Monday.
Two days had passed since the Hokage Inauguration Ceremony.
Because Tsunade had already taken office a week in advance, there were no major changes in Konoha Village before or after the ceremony.
As for new appointments, it would still take some time to make decisions.
Jiraiya had once again left Konoha Village — this time, together with the Fire Daimyo. It was a mission Tsunade had personally given him.
Since he was leaving anyway, he might as well escort the Fire Daimyo as part of Konoha's diplomatic courtesy.
8:30 AM.
Kitazawa arrived at Konoha Hospital after breakfast.
"Kitazawa-sama, long time no see!"
"You're truly amazing! Lord Kitazawa, your performance on the battlefield was simply a game-changer!"
"Kitazawa-sama, you're my goal now! I want to learn from you!"
"You don't know, because of you and Lady Tsunade, many children now believe that Medical Ninjas have strong combat capabilities."
The last Medical Ninja to speak was responsible for treating children.
Kitazawa hadn't expected to be surrounded the moment he entered Konoha Hospital — but thinking about it, it was understandable.
This was his first time returning since the war between Konoha and the Hidden Mist Village had ended.
The Medical Ninja and nurses hadn't seen him for a long while, so their enthusiasm was natural. Of course, the main reason was his immense fame now.
Just then, Yakushi Nono suddenly appeared and walked up to him.
She had been in her office, but upon hearing the commotion, thought something had happened and came out to check.
"Don't bother, Kitazawa, everyone. Get ready — don't forget there's something to do at nine o'clock," Nono said gently.
She was referring to Kitazawa's surgery scheduled for nine o'clock, which the others would observe. However, at this point, no one knew exactly what kind of procedure it would be.
"Lord Kitazawa, see you later!" The Medical Ninja and nurses surrounding Kitazawa greeted him and left one after another.
"Kitazawa, you're really popular now," Nono smiled softly.
"Sometimes, too much fame is quite troublesome," Kitazawa replied with a shake of his head.
"If you came to Konoha Hospital more often, they wouldn't cling to you like this."
Nono paused, then said with a hint of embarrassment, "I forgot — you and Lady Tsunade are both very busy now."
She had already heard from Kabuto that Kitazawa had become an Anbu Commander. Coupled with his position as Vice Principal of the Ninja Academy, his schedule was filled, leaving little time to perform surgeries at the hospital.
"I'll be troubling you today, Nono-senpai." Kitazawa took out a Ninjutsu scroll and handed it to her.
"Is this… the Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration?" Nono's eyes lit up as she eagerly unrolled the scroll.
As a Medical Ninja, even she couldn't remain calm upon seeing a groundbreaking Medical Ninjutsu.
"Mm," Kitazawa nodded with a faint smile. "Let's talk more in the office."
Nono hummed in acknowledgment, but her gaze remained fixed on the scroll. The more she read, the more astonished she became.
This Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration was simply too exquisite.
After all, its core was derived from the S-rank Medical Forbidden Technique — the Body Revival Technique.
Of course, Nono didn't know that. She would only assume it was Kitazawa's original creation.
"Your achievements in Medical Ninjutsu will not be inferior to Lady Tsunade's in the future," Nono said seriously after finishing the scroll.
"Then I'll have to keep working hard," Kitazawa chuckled. "I know the gap between me and Lady Tsunade."
"Even if you can't compare to Lady Tsunade right now, you far surpass other Medical Ninja," Nono said, still in awe. "Are you really letting us learn this Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration?"
Normally, learning an S-rank Ninjutsu required rendering great service to Konoha.
"The value of Medical Ninjutsu lies in saving lives," Kitazawa replied calmly. "The more Medical Ninjas who master limb regeneration, the more Konoha's Shinobi will benefit."
"That statement of yours is worth every Medical Ninja taking to heart," Nono said earnestly.
"It's not that exaggerated." Kitazawa waved his hand. "This Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration is quite difficult. I estimate only Medical Jonin will be able to learn it."
"I understand." Nono carefully rolled the scroll back up.
