The Role of White Zetsu Clones

After sealing the large number of White Zetsu clone and Obito Uchiha's blood in the laboratory, Yichen returned to the Tsuchikage's Office Building.

After thinking alone for a while, Yichen picked up his pen and began to write a letter to Orochimaru.

After finishing writing, Yichen summoned the messenger Orochimaru had left in Iwagakure.

When the man arrived at the Tsuchikage's Office, Yichen handed him the scroll he had just finished writing and said, "Give this scroll to Orochimaru."

Without the slightest hesitation, the messenger bit his finger to cast Summoning Jutsu, then stuffed the scroll into the mouth of the summoned snake.

In his letter, Yichen inquired of Orochimaru what price the Iwagakure would have to pay to acquire Orochimaru's Human transplant surgery technology. Yichen also specifically noted the price for transplanting limbs from White Zetsu clone.

Unlike the data provided by Yichen last time, which required a long period of research, Orochimaru's response this time was quick.

Before long, the messenger sensed the call of Ryūchi Cave and quickly cast the Summoning Jutsu again.

After taking Orochimaru's second scroll from the small snake's mouth, the messenger was dismissed by Yichen. Orochimaru indicated that an exchange was possible, but the Iwagakure would need to cooperate with him in researching Senjutsu.

Orochimaru didn't make an outrageous demand, directly asking for a systematic method for cultivating Senjutsu Mode. Instead, he listed the problems he had encountered in his research on the Curse Mark of Heaven.

If the exchange were for ordinary Human transplant surgery techniques, Iwagakure would need to answer half of the questions. If the exchange were for White Zetsu clone transplant surgery techniques, then all the questions would need to be answered.

Yichen thought for a moment and said to the messenger, "You should go back now."

After the man left, Yichen immediately convened a meeting with the high-ranking officials of Iwagakure. At this meeting, Yichen also sent someone to summon Nakata Hajime, the head of the Medical Department.

After everyone had arrived, Yichen said, "When I went to the Land of Iron to help the Kirigakure rescue the children of those Bloodline Limit families, I also captured many White Zetsu clone along the way."

Upon hearing this, Saka immediately interjected, asking, "Did you manage to snatch any children? How many did you manage to get?"

Yichen said, "Most of them were retrieved, only about twenty were transferred away by Obito Uchiha. However, those he transferred were all children with good talent."

"As far as I know, there's Hozuki Clan Hozuki Suigetsu, the genius younger brother of Hozuki Mangetsu from the Yuki Clan, but Haku's younger sister, Yuki Kinuyo, should be among them. Oh, and there's also a child with Red Eyes Bloodline Limit."

"Speaking of this child with the Red Eyes Bloodline Limit, he wasn't actually kidnapped from Kirigakure by Obito Uchiha. He was sent by Mist ninja to scout and find Obito Uchiha's exact location."

"The one who went with him should be Raiga Kurosuki. Now, the last of the original Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Mist should have been killed by Obito Uchiha."

"With this, the first generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have all perished in battle. Of the seven Ninja Blade they left behind, the Samehada is in the hands of the Mizukage, the Nuibari is in the hands of Hozuki Mangetsu, and the Exploding Blade Shibuki has returned to Kirigakure, but its new master is still unknown."

"Furthermore, the Lightning Blade should be in Obito Uchiha's hands without any surprises. The remaining weapons— the Kabutowari, the Twin Swords Hiramekarei, and the Kubikiribōchō— are all with us."

"By the way, the Kubikiribōchō was previously in the hands of the Akatsuki Organization. Because we offered the Exploding Blade Shibuki as a prize for the Akatsuki Organization's Joint Chunin Exams, they gave it back to me Kubikiribōchō compensation when I went to River Ninja Village last time."

"However, that's not what we're discussing today. What I want to say is that I've obtained many White Zetsu clone this time. Adding to the White Zetsu clone I got in that underground temple before, we now have a very large number of White Zetsu clone."

"I plan to use the limbs of these White Zetsu clone to transplant severed limbs to the village's ninjas who have been crippled due to war or missions."

