Toji did not hear the Senju brothers talking behind his back.
After returning to his residence, he began training Earth Grudge Fear.
This was the foundation of his survival in Konoha. By showing off a little before the Senju brothers today, he had established himself as a "genius medical ninja."
Toji secretly counted himself lucky.
Generally speaking, power gained through crooked and evil means often came with a tremendous price, but the only price of Earth Grudge Fear was probably that it looked a bit ugly.
After numerous experiments,
Toji had gained a thorough understanding of Earth Grudge Fear's properties.
It possessed enough force to easily pierce the human body; enough hardness to withstand kunai; and enough toughness that it could not be torn apart easily.
These traits inevitably reminded Toji of the Stand Stone Free from the anime JoJo.
Both fought using "threads," and both could develop endlessly varied applications through their user's ingenuity.
"My total chakra reserves aren't outstanding. The number of black threads I can create during battle is limited."
Toji muttered, "Besides developing techniques, I need to find a way to increase my chakra reserves and break through this limit."
"And Bloodline hearts—Wood Release, Dust Release, Ice Release, Storm Release... If I obtain these rare hearts, Earth Grudge Fear's power can undergo another qualitative leap."
"Perhaps Kakuzu couldn't obtain those hearts because he couldn't find them, but I know where they are and how to acquire them..."
The candlelight flickered, casting Toji's figure onto the wall and turning it into a massive, swaying shadow.
The unsteady flames lit his face in alternating brightness and darkness.
A new day arrived, and the sun rose as usual.
Toji also opened Gospel Hospital on schedule.
The difference was that someone new had been added to his daily routine—Tobirama Senju.
Early in the morning, Tobirama came to thank him with the awakened Touka. He also brought generous gifts, including Nara Shikaku and Akimichi barbecue vouchers.
While Toji saw patients, Tobirama quietly observed from the side. Once the treatments ended, he began probing for details about Toji's past.
Tobirama's suspicious nature was simply that severe. Gratitude was gratitude, but his investigation into Toji did not lessen in the slightest.
Like master, like disciple.
Toji was exhausted from dealing with him.
The beginning of one lie meant having to use countless lies to cover it up.
The thick-headed Hashirama might not notice anything unusual, but Toji was dealing with Tobirama, Konoha's intellectual powerhouse.
Although Toji had already imagined this scene on his way to Konoha, he had not come here to match wits with Tobirama...
This can't go on.
Worried that his problems would be exposed, Toji decided to take the initiative. He suddenly said, "Tobirama, I plan to develop a Medical Ninjutsu."
"Medical Ninjutsu?" Tobirama hesitated briefly. "I'm not particularly skilled in that area. If you need help, I can have someone from the clan who specializes in medicine speak with you."
"It's fine. It's only an idea. Hashirama said you were good at developing ninjutsu, so I thought we could discuss it." Toji smiled, then changed the subject.
"When I was treating Touka yesterday, I was thinking: Yang Release chakra can heal wounds, so could a ninja with Yang Release predict where they are about to be attacked and concentrate chakra there in advance? Then, after being struck, they could minimize the damage."
"If there were such a technique, even if an arm were severed, it could at least keep the cells alive until a specialized doctor arrived to stitch it back on."
"Tobirama, what do you think?"
As expected, Tobirama's attention was drawn in.
As a genius at developing ninjutsu, he immediately understood Toji's train of thought.
His brows furrowed tightly as though he were considering its feasibility, and he murmured,
"It doesn't need to be too precise. Only the general area is necessary. That would preserve basic survival and neural activity, creating favorable conditions for subsequent treatment."
"The legs, hands, torso, internal organs... Yang Release chakra could be deployed in advance to the corresponding areas in a modular fashion..."
The two most difficult aspects of Medical Ninjutsu were—
Yang Release and precise chakra control.
The Senju Clan naturally did not lack Yang Release.