"It's a pity there's no way to lower the difficulty further," Kitazawa said with slight regret.
"It's already a miracle that such a Ninjutsu could be created." Nono shook her head. "You don't need to feel regret."
"Does Konoha have any research on cloning technology?" Kitazawa suddenly asked.
"No," Nono replied immediately. "Cloning technology involves human experimentation — it's strictly forbidden."
"Right," Kitazawa murmured thoughtfully.
It seemed he would have to find Orochimaru for this cloning research.
"How come you…" Nono began, then stopped mid-sentence as realization dawned on her face. "The Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration does indeed pair well with cloning technology."
The side effect of limb regeneration was a reduction in lifespan, since forcibly growing new organs consumed enormous chakra and part of the user's life force.
But if cloning technology were used, it wouldn't be regeneration — it would be splicing, and there would be no loss of lifespan.
"You can mention this to Lady Tsunade," Nono suggested after a moment of thought.
Konoha had once dabbled in human experimentation — Root, for instance.
But Nono believed that Kitazawa and Tsunade were not Danzo. They would exercise restraint.
"We'll see then."
Kitazawa preferred to take what was readily available. Doing it himself was too troublesome, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly.
Most importantly, even if he did create it, it might not be better than what was already available.
After all, that was the masterpiece of the Ninja World's scientist—Orochimaru.
Kitazawa stroked his chin thoughtfully. From the original work, it seemed that Orochimaru had maintained contact with Danzo even after his defection.
That arm of Danzo's was given by Orochimaru—it was made using cloning technology. It was a clone of Uchiha Shin's arm.
Uchiha Shin was not actually an Uchiha, but he used the surname due to his excessive admiration for Uchiha Itachi.
His physique was very special; he wouldn't reject any transplanted organ, so he became Orochimaru's primary cloning subject.
Now, Uchiha Itachi had not yet defected.
Was Orochimaru currently in the Akatsuki Organization? Or in the Hidden Sound Village? Perhaps his exact location could be found through the former Root Ninja.
"When is Lady Tsunade coming?" Nono glanced at the wall clock and asked.
"Nine o'clock." Kitazawa smiled and said, "She's busy now as Hokage, and it's almost time, so let's go to the operating room first."
"Alright then." Nono stood up and said, "Because there will be many onlookers, we specially converted a large operating room."
Under her guidance, Kitazawa arrived at the rooftop. Strictly speaking, it should be called an open-air operating room.
The rooftop was already packed with Ninja—not only Medical Ninja but also Konoha's Jonin. Tsunade's order had been clear: all available Jonin were to attend.
Therefore, Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, Akimichi Choza, Kakashi, and others were all present.
In fact, they had been discussing it for a while, but since Tsunade's order hadn't specified the reason, none of them knew what it was about.
Kitazawa's appearance immediately caught their attention—after all, he was Tsunade's student.
"Kitazawa," Hiashi called out, "do you know Hokage-sama's purpose in having us come here?"
"To watch a surgery," Kitazawa replied with a faint smile.
"A surgery?" Hiashi's face showed clear confusion. What kind of surgery warranted the presence of so many clan leaders and Jonin?
"What kind of surgery is it?" Akimichi Choza asked curiously.
"Let's wait for Lady Tsunade to give us the answer," Kitazawa said, keeping them in suspense.
"So mysterious?" Everyone looked at one another in puzzlement.
On the other side stood Konoha's Medical Ninja. Among them were Sakura and Kabuto.
"What's wrong?" Kabuto asked, noticing Sakura's expression.
"I really want to say it!" Sakura clenched her small fists and shook them, visibly restraining herself.
She already knew in advance what the surgery was going to be, but unfortunately, she couldn't reveal it to outsiders.
"Kitazawa-sensei must have his reasons for arranging this," Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses. "Although I haven't guessed it yet."
"But it's a great honor to witness such Medical Ninjutsu," Sakura said, suppressing the excitement in her voice, her bright eyes fixed on Kitazawa.
