Transplant Surgery

A few days later, it was rent collection day again.

Yichen found some free time, left the village alone, and happily went to the underground base where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was located.

"Xian'er, is Xian'er there? A-Tu, is A-Tu there?" Yichen shouted from the air.

A short while later, Obito Uchiha emerged together with a White Zetsu clone.

Obito Uchiha was in a very bad mood after seeing Yichen, because after returning to the underground base in the Land of Earth, he had used Genjutsu on Ranmaru.

The main attackers were Mist ninja, and he had just killed Raiga Kurosuki of Kirigakure the day before the attack.

Therefore, it's highly likely that his base was exposed because Raiga Kurosuki had already transmitted the intelligence before his death.

To verify this hypothesis, Obito Uchiha decisively used Genjutsu on Ranmaru. As expected, Ranmaru was unable to resist his Genjutsu, Obito Uchiha easily obtained the information.

Raiga Kurosuki actually used Summoning Jutsu to send the information back to Kirigakure.

Unfortunately, it was too late. If Obito Uchiha had used Genjutsu on Ranmaru immediately after killing Raiga Kurosuki, he would have already Interrogation information about the impending Mist ninja attack.

In that case, not only would most of the children be lost, but he might also be able to devise a plan to turn the tables on Yichen and his group.

Unfortunately, he chose to believe the White Zetsu clone's judgment at the time.

The White Zetsu clone told Obito Uchiha no one had escaped nearby, which is why he felt he hadn't been exposed yet.

It was all because he was too young. Obito Uchiha's strength could be altered through the Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release, but he lacked intelligence and experience.

Just as Obito Uchiha about to speak angrily, Yichen asked first, "A-Tu, are you A-Tu? Are you the A-Tu who told me that Xian'er was in the Land of Iron?"

A-Tu:...

Obito Uchiha:...

Taking a deep breath, Obito Uchiha said, "Tsuchikage, stop playing your little tricks of sowing discord. You actually broke the agreement and told the Mist ninja about my whereabouts!"

Yichen said in an exaggerated tone, "Xian'er, can you be reasonable for once?"

"I only promised you I wouldn't tell anyone about this base. Am I supposed to keep your other bases a secret too?"

"The information you have about the Land of Iron is something I painstakingly obtained from A-Tu. What does it have to do with you? Right, A-Tu?"

"Do you really think I, Yichen, am an honest person who's easy to bully?"

Upon hearing Yichen shamelessly call himself an honest man, Obito Uchiha, "Shut up! You and the Mist ninja stole so many of my subordinates; you have to take responsibility!"

Yichen rolled his eyes, but unfortunately, he was separated by the Porcelain Platform and Obito Uchiha couldn't see him.

Yichen said, "Xian'er, do you think you're playing house?"

"Even if I really break my promise, you can declare war on me if you want. What childish talk about me taking responsibility? Do you think I'd do that?"

"Not to mention, failing to protect those children is clearly your own incompetence. Let me give you a piece of advice: if you don't have the strength to protect yourself, don't provoke Great Ninja Village."

"If you want to throw a tantrum and act like a brat, go back to the Konoha Ninja Academy and play your ninja games!"

Obito Uchiha's eyes blazed with fury as he stared intently at Yichen... the Porcelain Platform beneath his buttocks.

Yichen could sense Obito Uchiha's anger, but he didn't care and said, "Alright, enough with the nonsense. I'm here to collect rent today."

Obito Uchiha, "You still have the nerve to come and collect rent?!"

He was driven crazy by Yichen.

Ignoring him, Yichen said directly, "This time, for the rent, I want a girl from the Yuki Clan named Yuki Kinuyo. Pay up quickly."

Obito Uchiha Chakra fluctuations were extremely intense, as if it were about to erupt at any moment.

But at that moment, Black Zetsu sent him a message through White Zetsu clone: "Obito, calm down. Breaking off relations with the Tsuchikage now will not benefit us at all."

"He's just an Ice Release ninja, give him to him, it's no big deal. The current situation isn't suitable for a complete break with the Tsuchikage."

Black Zetsu was not present when the Mist ninja Obito Uchiha in the Land of Iron.

Because it was worried that Yichen would use that part of its body to find Obito Uchiha, it never went to the Land of Iron base.

Obito Uchiha closed his eyes, and after a while, he directly entered the underground base.

After a while, another White Zetsu clone emerged from underground and came to A-Tu's side.

It slowly opened itself, revealing a child inside.

The White Zetsu clone said, "Tsuchikage, you can have this person, but you can't ask for rent in the future. We'll give you whatever we pay, or I'll kill him!"

"Go ahead and expose this base if you want!"

