Konoha Village was filled with an air of grim tension.
Just as Shimura Danzo appeared in the Hokage's office, Orochimaru went to visit Minato Namikaze in the hospital.
It was a rather luxurious private ward.
Quiet, clean, with a faint floral fragrance, and all expenses were covered by Konoha.
Kushina had originally been there as well.
But when she saw that Orochimaru had serious matters to discuss with Minato, she voluntarily went outside to wait on a chair by the door.
Still, she kept her attention fixed on the sounds inside.
Kushina always felt uneasy whenever she faced Orochimaru. With Minato's feet crippled now, she had even more reason to be cautious.
But Orochimaru truly bore no ill intent in the ward.
The first thing he did upon arriving was examine Minato Namikaze's foot injuries.
Though his medical skills were not as exceptional as Tsunade's, they surpassed those of most doctors at Konoha Hospital.
Moreover, his approach to treatment was not limited to medicine. It also involved the biotechnology and various secret ninjutsu techniques he specialized in.
"Minato-kun, I don't know what methods Tsunade might have, but if I were to treat you, I can currently think of only two options."
Orochimaru spoke of his ideas with a smile.
"One is to amputate the damaged portions, then use the immature cloning technology I've recently been researching to clone two feet for you and stitch them on."
"The benefit is that it works quickly. The downside is that the risks are rather high. So, would you like to try it?"
Minato Namikaze, reclining against the hospital bed, stiffened at those words. He awkwardly rubbed the blond hair at the back of his head and refused.
"Uh, Lord Orochimaru, could I hear the second option? I'd rather not cut off my own