Iwagakure had suffered a devastating defeat in the recent conflict, and the newly appointed Fourth Tsuchikage Han remained extremely busy dealing with various post-war complications and problems.
However, even amid all these pressing concerns, when faced with Ōnoki's urgent request for financial assistance, Han still agreed to provide the necessary monetary support.
After all, it wasn't that Ōnoki lacked sufficient wealth entirely, but rather that he couldn't liquidate enough assets to raise such an enormous sum in such a short timeframe. After selling some of his properties and investments, he would definitely be able to repay Iwagakure's treasury.
If it weren't for the disastrous military defeat they had recently experienced, Ōnoki wouldn't even need to worry about repaying the money. Given Iwagakure's substantial financial reserves and economic foundation, this amount of money wouldn't have represented a significant burden.
Unfortunately, there were no "what ifs" in their current reality!
Therefore, the borrowed money absolutely needed to be repaid!
Shihouin Naraku personally witnessed the money being delivered to the secure warehouse, and he was well aware that a substantial portion of those funds would eventually belong to him!
"This money still isn't sufficient for the complete treatment... Let me calculate - it's approximately two-thirds of the total medical expenses. You'll need to expedite payment for the remaining balance."
"Don't worry about it!" Ōnoki snorted with obvious irritation. "Please begin the treatment process as soon as possible. The remaining money will definitely be delivered before the treatment reaches completion!"
"Lord Ōnoki's reputation is certainly trustworthy," Naraku replied with a slight smirk. "In that case, the treatment plan will commence immediately."
The Cloning Process Begins
Although Kurotsuchi still appeared nervous and apprehensive in Shihouin Naraku's presence, at least she no longer screamed or shouted in terror when she saw him.
After carefully extracting the necessary cellular samples from her body, Naraku began the complex process of cloning Kurotsuchi's missing right leg!
"No matter how many times I witness this procedure, I still find it absolutely amazing!"
Tsunade and Shihouin Naraku stood together in the advanced laboratory, observing the cells belonging to Kurotsuchi inside the specialized cultivation tube as they began dividing and growing. Then, with the support of various essential nutrients and growth factors, the tissue expanded gradually, eventually developing into a complete right leg!
Of course, although this accelerated process progressed much faster than natural human growth, it still couldn't be completed within a short timeframe!
"If any organ in the human body develops problems or fails, a new organ could be cloned to replace it. Would this technology eventually make human life significantly longer?" Tsunade examined the cells in the cultivation tube with obvious curiosity and posed her thoughtful question.
"That's theoretically possible, but even without factoring in my personal fees, the cost of cloning remains astronomically expensive. Very few people could ever afford such treatment."
Naraku shrugged and provided a rather harsh but realistic answer. "Even if cloning technology eventually becomes fully mature and perfected, it cannot be practically applied to benefit everyone!"
"Indeed, that's true..."
Ethical Boundaries
"Naraku! I have no particular objections to this cloning technology being used for medical purposes..."
"Organs and similar applications are still within my acceptable tolerance range, but if you ever consider cloning entire human beings, that is absolutely forbidden."
Tsunade stared directly at Naraku with a serious expression. She didn't want to create conflict with her most promising and accomplished student, so she established clear boundaries in advance. "This represents my absolute bottom line. You are categorically not allowed to clone human beings for experimental purposes!"
"If that ever happens, you would degenerate into someone exactly like Orochimaru, completely losing your respect and reverence for life!"
"For a powerful ninja, the consequences of losing one's sense of awe and ethical boundaries are extremely dangerous!"
"I understand completely!"
Naraku nodded with genuine seriousness. He had absolutely no intention of cloning human beings for any purpose.
Such dangerous and morally questionable experiments could be left to the mad scientist Orochimaru!
Tsunade observed the cloning technology demonstration for a while longer, then prepared to depart for other responsibilities. Before leaving, she provided Naraku with important information.
"I'm still carefully considering your resignation request from the ministerial position."
"However, one new position has been definitively confirmed, and the official appointment letter will be in your hands very soon. You will serve as the new Captain of the Konoha Garrison Forces!"
System Rewards and New Position
[Ding! Host becomes the Captain of the Konohagakure Garrison Forces!]
[Congratulations to Host for winning two lottery draws! Current total draws: eight!]
