Anko's Dumplings

"Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal..."

"Once you speak of anything related to Root, your body will become paralyzed and unable to move. There's also an offensive Cursed Seal attached."

"When the offensive Cursed Seal activates, it will directly destroy the brain..."

"It seems Danzo values you highly..."

Kato Osamu had only just opened his eyes when he realized he was lying on an operating table. His head was fixed in place, and his mouth was forced wide open. Yet he felt nothing, as though he had been anesthetized.

Deep Snake Eyes, bearing the indifference of a cold-blooded creature, stared at his extended tongue.

"Kato, having your life in someone else's hands probably doesn't feel very good, does it..."

Orochimaru slowly poured a vial of medicine into his mouth. The paralysis in his body gradually eased, and sensation slowly returned, though his speech was still somewhat slurred.

"Root, for... the village... willing... to die..."

"There are roughly three methods to remove the Cursed Seal. It seems Kato wouldn't be interested in them."

Orochimaru glanced back at Kato Osamu and silently observed the data displayed on the instruments. Seeing that everything was normal, he prepared to leave.

"Lord Orochimaru, please address me as 'Mi.' Root ninja have no past, no names, only codenames."

Kato Osamu rose and knelt on one knee. His senses had been spread to their limit, yet he detected no presence besides his own and Orochimaru's. Even so, he could not afford to let his guard down.

"How interesting... Kato's concern for his own life has given me an entirely new impression."

Orochimaru licked his lips. A trace of strange interest appeared in his slit pupils as he smiled faintly, his deep eyes seeming to see straight through every one of Kato Osamu's disguises.

"Finish reading these scrolls as soon as possible..."

Orochimaru left behind a great many scrolls, then vanished from this inexplicable place.

Only then did Kato Osamu slowly rise and examine the place.

Though every corner of the room was exceptionally bright, there was a faint dampness in the air. The flow of air through the vent overhead told Kato Osamu that this was still some kind of underground chamber.

The walls and floor of the entire underground room were made of sturdy stone bricks, so level that they even carried a slight sheen.

Various unusual devices had been placed all around, while all sorts of cables connected to the hospital bed set in the center.

It was Kato Osamu's first time seeing such modern equipment and instruments, and he was slightly surprised.

"Is this Orochimaru's laboratory? No wonder he carries such a distinctive... scholarly air..."

Although he had received little information in Root, he knew that apart from Konoha's White Fang, the Three Legendary Sannin were currently the most prominent figures. Among them, Orochimaru was especially favored by many and was a strong contender for the Fourth Hokage.

He simply had not expected that someone as lowly as himself, who had cautiously struggled to survive in Root, would ever catch the eye of Orochimaru, one of the lofty Three Legendary Sannin.

"Spirit Transformation Technique..."

Aside from the taijutsu and ninjutsu that were no different from everyone else's, the only thing unique to him was the Spirit Transformation Technique. In Konoha today, no one besides him and Kato Yuan could use it.

The Kato Clan's Spirit Transformation Technique, passed down for centuries, had gradually altered their bodies through constant training.

Without the Kato Clan bloodline, even if others obtained the secret technique, they would find it difficult to master. Moreover, this technique involved manipulating the soul and was extremely dangerous. Some hidden methods were passed down only by word of mouth.

Yet even during the chaotic Warring States era, the Kato Clan had never been so miserable—teetering on the brink of collapse, nearly extinct. This was the first time...

"So that is why I received this 'opportunity'..."

Guessing that Orochimaru wanted to use the Spirit Transformation Technique for something, Kato Osamu opened the scrolls Orochimaru had left for him.

Illustrated Guide to Human Meridians, Cell Theory, Systematic Anatomy, Colored Atlas of Human Anatomy, Hemostasis Technique, Healing Technique...

"And the Mystical Palm Technique..."

Other than these basic medical texts, the one thing that pleasantly surprised Kato Osamu was the Mystical Palm Technique. The famed Mystical Palm Technique was Princess Tsunade's most widely known signature skill.

Kato Osamu had seen this ninjutsu in Root, but there were few users. He had long coveted this general-purpose ninjutsu that could rapidly treat external injuries, yet he had never had the chance to learn it.

This was a lifesaving skill.

