Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style

The next morning, at the medical division.

Kitayama arrived at the clinic with a book in hand, assuming she'd be the first one there. But to her surprise, the lights in the men's locker room were already on, and wisps of steam drifted out from underneath the door.

And that wasn't all.

The mist carried a strange, pungent smell.

Frowning in hesitation, she finally decided to investigate.

As soon as she cracked the door open, a wave of thick, acrid medicinal steam slammed into her face, making her cough violently. It took several moments before her lungs adjusted to the harsh scent. Inside, the fog was so dense, she couldn't see her own hand in front of her.

Once she confirmed the fumes weren't poisonous, she cautiously stepped in.

"Hello? Is anyone in here?"

No response.

Step by careful step, she advanced into the room until she reached the showers. That's when she found the source of the steam.

Inside one of the large bathing tubs, a handsome boy lay stretched out in the darkened water. Whatever he'd added to the bath had turned the entire tub inky black.

"Garou, what the…! Hey!"

Thinking he had passed out, She panicked and rushed over, but her foot caught on a small pile of discarded clothes, and she pitched forward straight into the tub.

Even though she was a Special Jonin, she had spent more time healing than training. Her body wasn't exactly in prime combat shape anymore. There was no saving that stumble.

SPLASH!

"Ow…!"

Luckily, she landed stomach-first. Any lower, and poor Garou's promising youth might have come to an abrupt end.

Clutching his gut, Garou sat up in the water, stunned.

"Pleh! Puh! Ugh!"

Kitayama's head burst out from under the surface, sputtering and coughing, water dripping from her chin. Her face twisted in disgust. The liquid was bitter as hell. She hacked a few times, then gasped in lungfuls of air, her soaked shirt clinging tightly to her body, making certain… parts quite pronounced.

Good thing the steam was so thick. It concealed more than a towel could.

"You little brat! I thought you were unconscious!"

Shu was furious, her cheeks flushed.

She'd nearly had a heart attack rushing to check on him, only to find him soaking in a chemical stew like it was a spa day.

"My bad, sensei," Garou muttered, hurriedly reaching for a towel to shield himself. "I was… doing an experiment."

"…"

Shu glared at him for a moment before turning away without another word.

'Unbelievable. The kid was taking a freaking science bath.'

She walked back out and cracked open the ventilation system. Slowly, the fog began to clear.

Just as she was about to leave, she glanced down, remembered her wet, clingy shirt, and bolted out of the room before Garou emerged.

Only to find Hyakusa standing in the hallway, frozen like a deer in headlights.

"…Kitayama-senpai?"

"That little punk's running an experiment," she blurted, cheeks burning. "Just go take a look yourself."

Without waiting for a reply, she ducked back into the women's changing room.