More than two years later.
The River Country, Konoha Camp.
More than two years have passed, and Uchiha Meikyō has reached the age of sixteen.
At this time, he had reached a height of 1.7 meters, which was almost the standard of an adult. His physical development was nearing maturity, and his physical fitness and Chakra reserves had improved significantly compared to two years ago.
As his body matured, Meikyō's appearance became even more handsome than before. Even among the Uchiha Clan, which was full of handsome men and beautiful women, Meikyō's looks were definitely among the best.
With black hair and black eyes, fair skin, and delicate yet heroic features, he even exudes a vigorous and spirited aura, thanks to his years of swordsmanship practice and Sun Breathing. Even though he wears a Jonin green Konoha typical of Konoha Jonin, the blue-black haori with the Uchiha Clan Crest brought from the Demon Slayer World elevates his style considerably.
At least for now, Meikyō is very popular among the female Medical Ninja in the Medical Corps.
With his handsome appearance, illustrious background, and formidable strength, he is undoubtedly a high-quality male in the Ninja World.
In the past two years, the ninjas who were with Meikyō have also undergone considerable changes.
For example, last year, Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Nami, two of Meikyō's teammates, were promoted to Jonin. At the same time, the only other person from the Hyuga Clan to become Jonin was Hyuga Tetsu.
Aside from them, only a handful of others from the same cohort, such as Kazemaki Kibata and Inuzuka Tsume, became Special Jonin.
To achieve this at the age of sixteen or seventeen is already a testament to extraordinary talent and a promising future.
Of the nearly one thousand Genin graduated from both grades that year, it was estimated that no more than ten would eventually become Jonin.
Of the more than 20,000 ninjas in the entire Konoha, there are only fewer than 200 Jonin.
"Lord Meikyō, Inuzuka Ōi Jonin serious injuries. Lady Tsunade requests that you go immediately to assist in using the Regenerative Healing Technique to treat him!"
Yakushi Nonō rushed over from a distance and said anxiously to Meikyō.
"I see!"
Meikyō nodded emphatically to Yakushi Nonō, and then rushed to the operating room.
Inuzuka Ōi is the current head of the Inuzuka Clan, Elite Jonin of Konoha, and is said to be even stronger than Inuzuka Gaku. He is also the latter's biological brother.
These two are practically the strongest fighters in the Inuzuka Clan right now.
"Teacher Tsunade, I'm here!"
Meikyō hurriedly followed the Yakushi Nonō to the outside of the operating room.
Inuzuka Ryo, also a member of the Inuzuka Clan, is here as well as Inuzuka Tsume, a classmate of Meikyō from the Ninja Academy.
She is Inuzuka Ōi's only daughter, and her talent is considered quite good among Meikyō. At sixteen years old, she became Jonin this year.
"Meikyō! You've finally come! Please, you must, you must help Lady Tsunade save my father!"
Inuzuka Tsume tugged at Meikyō's sleeve, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.
"Don't worry, I will do my best."
Meikyō subtly released Inuzuka Tsume's hand, nodded emphatically to the people around him, and then entered the operating room.
Yakushi Nonō, Inuzuka Tsume, and Aburame Nami followed closely behind.
Inside the operating room, all the medical equipment had been moved out, leaving a huge empty space in the middle.
Instead, there was a huge rhomboid magic circle, and a robust, middle-aged man with a thick beard and hair lay in the center of the magic circle with his eyes closed.
Tsunade was sitting in one corner of the magic circle, maintaining it with several excellent Medical Ninja from the Medical Corps.
"Meikyō, Nonō, you two take charge of the other two directions of the magic circle. Ryo and Nami, go and take turns guarding the last one. The patient's condition is very serious. We need Chakra exceeding the level of Jonin to perform the Regenerative Healing Technique to stabilize the situation!"
Tsunade's extremely serious voice reached everyone's ears.
Meikyō, Yakushi Nonō, and the others quickly replaced the Medical Ninja from the Medical Corps and began to take over the treatment.
Inuzuka Ōi's condition was indeed as Tsunade had said, on the verge of death.
In the clear vision of the Meikyō's Transparent World, one could clearly see over a hundred wounds on his body, many of which were mixed with grains of Gold Dust in his flesh.
Inuzuka Ōi's ability to persevere to this day is largely due to his status as an Elite Jonin Taijutsu, possessing exceptional physical abilities and mastery of the Inuzuka Clan's Yang Release techniques.
