I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 127 and 129: Incurable Disease (4k)

The older nurse led the Mediterranean-looking chief physician to an isolation room. The nurse tried several times to open the door, but because she was too scared, her hands trembled and she was unable to do so.

The Mediterranean doctor glanced at the older nurse with some dissatisfaction. She had worked in the hospital for half her life, so why was she still afraid of a few corpses when things came to a head?

He simply pulled open the drawer of the isolation room himself and looked inside. There lay a peaceful-looking corpse, dressed in a blue and white hospital gown, with bare feet.

"Is there something wrong with this body?"

The Mediterranean doctor took out a pair of glasses from his breast pocket, examined them carefully for half a minute, and then looked up with a puzzled expression and asked.

The remains were very well preserved, with no limb damage, and the faces were so peaceful as if the person was asleep that they did not even need an astronomer to dress them up and could be viewed by the bereaved family at the funeral.

"Chief Doctor, please take a look at the body's feet."

The Mediterranean doctor looked down at the body's feet and found that they were slightly blackened and covered in dust.

"Why are your feet so dirty? Was the body cleanup done poorly?"

The Mediterranean doctor frowned and said.

Although hospitals are not funeral homes, when a body is taken to the morgue, the nurses still need to clean the body's face, hands, and feet to ensure the deceased departs with dignity. This is also part of their job.

"No, we did indeed clean up the body," the older nurse quickly explained.

"Then what's going on?"

"This is the strange thing I wanted to report to the chief physician. Apart from this body, all the other bodies in the morgue are the same; their feet are covered in dust, as if..."

The older nurse showed some fear on her face, but she still gritted her teeth and continued speaking.

"It's like these corpses are walking around in the morgue!"

"What a joke! Don't try to shirk your responsibility with excuses."

The Mediterranean doctor snorted and opened another isolation room, where he found that the corpse inside also had blackened soles and was covered in dust.

Unconvinced, he opened several drawers in the isolation wards and found that, just as the nurse had said, the soles of all the corpses' feet were filthy.

The Mediterranean doctor's heart skipped a beat; he also sensed something was wrong. Thinking about the strange changes in the placement of all the corpses in the morgue, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Could it be that the changes in the positions of these corpses were not a prank, but rather that the corpses got up, crawled out of the isolation room, and then swapped beds with other corpses?

How is that possible?

Then, considering the three people who inexplicably fainted in the morgue, the various suspicious clues connected together gave the whole incident a somewhat eerie and terrifying atmosphere.

"Doctor, should we call the police?"

Upon hearing the words "call the police," the chief physician's rationality returned to his bald head, and he suppressed the fear that arose in his heart.

"No, we can't call the police!"

The Mediterranean doctor's expression shifted several times, but in the end he still flatly rejected the idea.

"If this gets out and irresponsible media outlets seize on it and spread rumors about it being haunted, what a huge negative impact it would have on the reputation of our affiliated hospital!"

The Mediterranean doctor spoke with righteous indignation.

Hospitals are extremely sensitive to such rumors.

Even if supernatural events like ghost stories don't attract public attention, the change in the body's location is undeniable. If the outside world finds out, they'll inevitably criticize the hospital for improper handling of the body. The hospital will also launch an internal investigation, and he will be held accountable.

Since none of the bodies in the morgue were damaged or added to, let's just pretend nothing happened and not cause any trouble for the affiliated hospital of the medical university.

"You guys, quickly wipe the corpse's feet clean, and let's leave it at that for now. I'll question those people again after they've regained consciousness to find out what happened."

After careful consideration, the chief physician decided to suppress this strange and bizarre matter.

He looked at the morgue, which was filled with a chilling atmosphere, and couldn't help but shiver. He left after saying a few words.

…………

Nippon Medical School Hospital is one of the few university hospitals (specialized function hospitals) in the country.

The medical university hospital is known for accepting patients with complex and severe illnesses and elderly patients. Since being designated as a cancer treatment hospital after 08, it has been committed to implementing high-quality multidisciplinary cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Naturally, cancer patients from all over the country came to seek his expertise.

However, cancer remains an insurmountable challenge for humanity. If it is detected early, it can be cured through surgery. But once cancer reaches an advanced stage or the lesions spread to dangerous areas, there is truly no hope of recovery.

In the oncology department of the affiliated hospital of the medical university, although there are still patients receiving treatment, taking medication step by step, undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and even surgery, the doctors and nurses have already given them a death sentence. Receiving treatment now is just prolonging their lives.

