Both Tsunade and the blindfolded Itachi immediately turned their attention toward Sasuke as his body convulsed with the overwhelming sensory input that was flooding his consciousness. The former moved with the swift, practiced efficiency that had made her legendary throughout the medical community, her hands already beginning to glow with therapeutic chakra before she had fully reached his bedside.
Placing her palm against Sasuke's forehead with the gentle precision that characterized all of her diagnostic work, Tsunade allowed a soft green light to emanate from her fingers. The medical ninjutsu she employed was among the most sophisticated techniques in her arsenal, capable of detecting and analyzing virtually any condition that might affect the human body's complex systems.
For a medical ninja of Tsunade's exceptional caliber, such diagnostic procedures could reveal everything from minor chakra fluctuations to life-threatening internal injuries with just a few moments of careful examination. Her enhanced chakra control allowed her to map neural pathways, assess cellular integrity, and monitor the flow of various energy types through her patient's system.
After several minutes of continuous exploration and analysis, a look of genuine joy gradually began to appear on Tsunade's weathered features. Her expression brightened with the kind of professional satisfaction that came from witnessing a successful outcome to an extremely risky medical procedure.
"The ocular powers have begun to merge successfully!" Tsunade announced, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she processed the implications of what her examination had revealed.
Her assessment was based on extensive study of research materials that had been compiled by the Second Hokage during his investigations into the nature and capabilities of the Sharingan bloodline limit. Those documents, among the most classified materials in Konoha's archives, had provided crucial theoretical foundations for understanding how advanced ocular techniques could be modified or enhanced through surgical intervention.
Drawing on that knowledge, Tsunade was able to identify the presence of a new force within Sasuke's neural pathways—energy that was actively responding to and integrating with Itachi's transplanted ocular power. The process was proceeding with remarkable stability, showing none of the rejection reactions or catastrophic failures that had been anticipated as possible complications.
This level of smooth integration was far beyond what Minato, Tsunade, and the other medical experts had expected when they first planned the procedure. The successful fusion of abilities between blood relatives was theoretically possible, but achieving it in practice required perfect compatibility between donor and recipient that could never be guaranteed in advance.
She then proceeded to conduct a similar examination of Itachi's physical condition, her diagnostic techniques probing for any signs of adverse effects or unexpected complications that might have resulted from the transplant process.
However, the results of this second examination revealed a markedly different pattern. While Sasuke's newly transplanted Mangekyō Sharingan was showing clear signs of gradual fusion with Itachi's power, the older brother's abilities did not demonstrate any corresponding enhancement or strengthening. If anything, his original capabilities seemed to be diminishing as the energy transfer progressed.
"It appears that I will be surpassed by you very soon, Sasuke," Itachi said with a smile that carried both relief and genuine pride in his younger brother's achievements.
The observation was delivered without any trace of resentment or jealousy, reflecting the selfless dedication that had characterized his approach to their relationship ever since he had chosen to sacrifice his own reputation to protect both Sasuke and the village. For Itachi, witnessing his brother's growth and development was far more important than maintaining his own position as the more powerful sibling.
Feeling the steady increase in strength that was flowing through his enhanced visual system, Sasuke found it impossible to completely suppress the joy that was building within him. The coming war promised to be more brutal and devastating than any conflict in recorded history, and he desperately wanted to gain sufficient power to protect everything and everyone that he cherished.
The enhanced abilities would provide him with tactical options and combat capabilities that might prove decisive in the battles ahead, potentially allowing him to shield his friends and family from the worst consequences of the global conflict that Madara had initiated.
"I'll go inform Minato about these developments immediately," Tsunade announced, her voice carrying the urgency of someone who understood the strategic significance of what had just been accomplished.
The exchange of eyes between Itachi and Sasuke had been classified as one of Konoha's most sensitive secrets, known only to a handful of individuals who possessed the security clearance necessary to access such information. The procedure had been performed by Tsunade personally to ensure that no unauthorized personnel would gain knowledge of the techniques employed or the results achieved.
"You should both remain here and focus on recovery for the immediate future," she continued as she prepared to depart. "The integration process will likely continue for several more hours, and any premature physical activity could disrupt the neural pathways that are still stabilizing."
After delivering these instructions, Tsunade pushed open the door and walked out of the recovery room, leaving the two brothers alone to process what they had experienced.
Once Tsunade's healing chakra was no longer actively supporting his system, Sasuke began to notice subtle abnormalities in his body that hadn't been apparent during the medical examination. The sensations were difficult to describe, like whispers at the edge of his consciousness that suggested the presence of something that shouldn't exist.
"What is this?" he whispered softly, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and concern as he tried to identify the source of these unusual perceptions.
Itachi, who was positioned nearby despite his visual impairment, detected the change in his brother's tone and turned his head in Sasuke's direction. "What's wrong?" he asked, ready to provide whatever assistance might be needed.
"It's nothing significant," Sasuke replied, though his expression suggested that the situation was more complex than he was willing to admit.
Itachi chose not to press for additional details, recognizing his brother's tendency to internalize concerns rather than burden others with problems that might prove manageable through individual effort.
