Naruto: The Medical God

Silence blanketed the Academy grounds like a heavy shroud, stifling every sound save for the crackling of the flames. The once-roaring crowd stood motionless, their faces pale and expressions frozen. No one dared to speak, as if breaking the silence might shatter the fragile reality they were witnessing.

Hiroshi Hamada's face was a mask of utter terror. His sharp eyes, usually so composed and calculating, were wide with disbelief. His breath hitched, his chest rising and falling rapidly as his mind raced.

"I… I can't lose him! I can't lose even him!" His voice trembled, the words barely audible yet filled with raw anguish.

His fists clenched tightly, trembling at his sides as he whispered, "I-I promised Naoko that I would look after Shin… our son." His voice cracked, his pain spilling out in broken phrases. "Why? Why does the world have it out for me? Why!?"

His knees threatened to buckle under the weight of his grief, the memories of his losses rushing back like a flood. First my parents, then my sister, then my wife… and now even my son?

Iruka stood nearby, his mouth slightly open but no words coming out. He wanted to console Hiroshi, to reassure him, but what could he say? The fiery inferno that had engulfed Shin left little room for hope.

Even Sasuke's triumphant smirk had vanished, replaced by a look of pure horror. His hands trembled as he stared at the roaring flames, his mind replaying the moment again and again. The fireball had hit Shin directly—there was no mistaking it.

Had he… just killed someone?

"I…" Sasuke's voice was barely a whisper, his lips trembling as the realization began to sink in. "I… didn't mean to…"

His heart pounded against his chest, a mix of fear and regret clawing at him. The image of Shin's silhouette being swallowed by flames burned in his mind.

"No," he muttered, shaking his head, his voice growing desperate. "No, I didn't mean for this to—"

Sasuke's words were cut off mid-sentence.

The flames that had consumed Shin's silhouette suddenly flickered, their orange and red hues intensifying. The air grew hotter, denser, as if the fire itself was alive. Then, without warning, the flames surged upward, doubling in size and radiating an even more intense heat.

Every eye snapped back to the inferno, their shock giving way to confusion and awe.

The flames shifted, their fiery orange suddenly tinged with green. The change spread rapidly, the once-natural blaze transforming into a vibrant emerald hue that shimmered and pulsed like a living entity. Gasps erupted from the crowd, their fear replaced by an overwhelming sense of wonder.

"What… is that?" someone whispered, their voice trembling.

"Are the flames… green?"

Even Sasuke stumbled back a step, his terror momentarily giving way to disbelief. "What the…?"

Hiroshi, who had been teetering on the edge of despair, froze as his sharp eyes locked onto the emerald blaze. For a moment, he couldn't breathe, his heart pounding in his chest. His hands, which had been trembling moments before, steadied as a spark of hope ignited within him.

"Shin…" he whispered, his voice trembling but filled with something new—something unyielding.

He took a step forward, his gaze unblinking as he watched the flames writhe and pulse. The green hue was unmistakable, and it stirred something deep within him.

The emerald flames twisted and swirled as a voice suddenly echoed from within them, strong and defiant:

"Medical Ninjutsu: Healing Flames!"

The crowd froze, their breath caught in their throats as the voice rang clear. The green flames began to recede, dissipating like mist in the wind, revealing a figure within. Slowly, Shin's silhouette emerged, his form coming into view.

Gasps rippled through the audience as they saw him—his body battered and half-burned. But where the burns marred his skin, the emerald flames clung to him like a protective aura. The once-destructive fire now danced gently over his injuries, glowing with an otherworldly light as they mended his flesh.

The burns began to heal at an incredible rate, the damaged skin regenerating before their very eyes. It wasn't perfect—traces of pain still lingered in Shin's expression, and the healing wasn't instant—but it was undeniable.

Sasuke's mouth hung open, his shock rendering him speechless. "What... what is this?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Iruka, standing frozen in place, whispered, "Healing flames? I've never heard of such a jutsu…"

Hiroshi's heart, once heavy with despair, now felt light with pride and hope. His lips curved into a small, awestruck smile as he muttered, "This boy... Naoko... he really inherited your talent."