"This treatment was directed by Meikyō. Nami used Medical Insect to expel the Gold Dust and toxins from the patient's body, while simultaneously using the Regenerative Healing Technique to stimulate cell regeneration and repair the wound with her vast Chakra!"
Tsunade decisively announced the treatment plan.
"Yes!" ×3.
The sealing array on the ground quickly lit up with the unique glowing green light of Medical Ninjutsu, continuously flowing into the body of the mastiff.
At the same time, a cloud of insects emitting a pale green light flew out from Aburame Nami's sleeve and entered Inuzuka Ōi's body through his mouth, nose, and wound.
This process requires a considerable amount of effort, even with the help of Aburame Nami's Medical Insect.
Previously, it would have required much more effort and Chakra to use the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to expel these things.
However, if too much Chakra is consumed in this process, it may lead to insufficient Chakra when using the Regenerative Healing Technique later.
Tsunade, possessing the dual bloodlines of the Senju and Uzumaki Clan, naturally had no problem, and Meikyō's Chakra far surpassed that of ordinary Jonin, but others might not be so fortunate.
After nearly an hour, the Gold Dust and toxins had been completely expelled from the Inuzuka Ōi's body.
But this is just the beginning. The next technique, Regenerative Healing Technique, is almost the most difficult Medical Ninjutsu besides Tsunade's Creation Rebirth and Hundred Healings Technique. Otherwise, it wouldn't require so many people to perform it together.
This technique is also a prerequisite Ninjutsu for Creation Rebirth, which means that one person can replace an entire medical team to use the Regenerative Healing Technique on oneself. Only by combining it with the Hundred Healings Technique can one achieve an immortal body that can heal instantly.
But even Tsunade would need to release the Yin Seal to have that level of Chakra to do that.
Several more extremely long hours passed.
"Call..."
Meikyō wiped the sweat from his forehead.
The treatment is finally over.
Inuzuka Ryo, Aburame Nami, and Yakushi Nonō were so exhausted that they couldn't even stand up.
They are three people rotating between two positions.
Of the three, Yakushi Nonō has the highest level of Medical Ninjutsu. Aburame Nami, without using Medical Insect, cannot compare to him and ranks second. Inuzuka Ryo is third, but thanks to the Inuzuka Clan's innate Yang Release talent and Tsunade's occasional guidance, his Medical Ninjutsu has actually reached the conditions for using the Regenerative Healing Technique.
After a short rest and regaining some strength, the group opened the operating room door and walked out.
"Lady Tsunade, Meikyō, and my cousin Ryo, my father..."
Inuzuka Tsume asked in a tearful voice.
Beside her was her uncle, Inuzuka Gaku.
"Don't worry, with Teacher Tsunade and Meikyō involved, the surgery will naturally be a success."
Inuzuka Ryo comforted Inuzuka Tsume.
"Thank you Lady Tsunade, and you guys Meikyō."
Inuzuka Gaku stepped forward and spoke.
"I wonder what my older brother is like now..."
"The Jonin's body is not in serious condition now, but he lost a lot of blood before and needs to replenish it with the same type of blood. At the same time, when he used the Regenerative Healing Technique, he stimulated cell regeneration and needs to replenish a lot of nutrition and energy. He will need at least more than half a year to recuperate and recover. He is no longer suitable to stay on the front line."
Tsunade rubbed her temples and said.
Even she feels somewhat tired now.
"Then use my blood. I am the elder brother's younger brother."
"You can use mine too!"
"Inuzuka Gaku and Inuzuka Tsume quickly said."
"Gentlemen, Lady Tsunade will arrange for Medical Ninja to handle these matters. If you wish to donate blood, you can come with me for a blood type test for comparison. However, Jonin needs a quiet environment to recuperate right now."
Yakushi Nonō stepped out from behind Tsunade and said gently.
"In that case, I'll leave it to the Deputy Head Medic."
Inuzuka Gaku Yakushi Nonō.
In the past two years, Yakushi Nonō has been promoted by Tsunade to serve as the vice-leader of the Medical Corps. She has gained considerable popularity with her excellent Medical Ninjutsu and gentle appearance and smile. Even Inuzuka Gaku received treatment from Yakushi Nonō after being injured while on a mission.