Yichen's surprised voice came from the air. "Huh, so assertive? You're scared of me? Alright then, a pleasant transaction. A-Tu, see you next time!"

As he spoke, Yichen used his Porcelain Release Yuki Kinuyo.

Of course, on the way back, as usual, Yichen used Senjutsu Chakra to extract White Zetsu clone from Yuki Kinuyo's body. This time, there were a total of five White Zetsu clone.

Looking at these five White Zetsu clone, Yichen wondered to himself, how exactly are White Zetsu clone cultivated?

If White Zetsu could easily create a large number of clones using the Spore Technique, then why were there only tens of thousands of White Zetsu during the battle with the Allied Forces in the original story? Creating hundreds of thousands wouldn't have been difficult.

Next time I have a chance, I'll talk to Obito Uchiha about this and see if I can exchange some White Zetsu spores for them. Once Nakata Hajime others have finished researching the transplantation technique Orochimaru gave us, the village will perform the transplantation surgery.

The large number of White Zetsu clone that Yichen had snatched back would eventually run out, and as a far-sighted leader, Yichen had to plan ahead.

After casually sealing the five White Zetsu clones, Yichen's gaze fell on Yuki Kinuyo.

Yichen looked at Yuki Kinuyo and said, "Your name is Yuki Kinuyo, right?"

Yuki Kinuyo nodded without saying a word.

"Quite cautious, knowing that less is more," Yichen thought to himself.

Yichen continued, "Do you know that you have an older brother named Yuki Haku?"

This time, the little girl was taken aback. Her eyes widened as she asked, "You know my brother?"

Yichen nodded and said, "You know you have an older brother, but do you know where your brother is?"

The little girl immediately said, "My brother was kidnapped by the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. That big bad guy coveted our Ice Release Bloodline Limit, so he kidnapped my brother."

Yichen nodded seriously and said, "You're right. I only stole Bai because I was after your Yuki Clan's Ice Release Bloodline Limit."

Yuki Kinuyo:...

It seems I accidentally said something wrong.

Yichen continued, "Bai is now my disciple, and he begged me to find a way to rescue you from the man who killed your mother."

"Since your family in Kirigakure has already died in battle, you should go to your brother's place first. We'll see how he takes care of you then."

Upon hearing Yichen mention his family, Yuki Kinuyo also thought of her mother, who had died at the hands of Obito Uchiha. The strength she had just put on crumbled, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.

Seeing this, Yichen didn't disturb her and silently flew towards Iwagakure.

After a while, the two returned to Iwagakure, and at this time, Yuki Kinuyo was already asleep.

Yichen guessed that it was probably because they were frightened by Obito Uchiha. Obito Uchiha must have been very irritable lately, making the children he had taken very uneasy.

After returning to Iwagakure with Yuki Kinuyo, Yichen handed the little girl over to her older brother, Haku. Although Haku was still a child himself, he had experience taking care of children, having cared for Kurotsuchi since he was very young. Therefore, he was quite adept at taking care of his younger sister.

Yichen said to Bai, "This is your sister. I got her back from that mysterious Uchiha. You can take care of her for now."

"Whether you plan to send her back to Kirigakure or leave her here is up to you."

White:...

"Teacher Yichen, is that Uchiha really mysterious?"

Yichen:...

Speechless, Yichen flicked his forehead and said, "What does a child know? Why don't you take your sister to the hospital for a checkup?"

"Oh." Bai released his hand from his head, picked up the still unconscious Yuki Kinuyo, and ran towards the hospital.

Seeing Bai run far away, Yichen finally breathed a sigh of relief. "That brat, he actually dared to question his teacher!"

That's quite true. Can Obito Uchiha be replaced by the mysterious Uchiha?

But if we don't use this term, how should we refer to it?

Turning around, Yichen saw that Fujii Kusaka and Kamizuru Tsuruhime were both looking in the direction Shiro had left, so he said, "Go if you want to go see."

Seeing the mutual care among his teammates, Yichen was quite satisfied. It seems that under his tutelage as Tsuchikage Teacher, his disciples have very upright minds and are very united!

Upon hearing this, the two cheered and quickly followed, discussing as they ran.

"Bai's little sister is so cute."

"Yes, she's so cute. Bai's biological parents must both be very good-looking."

"I must pinch her cheeks."

"Me too, me too! If Teacher Yichen hadn't been there, I would have done it already."

Yichen:...

"Should I call them back and assign them a bunch of training tasks?"

Orochimaru's medical techniques are not orthodox Medical Ninjutsu, but for the Medical Department of Iwagakure, they are a very valuable treasure.

Led by Nakata Hajime, the best Medical Ninja in the Medical Department worked day and night to study Orochimaru's transplantation techniques and White Zetsu clone research data. Thanks to the efforts of this group of eager researchers, they finally achieved results.