"Hmm," Kabuto nodded. "Since the advent of Medical Ninja, this is the first time Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration has appeared."
In the Ninja World, let alone limb regeneration, there wasn't even anything similar.
"And we even have a chance to learn it!" Sakura exclaimed, barely containing her excitement.
Her idol was Tsunade—and now, she was walking the same path her idol had walked.
"You have great talent in Medical Ninjutsu," Kabuto said. "Learning the limb regeneration Medical Ninjutsu is only a matter of time."
Sakura's talent in Medical Ninjutsu surprised even Kabuto. He had always believed he possessed remarkable aptitude, but he hadn't expected Sakura to be no less gifted than he was.
It should be said that the students of the Genius Class had given him many surprises—geniuses seemed to appear in clusters.
And with Kitazawa, who might one day become the next Hokage, the future of Konoha truly filled him with anticipation.
"Lady Tsunade has arrived!" Sakura suddenly said, her spirits lifting as excitement flashed in her eyes.
"Hokage-sama," Uchiha Fugaku and the other Jonin greeted in unison.
"Kitazawa, begin," Tsunade said, giving him a nod.
"Kosuke-senpai, please," Kitazawa raised his hand and said.
Maruboshi Kosuke stepped out from the crowd. Uchiha Fugaku and the others noticed him only then.
After a brief moment of surprise, they all recognized him. After all, a Genin with Elite Jonin strength who had close ties with successive Hokage was unforgettable.
But he... was going to be operated on? Everyone's confusion deepened.
Kosuke sat on the operating table and removed his prosthetic leg. His left leg had been completely amputated below the knee.
After setting the prosthetic aside, he lay down on the operating table.
"Nono-senpai," Kitazawa said as he stepped forward, "please handle the initial treatment."
"Alright," Nono replied, extending her hands toward Kosuke's left leg.
After putting on gloves, Kitazawa took out a summoning scroll. He planned to use White Zetsu cells on Maruboshi Kosuke.
After all, Kosuke was old—if he consumed too much life force and died, it would be a huge problem. Kitazawa's surgical demonstration would then only be declared a failure.
When Kosuke's left leg began to regrow flesh and blood bit by bit, everyone finally understood.
"Is this... Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration?" Akimichi Choza widened his eyes in disbelief.
"How is that possible?" Even the usually composed Fugaku couldn't hide his surprise.
His first thought was whether the Sharingan could also be regenerated.
The Uchiha Clan didn't have the Caged Bird Curse Seal, and it was common for their Sharingan to be taken by enemies. If it could be regenerated, that would undoubtedly be an enormous advantage.
Theoretically, if hands and feet could regenerate, eyes could too.
However, theory was theory—and in practice, it was hard to say. After all, the Sharingan wasn't an ordinary eye; it was a Bloodline Limit.
Compared to Fugaku, the other Jonin's thoughts were much simpler.
With this Medical Ninjutsu for limb regeneration, they no longer had to worry about losing an arm or a leg.
Many even thought of their disabled comrades and friends, and their faces couldn't help but light up with excitement.
They were finally saved.
---
Time slowly passed.
After a three-hour surgery, Kosuke's left leg was completely restored.
"Congratulations, Kosuke-senpai," Kitazawa wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a smile.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!" Kosuke looked at his newly healthy left leg, incredibly excited, his words somewhat incoherent.
But no one blamed him; everyone could understand why he reacted that way.
"This is Medical Ninjutsu created by Kitazawa, and its effect is limb regeneration," Tsunade said, turning her gaze toward Fugaku and the others.
"It really is Limb Regeneration?" Akimichi Choza exclaimed. "As expected of Hokage-sama's student!"
"Kitazawa is truly a genius among geniuses—to be able to create Limb regeneration Medical Ninjutsu, which has never existed in the Ninja World!" Shibi Aburame praised.
"Lord Kitazawa's single Medical Ninjutsu can save countless lives!"
"Hokage-sama's judgment is still excellent, able to recognize true talent."
