Chapter 120: Wandering Physician, Shennong
A few days later.
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains into the room, and Menma woke from his sleep, rubbing his bleary eyes.
Outside the window, birdsong and fragrant flowers filled the air, and the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard was in full bloom. A few tender pink cherry blossom petals drifted in through the window and landed by Menma’s pillow.
Wearing pajamas, Menma yawned and got out of bed, heading to the balcony.
“Menma Young Master, breakfast is ready.” In the courtyard, Kina was sweeping fallen leaves. She looked up at Menma at the second-floor window and greeted him kindly.
“Got it, Aunt Kina.” Menma replied simply, his voice still carrying some laziness from just waking up.
After washing up, he changed into casual clothes and came downstairs from his second-floor bedroom.
In the kitchen, Aunt Yuka had already set out breakfast, with steaming hot dishes emitting an enticing aroma.
Menma sat down to enjoy his breakfast.
After the meal, he instructed the two servants, “No need to prepare lunch for me today.”
With that, he went out for a stroll.
Menma’s house was on the same street as the Hyuga Clan Territory. Just as he stepped out, he saw two branch family guards standing at the main gate of the Hyuga Clan Territory.
Since the attack a few days ago, the Hyuga Clan Territory had strengthened its security forces. The Hyuga family had never had the habit of stationing guards at the clan territory’s main gate before.
Although several days had passed, Konohagakure had not been affected at all. After all, the battle that day had mostly taken place within the Hyuga Clan Territory and had little impact on other parts of Konoha.
Only the special jonin who participated that night knew some details.
Ordinary villagers and civilian ninja knew nothing about it and just thought the Hyuga Clan had become stricter.
Compared to the arrogant Uchiha, the Hyuga Clan still had a friendly reputation and evaluation in the village.
“Ohayo, Menma!” A familiar voice came from ahead.
Menma had his hands in his pockets and looked up to see Little Hinata standing at the intersection, her fingers nervously twisting together, her cheeks flushed with a faint blush.
Seeing Hinata’s shy appearance, Menma knew it was the introverted and gentle Little Hinata, not that hot-tempered Big Sister.
“Good morning, Little Hinata.” Menma walked over and affectionately ruffled Hinata’s hair, gesturing at her height. “Little Hinata has grown a bit taller again.”
“Mm-hm~” Hinata’s face turned even redder, almost steaming from the top of her head.
As Menma walked toward the park with Little Hinata, he could even sense two Hyuga ninja following in the shadows not far away.
Moreover, they were much stronger than the previous Hyuga Ko, with one at special jonin level.
It seemed that after the lesson of the four main family elders having their Byakugan gouged out, the Hyuga family had also enhanced protection for the main family heir.
Those four elders were mostly crippled without their Byakugan and could only pin their hopes on the next generation.
In the park, Naruto sat alone on the swing, bored as he watched the children playing in the distant sandpit.
Due to rejection from the parents around, even though the nearby swings and slide were empty, no children were willing to approach him.
“Oi, kid, what are you spacing out for?” Menma had his hands in his pockets and stepped on the swing Naruto was sitting on, pushing him to swing back and forth.
“Menma bro! Hinata!” Naruto staggered to grab the ropes, shouting in surprise.
Naruto was not yet old enough for school. Every day, he either wandered around the village or played alone at his secret base in the forest outside the village.
Menma spent Monday to Friday mostly practicing ninjutsu at home, or handling government affairs and research in the Land of Stars, or doing things outside. Only on weekends would he return to play with Naruto.
Hinata was the same, trapped by heavy family lessons and rarely having free time.
It should get better in a couple more years once they started school.
“Hey, what are we playing today?” Naruto was full of expectation.
Although all three were kids, Menma’s soul was that of an old guy, and Hinata was a girl, so their group play options were quite limited.
In spring, they mostly fished and picnicked; in summer, they could catch cicadas; in autumn, catch crayfish; in winter, build snowmen.
So after some discussion, the three decided to go play at the secret base by the Naka River bank.
The three set off together toward outside the village.
They chatted and laughed along the way, mostly Naruto chattering about various topics, Menma chiming in occasionally, while Little Hinata quietly followed beside them, her gaze always trailing Menma’s back.
“Ow!”
Naruto was gesticulating animatedly about a cocky Uchiha kid he had run into by the Naka River bank a few days ago when he accidentally bumped into someone.
The two staggered back and fell to the ground at the same time.
Menma looked over and saw a head of red hair cascading down. A kid about their size had collided with Naruto.
A middle-aged man hurried forward and helped Naruto and the red-haired kid up.
“Little guy, you okay?” His voice was gentle and weathered.
Naruto scratched his butt, looked up at the middle-aged man in front of him, then at the child he had bumped into, remembered Menma’s teachings, and quickly said, “S-Sorry!”
“No harm done, Uryu wasn’t watching ahead either.” The middle-aged man said, placing a hand on the red-haired kid’s head. “Uryu, apologize to them quickly.”
“Yes, Teacher.” The child called Uryu tied a piece of black cloth around her head as a headscarf, then somewhat reluctantly said to Naruto, “Sorry, I wasn’t watching the road either.”
Naruto grinned and familiarly patted Uryu’s shoulder with his hand. “Eh? I don’t think I’ve seen you guys in the village before. Uncle, are you traveling merchants?”
Menma walked to Naruto’s side and punched him on the head.
“Ow! It hurts!” Naruto clutched his head and looked at Menma. “Menma bro, what was that for!”
“Idiot, Uryu is a girl!” Menma looked at his foolish brother and sighed.
“G-Girl?!” Naruto was shocked, mouth agape as he hurriedly looked at Uryu.
He then realized that although her skin was a bit dark and her clothes neutral, she did have long red hair, and the delicacy in her features wasn’t like a boy’s.
“Hahaha, as expected of Konoha’s kids.” Shinno laughed heartily and introduced himself. “Hello, I’m Shinno, a wandering doctor. I’m here in Konoha this time to procure some medicine resources.”
Then Shinno introduced the pouting Uryu glaring at Naruto beside him. “This is my disciple Uryu.”
Naruto stood straight awkwardly. “H-Hello! Uncle! I’m Naruto Uzumaki!”
“Hello, I’m Menma, this guy’s friend.” Menma made a fist with his right hand, thumb pointing at Naruto.
“I-I’m Hinata Hyuga.” Little Hinata hid behind Menma, saying softly and timidly.
