The Leeks Jumped Into the Bowl

The attempt at using genjutsu did not proceed successfully.

Before that, Fugaku Uchiha had brought Shisui to the medical room, with the intention of having Orochimaru examine whether there was any chance to save Shisui's eyes.

Accompanying them were two Hokage Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

Over the course of the day, they had already gained a general understanding of the war's progression and were aware that Shisui had played a crucial role.

However, the two elders were clearly not here to commend Shisui, but rather because of the forbidden eyes of the Uchiha clan.

The twisted Uchiha-haters would never, at any time or place, lower their guard against the Uchiha.

"The decline in vision is severe; there is a high probability of blindness."

Orochimaru pulled back Shisui's eyelids, observed for a moment, and delivered his conclusion.

Upon hearing this, the two advisor elders first let out a sigh of relief in unison, then their expressions quickly stiffened.

Seeming to feel that their previous reaction was not very dignified, Utatane Koharu forced a look of concern and asked, "Orochimaru, do you have any methods? Shisui has made significant contributions in this war; you must not hold back."

The implication was that regardless of whether it was possible, the motions had to be gone through; it was a way to offer some comfort to the Uchiha.

As part of the Hokage's inner circle, she believed Orochimaru should understand this unspoken agreement.

Orochimaru glanced at her. "I certainly have methods."

Hearing this, Utatane Koharu's expression turned rigid, and her previous feigned concern vanished.

"Really? Lord Orochimaru."

Fugaku, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised.

This war had ended quickly, and the losses to the Konoha Military Police Force were not as high as expected, yet the merit earned was substantial.

Moreover, Shisui had fought two Jinchuriki to a standstill at the cost of his Mangekyo Sharingan going blind, which to a certain extent had indirectly cleared the clan of suspicion.

If Shisui's eyes could be saved now, the Uchiha could be said to have achieved a total victory, profiting immensely.

"The simplest method is to replace the eyes."

Orochimaru flexed his nimble fingers. "An eye transplant surgery is effortless for me, and given Shisui's reputation in the clan, he should be qualified to obtain another pair."

Fugaku's smile froze; he had certainly considered the solution Orochimaru offered, but this would not preserve the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Hearing this, Utatane Koharu was not particularly happy either; she suddenly realized that Orochimaru's previous half-concealed words were clearly meant to toy with her.

"As for a more complex method, I have one as well. If successful, preserving this pair of eyes is not impossible."

Orochimaru looked at Shisui, who had his eyes tightly shut, and said slowly, "Unfortunately, given Shisui's current condition, he cannot undergo the surgery."

"Why is that?" Clan Head Fugaku's mood fluctuated, and he grew somewhat restless.

The two advisor elders, meanwhile, glared at Orochimaru, blaming him for being troublesome.

"The surgery is intended to enhance a ninja's physical constitution; I won't go into the details, you only need to know that it carries a certain level of risk."

Orochimaru scanned the group and spoke slowly. "The surgery requires the patient to possess immense mental energy. Originally, Shisui would have been the perfect candidate for this type of surgery because he possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, but now that his eyes are blind, his mental state is also affected. To proceed rashly could lead to death."

Fugaku stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Lord Orochimaru, is there no other way? If we were to transplant a pair of Sharingan into Shisui, could he withstand the surgery?"

"It is possible, but failure is more likely."

Orochimaru glanced at Fugaku and said deliberately, "As a bloodline organ, the Sharingan also contains a portion of the original owner's mental energy. After transplantation, it requires an adaptation period, and the specific outcome depends on the compatibility between Shisui and those eyes. It is full of uncertain variables."

"Perhaps, with his talent, he could even awaken the Mangekyo in these transplanted eyes, or perhaps, it might eventually lead to needing another pair."

"However, if there were a blood relative, transplanting their eyes would greatly reduce such possibilities..."

Shisui sensed Orochimaru's gaze and gave a bitter smile. "In my lineage, let alone siblings, there are very few relatives, and even fewer who possess the Sharingan. Even if there were, I would not want to take their eyes."

"Clan Head Fugaku, Lord Orochimaru, thank you for your concern. Let my eyes remain in this state."

"You need not be too despondent."

Orochimaru curled his lips, shedding his previous coldness, and wore a faint, ambiguous smile. His voice was loud enough for everyone in the medical room to hear.

"The reason the surgery is so dangerous is that it is not yet mature. Perhaps after two or three years of further research, even in your current state, you could withstand the procedure."

Hearing Orochimaru's consolation, Shisui managed a weak smile, though he held no hope in his heart.

Furthermore, this pair of Mangekyo Sharingan was the price he had resolved to pay for the war. Now that Kumogakure had been successfully driven away, and the rift between the clan and the village had been greatly eased, Shisui had nothing more to ask for.

"Lord Orochimaru, if the surgery were successful, could it truly restore sight to Shisui's eyes?"

At this moment, Shinsuke Uchiha, who had been lying on the hospital bed listening quietly, suddenly sat up and asked, his eyes filled with hope.

Having reached the level of an elite jonin, Shinsuke Uchiha had regained consciousness earlier than the others. He had heard every word of their conversation, and his emotions were in turmoil.

Last night, he had witnessed the scene where the Susanoo rivaled two Tailed Beast-transformed Jinchuriki, and like the other Uchiha, he had been ecstatic.

Yet today, he had to face the reality that Shisui's eyes would go blind; Shinsuke Uchiha found it completely unacceptable.

He had just made a vow to conquer a giant summoning beast and beat Manda until he shat himself, but he had no idea how to accomplish it, and Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan was undoubtedly his guiding light.

The light hadn't even been lit for a day, and you're telling me it's going to be extinguished? Are you kidding me?

Shinsuke Uchiha looked at Orochimaru with longing, like a drowning man clutching at a final straw.

He actually held a strange kind of trust in Orochimaru, one that had been slowly cultivated after being beaten half to death by Yamata no Orochi multiple times and subsequently receiving treatment.

The general perception of Orochimaru among the mid-to-high-ranking ninjas of the Uchiha clan was, for the most part, consistent.

--They revered his strength and admired his medical techniques.

Facing the questioning, Orochimaru's expression turned visibly displeased; at the very least, in the eyes of the two Hokage Advisors, this aura was chillingly cold and highly oppressive, making them feel quite uneasy.

Orochimaru stared coldly at Shinsuke Uchiha, enunciating each word, "Do not doubt my judgment!"

Shinsuke Uchiha's face turned pale, yet he felt a sense of relief in his heart as he spoke once more, "If you were to attempt the surgery using my body, would it accelerate the speed of your research?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions changed drastically, and Fugaku also looked at Shinsuke Uchiha in astonishment, never expecting him to make such a sacrifice for Shisui.

However, before the two Hokage Advisors could voice their disapproval of such an act, Orochimaru spoke first.

He glanced at Shinsuke Uchiha on the hospital bed, a mocking smirk curling his lips, "Someone like you? You aren't qualified!"