After hearing Yichen's words, the two young advisors, Kawakita and Tomoko, didn't think much of it, but Mei and Saka's eyes lit up.

They experienced many wars, especially the Second Shinobi World War, a war that required ordinary shinobi to sacrifice their lives.

They knew that many ninjas in the village had given up the profession because of their disabilities.

These disabled ninjas lived ordinary lives after losing their Ninja ID. Some of them couldn't even live a normal life because of their disabilities and had to rely on the village's pension to survive.

Therefore, both Ming and Ban immediately expressed their support for Yichen's proposal.

Ming was even more direct. She looked at Nakata Hajime and asked, "Nakata Hajime, does your Medical Department have the capability to perform this kind of surgery? Please let us know what resources you need, and the village will try its best to meet your requirements."

Recently, Iwagakure has not yet fully digested the benefits brought by the Fifth Ninja World War, so Mei, the goddess of wealth, is making a big fuss.

Nakata Hajime said awkwardly, "Lord Mei, the Medical Department doesn't have that technology. Medical Department 've already researched those White Zetsu clone before."

"They have a very strong vitality, and if the transplant is successful, they may even live longer. However, precisely because their vitality is so strong, a successful transplant is almost impossible due to the extremely strong rejection reaction."

Everyone was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. Ming even glared at Yichen, blaming Yichen for making her happy for nothing.

Yichen said, "I know the Medical Department doesn't have this technology, so I contacted Orochimaru. He's willing to sell it, but in exchange for some information on Senjutsu Mode."

As Yichen spoke, he handed Orochimaru's reply to everyone.

While everyone was reading the letter, Yichen continued, "However, Senjutsu are the village's core secret. All technologies related to Senjutsu were developed by the village at a great cost."

"So, I'd like to know everyone's opinion on whether or not to agree to the exchange."

Ikura, who was practicing Senjutsu and had some understanding of Senjutsu, said after reading Orochimaru's reply, "Orochimaru needs to know is not the core of practicing Senjutsu."

"The questions he raised seem more like he wanted to learn something from us that was different from the information he obtained about Senjutsu from elsewhere."

Yichen nodded and said, "That's the idea. As far as I know, Orochimaru is researching a method to temporarily use Natural Energy."

"This unconventional method certainly has side effects, and he may be trying to overcome or reduce these side effects."

Saka asked, "Yichen, what are your thoughts?"

Yichen said, "I agree to the exchange. However, my reason for agreeing is not because of Orochimaru, but because of the Cloud ninja."

"Someone in Kumogakure has already mastered Sage Mode, even though that person was killed by Ikura. Cloud ninja certainly has no shortage of information about Sage Mode."

"Orochimaru can choose to exchange the information he needs with us, or he can choose to trade with the Cloud ninja."

"Since we can't monopolize the methods of cultivating Senjutsu, we might as well exchange some useful things for the village before Orochimaru chooses to make a deal with the Cloud ninja."

The group exchanged glances, indicating that they had no objections.

So the matter was settled, and then Yichen adjourned the meeting.

After the meeting, Yichen kept Nakata Hajime and Han behind.

Yichen first said to Nakata Hajime, "Could you prepare some introductory materials on Medical Ninjutsu for me? I'll take them to a student who has just enrolled in the Ninja Academy."

"This child has an exceptional talent for Medical Ninjutsu. I don't want her to waste time at the Ninja Academy, so I plan to have her learn it first."

Nakata Hajime's eyes lit up, and he said, "Really? That's great! The Medical Department has been developing over the years, but this has mainly been an expansion in scope; in other words, the Medical Department has grown in size."

"However, the depth of Medical Ninjutsu has not developed. The village's medical technology has not improved. Lord Tsuchikage, is there any hope that the child you mentioned can improve the village's Medical Ninjutsu?"

Yichen nodded and said with great certainty, "Yes, with proper training, she has the potential to reach the level of the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."

Nakata Hajime initially startled, then his face lit up with joy. In the eyes of professional ninjas like them, Tsunade's status was not much different from that of Hashirama Senju.

