"Seiji, there's nothing wrong with your body."
Yakushi Nono finally gave her conclusion, the soft light-green chakra fading from her hands as she finished the diagnostic scan.
Qingsi looked down and asked quietly:
"But… I heard that most Uchiha awaken the Sharingan in both eyes?"
"There are always special cases,"Nono replied calmly.
"I see…"
Qingsi nodded, but he already knew the truth.
This had happened to Sasuke in the original story—during his battle with Haku, one of Sasuke's eyes had evolved into a two-tomoe Sharingan, while the other remained at one tomoe. Such asymmetry was rare, but not unheard of.
From the corner of her eye, Yakushi Nono glanced at Qingsi again. His frame was slim, his eyes dark, watchful. He was watching her—not with suspicion, but with an unsettling level of clarity for someone his age.
To Qingsi, however, this version of Nono was unfamiliar.
He was more used to her future image—a woman in a white hood and black nun's robes, the very picture of a somber, mature saint.
Yet behind that saintly appearance was something else entirely.
A Root-trained elite spy—so valuable that even after her retirement, Danzo Shimura had personally coerced her to return to the field.
Qingsi had no intention of engaging her in conversation beyond what was necessary.She asked questions; he answered honestly—but minimally.
If anything, it was Kumogakure that had tried to solicit him. He had never responded.He was not a spy.
What he became in the future… was a matter for the future.
"By the way, Nono-sama… that green chakra you just used—is it the same kind that Tsunade-sama uses?"
Qingsi's tone held a spark of curiosity.
"Yes,"Nono nodded, brushing a lock of golden hair from her cheek."That's medical chakra. When Konoha's medical ninja use healing techniques, their chakra usually appears light green."
The most common example was the Mystical Palm Technique, an A-rank healing jutsu.
She noticed Qingsi's gaze linger on the sealed scroll where she had stored her instruments.
"Are you interested in these?"she asked.
She guessed it was Tsunade's prior visit that had sparked his curiosity. Perhaps he had seen the same green chakra and remembered it.
Qingsi looked thoughtfully at the scroll.
"These… medical ninjutsu… can I learn them?"
Nono blinked, slightly surprised by the question.
She gave Qingsi another once-over. Thin, yes, but his shoulders were broad. With training, he had the potential to become a strong taijutsu user.
"Seiji, your body type is better suited for taijutsu,"she offered.
"A taijutsu ninja?"Mikoto repeated, glancing at Seiji thoughtfully.She recalled hearing that Seiji had traits of the Yeyue clan, though she wasn't sure what that meant—talent? Resilience?
"But… what if another clan member ends up like me?Maybe… I could help them… like you and Tsunade-sama."
Qingsi looked down, disappointment creeping into his voice.
"I guess… it still won't work, huh…"
His lips drooped slightly, his posture slumped. He scratched his head, trying to hide the disappointment in his tone.
But thanks to [The Art of Speaking (White)], Qingsi's sadness sounded completely sincere.
Yakushi Nono was caught off guard.
She had always had a soft spot for children—especially orphans.
"Don't worry,"she said softly, her voice warmer than usual."If you pass the Medical Ninja Reserve exam after graduation, come find me. I'll guide you."
That was more than she would've said to most. Usually, she would let candidates take the test and follow protocol. Nothing more.
But from Root's dossier, she knew that Seiji had been orphaned at just two years old.
For years now, she had been dreaming of opening an orphanage after retiring.
Now, looking at Seiji, that thought felt closer to reality than ever.
"Really?"Qingsi looked up, eyes shining. A surprised smile bloomed across his face.
The melancholy that clung to him earlier began to dissipate.
"Of course. Why would I lie to you?"
Nono returned his smile, gentle and reassuring.
Standing nearby, Mikoto quietly observed.
This child… he's different from other Uchiha.
Tsunade had coldly dismissed him during her visit, showing no interest in taking him on as a student. But Nono?
She had just opened the door to mentorship.
And if Nono was right… Seiji might also have talent in taijutsu—a rare specialty among the Uchiha, who focused almost entirely on genjutsu and Sharingan-based tactics.
"Alright, little Seiji. I've got other duties to attend to today,"Nono said, rising and collecting her scroll.
As she moved to leave, her gaze fell on a pile of books near the chair.
He's diligent. That's rare.
She made a mental note.
"Thank you again, Nono-sama."Qingsi stood and bowed politely.
He accompanied Nono and Mikoto to the boundary between the Uchiha compound and the streets of Konoha. An ancient wooden gate marked the border.
"Keep practicing,"Mikoto told him gently before departing.
Qingsi walked home alone.
The road was dim under the moonlight. Night had fallen completely.
He exhaled slowly.
"That… went smoother than expected."
After all, Nono had once taught orphans who weren't even from Konoha. Why wouldn't she teach him?
And now, with retirement on her horizon, she probably had fewer obligations—less risk, less pressure.
In the original story, she only returned to being a spy after Danzo threatened her with the lives of her orphans.
Until then, she was free.
"I need to enhance my chakra control as soon as possible… I need to meet the medical reserve standards."
The next day – Ninja School Playground
"Alright, today's lesson is a physical test!"The instructor, Kaino Lu, blew his whistle."Everyone, fifty laps around the training field!"
"Huh!? Again!?""Fifty laps!?"
A chorus of groans erupted from the students.
Qingsi, however, stood silently and adjusted his sandals.
Let the others complain. For me… this is training.