"Ah? You want me to be the proctor for the third round of the Chunin Exams?"
Aoki Yoru blinked in surprise, staring at the Third Hokage, who sat calmly behind his desk, leisurely puffing on his pipe as if discussing something trivial.
"Isn't this the kind of responsibility that should be given to someone more senior?" Yoru continued, rubbing his chin. "Besides… I'm not exactly the right age for that role, am I?"
The Third Hokage removed the pipe from his mouth and exhaled a slow stream of smoke. His expression remained calm, but his eyes carried a hint of amusement.
"Jonin Aoki, you are being too modest," he said gently. "Age is not an issue. Strength is what matters, and yours is more than sufficient. I doubt anyone would object."
Then his expression grew more serious.
"You are also aware that Gaara is the One-Tail Jinchuriki."
Yoru's gaze sharpened slightly.
"If anything unexpected happens," the Hokage continued, "an ordinary jonin may not be able to suppress him. Although Rasa claims this is merely an opportunity for Gaara to broaden his horizons… no one truly believes that."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Your responsibility is heavy."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Aoki Yoru understood.
This wasn't just about being a proctor.
It was about control.
About security.
About preparing for the worst.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"…Alright. I'll take it."
The Third Hokage's wrinkled face broke into a satisfied smile.
"Good. Then I'll leave it to you."
The Hidden Purpose
After leaving the Hokage Building, Aoki Yoru paused and glanced back toward the office.
His expression grew thoughtful.
There was something the Third Hokage hadn't said aloud.
When he stood in the arena as the chief proctor—
Among genin of the same age—
The contrast would be striking.
Aoki Yoru was young.
Yet overwhelmingly powerful.
That visual alone would send a clear message to the Daimyo, the visiting dignitaries, and the entire ninja world.
Konoha was strong.
Konoha was thriving.
And more importantly—
Konoha had a new generation of monsters rising.
This would secure funding.
Attract missions.
Draw merchants and alliances.
In other words—
He was being used as a symbol.
Aoki Yoru smirked faintly.
"…Old man, you really know how to play this game."
A Warm Home
When he returned home, the atmosphere was peaceful.
Nao sat at a small table, carefully tracing characters on paper.
She would officially enroll in the academy in two years, so Yoru had begun teaching her basic reading and writing ahead of time.
He didn't want her to fall behind.
As soon as she noticed him—
"Brother Yoru!!"
She jumped up and ran toward him, throwing herself into his arms.
Yoru smiled and gently pinched her cheek.
"Have you been studying hard?"
"Mm-hmm!" Nao nodded enthusiastically, lifting her chin proudly. "I've learned all the words you taught me!"
"Really? That's impressive."
Her cheeks, once thin and hollow, were now round and soft. With proper nutrition and care, she had regained the healthy appearance of a child her age.
"Come on," Yoru said, taking her hand. "Let's go eat ramen. The deluxe kind."
Nao's eyes lit up.
"Ramen!!"
To her, Ichiraku Ramen was the greatest delicacy in the world.
An Unexpected Request
Just as they stepped out—
A figure appeared suddenly in front of them.
It was Might Guy.
But something was different.
The usual brightness in his eyes was gone.
Instead—
He looked anxious.
"Yoru!" Guy called urgently. "Lee is seriously injured. I need your help."
Yoru frowned slightly.
"…Me?"
He wasn't a medical ninja.
Shouldn't this be handled by professionals like Yui?
As if sensing his confusion, Guy quickly explained:
"Yui told me to come find you."
Yoru paused.
Then nodded.
If Yui had asked for him specifically, there had to be a reason.
"Wait here."
A Quick Arrangement
He brought Nao to Grandma Chiki's house nearby.
"I'll be back later. I'll double your payment today."
Grandma Chiki sighed but agreed, though her expression clearly showed reluctance.
Nao looked at him worriedly.
"Brother Yoru…?"
"It's fine. I'll be back soon."
