"Kiyoshi, there's nothing wrong with you."
Yakushi Nonō finally gave her conclusion as the faint green chakra around her hands dissipated.
Hearing this, Uchiha Kiyoshi said quietly:
"But… I heard that everyone awakens both Sharingan eyes at the same time."
"There are always special cases."
"I see…"
Kiyoshi lowered his head.
He had expected such an answer.
A similar case existed in the original timeline: during Sasuke's battle with Haku, one of Sasuke's Sharingan eyes evolved into two tomoe, while the other remained at a single tomoe—making him asymmetric.
Just rare, that was all.
Yakushi Nonō carefully sealed her diagnostic instruments into a storage scroll.Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the boy's thin, fragile figure—his black eyes quietly watching her.
Kiyoshi was unfamiliar with her current appearance.
He was more familiar with her other one:the white hood, black nun-style robe…Every casual movement outlining mature, voluptuous curves.
A gentle, saintly figure.
At the same time, Kiyoshi organized what he knew about Yakushi Nonō.
Captain of the Medical Corps.A top-tier spy from the Foundation's intelligence division.
Her espionage abilities were so exceptional that even after her retirement, Shimura Danzō personally forced her back into service to continue working for Root.
So Kiyoshi had never considered showing off in front of her.
Whatever she asked, he would simply answer.
As for whether he was a spy…
That was one-sided wishful thinking from Kumogakure.He—Uchiha Kiyoshi—had never responded, nor had he performed any spy-like actions.
Whether that would change in the future…
That was a matter for the future.
"Um… Lady Nonō, that green chakra around your hands earlier—was it the same as what Lady Tsunade used?"
Kiyoshi suddenly looked up, curiosity in his tone.
"Yes. That is medical chakra. Konoha's medical-nin channel their chakra into a pale green form."
Nonō nodded.A strand of golden hair slipped down as she spoke.
Medical chakra usually turned green when used for healing techniques—the most iconic example being the Mystical Palm Technique.
Nonō noticed Kiyoshi's gaze linger on the sealing scroll containing her instruments.
"You're interested in these?"
She asked the question casually.
She was aware that Tsunade had previously examined Kiyoshi's Sharingan.
She guessed Tsunade must have used medical ninjutsu during the exam, leaving an impression on him.
Kiyoshi's eyes fell again onto the scroll she had stored away.
After a moment of thought, he asked:
"These medical techniques… can I learn them?"
Yakushi Nonō blinked, momentarily surprised by the sudden request.
She looked him up and down.
The boy was skinny, yes—but she could tell he had a large frame beneath it.With proper training, he could become an excellent taijutsu-type shinobi.
"Kiyoshi, taijutsu might suit you more."
"Taijutsu…?"
Mikoto glanced at him.She had heard Kiyoshi possessed some traits of the Yotsuki clan.
But she didn't know what those traits were.
Perhaps he simply possessed talent beyond the ordinary—some hidden capability.
"But… there may be others like me someday. And when that time comes, maybe I could diagnose them—just like Lady Nonō and Lady Tsunade."
Kiyoshi murmured.
His voice softened, carrying a hint of disappointment.He scratched his head awkwardly, as if trying to hide the discouragement in his heart:
"So… I guess it still won't work…"
At that moment, his lips drooped ever so slightly.
He was genuinely disappointed.
If Nonō rejected him as well, he would have to completely rethink his plans.
Because of The Art of Speaking (White), his tone carried a touch more sincerity.
Yakushi Nonō's heart stirred.
She had always loved children—especially children who had lost their support.
"Don't worry."
Her voice softened, instinctively coaxing the boy who looked both pitiful and earnest.
"When you graduate from the Academy, if your aptitude passes the medical-nin preliminary examinations… come find me."
Yakushi Nonō said more than she ever would normally.
If an adult came asking, she would simply instruct them to take the exam and follow proper procedures—not associate themselves with her.
But according to the intelligence Root collected for her, Kiyoshi had been an orphan since the age of two.
For years now, Nonō had secretly fantasized about something:
After retiring from Root, she wanted to open an orphanage.
Seeing Kiyoshi only strengthened that desire.
"Really?"
Kiyoshi's eyes lit up instantly, a bright smile spilling across his face.The faint melancholy he carried seemed to dissipate.
Nonō nodded with a gentle smile.
"Why would I lie to you?"
Off to the side, Mikoto couldn't help glancing at Kiyoshi again.
Compared to other Uchiha children, this one truly stood out.
Tsunade had been cold and dismissive—she clearly had no intention of taking a disciple.But Yakushi Nonō seemed to be seriously considering it.
And according to Nonō, Kiyoshi even had taijutsu talent.
At present, the Uchiha clan had neither medical-nin nor taijutsu specialists.
Once Uchiha children graduated from the Academy, they all entered the Konoha Police Force.Mikoto herself had done the same.
"Alright, little Kiyoshi. I have matters to attend to. Let's stop here for today."
Yakushi Nonō stood up, adjusting the sealing scroll at her waist.
As she turned to leave, her gaze swept over several books resting on a chair.
A studious child,she thought.
"Thank you, Lady Nonō."
Kiyoshi rose politely and accompanied her out.
He and Mikoto walked with her until they reached the boundary between the Uchiha district and Konoha's main streets.
There stood an old wooden gate, marking the clan's territory.
"Go back and train well,"Mikoto said before heading off.
Kiyoshi walked home alone.
The night was clear, moonlight sparse.
Kiyoshi exhaled softly.
This outcome had gone smoother than he expected.
Thinking about it carefully, it made sense—Yakushi Nonō even taught medical ninjutsu to orphans who weren't from Konoha.Of course she wouldn't reject him.
Besides, Nonō already had retirement on her mind.Her risks were fewer.Right now, she had no weaknesses.
It was only in the future—after she became the director of an orphanage—that Danzō would hold her children hostage, forcing her back into espionage work.
"Next… I need to improve my chakra control as quickly as possible and reach the required standard."
…
The next day, Ninja Academy training field.
"Today's class is a short assessment.You're all running fifty laps!"
Instructor Umino Rukei blew his whistle, signaling everyone to start running.
"Ah—running again…"
"Fifty laps? Seriously?!"