“What a miserable situation I’ve found myself in,” Bokuden thought to himself as the scent of scrubs and sterile air filled his lungs, “But I guess I should have expected this at one point or another. I could only get out of having to go through basic medical training for so long before it caught up to me.” It was true, Bokuden knew that this day was to come eventually. The Ryuzoji clan was noted for its skill in the medical field as well as the field of battle, given their highly advanced electrical perception abilities. Many a clansman over the years who perhaps had not been substantially gifted with the sword had made their name with the scalpel. The clan’s uniquely powerful, natural affinity for the raiton element and all things electricity had made them leading experts in many fields of electrical research, including harnessing the power of electricity to be used for medical benefits. Electrotherapy and electrical stimulation in bone grafting were common practices for certain members of the Ryuzoji clan. Quite a few members of the clan were prominent physicians and surgeons within the village, taking management roles in the village’s hospital, and even more were fully trained as medic ninja in the medical corps, ANBU, and otherwise.

Bokuden however, was not one to take a particularly strong interest in this aspect of his family legacy. As a combat expert and one who often fought on the front lines of conflict he had a deep appreciation and respect for medical practitioners, but he never saw it as something he wanted to do. He would certainly never be one to take a position as a dedicated med nin and he was not going to retire from shinobi work to become a doctor, so really it was never a real consideration for him. He did however, at least somewhat understand the potential benefit of learning at least the basics of emergency medical care. Even basic knowledge of first aid and wound treating could save a life out on the field of battle, so even if Bokuden never expected to have to use it, it could prove to be an invaluable skill. The only issue was that he was sure that this was not going to end up as a simple crash course on emergency medical procedures. Things involving his family were never that simple and this short lesson he was meant to receive at the hospital was more than likely to turn into an all day affair. Even being fully aware of that very likely possibility however, Bokuden made the trip to the hospital on order of his father.

What Bokuden found most annoying about this visit to the hospital however, was without a doubt the fact that he knew exactly who it was that was going to be leading him around all day and taking personal charge of his education in the medical field; his uncle. To say that Bokuden disliked his uncle and everything about him would be an understatement. This was a man that shared all the same toxic personality traits and moral dwarfism that his father and grandfather displayed, but unlike those two he was also weak and cowardly. Being the son and brother to the main family’s leaders he was given everything with little to nothing asked in return. He was probably a decent warrior by the standards of the common man, but by the standards of the Ryuzoji clan and specifically the main family, he was considered an absolute disappointment as a swordsman and as a shinobi. His chakra control was good enough however, to find his niche in the medical practice where his glaring lack of combat skills was considered a non-issue. Although most people were convinced that even his ability as a surgeon and physician were completely underwhelming, his bloodline, wealth, and the connections of his family allowed him to rise to prominence and become the leader of Kumogakure’s medical corps.

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Learning Med: 666/1200

Needless to say, Bokuden harbored as close to zero respect for this person as one could possibly achieve. He would say that he had zero respect for the man, but he was somehow able to survive for this long despite his many shortcomings and continually escape natural selection despite the clear need for that bottom feeding worm to be erased from the gene pool, so Bokuden supposed that was something. Still, that didn’t make him cringe any less as his uncle came waltzing out of the hospital’s swinging doors and paraded himself around the reception area as if he was somebody important. As much as he detested his own father, Bokuden knew that at least he actually belonged in the position he was in and deserved it based on merit of skill and ability alone. He doubted that even his uncle would be able to say the same thing about himself and keep a straight face.

Bokuden made no effort to hide his disdain for his Uncle either, brushing off his greeting at the hospital and continuing inside without turning so much as a glance his way. Bokuden’s only intention was to get in, absorb the information that he needed, and get out. He wasn’t here to chat, he wasn’t going to sit down for tea or stay for lunch, and he sure as hell wasn’t here to kiss his uncle’s ass like all of the sheep around him seemed to be doing. He wondered how low one’s self worth and integrity must fall before you are willing to bow before and suck up to a man as weak and pitiful as his uncle. He wondered who he detested more for it, his uncle who created the illusion of power and importance or the weak minded individuals that believed his ruse. He doubted that anyone in the clan would even lift a finger to solve his uncle’s personal problems unless it became an issue of saving face for the clan as a whole, a situation that had arisen before with him. Those situations do usually involve harsh punishment for the clan member as well though.
As soon as he entered the ward where he was to receive his training Bokuden made it a point to ditch his uncle and immediately request aid from one of the other employees at the hospital. Given what he knew of his uncle, any of the experienced nurses or doctors there would have likely been able to provide him at least as good of an education without inspiring Bokuden’s pent up desire to kill them. As soon as he could Bokuden just found an older nurse, one who had likely seen just about everything in her time as a medic, and shadowed her around the hospital.

From her he learned the basics of medical jutsu; the chakra control and molding required to perform healing techniques as well as the appropriate use of medical equipment, how to dress wounds, and all other manners of medical know how. The older woman was extremely knowledgeable in her field and it made the learning process for Bokuden infinitely simpler. He could only cringe once more at the thought of actually following around his uncle and listening to him haphazardly explain subjects that he seemed to know nothing about. It almost seemed a crime that anyone should have to work under someone so incompetent, but Bokuden wasn’t about to take over the hospital to replace him. Once his job was finished for that day Bokuden would take what he had learned and leave the hospital, eager to apply what he learned… as long as it was not in the battlefield. While necessary for preparedness, if medics are forced to take action, it can only mean bad things.

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Learning Med: 1200/1200