In the sterile laboratory of Konoha's Medical Department, Shihouin Naraku stood with unwavering focus, his dark eyes fixed intently on the artificial limbs suspended in their nutrient-rich cultivation tanks. The pale appendages floated in the translucent liquid like ghostly remnants, yet they pulsed with the promise of new life.
"The cultivation process is proceeding smoothly," Naraku observed with clinical satisfaction. "The cellular development should reach completion within the next few days."
He turned toward his research assistants, his voice carrying the authority that had made him legendary throughout the shinobi world. "Pay close attention to every detail and ensure that no critical data points are overlooked during this final phase."
"Yes, Lord Naraku!" the assistants responded in unison, their voices filled with respect and determination.
Throughout the laboratory, other medical personnel held clipboards and notebooks, meticulously recording every aspect of the experimental data. Each successful cloning procedure represented an invaluable opportunity to gather information that could advance their understanding of regenerative medicine. The scratching of pens on paper provided a constant background rhythm to the hum of medical equipment.
"Once the cultivation is complete, compile all the data and deliver the complete reports to my office," Naraku instructed, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation.
"Understood, sir!" came the immediate response.
Even though Naraku was no longer the official director of the Medical Department, his influence within the institution remained absolute. The staff had grown accustomed to following his guidance over the years, and they genuinely preferred taking orders from someone whose expertise they trusted implicitly. His resignation from the director position had done nothing to diminish the respect and loyalty he commanded.
Indeed, Tsunade had officially accepted Naraku's resignation from his administrative role several days prior. Since that moment, he was technically no longer the Minister of Medical Affairs, holding instead the simple rank of medical ninja within the department's hierarchy.
Of course, despite relinquishing his medical leadership position, Naraku continued to serve as both a senior village advisor and the chief of Konoha's garrison forces. There had been no reduction in his overall authority or influence within the village's power structure.
However, while Naraku himself seemed unperturbed by these changes, the news had sent shockwaves throughout Konoha's ninja population. The announcement had left many shinobi bewildered and concerned about the village's future direction.
Most villagers simply couldn't comprehend why Tsunade would issue such an order. After all, was there anyone in all of Konoha more qualified and capable of holding the Medical Director position than Shihouin Naraku? His contributions to medical ninjutsu and his revolutionary breakthroughs had transformed their understanding of healing arts entirely.
Yet there were some perceptive individuals who understood the deeper implications of these personnel changes. If Naraku had remained merely an ordinary medical ninja without broader responsibilities, there would have been nothing problematic about him continuing as Medical Director indefinitely.
However, if his ultimate goal was to ascend to the position of Hokage, then there was genuinely no reason for him to continue monopolizing the Medical Director role. A future Hokage needed experience across all aspects of village administration, not just medical expertise.
The more astute observers recognized that Tsunade's frequent reassignment of Naraku's responsibilities served an obvious purpose: to ensure he gained comprehensive understanding and familiarity with every aspect of how Konoha operated. This systematic exposure would provide him with the solid foundation necessary for effectively serving as Hokage when the time came.
Anyone possessing even basic political intelligence could see through Tsunade's transparent intentions!
The current Shihouin Naraku had become universally recognized as Konoha's leading candidate for the Hokage position. In fact, many considered him the only viable candidate worthy of serious consideration.
Given Naraku's current reputation and remarkable achievements, even the respected Hatake Kakashi couldn't compete on equal terms. While Kakashi had been considered a strong potential successor in the past, current public opinion strongly favored Naraku as the more suitable choice for village leadership.
The simple truth was that Naraku's reputation as the strongest shinobi in the world carried tremendous weight with both civilians and ninja alike.
This legendary status, combined with his miraculous accomplishments in medicine, combat, and leadership, had become deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of Konoha's population. He represented hope, strength, and innovation in ways that resonated with people's deepest aspirations for their village's future.
He was truly the Phoenix of this generation, and many had begun referring to him as the Ninja God of the modern era!