[Friendly reminder: It is significantly easier to obtain rare magical items if you perform ten consecutive draws!]
Before Tsunade had even finished speaking, the system notification sounded in Naraku's mind.
The opportunity for the next ten-draw sequence was almost within reach!
Unfortunately, neither the position of barrier squad leader nor the captaincy of the garrison forces could be considered genuine promotions. According to the system's evaluation algorithms, these positions could barely be classified as lateral transfers.
The barrier squad leader position held relatively low status, and historically, this role was typically filled by Chūnin-level personnel. Naraku had only assumed leadership as a special security precaution during extraordinary circumstances.
As for the position of Captain-General of the Garrison Forces, no such role had existed previously, or rather, it could be argued that the Hokage personally served as the captain-general of Konoha's garrison!
If any other ninja were appointed as captain-general and given authority over Konoha Village's standing armed forces, the Hokage would genuinely be unable to sleep peacefully!
Therefore, for security reasons, Konoha Village's garrison not only lacked a true captain but didn't even have a deputy captain position. The highest-ranking position within these forces was the squad leader responsible for managing individual ninja teams, and their authority was extremely limited.
Even during village invasions, the Hokage would only temporarily assign someone to coordinate the garrison forces and would never transfer complete command authority to a single individual.
For example, during the Konoha Crush operation, both Shihouin Naraku and Nara Shikaku had been granted authority to command portions of Konoha's garrison by Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Moreover, neither of them had been assigned specific military titles. Naraku had commanded his subordinates in his capacity as Director of the Medical Department and ANBU Captain, while Shikaku had issued orders as leader of the Jōnin Corps and the Hokage's strategic advisor.
These examples clearly demonstrated the strict operational protocols governing Konoha's garrison forces.
Although Tsunade had appointed Naraku as garrison captain, the authority he possessed was limited to adjusting team compositions and defensive protocols. It did not include commanding ninja during actual combat operations!
Furthermore, once these organizational adjustments were completed, this position would quickly be reassigned away from Naraku!
Tsunade explained all these limitations to Naraku before departing.
Her meaning was obviously intended to prevent Naraku from developing unrealistic expectations about the position.
In reality, she had no idea that Naraku didn't particularly care about how much actual authority the position provided. All he genuinely cared about was officially holding the title, even if he were dismissed the very next day.
Unfortunately, due to these restrictions and the temporary nature of the role, Naraku's appointment as captain didn't qualify him for the highest promotion reward of five lottery entries!
However, if it qualified as a lateral transfer, then it was still acceptable. Receiving two additional draw opportunities was satisfactory. Just two more draws, and he could perform the coveted ten-consecutive-draw sequence.
Unexpected Reactions
Naraku felt quite satisfied with this development, but when Kurotsuchi, who had been conducting rehabilitation exercises nearby, caught sight of his pleased smile, she became so frightened that she ran back to her hospital room and refused to come out again!
Touching his face in frustration, Naraku felt completely speechless. She couldn't even appreciate such a handsome and appealing face. No wonder her leg had been injured so severely!
She definitely deserved what happened to her!
New Responsibilities
The cloned leg tissue for Kurotsuchi simply required time to grow and develop properly, so the process wouldn't interfere with Naraku's other responsibilities and duties.
Therefore, he departed from the hospital and made his way to the Konoha Garrison headquarters to begin training personnel and implementing new deployment strategies!
Everything proceeded extremely smoothly!
Under Naraku's leadership and with the tacit approval of Hokage Tsunade, significant changes were implemented regarding the membership of Konoha's garrison forces, and substantial improvements were made to the existing defensive measures and protocols.
For example, the composition of patrol teams was restructured, patrol routes were completely redesigned, and scheduling was optimized.
Even the secret codes and hand signals that had been in use were completely abandoned and replaced with an entirely new system of communication protocols!
Although the original codes and gestures were periodically updated and changed, the scope and nature of those modifications had remained relatively consistent over time.
If someone possessed detailed familiarity with Konoha Village's operations, such as the rogue ninja Orochimaru, even without knowing the specific current codes, they could make educated guesses that would likely prove accurate.
Therefore, all these outdated security measures needed complete replacement. Additionally, the protective seals guarding various classified facilities throughout Konoha Village also required modification, though these changes wouldn't be as comprehensive as the communication overhaul.
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