Meanwhile, Sasuke continued to ponder the strange sensations he had experienced. Just moments earlier, he had detected what seemed to be an extremely subtle and unfamiliar chakra signature suddenly manifesting within his body. The energy hadn't caused any pain or discomfort; instead, it had seemed to actively promote and facilitate the integration of his various power sources.
However, when Sasuke attempted to locate and examine this mysterious force more carefully, he found that it had seemingly vanished without a trace. No amount of internal focus or chakra manipulation could reveal any evidence of the presence he was certain he had detected.
"Was it just my imagination?" Sasuke murmured to himself, though his instincts suggested that the experience had been genuine rather than hallucinatory.
Within the familiar confines of the Hokage's office, where so many crucial decisions had been made and strategic plans developed, the atmosphere was charged with the kind of focused intensity that characterized periods of crisis management.
"Excellent news!" Minato exclaimed when Tsunade delivered her report about Sasuke's successful power integration.
His expression immediately transformed from careful professionalism to genuine excitement and surprise as he processed the implications of what he was hearing. The successful evolution of Sasuke's abilities represented a strategic breakthrough that could significantly alter the balance of power in the coming conflict.
Throughout the entire history of the Uchiha clan, spanning centuries of conflict and achievement, only one individual had ever successfully evolved his Sharingan to the Eternal Mangekyō form. That singular achievement had belonged to Madara himself, making Sasuke's current development both unprecedented and potentially decisive for the outcome of the war.
"Tsunade, please prepare to administer First Hokage cells to both Yoruki and Shisui as soon as possible," Minato said, his voice taking on the authoritative tone that marked moments when he was making decisions that would affect the village's fundamental capabilities.
"Also prepare equivalent treatments for both Itachi and Sasuke," he continued, his expression growing increasingly serious as he considered the full scope of what he was proposing.
Tsunade's expression shifted to one of mild concern as she processed the implications of these instructions. "Are you certain that this is the approach you want to pursue?" she asked, her voice carrying the caution of someone who understood both the potential benefits and the significant risks involved.
If Sasuke could indeed achieve further evolution of his Mangekyō Sharingan, and if all of these individuals successfully integrated the First Hokage's cellular material, the resulting enhancement of the Uchiha clan's capabilities would be truly extraordinary. Their collective power might actually exceed the levels that the clan had achieved during its historical peak, when it had served as one of the founding pillars of Konoha's establishment.
"Now that the war is imminent," Minato replied with a nod that conveyed absolute determination, "and considering that Madara has demonstrated the confidence to initiate a global conflict, he must have completed extensive preparations before making such a declaration."
"Therefore, we must also ensure that we are fully prepared for the battles ahead. This conflict will determine the fate of humanity throughout the world, and failure is simply not an acceptable outcome under any circumstances!"
The assessment reflected both tactical realism and the weight of responsibility that came with protecting not just their village, but potentially all life on the planet. The scope of destruction that Madara was threatening made conventional strategic calculations inadequate—they needed every possible advantage to have any hope of preventing universal annihilation.
"That's absolutely correct," Tsunade agreed, her medical expertise providing additional perspective on the necessity of such extreme measures.
"Bang!"
At that moment, a cloud of summoning smoke suddenly erupted within the confines of the Hokage's office, the distinctive white mist billowing outward in patterns that indicated the arrival of someone who had traveled significant distances through advanced transportation techniques.
Tsunade turned to follow the source of the disturbance, and as the smoke began to clear, a familiar figure gradually became visible within the dissipating cloud.
"Naruto?!" she exclaimed in surprise, her voice carrying a mixture of joy and astonishment at this unexpected reunion.
The slightly disheveled blond young man who stood before them was unmistakably Naruto, though his appearance had undergone subtle but significant changes during his absence from the village. His hair remained the same distinctive golden color, but his overall bearing suggested increased confidence and maturity that hadn't been present when he had departed for his training.
Almost immediately, Tsunade noticed the most dramatic alteration in his appearance. His originally bright blue eyes had transformed into horizontal brown pupils that seemed to possess unusual depth and intensity. Additionally, the corners of his eyes were marked with orange pigmentation that created distinctive shadowing patterns across his facial features.
"Sage Mode," Tsunade whispered, her voice trembling slightly with recognition as she processed the implications of what she was observing.
The quality of Naruto's transformation was immediately apparent to someone with her extensive knowledge of advanced techniques. His sage mode implementation appeared to be significantly more refined and complete than even Jiraiya's version, showing none of the physical distortions or instabilities that had characterized his teacher's approach to the same power.
The achievement was remarkable considering that Naruto had been absent from Konoha for only slightly more than a month while training at Mount Myōboku. The speed with which he had mastered such an advanced and notoriously difficult technique spoke to either exceptional natural talent or training methods that pushed the boundaries of what was normally considered safe or sustainable.
Minato's expression also brightened with obvious joy as he absorbed the evidence of his son's successful development. "It appears that you have completed all aspects of your training ahead of schedule," he said with a smile that reflected both paternal pride and strategic satisfaction.