For terminally ill cancer patients who are certain to die, the usual practice at the affiliated hospital of the medical university is to transfer the patient away as soon as possible so as not to occupy the bed.

It's important to know that beds at the affiliated hospitals of medical universities are extremely scarce.

In the building housing the oncology department, there was a short, unassuming male doctor who looked to be about thirty years old. His tousled hair was naturally swept back, and his fair face exuded a scholarly air, but his eyes beneath the messy hair were very clear.

The male doctor pushed open the door to a ward. It was a double room, and everything in it was pure white, from the floor and walls to the curtains and the bed.

Even the patient's face was as white as snowflakes.

On the hospital bed by the window, a young woman in a blue and white hospital gown was half-lying on the bed, covered with a white blanket. She pulled back the curtain and looked out the window at the bustling scene of cars and people flowing by outside the hospital.

"Dr. Satomi, you've arrived."

The young woman's eyes were filled with sorrow. Hearing the noise, she turned around and looked at Dr. Satomi with a faint, gentle smile.

"Ms. Ebina..."

Dr. Satomi opened her mouth, looking somewhat awkward, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, she could only awkwardly ask:

"How are you feeling today? Any better?"

After saying that, Dr. Satomi realized he had spoken out of turn, because he had already explained Ms. Ebina's condition in detail.

It was late-stage stomach cancer, and even the affiliated hospital of the medical university was helpless.

Both of them knew very well that Ms. Ebina's life was nearing its end.

"Thank you for your concern, Dr. Satomi. I feel much better today."

Ms. Ebina seemed to take it all in stride, saying without any hesitation:

"Dr. Satomi, you don't need to feel ashamed. I'm a medical student too, and I know that my condition is incurable. I guess this is fate. In the last period of my life, having such an excellent doctor like Dr. Satomi by my side is quite fortunate."

Seeing how understanding Ms. Ebina was, Dr. Satomi felt even more ashamed.

His visit to the ward this time actually had another mission: to persuade Ebina to transfer to another hospital, on the orders of Professor Noriyuki, the Dean of the Medical School of the Medical University.

After reviewing Ms. Ebina's information, Professor Noriuchi decisively determined that there was no hope for her and instructed Satomi to transfer the patient away as soon as possible so as not to occupy a hospital bed.

Despite Dr. Satomi's best efforts to persuade him, Professor Noriuchi impatiently interrupted him, leaving him no choice but to reluctantly come to the ward. He hesitated at the door for a long time before finally pushing it open and entering.

Dr. Satomi opened his mouth, but ultimately found it difficult to speak. He relaxed his expression, took a deep breath, and said firmly:

"Ms. Ebina, we will do everything we can, please don't give up."

"Thank you so much."

Ms. Ebina maintained her weak and gentle smile, but her tone was flat, clearly indicating that she held no hope. She turned her head and continued to stare at the endless stream of people outside the window.

Dr. Satomi wanted to say something more encouraging, but just then, a commotion broke out outside the ward. A rather dignified white-haired professor walked into the ward, surrounded by a group of nurses and doctors.

"Huh? Dr. Satomi, haven't you finished taking care of the matter I asked you to handle?"

Professor Zenai's cold gaze swept across the ward, then he looked at Miss Ebina lying on the bed, frowned, and said in an unfriendly tone.

"Professor Zene, can we talk outside?"

Dr. Satomi pleaded with Professor Noriuchi, whose gaze turned slightly cold, but he still nodded. The two of them walked to a nearby corridor.

"Professor Norinai, although Ms. Ebina's condition is indeed..., providing end-of-life care for terminally ill patients is also the mission of our national hospital. Wouldn't it be too inhumane of us to ask Ms. Ebina to transfer to another hospital now? If possible, please allow me to see Ms. Ebina until the very end," Dr. Satomi said softly.

"Satomi, you are well aware that we are powerless to help Ms. Ebina. We are a well-equipped national university hospital, and we cannot allow a hopeless patient to occupy a bed."

Professor Zene said impatiently, "Instead of wasting energy on those who can't be cured, we should focus on saving more people who have a chance of being saved. That's the mission of the medical university!"

"Professor Zene, you're speaking too loudly; the patients will hear you..."

"So what if I heard it? I was just telling the truth."