Given the current situation, it would be quite difficult for Danzo to bring him back to Root to work as a spy.
No other reason than that the renowned Yakushi Nonō is now surely remembered by the intelligence organizations of other ninja villages as a top-notch Medical Ninja.
As Elite Jonin of Konoha and the head of the Inuzuka Clan, Inuzuka Ōi holds a certain position in Konoha. Now, after being seriously injured, he needs at least a year to recuperate. Naturally, after recovering to a certain extent, he was arranged by Dan Katō to return to Konoha.
Even an elite Jonin Inuzuka Ōi almost died on the battlefield, which shows just how intense the war has become.
Of the team that went out on a mission with Inuzuka Ōi, only Inuzuka Ōi barely made it back alive; the others had all died in battle.
However, it's already a miracle that Inuzuka Ōi survived being taken down by a Kage Level expert like Rasa.
"The Suna's offensive is getting more and more frantic. Rasa and the others are attacking more and more frequently lately."
After finishing his official business, Dan Katō couldn't help but sigh.
To deal with these people, he and Meikyō Tsunade been going out to put out fires quite a bit lately.
Because the Suna is now attacking everywhere like madmen.
"It seems that Suna is preparing to launch a new large-scale campaign, or even a decisive battle, to drive us back. Their current approach is probably to weaken our strength as much as possible before launching a general offensive."
Meikyō analyzed the map hanging on the wall in front of him.
Many places on the map are marked with red X's, which represent the locations of strongholds that have been attacked by Rasa and others.
"Now it seems that this is the only explanation. But I'm curious what other trump cards Suna has that would make them take such a step."
Tsunade sat down next to Dan Katō, resting her chin on her hand and asking in confusion.
The next second, the three of them instantly realized what was happening, exchanged glances, and said in unison:
"Tailed Beast!"
The Sand Ninja base.
After returning from his mission, weary from his journey, Rasa went straight to a tent at the back of the camp.
"Elder Chiyo, how is the One-Tail Jinchuriki doing now?"
Rasa looked at an old monk with a peaceful face, sitting quietly on a stool, and turned to ask Chiyo.
"Bunpuku's lifespan is coming to an end, perhaps in the next year or two. To be honest, it's really remarkable that he didn't let the One-Tail go berserk even when his body was so weak."
Chiyo looked at Bunpuku, who was turning the Bunpuku in his hand and silently reciting scriptures, and sighed.
The person before me possesses an extremely high level of spiritual attainment and Buddhist knowledge. If he hadn't become the vessel for the One-Tail, he might have become a renowned high monk in the Ninja World.
"I just want to know if we can get the One-Tail Beast onto the battlefield, and if we can control it. It is one of our most important trump cards to defeat Konoha right now."
Rasa said expressionlessly.
"This old monk Bunpuku to have met the Fourth Kazekage."
The white-browed old monk slowly opened his eyes and bowed to Rasa in Buddhist salutation.
"Can you still control the Tailed Beast?"
Rasa asked.
"Tailed Beast, like humans, have their own thoughts and feelings, and Shukaku is no exception. So how can you control them?"
Bunpuku shook his head and said to Rasa.
"So it won't work?"
Rasa did not care about the concept of Bunpuku.
In his view, the Tailed Beast were merely important weapons of war in the hands of the Five Great Ninja Villages. As for weapons, as long as they could kill people, their thoughts and feelings were unimportant and could be ignored. Even if he had a son who became Jinchuriki, it would still be the same.
"I made a promise with Shukaku. If the Fourth Hokage can keep it, then Shukaku will agree to fully cooperate with me in this war."
Bunpuku put his hands together and bowed to Rasa.
A sense of displeasure welled up in Rasa's heart.
A mere weapon dares to make demands of him, the Kazekage?
However, considering that the subsequent war would still rely on the powerful destructive force of the Tailed Beast, Rasa controlled his expression and calmly said:
"Explain."
"Since the year the village was founded, Shukaku has been captured by the First Kazekage and trapped in the body of Jinchuriki for more than forty years. He hopes to be freed after I die."
"That's impossible."
Rasa refused without even thinking.
If he really loses the Tailed Beast, then he, the Fourth Kazekage, can start considering abdicating.
Bunpuku returned his consciousness to the spiritual world and began to discuss things with Shukaku.
"Shukaku demanded that he have at least three years of freedom."