Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

Evening.

The doors to the operating room slowly opened.

Emiya Shigen stepped out, looking somewhat apologetic. Following him was his assistant, whose face was pale with fear, unable to utter a single word.

Judging by their expressions, it seemed as though the news wouldn't be good. This made Hashirama Senju and the others rise to their feet with heavy hearts.

"Sir!"

Young Sarutobi Hiruzen forced himself to his feet. Facing the unfamiliar medical ninja, he introduced himself:

"I'm Sarutobi Hiruzen, son of Sarutobi Sasuke. Sir, how is my father?"

Shigen's brow twitched slightly.

"Sir?"

Hiruzen's voice trembled with a growing sense of dread, fearing the worst news from the man's mouth.

"It's fine," Shigen finally replied.

"The surgery ran into some complications…"

Waving a hand nonchalantly, Shigen added, "But in the end, he pulled through."

"Com… complications?"

Hiruzen felt his heart sink further.

Ninja missions often faced "complications," and those could mean lifelong injuries, paralysis, or being bedridden for the rest of one's life.

Could it be that his father would never fully recover?

"Just wait a moment," Shigen said, motioning for Hiruzen to calm down.

"He's getting dressed right now. You'll see him soon."

"Thank you, sir…"

Hiruzen expressed his gratitude, though confusion flickered across his face.

"Getting… dressed?"

What did that mean?

Wasn't his father critically injured?

How could someone on the brink of death have the strength to dress themselves?

Creak.

The door to the operating room swung open again.

"Huh?"

Sarutobi Sasuke emerged, looking startled to see the crowd of people waiting outside the room, including his son.

But the real shock belonged to the Konoha ninjas who had carried Sasuke to the hospital, desperately seeking help.

They couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"This… this has to be a joke, right?"

"He was in that condition… and still survived?"

"No… no, even if he could survive, there's no way he should be this healed!"

The level of medical expertise was nothing short of extraordinary.

Even for these battle-hardened ninjas, the idea of someone recovering so completely from injuries caused by Madara's Fire Release techniques seemed absurd.

There wasn't a single bandage on Sasuke.

No trace of burn scars.

His skin looked as fresh and smooth as a newborn's, leaving the impression that the critically injured man brought in that morning had been an illusion.

"Is this some kind of genjutsu?"

Even Hashirama, who had unwavering faith in Shigen's medical skills, found himself rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

"This type of injury wasn't difficult to treat," Shigen said, his tone devoid of pride or arrogance.

For him, the operation wasn't particularly challenging.

The most complex part had been the surgical process itself. Modern Konoha medical ninjas lacked the courage, experience, and chakra reserves necessary for such an operation.

Shigen's Edo Tensei body, with its unlimited chakra, allowed him to accomplish what others couldn't.

"Thank you for saving my life, Lord Emiya," Sarutobi Sasuke said sincerely, bowing deeply.

"Thank you, sir!" Hiruzen quickly followed his father's example.

"You mustn't call him 'sir,'" Sasuke corrected his son.

"It's disrespectful to address him so casually. Don't even call him 'lord.' Address him as 'Your Excellency.'"

In this era, "Your Excellency" was a title of utmost respect, typically reserved for great lords or daimyo.

But even a daimyo's ancestor couldn't compare to Emiya Shigen's legacy as a healer.

"There's no need to worry about titles," Shigen said, waving off the formalities. "For me, how you address me isn't important."

"Hehe, do you have a nickname, sir?"

With his father safe, Hiruzen finally relaxed. The lively, playful side of the teenager emerged as he made a face at his father, sticking out his tongue.

"Hiruzen!"

Sasuke scolded, reaching out to restrain his mischievous son.

"Maybe I do."

To their surprise, Shigen humored the boy's question.

"There are probably plenty of people who secretly think I'm naïve or foolish. I wouldn't be surprised if someone came up with a nickname, but I wouldn't know it."

"That's impossible!"

Sasuke, embarrassed by his son's antics, quickly reassured Shigen.

"Anyone who disrespects Your Excellency will answer to us!"

This wasn't just about gratitude for saving his life.

Sasuke had also seen how Shigen generously shared his medical knowledge with Konoha's medical ninjas, ensuring the next generation would benefit.

"Well said!"

Hashirama chimed in, his face lighting up with enthusiasm.

But his playful nature surfaced as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"We should give Lord Shigen a catchy nickname that highlights his amazing talents…"

"Stop, Hokage-sama!"

Two ANBU members quickly intervened.

"Enough of that," Shigen said dismissively. He then turned to Sasuke with a serious expression.

"During the operation, I accelerated the regeneration of your cellular tissue. This may cause your body to age slightly faster."

"Being alive is blessing enough," Sasuke replied with heartfelt gratitude.

With a light chuckle, he added, "Besides, our clan already looks older than we are."

Surviving not only his encounter with Madara but also his near-fatal injuries felt like a second chance at life.

"This is a debt I'll never forget."

Sasuke bowed deeply again to Shigen, then turned to thank Hashirama and the others.

He didn't forget to lightly smack Hiruzen on the head.

"Don't be disrespectful to Lord Shigen."

"I didn't even know his name…" Hiruzen muttered, rubbing his head. "It's Emiya, right? Could he be related to the legendary saint Emiya Shigen?"

As the sun set, the golden light of dusk poured through the hospital windows, bathing the corridor in warmth.

Suddenly, another figure dashed in, his face flushed with urgency.

"Hiruzen!"

A boy's voice echoed as a new arrival called out to Hiruzen.

It was Shimura Danzo.

"Danzo!" Hiruzen exclaimed, surprised.

The boy, out of breath from running, continued, "I just heard… your father was badly injured—"

His sentence trailed off as his eyes landed on Sasuke, standing perfectly healthy behind the group.

Danzo froze, his expression shifting rapidly from shock to disbelief.

"Wait… Was this… another one of your pranks, Hiruzen?!"

Danzo's anger flared, his voice rising.

"Listen, Danzo—"

Hiruzen stepped forward, trying to explain, but Danzo wouldn't have it.

"You're still trying to fool me?!"

Fuming, Danzo turned and stormed off.

As his voice echoed down the hall, everyone heard his parting words:

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"