Three Days Later - Operating Room
The sterile operating theater buzzed with focused energy as a team of medical ninja, led by Shihouin Naraku, prepared to perform the groundbreaking surgery on Kurotsuchi. The young Iwagakure kunoichi lay unconscious on the operating table, rendered completely insensible by powerful anesthetic techniques that would ensure she felt no pain during the delicate procedure.
Naraku's hands moved with the precision of a master surgeon as he made the initial incision. The sharp scalpel blade cut cleanly through the skin at the junction where Kurotsuchi's natural leg met the area where her artificial limb would be attached. The incision exposed the complex network of nerves, muscle tissue, and bone that would need to be perfectly aligned with the cloned appendage.
With meticulous care, Naraku and his team positioned the laboratory-grown limb that had been cultivated from Kurotsuchi's own cellular material. The artificial leg, pale from its time in the nutrient solution, was carefully maneuvered into perfect anatomical alignment with her existing body structure.
The other medical ninja in the operating room began performing specialized medical ninjutsu techniques designed to stimulate rapid cell division and accelerate the natural healing processes. Their chakra flowed in carefully controlled patterns, encouraging Kurotsuchi's body to accept and integrate the new limb as if it had always been part of her.
At this critical juncture, the success of the entire operation was already assured. The most challenging aspects of their cloning technology had never been the surgical attachment procedures themselves, but rather the incredibly complex cultivation process and the enormous resources required to grow replacement organs and limbs successfully.
In truth, once they had achieved successful cultivation of Kurotsuchi's new right leg, the remaining steps were relatively straightforward applications of established medical techniques.
"Excellent progress," Naraku murmured with satisfaction as he monitored the integration process. "Maintain the medical ninjutsu applications until the wound sites achieve complete connectivity!"
From his unique vantage point, Naraku could observe details invisible to others in the room. Under the directed stimulation of the medical chakra, cellular division was occurring at an accelerated rate. Fresh granulation tissue began forming at the junction points, gradually creating bridges between Kurotsuchi's original flesh and the cloned replacement. Simultaneously, the nerve pathways were establishing new connections at a remarkable pace.
The entire procedure required precisely thirty minutes of intensive medical intervention before reaching successful completion. The cultivated limb had been seamlessly integrated with Kurotsuchi's original anatomy. Apart from a slight difference in skin pigmentation that would fade with time and sun exposure, it would be impossible for a casual observer to determine that she had ever suffered such a severe injury.
"How did everything proceed? There weren't any complications, were there?" Ōnoki asked anxiously the moment Kurotsuchi's unconscious form was wheeled out of the operating room. The elderly Tsuchikage practically bounced forward despite his age, his weathered face creased with worry as he searched for any sign of problems.
"The limb integration was absolutely perfect," Naraku reported with professional confidence. "Now we simply need to allow time for the internal systems - nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and bone structure - to complete their natural fusion process. She will make a complete recovery and return to exactly the same condition she enjoyed before her injury."
"Thank goodness! That's wonderful news!" Ōnoki exclaimed, his relief palpable as tension drained from his shoulders.
The old Tsuchikage didn't care about the financial costs or political implications of this arrangement. As long as his beloved granddaughter could regain her full health and capabilities, any price would be worth paying.
"If her recovery proceeds according to our projections, she should be ready to return to Iwagakure within a week's time," Naraku continued, providing a realistic timeline for their departure.
"Thank you so much for this treatment, Lord Naraku. Please be assured that all the conditions I promised in our agreement will be honored without fail!" Ōnoki declared earnestly, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
In this moment, the legendary leader appeared less like the feared Tsuchikage who commanded one of the great shinobi villages and more like a devoted grandfather whose primary concern was his granddaughter's wellbeing.
Shihouin Naraku observed silently as Ōnoki personally escorted Kurotsuchi's bed toward the recovery ward, his weathered hands hovering protectively near her sleeping form. After they disappeared around the corner, Naraku turned and departed from the hospital complex.