Professor Noriu interrupted Dr. Satomi directly, saying in a firm tone:

"Satomi, don't be so high and mighty. Doctors are just a profession that earns money through their skills. There are things we doctors can do and things we can't do. You're just getting paid to treat people, don't think of yourself as a savior."

Dr. Satomi looked rather embarrassed and could only listen to Professor Noriuchi's scolding.

After making a series of sarcastic remarks, Professor Nori took out a CT scan from his medical record folder and unceremoniously threw it in Dr. Satomi's face.

Dr. Satomi quickly picked it up, and said hesitantly:

"This is Mr. Konishi's CT scan from room 1307. Professor Zenei, have you examined it carefully?"

"I am Mr. Konishi's initial doctor. Are you doubting my diagnosis?" Professor Zenai said coldly.

Mr. Xiaoxi from room 1307 is also a stomach cancer patient, but fortunately, he only has early-stage stomach cancer, and he has a high chance of recovery if the lesion is surgically removed.

However, during the later diagnosis, Dr. Satomi discovered that Mr. Konishi might not only have stomach cancer, but also pancreatic cancer, a very rare case.

He reported the matter to his superior, Professor Zene, questioning the validity of Professor Zene's diagnosis, but this action was undoubtedly a challenge to the professor's authority.

"I wouldn't dare, but as doctors, we should be more cautious."

"snort!"

Professor Nori was very dissatisfied with Dr. Satomi's doubts about his diagnosis, and the doctor's dawdling in persuading Ms. Ebina to transfer to another hospital brought his dissatisfaction with Dr. Satomi to its peak.

His face was icy cold as he warned:

"Dr. Satomi, I appreciate your passion for your patients, but if you don't follow my instructions or question my judgment, then I have no choice but to ask you to leave the oncology department."

"Professor Kurokawa is no longer here, and I am now in charge! Please take care of Ms. Ebina's matter today!"

Professor Zenai entered the ward, inquired about Ms. Ebina's condition with a kind smile, and then, without lingering, led the other nurses and doctors to make rounds in other wards.

Dr. Satomi walked into the ward with a somber expression. He looked at Ms. Ebina, wanting to say something but unable to open his mouth.

But Miss Ebina remained as gentle as ever, and she smiled weakly:

"Dr. Satomi, there's something I'd like to tell you. I plan to be discharged tomorrow, and I need you to help me with some paperwork."

"Why choose this time?" Dr. Satomi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble, but my hearing has always been very sharp."

Ms. Ebina pointed to her ear and said calmly.

"People like me who are beyond help should indeed have their beds made available for others who have more hope."

The argument between Dr. Satomi and Professor Noriu had reached Ms. Ebina's ears, so she chose to be discharged from the hospital to avoid embarrassing him.

"Goodbye, Dr. Satomi. Please don't overwork yourself."

Dr. Satomi didn't even know how she got out of bed. She worked in a daze, like a walking corpse, until nightfall.

It was 11:50 p.m.

Dr. Satomi came to Ms. Ebina's hospital room once again, but he no longer had the courage to push the door open. This time, he hated his own powerlessness so much.

Dr. Satomi took out a photograph, which was a picture of him with a middle-aged doctor who had a refined appearance and a mustache.

Professor Kurokawa was Dr. Satomi's mentor and an authority in the field of cancer treatment.

If Professor Kurokawa were still alive, with his superb medical skills, although he couldn't save Ms. Ebina, he should have been able to prolong her life. Unfortunately, Professor Kurokawa died in a car accident while on a business trip.

After Professor Kurokawa's unfortunate passing, Professor Noriuchi took over the position of Dean of Medicine.

After Professor Noriuchi took office, he consistently ostracized and suppressed doctors from Professor Kurokawa's faction.

Speaking of which, today seems to be the anniversary of Professor Kurokawa's death?

Dr. Satomi's eyes dimmed. He had been so busy lately that he had completely forgotten to visit his mentor's grave.

Not far away at the nurses' station, several nurses were talking about something, seemingly a paranormal event related to the morgue.

A ghost?

Dr. Satomi gave a bitter smile. If there really was someone, the person he most wanted to see right now was Professor Kurokawa.

With a slight crackling sound, the lights in the corridor flickered on and off before plunging into darkness.

In the darkness, only a faint light could be seen in the distance. As the elevator announced its arrival, the doors slowly opened, and a doctor with a mustache stepped out.

A familiar face came into Dr. Satomi's view.

(End of this chapter)