Even if Tsunade belongs to an enemy ninja village, it won't change their opinion.

Nakata Hajime couldn't imagine just how outstanding a genius who had the potential to reach Tsunade's level would have to be.

However, like all the villagers and ninjas of Iwagakure, he trusted Yichen's judgment. Talent judged by a renowned teacher like Yichen couldn't be wrong.

Nakata Hajime left the Tsuchikage's Office Building with high hopes for the future.

After Nakata Hajime left, Yichen said to Han in the office, "Senior Han, is your first time attending High-Level Meeting? Are you getting used to it?"

Han shook his head and said, "Lord Tsuchikage, I was a little nervous just now."

Yichen smiled and said, "There's really no need to be nervous. You've long been a very important fighting force for the village."

"Everyone acknowledges your performance. In fact, without realizing it, whether it's the higher-ups, other ninjas, or ordinary civilians, everyone has already recognized and accepted you."

Han was certainly aware of the change in everyone's attitude towards him; in this respect, he sensed it more clearly than Yichen and the others.

Han knew how this change came about. Although he had made many contributions to the village, these contributions were not enough to change the opinions of the villagers and ninjas towards him.

This effect was entirely due to Yichen having the Iwa Village Bi-Monthly Report write a lot about him. Much of it was true, but some was embellished for literary purposes.

After reading the articles in the newspaper, people were less opposed to Jinchuriki. In particular, they were grateful for Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, sympathized with his sacrifices, and regretted their past actions that might have unintentionally hurt him.

After chatting with Han for a few minutes and offering him some encouragement, Yichen let him go back.

After Han left, Yichen answered all the questions raised in Orochimaru's letter.

Just as he finished answering the question and was about to send someone to summon Orochimaru's Envoy, Nakata Hajime and many Medical Department ninjas arrived with a large stack of documents.

Yichen was taken aback. How could they have moved so quickly?

Nakata Hajime was very excited. After returning to the hospital, he got the entire Medical Department to work together to produce this set of progressive learning materials as quickly as possible.

Yichen took a look at Nakata Hajime's document and confirmed that it did indeed start with the most basic knowledge.

This knowledge is difficult for a student who has just entered the Ninja Academy, but with Sakura's academic talent, she should be able to learn it.

Yichen dismissed everyone else, leaving only Nakata Hajime behind. He then summoned Orochimaru's Envoy and delivered the reply to Orochimaru.

Soon, Orochimaru transmitted over various techniques and data related to human transplantation and White Zetsu experiments.

Clearly, while Yichen was still in a meeting discussing the matter, Orochimaru had already made preparations.

Along with this data came relevant analysis of the previous Neji Caged Bird experiment data and the content of the Ayumi.

Yichen handed the other materials to Nakata Hajime, and then picked up the materials on the Caged Bird and began to read them.

The knowledge Orochimaru mentioned in his data analysis was very useful to Yichen. Yichen had never heard of many of the terms before, and Orochimaru even provided detailed explanations.

Orochimaru probably knew that Yichen was using his scrolls as teaching materials.

Yichen greatly admired Orochimaru; Orochimaru's magnanimity was probably the greatest in Hokage.

Hashirama Senju, Naruto, Sasuke all surpassed Orochimaru in strength, but they all remained at the level of inheriting bloodlines.

In Yichen's eyes, these individuals were not even as good as Senju Tobirama.

However, there is too little information about Senju Tobirama in the original work, so Yichen doesn't know what his purpose or motivation was in developing so many Forbidden Techniques, and therefore cannot judge what kind of person he was.

Unlike Hashirama Senju and others, Orochimaru was defying fate.

This alone doesn't prove anything; characters like Kakuzu and Sasori defied fate. But Orochimaru was still pursuing the true meaning of Chakra.

In this respect, the only one who could originally be compared to Orochimaru was Madara Uchiha.

As a result, Madara Uchiha lived his entire life in a trap set by others.

From beginning to end, Madara Uchiha acted in accordance with the instructions written on a stone tablet by his predecessors.