After reassuring her, Yoru turned and rushed toward the hospital.
The Emergency
Inside the hospital—
The atmosphere was tense.
Lee lay on the operating table, his body wrapped in bandages.
His face was pale.
His expression, even in unconsciousness, was twisted in pain.
Several medical ninjas surrounded him, pouring chakra into their techniques, their faces filled with urgency.
Yui noticed Yoru immediately and hurried over.
"Yoru, you're here."
"What's going on?" he asked.
Yui didn't waste time.
"Lee's injuries are extremely complicated."
"If it were just the aftereffects of opening the Eight Gates, we could handle it."
Her gaze shifted to Lee's left side.
"But his left arm and leg…"
"They were crushed by Gaara's Sand Binding Coffin."
Yoru's expression darkened.
Yui continued, her tone grave:
"The bones are shattered into tiny fragments."
"The muscles are torn and necrotic."
"The ligaments are completely severed."
"The blood vessels are ruptured."
"Everything is tangled together."
She looked at him directly.
"Your spiritual energy control is extremely precise."
"I need you to separate everything—bone fragments, meridians, blood vessels, muscles—one by one."
"We'll handle the reconstruction afterward."
A Delicate Operation
Yoru finally understood.
This was not something ordinary medical ninjas could do.
It required—
Extreme precision.
"…Alright," he said seriously. "Let's begin."
Yui led him to the operating table.
The hospital director, a middle-aged woman, nodded after a brief evaluation.
"We'll start with the left foot. Yui, assist me."
Yoru stepped forward.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then—
His spiritual energy spread out.
Countless invisible threads formed, each carrying a trace of chakra.
Under careful guidance, he began.
The Separation
Starting from the toes—
He worked slowly.
Carefully.
His spiritual threads entered the damaged areas, gently prying apart crushed bone fragments.
Separating tangled tissues.
Untwisting ruptured vessels.
Every movement required absolute focus.
One mistake—
Could cause irreversible damage.
Yui and the director followed closely behind, repairing and reconnecting everything he separated.
Time passed.
Sweat dripped down his face.
His breathing grew heavier.
Endless Effort
An hour passed.
Then another.
Finally—
After intense effort, the left foot was barely stabilized.
It wasn't fully healed.
But—
It was no longer a chaotic mess.
There was hope.
"Phew…"
Yoru exhaled deeply.
But there was no time to rest.
They moved on.
A Day and Night
The process continued.
Hour after hour.
Through exhaustion.
Through strain.
Until—
A full day and night had passed.
Finally—
The left arm and leg were fully separated and organized.
Yoru's face was pale.
Even with his immense spiritual energy—
This level of sustained precision was draining.
The Result
"Thank you for your hard work, Jonin Aoki."
The director wiped her sweat, smiling faintly.
Compared to Yoru, she and Yui were in better condition since they had alternated shifts.
The door opened.
Yoru and Yui stepped out.
The Outcome
"Yui! How is Lee?!"
Guy rushed forward immediately.
Yui smiled reassuringly.
"His life is no longer in danger."
Guy froze.
Then—
Relief flooded his face.
"We've reconstructed his left arm and leg," Yui continued.
"But…"
She hesitated slightly.
"It's like repairing shattered porcelain."
"It's been pieced together—but cracks remain."
"The chance of full recovery… is about fifty percent."
Guy clenched his fists.
"But—"
"If Lady Tsunade were here…"
"He could fully recover."
A Teacher's Resolve
Guy inhaled deeply.
Then nodded firmly.
"That's enough."
"As long as there's hope."
"If needed…"
"I'll carry him myself to find Lady Tsunade."
His voice was resolute.
Unshaken.
A Quiet Reflection
Aoki Yoru stood quietly to the side.
Watching.
Thinking.
The Chunin Exams were approaching.
Dangers were gathering.
And now—
Even someone like Lee had fallen so easily.
The world…
Was far from peaceful.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)