His direct involvement in the treatment was now complete. The subsequent recovery phase would require only standard medical monitoring and basic care that any competent Konoha medical ninja could provide effectively. There was no need for his continued personal supervision during the healing process.
The successful rescue and treatment of Kurotsuchi had officially concluded. During this same period, Naraku had also fulfilled his various responsibilities as captain of Konoha's garrison forces and had formally transferred that position to his designated successor.
In general terms, Naraku now found himself free from most of his routine official duties and administrative obligations.
Actually, that wasn't entirely accurate. Naraku still retained one significant identity within Konoha's government structure: his role as a high-level village advisor!
However, this particular position was largely ceremonial in nature, without specific daily responsibilities or assigned tasks. The primary function of senior advisors was to assist the Hokage in making important decisions regarding village management and policy.
Theoretically, senior advisors possessed the authority to involve themselves in virtually any aspect of village governance. However, also theoretically, they lacked the specific jurisdiction to directly manage any particular department or function without explicit Hokage approval.
Hokage's Office
Tsunade extended a formal handwritten document toward Naraku, her expression serious but pleased. "The establishment of a permanent General Staff represents a significant improvement in our military organization. In the past, we only created temporary staff departments when actual warfare broke out. Poor Shikaku has served as emergency Chief of Staff so many times that he's probably lost count of his appointments."
"I've already instructed the administrative staff to prepare dedicated facilities for your General Staff headquarters. Starting today, this department will function as a permanent institutional fixture of our village. We will no longer wait until conflicts begin to establish proper strategic planning capabilities."
"Shihouin Naraku," Tsunade announced formally, "you are hereby appointed as the Chief of the General Staff!"
[Ding! Host has been appointed Chief of Staff of Konohagakure General Staff!]
[Congratulations to Host for earning two additional lottery draws! Current total draws available: ten!]
[Friendly reminder: Drawing ten times consecutively significantly increases the probability of obtaining rare and magical items!]
Before Tsunade had finished delivering her announcement, the familiar sound of the system notification echoed in Naraku's mind. Once again, he had accumulated enough draws for another ten-pull lottery session! This meant he would soon have another opportunity to potentially acquire powerful new abilities or resources.
Naraku maintained his composed expression while reading the official documentation as Tsunade continued her briefing. "You will serve as Chief of Staff, while Nara Shikaku will hold the position of Deputy Chief of Staff!"
"The remaining personnel assignments have not yet been finalized. We'll discuss the complete organizational structure after Shikaku arrives to participate in the planning session."
After carefully reviewing the handwritten appointment letter, Naraku offered his input regarding staffing considerations. "When selecting candidates for staff positions, we shouldn't place excessive emphasis on combat strength or battlefield prowess. Anyone who demonstrates sharp analytical thinking and excels at developing strategic plans and tactical solutions would be suitable for inclusion."
"Yes, I understand your reasoning completely," Tsunade agreed with a thoughtful nod.
The General Staff was designed to function as an intellectual planning organization rather than a direct combat unit. Therefore, there was no logical reason to fill all positions with the village's most powerful fighters.
Furthermore, ninja who possessed exceptional combat abilities didn't necessarily possess the analytical and strategic thinking skills required for effective staff work.
For example, certain single-minded taijutsu specialists who excelled at physical techniques might prove completely unsuitable for staff duties! These types of dedicated combat ninja performed admirably when ordered to engage enemies in direct confrontation, but they might become completely overwhelmed when faced with tasks requiring complex strategic analysis or long-term planning.
Naraku and Tsunade spent considerable time discussing which ninja would be most appropriate for inclusion in the General Staff organization. As their conversation continued, Nara Shikaku knocked respectfully on the office door and entered the room.
Now all three key figures had assembled together and could begin the serious work of identifying the ideal candidates for their new permanent strategic planning department.
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