Although Naruto had been studying at Mount Myōboku throughout the recent crisis, Minato had maintained constant awareness of his progress through various communication channels and intelligence reports. The young man's development had consistently exceeded expectations, but witnessing the results in person was still genuinely shocking.
In the practice and mastery of sage techniques, Naruto had completely surpassed his father's own achievements, reaching levels of integration and control that Minato had never been able to achieve despite years of dedicated effort. This was exactly the kind of growth and advancement that Minato had always hoped to see, representing the fulfillment of potential that had been apparent since Naruto's earliest childhood.
However, the expression on Naruto's face suggested that his emotional state was more complex than simple satisfaction with his training accomplishments.
"The enemy has launched multiple attacks against the village during my absence, and Dad has been actively preparing for war," Naruto said, his voice carrying a note of suspicion and barely contained frustration. "As a ninja of Konoha, why wasn't I recalled earlier to participate in the village's defense?"
His gaze fixed on Minato with the intensity of someone who suspected that he had been deliberately excluded from crucial events for reasons that he didn't fully understand.
"Is this because of the Nine-Tails that resides within my body?" Naruto continued, his voice taking on a sharper edge as he voiced the conclusion that his analysis had reached.
The question was delivered with the directness of someone who was no longer content to accept evasive explanations or protective measures that treated him as a child rather than a capable ninja. His time at Mount Myōboku had clearly provided him with perspective on his own situation and the strategic considerations that governed how he was deployed.
Naruto was not naive, and his intelligence had always been underestimated by those who focused on his loudmouth personality rather than his analytical capabilities. He understood the tactical implications of his status as a jinchūriki and the ways in which that identity affected how others viewed his participation in dangerous missions.
Rather than expressing direct anger toward Minato, Naruto's frustration seemed to be primarily directed inward. The realization that his father still viewed him as insufficiently mature or powerful to handle the full responsibilities of a Konoha ninja was both hurtful and motivating.
"Naruto," Minato began, his voice carrying the understanding of someone who recognized the emotional complexity of his son's position.
He was well aware of the young man's character and the ways in which protective measures could be interpreted as limitations rather than expressions of care. When Madara had invaded Konoha and threatened both Kushina and Chiharu as potential hostages, Naruto would naturally have wanted to remain close to his family members to provide protection and support.
If Minato had been in a similar situation during his own youth, he would have felt exactly the same desire to stand beside those he cared about rather than being sent away for his own safety.
"Dad and Granny Tsunade are obviously busy with important matters," Naruto said after taking several moments to regain his emotional equilibrium. "I'll head home first and catch up with everyone there."
His tone had become more controlled and respectful, but the underlying tension remained clearly visible in his posture and expression. Without waiting for additional conversation, he turned and walked out of the Hokage's office, leaving behind an atmosphere of unresolved concerns.
"If Naruto maintains his current emotional state, he could become very dangerous on the battlefield," Tsunade observed, her voice carrying the weight of someone who had witnessed the consequences of allowing personal feelings to override tactical judgment.
Her assessment was based on painful experience with similar situations in the past. Naruto's current temperament reminded her strongly of Nawaki during his final months, when passion and determination had ultimately led to reckless decisions that cost him his life.
"If he allows himself to be influenced by emotional considerations during combat, he will not only endanger his own survival, but could potentially affect the outcome of crucial engagements."
"I continue to believe that as a jinchūriki, it would be more strategically sound for him to remain at a safe distance from enemy attention, along with the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails jinchūriki," she continued, her medical and strategic expertise leading her toward protective approaches.
Minato remained silent for several moments, his expression suggesting that he was weighing Tsunade's recommendations against other considerations that she might not be aware of. Her suggestions were based on extensive experience with two previous ninja world wars and represented sound tactical thinking from a conventional military perspective.
However, Minato's faith in Naruto's crucial role in the coming conflict was based on information and intuitions that transcended normal strategic calculations. The prophecy delivered by the Great Toad Sage, combined with his observations of his son's unique capabilities and character, had convinced him that protective measures would ultimately prove counterproductive.
"Naruto was correct in his assessment," Minato said finally, his voice carrying the weight of a decision that had already been made. "Although he serves as the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, he is also a ninja of Konoha with all the responsibilities and privileges that such status entails."
"The most unacceptable outcome would be forcing him to remain in safety while his partners and friends fight on the front lines for the survival of everything they hold dear."
Turning away from the conversation, Minato walked to the window that provided a view of Konoha's western districts. His gaze focused on the horizon with the intensity of someone who was detecting or anticipating developments that remained invisible to others.
"It appears that the event we have been preparing for is about to begin," he murmured, his voice carrying both anticipation and grim determination.
The Five Kage Summit that would determine the ninja world's coordinated response to Madara's declaration of war was rapidly approaching, and the decisions made during those negotiations would shape everything that followed. The time for preparation and planning was drawing to a close, and soon they would discover whether their efforts had been sufficient to meet the greatest threat their world had ever faced.