Chapter 28: Hiruzen, you will regret this!

At dusk, the doors to the operating room slowly creaked open.

Emiya Shiro walked out looking somewhat ashamed, followed by his assistant, who was so terrified that he didn't dare utter a word. Judging by their expressions, it did not seem as though they were bringing good news, and even Hashirama Senju and the others rose from their seats with a heavy sense of apprehension.

"Senior!"

Young Hiruzen Sarutobi forced himself to stand, looking at the unfamiliar medical ninja. He took the initiative to step forward and introduce himself: "I am Hiruzen Sarutobi, son of Sasuke Sarutobi. Senior, how is my father?"

"..."

Emiya Shiro’s brows twitched.

"Senior?"

Young Hiruzen watched Emiya, a sudden tremor of fear gripping his heart, terrified of what bad news might spill from the man's lips.

"He's fine."

"There were some complications during the surgery," Emiya waved a hand dismissively, his face showing little concern, "but he managed to survive."

"Com... complications?"

Young Hiruzen’s heart sank. What kind of complications? Ninjas always encountered "complications" on missions, and many ended up permanently disabled, forced to spend the rest of their lives confined to a sickbed. Could it be that his father would henceforth be…

"Just wait a moment." Emiya gestured for him to wait there, adding, "He is getting dressed inside. You will be able to see him shortly."

"Thank you, Senior..."

Young Hiruzen could only offer his thanks, though his face remained clouded with confusion. He couldn't quite grasp the meaning of those words. *Getting... dressed?* What was that supposed to mean? How could his father, who had been on the verge of death from grievous injuries, possibly have the strength to dress himself?

*Clatter.*

The door to the operating room was pushed open.

"Eh?"

Sasuke Sarutobi was startled as he stepped out, not having noticed the group of youngsters gathered outside—his own son among them. Yet, compared to Sasuke being surprised by the group, the people who were truly shocked were the Konoha ninjas who had carried him there for emergency treatment! Everyone present stared at Sasuke in utter disbelief.

"Are you... kidding me?"

"That kind of state... he could actually be saved?"

"No..."

"Even if he could be saved, he shouldn't have healed to this extent, right?"

This level of medical skill... it was simply too exaggerated! Even the Konoha ninjas who had brought him in could not fathom how a patient who had been on the brink of death from a devastating Fire Style jutsu could have already regained his ability to move.

It was impossible... There wasn't a single trace of injury to be seen! Sasuke didn't even have bandages on; there were no burn marks whatsoever. His skin looked as fresh as a newborn's, as if the fact that everyone had carried him in for emergency help that morning was merely a collective delusion.

Was this... was this not some sort of genjutsu? Even Hashirama Senju, who had great confidence in Emiya Shiro’s medical prowess, was stunned, to the point where he began to doubt his own eyes.

"..."

Hashirama rubbed his eyes vigorously. While he trusted Emiya’s skills, he found it hard to believe that Sasuke’s severe injuries had been mended so easily. Back in the Warring States period, when the Senju and Uchiha clans clashed, Hashirama had seen countless clansmen perish under the flames of Fire Style ninjutsu.

"These injuries were not difficult to heal," Emiya Shiro said, showing no trace of arrogance.

The surgery was not complex. The most difficult part was the procedure itself; the current Konoha medical ninjas lacked the courage and experience to perform such a surgery, nor did they possess sufficient chakra. Had any other medical ninja attempted it, their internal chakra reserves would have been exhausted. Only Emiya Shiro, with the infinite chakra of the Reanimated body, could have persisted. As it happened, he had performed even more intricate internal organ surgeries in the past.

"I am truly grateful for your life-saving grace, Excellency," Sasuke Sarutobi said sincerely.

"Thank you, Senior!" Young Hiruzen quickly followed his father's lead.

"You should not call me Senior..." Sasuke quickly corrected his son, earnestly attempting to teach him the proper etiquette. "It would be too rude to address him merely as Senior, and it would be equally improper to address him as 'My Lord.' You must address him as 'Excellency'..."

