"That's why you need it bandaged," Genma repeated. "The hitai-ate was acting like a bandage, protecting the wound from the air. A real bandage with some ointment on it will work a lot better." In point of fact, what were Kuromaru's doctors even thinking, letting him go around with just a hitai-ate for protection?

"Why did you take your bandages off? I can't believe Haruichi or Waki-sensei would let you run around with those wounds undressed."

He unscrewed the jar and held it up so Kuromaru could see it. "This is antiseptic. Numbing, too. Let me put it on, and it will make it stop itching, I promise."

He glanced Tsume's way, and saw her bracing herself on her arms over the sink, head down. Not looking at them. Could she feel physical pain from Kuromaru through those renewed chakra links? Or was it just that she couldn't bear the sight of the grisly wound? "You all right, Tsume? Can you get him one of his pills?"