Only Orochimaru's research never stopped, especially after the final First Shinobi War in the original story, Orochimaru was still conducting his research.

Yichen believes that what supports this research is Orochimaru's magnanimity.

If it weren't for Kishimoto (AB) forcefully imbuing the entire Ninja World with a veneer of passion and fervor, Orochimaru would undoubtedly be a far more formidable boss than Kaguya or Madara Uchiha.

The path Yichen took was largely inspired by Orochimaru.

Getting back to the main point, Yichen was engrossed in reading Orochimaru's scroll. By the time he came to his senses, Nakata Hajime had already left.

One of Yichen's assistants said, "Nakata Hajime is already eager to go back and conduct experiments."

Yichen nodded and said, "Go and tell him that after the experiment is successful, we should start transplanting the ninjas from the older ones first."

Then Yichen summoned Katsuya, Natsuki, and Neji, and conducted a second experiment following Orochimaru's method.

Thanks to the Yata Mirror, Yichen and the others were able to conduct their experiments very quickly. This speed even made Orochimaru suspect that Yichen might actually be using Neji as a test subject.

Even when he conducted experiments on the captured Hyuga Branch Family member, he didn't do it as frequently as Yichen.

This wasn't Orochimaru was merciful and couldn't bear to harm the Hyuga Branch Family ninja. Rather, it was Hyuga Branch Family ninja couldn't withstand such frequent experiments.

Every single experiment Orochimaru listed involved stimulating the soul. Even the most normal of these experiments would harm the soul.

Most injuries are minor and won't leave any lasting effects; they can recover with rest. However, the prerequisite for recovery is that sufficient rest time must be provided.

However, judging from the timing of Yichen's experimental data, Orochimaru believed that Yichen must have conducted these dozen or so rounds of experiments on Neji consecutively.

Orochimaru was pleased with this, because the data obtained from continuous experiments was of greater analytical value than that obtained from individual experiments.

Therefore, in the experimental projects Orochimaru listed this time, Orochimaru even specified the order of the experiments.

Before the experiment, Katsuya and Natsuki would definitely need to conduct some analysis. They would need to analyze Orochimaru's analysis report on the previous experiment, as well as the safety of the upcoming experiment.

To Yichen's surprise, Katsuya's Yin Release had already made significant progress when he was studying Orochimaru's first scroll.

Afterwards, he and Natsuki carefully analyzed the data from the Caged Bird experiment, and now he compared his analysis with Orochimaru's.

Then he became Elite Jonin.

Even Natsuki, who wasn't very proactive in his training, was making rapid progress. Moreover, Yichen seriously suspected that if Natsuki hadn't been so lazy in his training before, he might already be close to becoming Elite Jonin.

Yichen was very pleased with his disciple's great progress. Katsuya, did not progress as quickly as Yichen's disciples. He was originally a combat-type Genjutsu ninja, but due to the lack of Genjutsu in Iwagakure, he was forced to become a research-type ninja.

Among research-type ninjas, his progress is quite rapid. While both Yoshimura Kazumasa and Kawazoe Yura are research-type ninjas, they are still only Jonin in terms of skill level and haven't progressed further.

However, among combat-type ninjas, Katsuya's speed is only average.

Yichen's Team One three disciples included Kawakita, who was Kage Level, and Tomoko and Kajiyamari, who were both Elite Jonin.

The Team Two consists of three members: Matsutani Shinya a quasi-Kage, Ogura Saki has long been Elite Jonin, and the slowest of the three Takuya, has also become Elite Jonin in the recent war.

The six members of Team Three and Team Four are from the same cohort. Apart from Yoshimura Kazumasa and Kawazoe Yura were just mentioned and are now Jonin because they are research-oriented ninjas, the others, such as Uchiyama Takuhiro and Kanako, are already Elite Jonin.

Even Suda Himezuki, whose talent is average, can be used as an Elite Jonin because she has a Jonin Summoning Jutsu that allows her to summon Giant Panda.

In comparison, Katsuya seemed to be the slowest walking among the six people in the Team Three and Team Four.

