murderous aura in Anko, Mari chose to join in as an accomplice.

Muzan had indeed gone too far. They had saved some delicious food to share with him, only to find out he was back in Konoha.

Initially, it seemed normal that he was in the laboratory, but eventually, they realized something was wrong. How could anyone stay in the laboratory without eating or drinking?

Finally, they discovered he had returned to Konoha!

Their minds were filled with various scenarios: Muzan abandoning them to enjoy life alone, or taking advantage of the stress of battle to sneak off for some leisure time.

"What's even more outrageous is that you didn't even take me with you to eat, you scumbag!"

"That's right, scumbag!"

The two of them cornered Muzan.

If he hadn't returned and had a confrontation with Danzo, Muzan would have suspected he had done something wrong by abandoning his teammates.

"You two idiots! Don't forget my identity—I'm a medical ninja!"

"Shan Jianhe and I went back to Konoha to transport medical supplies to the front line!"

Muzan quickly punched them both on the head. Their heads became more erect at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Really? I knew Muzan wouldn't abandon us. Anko, you were wrong!"

"Ah! It hurts!"

Regarding the frontline war situation, the two of them weren't fresh graduates from the Ninja Academy. They understood the cruelty involved and couldn't waste a single second.

No wonder they were gone for several days without even Sakumo-sama telling them the truth.

Anko still took out two steamed buns from her chest. They had black spots on them, mostly filled with red bean paste.

"For you!"

She stuffed them into Muzan's arms, leaving him stunned by the gesture.

"Thanks..."

Anko's anger stemmed from Muzan leaving without saying goodbye. She feared they might not meet again.

"A lot happened in the camp while you were gone."

After experiencing the war, Mari was no longer the crybaby he had been when he graduated. When the cloud ninja launched a surprise attack, he rushed to the front line.

"That night, we were all worried we wouldn't see you again."

The scene that night was like hell—broken limbs and arms everywhere, the massive Eight-Tails wreaking havoc on the battlefield, with ninjas unable to resist it.

In the end, it was Sakumo-sama who fought against the Eight-Tails and suppressed it.

"Doesn't Konoha have monsters like this?"

"The Eight-Tails? We have something like it in Konoha, but we won't use it."

The Nine-Tails and the Eight-Tails were very different. One could be completely controlled, while the other risked losing control if it wasn't sealed.

Given the other party's special identity, Konoha dared not use such powerful weapons.

"However, if the opponent attacks again, I will stand in front of you."

This confidence came from his strength and care for his companions.

"I'm not going to be a coward."

Just as the three of them were arguing and fighting, a middle-aged man appeared in front of them. They immediately stood up.

"Lord Sakumo."

In the army, Muzan rarely called Sakumo his father.

Under Muzan's observation, his father's condition was not optimistic. There was a bandage on his arm, and he could smell a faint trace of blood.

It seemed that Sakumo had been seriously injured during the battle with the AB combo.

Although Sakumo could compete with them, Hatake's swordsmanship had a fatal weakness—it wasn't effective against large entities, especially those composed of chakra.

"I'm glad you made it back safely."

Sakumo looked squarely at Muzan, who had grown up, and said to the three of them:

"Prepare for battle. The enemy may launch another attack soon."

According to the original plot of Naruto, the opponent of the AB combo was the Yellow Flash, who had strong mobility, making even the AB combo vulnerable.

In the end, they had no choice but to retreat and confront Konoha's frontline forces.

This time, however, Suna Ninja Village had elected the Fourth Kazekage early, leading Suna and Kumogakure to join forces, putting Orochimaru's side in a precarious situation.

The Yellow Flash was primarily active on the borders of the Land of Wind, leaving them to rely on the three of them, Ino-Shika-Cho, and Sakumo as the commander-in-chief.

There were no tricks. Kumo Ninja sought a direct confrontation, sending the eight-tailed Killer Bee to the front line. Konoha had to respond with comparable strength.

After living together for more than ten years, Muzan noticed his father's subtle expression, indicating something was wrong. He asked his companions to leave and then solemnly inquired:

"Father, what happened?"

For a Kage to frown, it had to be a matter of great concern to the entire army.

"I just received intelligence that the enemy is gathering ninjas again. I fear they will launch another attack soon."

They had prepared for the last attack but paid a heavy price. The enemy had also suffered significant losses.

Unlike Konoha, Kumogakure's sole focus was on attacking Konoha. Konoha, on the other hand, had three fronts to manage: Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure, with Onoki of Iwagakure lurking in the background, waiting to exploit any opportunity.

Therefore, they couldn't afford to lose too many men and might need to send reinforcements to other fronts.

If the enemy launched a reckless attack, even if Konoha could withstand it, they would suffer significant casualties.

"So, Father means to minimize our losses."

After analyzing the situation, Muzan quietly considered how to mitigate the issue.

Ninja wars involved not just battles between top experts but also various ninjutsu confrontations. Even a detonating talisman could kill a Jonin.

"Yes, and it must be done."

This was Hatake Sakumo's biggest concern. When he asked Muzan, he didn't expect a perfect solution.

Although Muzan's strength had rapidly improved, it wouldn't significantly impact the overall battlefield situation.

"I just want you to be prepared. The next battle will be more troublesome, and I won't be able to take care of you."

"If it's daytime, never touch the center of the battlefield."

---