"However, before learning the Mystical Palm Technique, I need to first learn the Chakra Scalpel..."

Looking at the many books Orochimaru had left him, he roughly understood that Orochimaru intended to cultivate him into an auxiliary tool, perhaps even involving him in matters concerning the soul in the future.

But that was still far away. For now, he only needed to stay firmly by Orochimaru's side and be a perfect tool.

"And to learn the Chakra Scalpel, I first need to learn the Healing Technique and Hemostasis Technique..."

"To learn the Healing Technique and Hemostasis Technique, I need to understand the human body's structure and meridians..."

Kato Osamu read through the scrolls Orochimaru had left him bit by bit. Only then did he understand that not a single one of the books Orochimaru had given him was useless.

After roughly skimming the material he needed to study, Kato Osamu realized that there was simply far too much for him to learn.

Starting with human meridians and cell theory, then progressing all the way to completing the Mystical Palm Technique, it would probably take at least several years...

"Orochimaru probably won't give me that much time..."

Though today was the first time he had met Orochimaru, he could sense the coldness hidden beneath those Snake Eyes. Orochimaru certainly would not leave him much time...

"Still, becoming a medical ninja..."

"What an unexpected path..."

Kato Osamu sighed softly and opened the topmost scroll. He began studying in silence, starting with the simplest material. Gradually, he immersed himself in the books and forgot the passage of time.

An entire afternoon slowly passed.

Fortunately, he had learned related knowledge in Root before, so none of this was particularly difficult for him. It was simply more systematic.

"Knock, knock..."

The crisp knocking pulled Kato Osamu out of the scrolls. Before he could respond, the laboratory door opened. A six- or seven-year-old girl stood boldly in the doorway, looking at Kato Osamu with a hint of hostility in her eyes.

"Kato Osamu?"

"There is no Kato Osamu here, only Root ninja 'Mi'..."

Kato Osamu glanced at the little girl in the doorway and answered casually.

He then continued reading on his own, ignoring her. Yet his attention remained fixed on the little girl at the door.

The habits he had developed in Root made him seem to possess some of Root ninja's gloominess. He was habitually indifferent, but never careless.

The first lesson Kato Osamu had learned upon entering the profession of ninja was how to be cold-hearted. Over the past three years, he had felt the cruelty of the Shinobi World even more deeply.

"So you're the genius Teacher Orochimaru mentioned?"

"You don't look like much..."

The little girl circled around him, looking unconvinced. Hearing her words, Kato Osamu's heart stirred, and he examined her more carefully.

Orochimaru's disciple? She seemed... a little naïve and silly?

"My name is Anko. You have to call me Boss Anko, got it?"

Anko carried a basket with water and a boxed meal inside. She set it down before Kato Osamu, seemingly waiting for his response.

"Okay, Boss."

Kato Osamu did not look at her again, his gaze remaining on the book. He was memorizing its contents. Since cultivating the Spirit Transformation Technique, he had clearly felt his spiritual energy growing rapidly. His mind had become clearer, and his memory better and better.

"Hey, you're being so perfunctory!"

Anko huffed and placed the boxed meal on the table, then casually flipped through the books spread across it.

"These all seem to be books for medical ninja... Are you trying to become a medical ninja?"

"If you're a medical ninja, then I suppose that's acceptable..."

Kato Osamu glanced at Anko, unsure what she was thinking. However, the hostility she had carried when entering seemed to have gradually weakened.

"Fine, it's decided. I'll allow you to join Teacher Orochimaru's and my team as a medical ninja."

"Okay, thank you for the trouble."

Kato Osamu chuckled and casually went along with her, then ignored the somewhat innocent and lively child.

"Little Brother Kato, wait for me to bring you a boxed meal tomorrow..."

Anko seemed rather happy. Not minding Kato Osamu's tone, she ran out boldly.

"Little Brother Kato..." Hearing that form of address, Kato Osamu could not help but laugh. He stopped thinking about anything else and turned his attention back to the books.

The laboratory was quiet. Kato Osamu stretched, opened the boxed meal, and estimated that at his current pace, he could finish reading through these medical basics in about half a month. Then he could begin trying to learn the Hemostasis Technique and Healing Technique, though he had never practiced either before.

"Why are they all dumplings?"