During the first transplantation experiment, Nakata Hajime invited high-ranking officials, including Yichen, to attend, intending to complete this great breakthrough with their witness.

Yichen, Ming, and the others waited outside the operating room.

Knowing that Yichen could sense the situation inside the operating room with his using Mind's Eye, Ming asked, "Yichen, how is it going inside? Did it go smoothly?"

Yichen said, "It seems to be going smoothly so far. Nakata Hajime and the others were during the surgery, there shouldn't be any problems."

Saka said, "So, the village will soon have the technology to regenerate severed limbs?"

Yichen nodded.

Ming said, "Yichen, do you have enough White Zetsu clone in the village? Do you have any extras? We can use this technology to make money off the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital."

"For nobles who suffer accidental disabilities, they are willing to pay any price to restore their health."

Yichen calculated the list that Saka had compiled a few days ago, compared it with the number of White Zetsu clone, and said, "This time, it's definitely enough for all the disabled ninjas in the village. After all, one White Zetsu clone can be broken down into many parts for use."

"However, using it for outsiders to increase the village's income might not be enough with the White Zetsu clone's reserves. After all, we need to keep some in reserve, just in case."

"The Ninja World won't stay peaceful forever. Once war breaks out, the White Zetsu clone will be drained more quickly, and we can't afford to waste them."

Ming listened with some regret.

Yichen added, "I'll keep an eye on this issue in the future and see if there's any chance to obtain a large number of White Zetsu clone again."

At the same time, Yichen sighed inwardly, realizing that the village's Medical Ninjutsu level was still insufficient. Otherwise, they could have cloned the White Zetsu clone. Even if they couldn't replicate a complete White Zetsu clone, at least they could clone some limbs for surgery.

At this moment, Kawakita said, "It seems to be over."

Yichen snapped out of his thoughts and looked towards the operating room door with the others.

The techniques and data provided by Orochimaru were extremely profound, Nakata Hajime struggled with their research, but the actual time spent performing the surgery was short.

The entire surgery took only about ten minutes. The severed arm of the ninja chosen as the first to undergo surgery was then transplanted onto the arm of White Zetsu clone.

And after the surgery, the person was able to move around normally.

This person was the first to emerge from the operating room, shirtless. The skin color of his left arm was completely different from the rest of his body; it was an abnormal white.

However, disregarding the unusual color, there is nothing abnormal about the connection between this person's left arm and body.

He deftly used his left arm to perform some movements that a normal person could do in front of Yichen and the others. Then he used Chakra to practice Taijutsu. Afterwards, he Hand Seals and cast an Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall.

Everything indicated that, apart from its color, this person's left arm was no different from a normal arm.

Yichen then personally examined the transplanted White Zetsu arm. After carefully sensing it with his using Mind's Eye and confirming that there were no side effects, he said to the anxiously waiting Nakata Hajime, "Very good, the surgery was a success. I am very satisfied with the result."

Upon hearing this Nakata Hajime Medical Ninja immediately cheered.

Today is a most memorable day for the Iwagakure Medical Department. Although the technology was not developed in-house, the Medical Department 'Iwagakure capabilities have indeed made a leap forward.

The other advisors behind Yichen were also excitedly discussing the guinea pig.

Yichen didn't participate in the discussion. He was the Tsuchikage, he had seen the world, and he needed to maintain his composure.

After the cheers subsided, Yichen calmly asked Nakata Hajime, "Is the Medical Department now capable of performing transplant surgeries in batches?"

Nakata Hajime nodded quickly and said, "That's fine. Once you understand the principles behind this surgery, it's actually not that difficult."

Yichen said, "Very good. Get ready. Once we've gathered all the disabled ninjas from the village, you can begin the surgery immediately."

"Yes," Nakata Hajime and the Medical Ninja behind him replied in unison.

These Medical Ninja, who had previously served as assistants in surgeries, were now eager to perform a transplant themselves. They were all incredibly excited and eager to try.

Yichen said to Saka, "Have the Anbu notify everyone on the list to come for surgery."

"Yes." Saka immediately arranged for the Anbu to pick up the person.

Yichen himself wasn't idle either; he personally went to the homes of the oldest disabled ninjas in the village and personally brought these seniors to the hospital.

Once everyone had arrived, Yichen said to them, "Everyone, I've gathered you all here at the hospital today because I have something to announce."

"As you all probably already know, yes, the Medical Department has developed a new method to perform body transplant surgery."

"Everyone lost their hands, arms, or even entire legs, some even both, because of the village."

"You are all heroes, and the village owes you all a debt. Here, on behalf of the village, I apologize to you all."

With that, Yichen bowed to everyone.

