Naruto : The ultimate Troublemaker

Shikai was nonetheless satisfied. He already had Matatabi's chakra at 100%, and so he could perform the same procedure on someone else, but it would be when he could contact the pedophile obsessed with immortality.

Shikai spent the entire day examining the seal engraved on Kushina's back. He traced the complex outlines with his fingers, analyzing each symbol and every chakra fluctuation.

Of course, he already knew the seal's structure perfectly, as he had created it. But he had to give the impression that he was working seriously and hard.

Shizune, on her side, was monitoring Kushina's condition and asking questions from time to time.

"Do you think you can do something?"

"Not immediately," Shikai replied, feigning deep thought. "It takes time to understand such a complex seal."

He knew he couldn't do anything to speed up the fusion. It had to end naturally. Injecting his own chakra or trying to modify the seal would risk making everything fail and causing her to explode.

When he wasn't working on Kushina's seal, Shikai spent time with other patients at the hospital.

"Shikai-san, thank you for your help!" said a young woman, bowing deeply after he had healed her son's wound. At first, her boy only had a minor injury, but as the doctor disinfected it, he began to convulse. He almost died five times, and Shikai had to work hard when her son's eyes were already rolling back to keep him alive.

"It's my job," he replied with a sincere smile.

Although Shikai had personal ambitions and complex projects, he had always had a big heart. Helping others, even in the midst of his own concerns, came naturally to him. A big heart that allowed him to test five toxic poisons on the little boy before healing him.

"Nothing better than living patients to test my poison prowess." Shikai murmured. For what purpose? He wanted to create his own summoning that would have to be versatile.

At the end of the day, Shikai returned to Kushina's room. He sat down next to her bed, observing the constant fluctuations of her chakra.

"You'll make it, Kushina," he murmured softly.

[Fusion with Kurama's Chakra: 69.734%... 69.735%...]

He placed a hand on her forehead, checking her vital signs one last time before standing up.

As he was leaving the room, Shizune stopped him.

"You seem confident. Do you think she'll make it?"

Shikai nodded.

"She's strong. Much stronger than you think. Just give her time."

In his mind, he thought:

'This is the twentieth time she's asked me this question. What does she think? That I master a Shinjutsu?'

The sun was slowly setting on the horizon, its orange rays tinting the roofs and streets of Konoha with a warm light. Shikai walked calmly, enjoying this peaceful atmosphere to relax after a long day. His thoughts drifted between his responsibilities at the hospital and his personal projects when he decided, on a whim, to take a detour to Ichiraku Ramen.

He wasn't a regular at the place, but he came from time to time, often accompanied by Shikaku Nara. The latter always ended up regretting these culinary escapades when he returned home, where his wife Yoshino awaited him with a stern face and well-aimed reproaches.

Shikai sat at the counter, greeting the warm smile of the owner, Teuchi.

"Shikai! It's been a while. A special bowl for you, as usual?"

Shikai nodded slightly, a calm smile on his lips.

"Yes, please."

In a few minutes, a steaming bowl of ramen was served to him. The scent filled the space, mixing the intoxicating perfumes of the savory broth, the perfectly cooked noodles, and the generous garnish of tender pork, crunchy bamboo, and marinated egg.

He grabbed his chopsticks and, after a brief silent prayer,

'I will avenge you, mother.'

He started eating. Each bite was an explosion of flavors: the rich and salty broth melted on his tongue, the noodles had a perfect texture, and the pork disintegrated in his mouth with a balance of fat and tenderness.

Shikai savored this moment quietly when a faint whisper reached his ears.

"Shi... Shikai-kun?"

Shikai stopped, raising a curious eyebrow. He turned his head and saw a little girl standing behind him. She must have been around ten years old. Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment, and her fingers twisted nervously in front of her.

She had a round and adorable face, framed by midnight blue hair cut in a straight fringe, with two longer strands framing her face. Her white pearl eyes shone softly under the dim light, a characteristic of her Hyūga clan heritage.

Shikai sketched a smile.

"Hm? Yes, it's me. And you, what's your name?" he asked, in a calm and warm tone, feigning as if he had forgotten.

The little girl blushed even more, lowering her eyes.

"I... I'm Hinata. Hinata Hyūga."

Shikai looked at her kindly.

"Pleased to meet you, Hinata," he said, slightly bowing his head. "Is something troubling you?"

Hinata timidly raised her eyes to him, hesitating.

"No... well... it's just that..." She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.