Different titles reflected different statuses. Some might call Emiya Shiro "My Lord," believing it respectful enough; others would call him "Excellency," deeming it the only proper form of address. Theoretically, in this era, "Excellency" was generally reserved for the Feudal Lords. However, in the ancient era Emiya hailed from, there likely weren't even Feudal Lords, and his reputation back then had already surpassed that of their ancestors.

"There is no need to worry about such things," Emiya shook his head, indifferent to titles. "To me, titles are secondary..."

"Heh heh... then does Senior have a nickname?"

Seeing his father unharmed, young Hiruzen’s mood lightened completely. The fourteen- or fifteen-year-old was lively and spirited; as he spoke with Emiya, he reverted to his old habits, sticking his tongue out and making a face at his healthy father. He felt that this strange "Senior" was actually quite easy to get along with.

"Hiruzen!" Sasuke quickly pressed down on his son’s head.

"Perhaps... I do." Emiya did not mind the boy’s impudence and actually answered his question. "There are likely many in this world who secretly consider me a foolish and naive person. They have probably given me some nicknames, though it is unlikely I would ever know them..."

"How could that be!" Sasuke quickly comforted Emiya, patting his son on the head while taking a firm stance. "Whoever dares to disrespect your Excellency, we will not let them off!"

It wasn't just the debt of saving his life... it was also the gratitude for the transmission of medical knowledge to this era. Lying on the operating table, Sasuke had heard Emiya instructing the Konoha medical ninjas, sharing his experience without holding anything back. This was a man truly worthy of respect.

"Indeed!" Hashirama’s face was resolute. However, the First Hokage’s nature was also quite flighty, and he immediately stroked his chin in thought. "But we must give Excellency Emiya a nickname that is catchy and captures his characteristics..."

"Hey, hey, hey, Lord Hokage!" Two ANBU members quickly stepped in to stop Hashirama.

"Enough." Emiya seemed unconcerned with all of this, specifically reminding Sasuke: "During the rescue, I accelerated the division and regeneration of some of your cellular tissues, which might cause your body to age a bit faster..."

"Being able to survive is already a stroke of fortune..." A look of sincere gratitude appeared on Sasuke’s face, and he chuckled, "It doesn't matter. Our clan’s faces tend to look old anyway..."

To be able to live... that was truly a fortunate thing. Whether it was surviving the hands of Madara Uchiha, or being saved by a great man like Emiya Shiro after being beaten to the brink of death by Madara. This experience... it made his life feel somewhat epic.

"We will keep this kindness in our hearts." After saying this, Sasuke thanked the First Hokage and his group again, then took a moment to rap his knuckles against young Hiruzen’s head. "Do not be rude to Excellency Emiya."

"I don't even know his name yet... It seems his surname is Emiya? Could he be a descendant of the legendary sage Emiya Shiro..." Young Hiruzen ignored the pain, watching the strange, unfamiliar medical ninja with curiosity. He had never seen this person in the village before.

Just then, the sun began to set.

A boy’s silhouette, framed by the evening glow, rushed through the hospital corridor, his face etched with anxiety as he had received the news too late.

"Hey, Hiruzen!" the boy shouted when he saw his friend. "I just heard that your father was critically... injured?"

But before the boy could finish, he saw Sasuke Sarutobi walking behind Hiruzen, looking perfectly fine and doting on his son. He didn't look like someone who had been on the verge of death at all! His state was vastly different from the news the boy had received!

The boy’s expression shifted instantly; he felt as though he had been tricked again.

"Hiruzen!"

"Was this just another one of your pranks, you jerk?"

"Hey, Danzo, listen to me..." Young Hiruzen hurried forward, trying to call out to his friend, hoping he wouldn't misunderstand.

"You're trying to lie to me again!"

The boy ran off, his face full of anger, his suppressed voice echoing through the corridor.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"