"With Hokage-sama and Lord Kitazawa here, why would Konoha not prosper?"
The Jonin all began to praise him.
Besides the fact that limb regeneration Medical Ninjutsu was indeed extremely useful, there was also the fact that Kitazawa was the Hokage's student.
Furthermore, since it was in front of Tsunade—who had just become Hokage—they naturally had to speak well of him.
Tsunade's lips curled slightly. Her goal had been achieved.
Kitazawa had first performed great deeds on the battlefield, and now, with the addition of limb regeneration Medical Ninjutsu, his reputation had reached its peak.
If it weren't for her and Jiraiya, he could have directly become the Fifth Hokage.
Although he couldn't be Hokage now, he could in the future. She could serve as Hokage for a few years and then leave, entrusting Konoha Village to Kitazawa.
"It has a certain side effect," Tsunade added, "which is that it consumes a portion of one's lifespan."
"This small side effect is nothing compared to Limb regeneration," Akimichi Choza immediately said.
Many Ninjas in their Akimichi Clan had missing limbs—it was related to their Secret Technique.
After using the Multi-Size Technique and Partial Multi-Size Technique, enemies often prioritized attacking their limbs.
"Indeed," Fugaku echoed.
Being a Ninja was a very cruel profession, and most Ninjas did not live to a ripe old age. They would die early anyway, rarely living past forty or fifty.
Sacrificing some lifespan for Limb regeneration might even allow them to live longer.
"I am now announcing two things," Tsunade raised her hand, interrupting their discussion. "First, Konoha Hospital will compile a list of all disabled Ninja in the village."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Nono quickly responded.
"You can also report; make sure no one is missed," Tsunade said in a deep voice.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," everyone said in unison.
They all had some disabled friends or teammates—more or less.
"Second, establish a Medical Ninja training class," Tsunade continued. "Kitazawa will teach, Medical Jonin will participate, and the content taught will be Limb regeneration Medical Ninjutsu."
Fugaku and the others were surprised to hear this. Such Medical Ninjutsu would be publicly taught?
They had thought Tsunade and Kitazawa would monopolize it. Because if they monopolized it, it would completely solidify their position.
After all, anyone could lose an arm or a leg—no one would dare to easily offend Tsunade and Kitazawa.
Now that it was shared, its effect was much smaller. Of course, for the vast number of Konoha Village Ninja, it was a huge blessing.
Fugaku and the others all had the same thought: Tsunade was indeed different from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Undoubtedly, such a Hokage was far more worthy of their trust.
[Current Mission: Have five Medical Ninjas learn Limb regeneration.]
[Mission Reward: Master-level Yang Release Chakra Nature Transformation.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa, who was listening, couldn't help but narrow his eyes. The sudden system mission gave him quite a surprise.
He had already experienced the power of proficient-level Yang Release Chakra Nature Transformation, so he naturally knew how terrifying it would be once it reached the master level.
Kitazawa also had a system mission to modify the Medical Forbidden Technique: Cellular Activation.
If he gained master-level Yang Release Chakra Nature Transformation, the required time could be cut in half.
However, getting five Medical Ninjas to learn limb regeneration would not be easy.
Four names immediately came to Kitazawa's mind—Tsunade, Shizune, Yakushi Nono, and Kabuto.
Those four should be able to learn it; he just needed to find one more.
"The surgery is over; everyone, please go home," Tsunade said after a pause, reminding them, "The list must be submitted as soon as possible, and surgeries will be arranged for them then."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," everyone bowed slightly and left Konoha Hospital.
But the impact of this surgery had only just begun. As the Jonin spread the news, it swept through Konoha Village at an astonishing speed.
Everyone soon knew that Kitazawa had created a Medical Ninjutsu capable of regenerating limbs.
And not only Konoha Village, even many Ninja from other villages learned about it through various channels.
For a time, Kitazawa became the Medical Ninja whose reputation was second only to Tsunade, making him arguably the second-best Medical Ninja in the entire Ninja World.