The disabled ninjas were in an uproar, and many of their accompanying family members were also deeply moved.

Ignoring these comments, Yichen stood up and continued, "However, the village is now capable of performing transplant surgeries. There is hope for everyone's lost limbs to be restored."

"Alright, I won't say any more. Let's begin the surgery immediately. Those who have lost limbs earlier will be treated first."

At this moment, the senior figures invited by Yichen said, "Lord Tsuchikage, let the younger generation go first!"

"Yes, let the younger ones go first. They still have a chance to become ninjas again."

"That's right, we can just wait until the end. Actually, it would be a waste to use such a good thing on us."

Yichen thought to himself, "That's well said. I can finally use the words I prepared."

Yichen reached out and pressed down, saying, "Seniors, please be quiet for a moment. I know what you're saying."

"You are all ninjas who were disabled during Second Shinobi War, or even earlier. Even if you have transplanted bodies, you can no longer perform missions like other ninjas."

"But everyone has misunderstood something. You are not tools of the village. You are family to all of us."

"The village has acquired this technology not so that it can cure you and send you back to the battlefield to fight the enemy."

"My advisors and I hope that you, our loved ones, can recover your health. We hope that you can return to living normal lives."

"The reason you were allowed to come first is because you were the first to make sacrifices, and you have waited the longest for this day."

Everyone was deeply moved by Yichen's words. Many couldn't help but shed tears.

These tears contain both the grievances suffered over the years and the warmth felt at this moment.

Seeing this, Yichen waved his hand and said to Nakata Hajime Medical Ninja, "Let's begin!"

Upon Nakata Hajime immediately ordered his subordinates to take the elderly men to the operating room.

Yichen had actually considered this carefully. It seemed like doing this wouldn't improve the village's strength and would waste the White Zetsu clone he had obtained with great difficulty. However, Yichen had been in the world for so long that his understanding of Chakra far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Yichen knew that a ninja's mental fortitude could enhance their combat power in many situations. In fact, mental fortitude could even help them advance in rank.

Therefore, Yichen transplanted limbs into those older ninjas to help them fulfill their dreams. It was an act to show other ninjas.

Yichen essentially taught all the village's ninjas a lesson in the Will of Stone through this incident.

Yichen was essentially telling everyone, "Look, the village hasn't forgotten the ninjas who sacrificed themselves for the village."

The village had no other options before, but now that the village's medical technology has improved, these heroes are the first people they think of.

The village did not treat ninjas as tools; it treated all ninjas as family.

I'm sure this lesson in the Will of Stone will be very effective.

Yichen had already planned it out. After everyone's surgeries were successful, he would have the Iwa Village Bi-Monthly Report publish a special issue dedicated to the village's priority in treating those ninjas who had been forgotten by the public.

Furthermore, the achievements of those injured ninjas should also be included; this effect will surely far surpass the so-called Memorial Stone of Konoha.

Yichen had even come up with a title for the article: "Heroes Who Cannot Be Forgotten".

Nakata Hajime and his team treated the patients quickly, and one injured person after another recovered fully.

After each patient was cured, Yichen and the Advisor Group would go up to them, say a few words, and share their joy.

At the same time, Yichen would also give them a few words of advice, telling them that these were things the village should do and not to take them too seriously.

Yichen certainly wouldn't miss out on something like gaining reputation and increasing village cohesion.

The Medical Department continued working long after dark, until all the disabled ninjas had received treatment.

At this time, the number of people gathered nearby was not less than during the day, but rather even greater.

The person who was healed didn't leave; instead, more and more people came to witness this miraculous scene after hearing the news.

When the last ninja to undergo transplant surgery successfully completed the procedure, the entire hospital was filled with joy.

Taking this opportunity, Yichen suggested that this day be designated as the Rehabilitation Festival of Iwagakure, with events held every year to celebrate it.

The proposal was unanimously agreed upon by all the villagers and ninjas.

That night, the cheers in Iwagakure never stopped. Everyone was excited about the progress in the village's medical technology and moved by the actions of the High-ranking officials.

Yichen and the other executives were on their way out of the hospital.

Yichen suddenly said to Saka, "Senior Saka, there's something I need you to arrange."

"Spread this message to the other Great Ninja Village, so they all know that the ninjas of Iwagakure can provide free treatment for the disabled."

"This message must be sent, especially to those ninjas who are also disabled."

"Yes, you can arrange for a few ninjas who have successfully completed the surgery to visit various ninja villages under the guise of diplomatic missions, so that other ninja villages can see the treatment given to ninjas from Iwagakure."

Saka and the others exchanged glances, thinking to themselves, "You really know how to play the game, Fox of Stone."

However, Saka readily agreed, saying immediately, "Don't worry, I'll arrange it right away."