144. Pakura’s Treatment Beyond the Battlefield (1)

144. Pakura’s Treatment Beyond the Battlefield (1)

Hikari's Byakugan led them to a quiet spot away from the battlefield of two armies, well-hidden by dense foliage.

It was a small clearing surrounded by tall trees, whose thick branches and leaves created a natural canopy overhead, giving them a good cover.

Nearby, a small stream flowed, its soft gurgling adding to the calm of the secluded spot. The water was clear, running over smooth stones, and could be useful for cleaning or as part of Pakura's treatment.

The ground was soft, covered in moss and scattered leaves, making it comfortable for Pakura to lie down while Hikari prepared to treat her.

Light from the sun peeked through the tree branches, lighting up the area with spots of brightness.

Even though they were not far from the conflict, this hidden spot felt peaceful and removed from the rest of the world, allowing them to focus on Pakura's recovery without interruption.

Settling into the quiet clearing, Hikari prepared to initiate the medical procedure on Pakura. He explained the steps he would take, ensuring she understood the nature and intensity of the treatment given its urgency and potential discomfort.

"This medical technique I'll be using is specialized against poisons; it is the best in Konoha...", Hikari started, maintaining eye contact to gauge her reaction and ensure her comfort with the process,

"It's designed to draw out toxins and heal the damage they've caused. First, I'll use my Byakugan to locate the disturbances in your chakra caused by the poison. Thanks to my Byakugan, it will also be relatively easier for me to perform it than it is for ordinary people."

Hikari continued, "I'll make a small incision using a chakra scalpel near the affected area. Then, I'll introduce a medicinal fluid through the incision, which will encapsulate the poison and draw it out from your body. It's effective but can be quite painful, so I need you to be as still as possible.",

However, as Hikari prepared to begin, he noted the location of Pakura's initial wound—the creamy skin of her exposed naturally thick thigh, where the poison had entered her system.

Nonetheless, Hikari's expression remained composed outwardly as he addressed the necessary procedure,

"The poison entered through your left thigh, I see...", He informed Pakura, his voice neutral to maintain 'professionalism', "I'll need to start the work from there to extract it effectively."

Pakura, understanding the necessity, nonetheless felt a flush of shyness at the intimate nature of the treatment.

Despite the urgency, her cheeks colored slightly, and she shifted a bit, trying to position herself in a way that offered him access while maintaining her modesty.

Hikari noticed her discomfort and nodded reassuringly, aiming to ease her unease. "I'll be as quick and as careful as possible," he assured her, his tone gentle enough to calm her nerves.

As he positioned himself to make the incision, Hikari couldn't help but appreciate the contrast of her warrior-like strength against the vulnerability and grace she displayed at the moment. It was also a reminder of her humanity beneath the hardened shinobi exterior.

She wore a smaller and more form-fitting black tank top than usual shinobi attire, which seemed to accentuate her warrior's physique further. Hikari found himself momentarily distracted by her appearance.

Despite his usual stoic and unfazed demeanor, a brief, involuntary swallow betrayed a flash of human reaction—surprise mixed with an uncharacteristic flicker of human male desire.

At 20, she was indeed the oldest and one of the most captivating women he had ever been this close to, and her minor role in the original story he knew did nothing to diminish the impression she made in person.

But, Hikari masked these thoughts well, maintaining a composed exterior as he spoke, "The procedure seems to have been effective, Pakura. You should feel significant relief soon...",

He said, his voice calm and devoid of the internal conflict he had just experienced, "We'll need to keep a close eye on your recovery for a bit more, but the worst should be behind."

Hikari's mind processed the success of the medical intervention, acknowledging the practical application of years of theoretical study and training.

As he watched Pakura begin to stabilize slowly, a strategic thought crossed his mind: 'All those years of medical mastery finally paid off, but surprisingly not for my benefit but by potentially securing a powerful ally like Pakura in Sunagakure.'

He recalled that Sakura had used a similar technique to treat Kankuro in the original story of his previous life.

The circumstances were different—Kankuro had been suffering for days under the influence of a slow-acting, torturous poison, making the treatment more complex and demanding.

In contrast, Pakura had been affected only briefly by a poison designed for rapid lethality, which simplified the extraction process somewhat.

Hikari acknowledged that while Sakura was undoubtedly a more proficient medical ninja, the poison's nature and the treatment's timing played crucial roles in the outcomes.

Sasori's poison used on Kankuro was crafted to debilitate over time, drawing out the victim's agony.

The quick-acting poison used on Pakura, while potentially deadly in the short term, didn't integrate as deeply into the system, allowing for a quicker and more straightforward intervention.

Reflecting on these differences, Hikari understood that his success was not just a testament to his medical skill but also a consequence of the specific circumstances and the nature of the poison.

Therefore, he knew he was not necessarily a better medical shinobi than Sakura.

Nonetheless, he was pleased with the outcome and the strategic advantage it could represent.

Securing Pakura's trust and cooperation could be invaluable, and he was prepared to leverage this incident to build a lasting alliance.