Earth Grudge Fear Surgery

After leaving the Senju clan compound, Toji wandered through the commercial district for a while.

On the street, he spotted a sign that felt incredibly nostalgic to a transmigrator like him: Ichiraku Ramen.

He walked into the shop.

He discovered that the owner wasn't Teuchi, but a stranger in middle age.

"Boss, what should I call you?"

"My name is Ichiraku."

So, Teuchi's father was actually named Ichiraku.

Toji mused to himself, "Boss, one bowl of signature ramen, extra three slices of chashu, and a glass of Kirin Sake."

"Coming right up!"

A moment later, a steaming bowl of Ichiraku Ramen was set before him. Toji picked up his chopsticks, took a mouthful, and felt the flavor explode across his taste buds. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Umai!"

Compared to his days in Takigakure Village, where he couldn't even find good food despite having money, Toji finally enjoyed a long-awaited treat in Konoha.

Soon, the bowl of ramen was finished.

Toji paid the bill and introduced himself to Ichiraku, "Boss, I'm right next door. I'm opening a clinic soon. If you ever feel unwell, come find me. Because of this bowl of noodles, I'll give you a fifty percent discount from now on."

"Ah... alright." Ichiraku accepted the business card.

Toji quickly set up the sign for his clinic.

He named it "Gospel Clinic."

Late at night, Toji began studying the Senju clan's Mystical Palm Technique.

The Mystical Palm Technique was a medical ninjutsu that utilized chakra to heal internal and external injuries.

By emitting chakra from the palms, one could accelerate the healing of wounds or affected areas. When performing it, the amount of chakra had to be precisely adjusted according to the severity of the ailment, requiring the user to possess exceptional control over their chakra.

"I see."

Toji nodded and clapped his hands together, "Mystical Palm Technique!"

In an instant, a soft green glow emanated from his palms.

He had learned it.

Toji smiled knowingly.

If he had to name his "cheat," it was that he learned taijutsu and medical ninjutsu at an incredible speed, and he could draw inferences about other cases to develop his own techniques.

If he had to compare himself to someone, he was perhaps a specialized version of Tobirama.

Tobirama excelled at researching various forbidden techniques and space-time ninjutsu, while he specialized in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu.

Toji had pondered this before and concluded that it was likely due to his transmigration, which had doubled his Yin and Yang release capabilities. His mental strength was formidable, his mind was agile, and he achieved twice the result with half the effort when learning specialized skills.

"So this is the Mystical Palm Technique..."

Toji took out a kunai, sliced a wound into his skin, and pressed his hand against it. The wound healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This was purely the effect of the Mystical Palm Technique, without relying on the black threads of Earth Grudge Fear. This meant that when he encountered combat, Toji wouldn't have to be covered in stitches like Kakuzu.

Refined and aesthetic.

Severed limbs could be reattached with Earth Grudge Fear, while internal injuries could be healed with the Mystical Palm Technique—a perfect combination of internal and external maintenance.

Exhausted from the effort, Toji felt sleepiness wash over him. After washing up, he drifted into a deep slumber.

On the day Gospel Clinic opened, it was rather quiet.

The villagers didn't know if this doctor who had suddenly appeared in the village was reliable.

Toji wasn't in a rush; he sat firmly in his seat.

Thanks to the savings he had accumulated in Takigakure, he wasn't short on money.

Until noon...

The first customer arrived: it was Ichiraku.

"Doctor Toji, my lower back is feeling a bit uncomfortable."

Toji clapped his hands together, "Massage Technique!"

Then he clapped again, "Mystical Palm Technique!"

"Hey! I'm all better! Doctor Toji, you're amazing."

"That will be 100 ryo."

At noon that day, after Ichiraku returned, he praised Toji's brilliant medical skills to everyone he met.

By evening, the Hokage, Senju Hashirama, personally visited the clinic, put on an exaggerated performance of being "fully recovered" from his ailments, and then heaped endless praise upon Toji's medical ninjutsu in front of the crowd, making no effort to hide his admiration.

The promotion reached both the ninja and civilian classes.

Bolstered by this celebrity endorsement, the names of Toji and the Gospel Clinic spread like wildfire, quickly circulating throughout Konoha. The villagers gradually let down their guard and accepted the presence of this outsider, Toji, and his reputation began to soar.

Half a month later.

Tobirama returned to the Senju compound with Senju Toka, whose arms had been severed. With a grave expression, he looked toward the clan's medical ninja: "Can her arms be reattached?"

The medical ninja shook his head, his face drenched in sweat.

"Injuries like Lady Toka's are beyond the scope of what the Mystical Palm Technique can heal."

Tobirama's face darkened.

The existence of ninja villages had ended the strife of the Warring States period, but while large-scale wars between villages had ceased, local skirmishes remained constant.

Half a month ago, he had led a team to scout the border of the Land of Lightning, and it was during this time that Toka had been ambushed by Cloud Ninja.

"Is there truly no other way..."

Tobirama fell into silence.

Senju Toka was a trusted confidante who had followed him and his brother since the Warring States period, and she was also the woman he loved. For a ninja, losing both arms was a profound humiliation and signaled the absolute end of their ninja career.

He feared that once Toka regained consciousness, she would lose the will to live.

"Tobirama, what happened?"

Rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor as Hashirama pushed open the door, catching sight of the tragic scene at once.

Tobirama's tone was heavy with dejection: "Big Brother, I failed to protect Toka. She was attacked by Cloud Ninja."

Hashirama stepped forward, looking at Senju Toka's pained expression, and found himself at a loss.

He could not share his own power with his clansmen.

Even one who stood at the pinnacle had moments of loneliness and helplessness.

"The injuries are so severe..." Hashirama murmured. "Let's try taking her to the Gospel Clinic."

"Gospel Clinic?" Tobirama blinked. "What is that?"

"While you were away from the village, a doctor proficient in medical ninjutsu arrived," Hashirama said hurriedly. "No time to explain, just bring Toka and follow me."

Tobirama was skeptical.

But saving Senju Toka was the priority. He scooped her up into his arms and followed closely behind.

Toji had just finished treating the previous patient.

He looked up to see Senju Hashirama walking over quickly, accompanied by that white-haired, red-eyed old ghost...

No, considering their ages now, he should probably call Tobirama "old brother."

He took the initiative to step forward: "What happened, Your Majesty the Hokage?"

"Toji, take a look quickly—can her arms still be reattached?"

Toji only needed a single glance: "Follow me."

Before long, Tobirama placed Senju Toka on the operating table, her mangled, bloody severed arms laid out beside her—a truly shocking sight.

Toji inspected the wounds: "The cross-sections are clean, but it's been over 24 hours since the severance, and there's residual Lightning Release chakra..."

Tobirama, who had been silent, stared intently at him and couldn't help but ask: "Can you heal her?"

"I can."

Toji answered crisply, his heart racing with excitement.

He had been waiting for an opportunity like this.

To truly integrate into Konoha, climb to the upper echelons, and take control of Konoha Hospital, Hashirama's approval alone was not enough.

Hashirama would one day die in battle against Uchiha Madara; the one who would lead Konoha in the future was undoubtedly Tobirama. Only by gaining the latter's trust could he truly establish a foothold in Konoha and live securely for the decades to come.

And judging by Tobirama's attitude toward this female ninja...

The opportunity was right before his eyes.

Toji pulled out a scalpel and, without a moment's hesitation, sliced a gash into his own palm.

"Earth Grudge Fear!"