Shin took a step forward, his breaths labored but determined. The emerald flames continued to flicker and glow around him, healing the worst of his wounds. He straightened his posture, his eyes locking onto Sasuke with unwavering resolve.

"This… this is my ultimate trump card," Shin began, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "The Healing Flames. A medical ninjutsu I created myself."

The crowd hung on his every word, captivated by the boy who stood unyielding despite facing Sasuke's devastating attack.

Shin's mind briefly drifted to his grueling days of training. He recalled the first time he practiced the Ember Flicker Jutsu, the spark of an idea taking root. Day after day, he poured his effort into combining Fire Release with Yang Release chakra, channeling his passion for medical ninjutsu into something extraordinary.

Shin continued, more to himself than to anyone else, "Flames that heal instead of burn!"

The emerald flames finally faded completely, leaving Shin standing tall, his body mostly healed but visibly strained. The boy had pushed himself to his limit, but he wasn't done yet.

He raised his gaze, meeting Sasuke's wide-eyed stare with a smirk.

"Your fire may burn hot, Uchiha," Shin said, his voice calm but firm, "but my fire heals. Let's see how you deal with that."

The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs of amazement, the tension in the air thicker than ever. This fight was far from over.

Sasuke's smirk returned, his confidence rekindled despite the extraordinary display he had just witnessed. "You've really got a lot of surprises, Hamada," he said, his tone laced with grudging respect. "But let's se—"

Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, a blur of movement cut through the tension like a blade. In an instant, Iruka flickered between the two boys, his arms outstretched to separate them, his expression stern and filled with frustration.

"Stop, you two!" Iruka's voice boomed, silencing the entire Academy grounds. "This is over! Now!"

The crowd froze, the excitement of the impromptu fight dissipating under the weight of Iruka's authority.

"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Iruka scolded, his voice sharp. His stern gaze moved between the two combatants. "Today is about celebrating your graduation as Genin, not risking lives or turning this into some kind of battlefield! Look around you!Look at the damage you've caused—to yourselves and to each other! This is not what being a shinobi is about!"

Sasuke clenched his fists, his pride warring with his sense of discipline. He opened his mouth to protest but closed it again, realizing there was nothing he could say.

Shin, meanwhile, lowered his gaze, his breathing ragged. The emerald flames had done their work, but the toll on his chakra reserves was clear. He glanced at Iruka, then at Sasuke, before nodding slightly.

"...Understood," Shin muttered, his voice quiet but resolute.

Sasuke crossed his arms, his dark eyes flicking to Shin. "This isn't over," he said, his tone devoid of his usual cockiness. There was something else there now—respect.

Iruka exhaled deeply, lowering his arms. "Both of you, go home!"

He immediately turned to address the crowd, his tone resolute. "There's nothing to see here! Everyone, return home."

The murmuring crowd slowly began to disperse, though many lingered, stealing glances at Shin and Sasuke. Parents ushered their children away, and the failed students trudged off, their faces a mix of envy and relief.

Hiroshi stepped forward, his expression a mixture of pride and concern. "Shin," he called softly, his voice cutting through the noise.

Shin turned to his father, his head held high. As Hiroshi reached him, he placed a firm hand on Shin's shoulder, his grip steady and reassuring.

"You did well," Hiroshi said, his voice low enough for only Shin to hear. "Let's go home—"

"Father, I still have to do that thing from before. Go home, I'll reach you in an instant."

Hiroshi froze, his brow furrowing as his face returned an angry shade of red. That thing? The words echoed in his mind, making his earlier frustration rebirth. What does he have to do with that monster?!

But before he could voice his frustrations, Shin had already turned away, his calm demeanor seemingly oblivious to his father's growing rage.

But when Shin's gaze returned to the swing, his confident stride slowed. The swing hung motionless, swaying slightly in the breeze, but Naruto wasn't there. Shin stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Where is Naruto?" he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with concern.

He looked around, scanning the Academy grounds. There were still a few people lingering in the distance, but Naruto wasn't among them. Shin's eyes narrowed, and his thoughts turned darker. "Did something happen while I was fighting?"

"Naruto wouldn't just leave without a word... would he?"

To be continued...

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Sorry for not having posted for so long, but I was, and still, enjoying my sweet holiday.

Also, be sure to check out my original novel, Hyperborea!