Fortunately, Katsuya has finally become Elite Jonin.

Yichen could clearly sense Katsuya's changes, and Natsuki could also sense some of them; she felt a little envious.

Neji is still weak, and he cannot perceive these things yet. Since the last experiment, he has been studying the basics of Sealing Jutsu and Yin Release on his own.

During this research, he raised many professional questions.

Although his questions were still quite naive, Yichen could sense his eagerness and effort.

Therefore, Yichen gave him a complete set of theoretical foundation books needed for practicing Sealing Jutsu. In addition, Yichen also asked Katsuya prepare a basic book on Yin Release for Neji.

Since Neji is studying diligently, let's provide him with a more professional way to acquire knowledge. Yichen has high hopes for Neji.

After a while, Katsuya and Natsuki finished analyzing Orochimaru's second scroll. Together with Yichen, they concluded that the experiments would not cause much harm and could be carried out.

Neji then served as the test subject for more than a dozen rounds.

After Neji's Caged Bird experiment was over, Yichen sent the others away.

Then, Yichen alone selected the most basic part from the Nakata Hajime had brought. Carrying these documents, Yichen went to Sakura's house.

By this time, Sakura had already returned from the Ninja Academy.

Sakura's house is quite lively; the Little Rhino Dog and Little Chōmei are playing with her at this time.

Sakura no longer felt unfamiliar with Yichen. Because of the Little Rhino Dog and the Little Chōmei, in Sakura's eyes, Yichen was like her own parents, an elder.

Upon seeing Yichen enter, Sakura quickly stepped forward and Yichen said, "Lord Tsuchikage, I made many friends at the Ninja Academy."

Before Yichen could even speak, Sakura started chattering away, telling Yichen a lot about her time at the Ninja Academy.

Yichen didn't interrupt her; on the contrary, he would ask her a few questions from time to time.

This was also a habit that Yichen had developed from his younger sister Natsuki, because these trivial matters at the Ninja Academy might contain information about a particular student.

Perhaps in the future, it can help me choose suitable disciples.

After Sakura finished speaking, Yichen said, "Sakura, have your parents ever told you that I will take you as my disciple in the future?"

Sakura was taken aback and said, "No!"

Yichen knew that Sakura's parents had promised to keep it a secret. However, Yichen now wanted Sakura to grow up as soon as possible, so he decided to tell her in advance.

Yichen patted Sakura's head and said, "Sakura, I have an agreement with your parents. After you graduate, I will take you as my disciple."

Sakura nodded as if she understood, but having only recently enrolled, she hadn't yet heard about Yichen's legendary experiences teaching students at the Ninja Academy.

Yichen continued, "Sakura, I hope you can learn more than others during your time at the Ninja Academy."

Yichen gestured to the books in his arms.

Sakura then turned her attention to the pile of books in Yichen's hands.

At this point, Sakura had not yet demonstrated her extraordinary theoretical talent, so when she saw the pile of books in Yichen's hands, her mind froze.

Yichen patted Sakura's head, then turned to the Little Rhino Dog and Little Chōmei and said, "You two should spend more time reading with Sakura from now on. If Sakura forgets to read, you must remind her."

Little Rhino Dog and Little Chōmei happily agreed, completely unaware that they had betrayed their good friend.

After Sakura recovered from her dazed state with a pained expression, Yichen said again, "Remember not to tell anyone other than your parents that I will take you as my disciple."

Sakura nodded, tears welling in her eyes.

Although she was unaware of Yi Chen's reputation for teaching disciples, she knew of Yi Chen's identity as Tu Ying.

During her time at the Ninja Academy, she had learned that this kind neighbor, who was very close to her, was the village's most powerful ninja.

Even the teachers at the Ninja Academy had to listen to him.

So Sakura knew she couldn't refuse, and silently accepted it. Otherwise, what if Yichen got the teacher to make things difficult for her?

After giving Sakura a gift, Yichen asked the Little Rhino Dog and Little Chōmei to play with Sakura for another day before leaving.