Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Mending Bones and Breaking Norms!
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Everyone could contribute to the world's progress! They'd simply—chosen the wrong path.
He, Gojo Kaigetsu, representing the purest will of the Shinobi world, would guide the Akatsuki back to the light.
.....
Hitomi felt his body go numb, a tingling sensation spreading through his limbs.
He saw, in his peripheral vision, black tendrils, their tips crackling with blue energy. Lightning Release!
Doctor Kakuzu was using a numbing jutsu.
After about ten minutes, Kakuzu retracted the tendrils. They disappeared into the stitches on his body, a slightly—disturbing sight.
But to Hitomi, he was a savior.
His shattered limbs, his mangled flesh, they were—reconnected, the crude stitches holding them together.
Though not exactly—aesthetically pleasing, Hitomi flexed his arm and leg, surprised to find they were—functional. He even felt—stronger.
"Th-thank you, Doctor Kakuzu."
"Just—pay up." Kakuzu, his eyes fixed on the—prospect of profit, wasn't interested in gratitude.
To Konoha Shinobi, it was poetry, a profound moment. To Kakuzu, it was—a transaction.
"My money's at home. In a storage scroll. I'll have someone—retrieve it."
"And thank you, Advisor Gojo! Without you, I'd be—crippled." He almost wanted to kneel.
"Don't mention it. Just—send a thank-you banner to the hospital. Make sure it mentions Doctor Uzumaki Kakuzu."
"A banner? Yes, sir!"
"Now, both of you, out! Next patient!" The tendrils reappeared, ushering them out of the operating room and then, as the nurses screamed, dragging the next—patient inside.
"What—was that monster?" a nurse whispered, her voice trembling.
Hitomi's face hardened. "Don't call him a monster! He's a great medical-nin!"
"But—how? He healed you so quickly."
The nurse was bewildered. Such injuries usually took hours to treat, even for a skilled medical-nin. And it had only been ten minutes.
"That's why he's—a prodigy! I'll be back with the money. And a banner!"
The nurse watched as another—mangled patient was wheeled out, his body covered in stitches, his legs—spread.
But he was alive.
She looked back at the operating room, at the moving tendrils, her earlier fear replaced by—awe.
This Uzumaki Kakuzu—he'd soon be Konoha Hospital's most sought-after surgeon.
"Next!"
"Wait."
Gojo Kaigetsu stopped Kakuzu. He pushed two young Uzumaki towards him.
"What?"
"These two are aspiring medical-nin. While you're—operating, perhaps they could—observe?"
Kakuzu frowned. But he needed a good reputation, especially among the—wealthy clientele he intended to—target for his "enhancement" procedures.
"I won't—teach them. They can—watch. If they're—capable."
Reina and Asami nodded eagerly, their gazes fixed on Kakuzu's—unique surgical techniques.
This was a valuable learning experience.
While the hospital bustled with activity, outside, public opinion shifted.
To boost the Uzumaki clan's standing, Gojo Kaigetsu had—gone to great lengths.
The more integrated the Uzumaki became, the less likely they were to—leave. And their positive image would encourage other survivors to return. It would prove that Konoha's offer was genuine.
The latest issue of 'Three Years at the Shinobi Academy' was released.
Kushina Uzumaki and Uchiha Mikoto, their pregnancies—advanced, were enjoying a rare outing. They'd used [Transformation Jutsu] to alter their appearances.
Mikoto, as the Uchiha Clan Head's wife, was relatively free. But Kushina, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Hokage's wife, was supposed to be under constant protection in a secure location.
But Minato doted on her. And Konoha's security, thanks to the Uchiha and Hyuga, had improved significantly.
The Hokage Guard, decimated by recent events, was no longer a factor.
So, Kushina, accompanied by disguised Anbu, was free to—enjoy herself, spending her and Minato's money on sweets in the new commercial district.
Kushina, savoring a chocolate éclair, said, "This is—heaven. I haven't had these in ages. Aren't you eating, Mikoto?"
"I'll—read for a bit."
Mikoto, holding the latest issue of Three Years at the Shinobi Academy, had developed a reading habit since that—parent-teacher meeting.
She read every issue, to—improve her appreciation for literature, to deepen her understanding of Gojo Kaigetsu's—educational philosophy.
"Hmm?" She opened the magazine. "'Turning Out the Lights for the Uzumaki Clan,' 'Konoha's Right to Sunlight'—Two articles about the Uzumaki?" Mikoto's tone was—laced with a hint of suspicion.
Advisor Gojo had only written one "Soldier Pill" article to improve the Uchiha's image.
And now—two for the Uzumaki?
Did this mean—he favored the Uzumaki more than the Uchiha? Or—Kushina more than her?
Mikoto felt a pang of jealousy.
"Uzumaki? What? Let me see!" Kushina, swallowing her éclair, leaned in, her face practically pressed against Mikoto's.
She'd only met the other Uzumaki survivors briefly, hadn't had time to—connect.
And compared to—distant relatives, her best friend was more important.
She stared at the headlines.
"These.. seem—made up."
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