The only thing they lacked was precise control, and that point had stumped many people.
Tobirama's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and his eyes grew brighter. "It may be feasible. This technique isn't difficult. And my brother..."
"What about Hashirama?"
"Nothing." Tobirama brushed it off vaguely, remaining extremely secretive. "He has relevant experience and may be able to guide its development."
Toji merely smiled without speaking.
Even without Tobirama saying it, Toji knew that Hashirama Senju could achieve the effect of the "technique" he had proposed without forming hand seals.
This was the future A-rank Medical Ninjutsu Yin Healing Wound Destruction, developed by Kabuto, except Toji had thrown out the concept ahead of time.
Tobirama could not help but praise him. "Toji, in the field of Medical Ninjutsu, I acknowledge you as the strongest."
"You flatter me."
"What do you plan to call this technique?"
Tobirama was extremely excited. If this technique could be developed successfully, it would be a life-saving measure tailor-made for the Senju Clan.
"As for the name... how about Reverse Cursed Technique?" With a hint of malicious amusement, Toji said, "At the instant the enemy thinks they have succeeded, the overall situation is reversed. That is called Reverse Cursed Technique."
"Reverse Cursed Technique, a good name!" Tobirama immediately decided. "I'll return to the clan and settle the basic framework first. You can refine the details afterward."
"Alright."
Tobirama came quickly and left just as quickly. Soon, he vanished from Toji's sight.
Playing to someone's interests was an art.
With Hashirama, one had to discuss the Will of Fire and ideals of peace; with Tobirama, one had to discuss ninjutsu development and how bad the Uchiha were.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
During this time, Tobirama visited several times, bringing drafts of Reverse Cursed Technique's theoretical calculations to discuss with Toji. Through their exchanges, a brand-new A-rank Medical Ninjutsu was created.
Senju Clan.
Hashirama looked at the scroll recording Reverse Cursed Technique, his face beaming with delight. "Good! Tobirama, you did well. Your big brother's blood wasn't spilled for nothing."
He had contributed to Reverse Cursed Technique as well. After all, the effects displayed by the technique resembled his constitution. During this period, Hashirama had often cut himself with kunai to demonstrate the process of self-healing.
"Actually, Toji deserves most of the credit."
Tobirama did not claim the credit for himself and said honestly, "I only handled some minor details. He overcame many of the key difficulties."
"As expected of Toji." Hashirama acknowledged Toji's contribution and handed the scroll back to Tobirama.
"Pass it down. Have all clan members at Jōnin rank or above learn it. Even if they cannot cover their entire bodies in Yang Release chakra, they must at least be able to cover certain areas when facing danger."
"Alright."
Hashirama's expression turned serious. "Toji helped our Senju Clan design such a technique. Tobirama, how do you think we should repay him?"
"This..."
Tobirama was slightly stunned. After pondering for a moment, he tentatively said,
"How about... allocating him a piece of clan land and allowing him to establish his own clan?"
"Didn't Toji say that all his clansmen had died long ago in the chaos of war? From now on, Konoha will be his home. Give him a piece of clan land, and when he marries and has children in the future, his bloodline will naturally continue."
Without realizing it, Tobirama's attitude toward Toji had quietly changed.
From his initial vigilance and suspicion toward Toji's origins, to his recognition while they jointly developed the technique, he now wanted to recruit him. He hoped to use the honor of "establishing a clan" to bind this talent to Konoha's war chariot.
"That's a good idea." Hashirama nodded, approving his proposal. "Later, I'll go to the Hokage Building and discuss where would be suitable for Toji's clan land."
Tobirama turned around, preparing to pass down Reverse Cursed Technique.
But Hashirama stopped him. "Wait!"
"What is it, Brother?"
"Now that we've discussed Toji's matter, it's time to talk about yours."
"Mine? What could possibly be going on with me?"
"Your wedding with Touka. Take advantage of these next few days and get it done quickly."
Before you continue