"Look for yourself..."
Tsunade had anticipated doubts, so she picked up the plan on the table and handed it to Shizune.
Shizune took the plan and skimmed through it. The more she read, the wider her eyes became.
"This... this... Is this really written by a novice?!"
Even if Tsunade herself had written it, it might not have been this detailed.
Tsunade, noticing Shizune's astonishment, smirked knowingly.
"The plan is thorough, but to ensure maximum success, Morkel has to perform the surgery himself."
"He is the one in Konoha who understands 'Cell Activation' the most."
"Moreover, only he possesses the immense chakra reserves needed to complete such a complex surgery in one go."
"But..." Shizune hesitated, still concerned.
Tsunade turned to Morkel. "What do you think?"
Sensing his reluctance, she reassured him. "Don't worry, the surgery will be credited to me publicly. If anything goes wrong, you won't be held responsible."
Morkel contemplated. The surgery was incredibly complex, and despite his extensive study of medical ninjutsu, he had never actually performed an operation. His experience so far had been limited to treating minor injuries.
He opened his mouth, ready to refuse, but Tsunade quickly raised a finger.
"Ten million. If the operation is successful, I'll transfer ten million ryo to your account."
Morkel thought to himself: I could refuse, but the money is too tempting.
"Hokage-sama's business is my business!" he declared passionately. "Forget the money, just be kind to me! I accept!"
Tsunade, satisfied, nodded. "Good. Go home and rest. Tomorrow, you begin surgical training. After all, you're still a rookie who's never even made an incision."
Morkel hummed in agreement, used the Flying Thunder God Technique, and teleported home to sleep.
---
Hokage's Office
Shizune, still worried, voiced her concerns. "Tsunade-sama, was this decision too hasty?"
Tsunade exhaled, gazing out at Konoha through her office window.
"I'll personally guide him. If he proves unfit, we'll replace him immediately."
---
Morkel and Naruto's Residence
Naruto, practicing in the yard, rushed forward as soon as Morkel arrived.
"What have you been up to? You've been missing training."
Too sleepy to explain, Morkel mumbled, "Helping with Rock Lee's surgery..."
Naruto gasped. "What?!"
---
Konoha Hospital
Tsunade stood beside Rock Lee's bed, smiling warmly. "We can schedule your surgery in a week. Once successful, you'll be back to normal."
Nearby, Might Guy looked puzzled. "Wasn't the success rate extremely low before?"
Tsunade nodded. "Morkel solved the problem of cell activation. The success rate is now 80%."
"Morkel again! He never ceases to amaze us." Guy beamed.
Lee, lying in bed, admired Morkel deeply. He recalled their first meeting, when Morkel was already opening the Fifth Gate at a young age. Later, during the Chūnin Exams, he had challenged Morkel—and lost miserably.
Now, stories of Morkel's achievements, including his use of Wood Style to save Konoha, filled Lee with admiration.
"He's the light I pursue in my life!" Lee clenched his fists.
---
Land of Lightning
News arrived that all assassination ninjas sent out had been captured alive.
In his office, Raikage Ai was furious.
"Damn it! Incompetent fools! Beaten by a mere kid fresh out of the Academy?!"
To make matters worse, Konoha demanded a ransom of one million ryo for their return.
"If this gets out, the Cloud Village will be humiliated!" Ai raged, kicking over his desk.
Looking at his brother, Killer Bee, he demanded, "Any ideas on damage control?"
Killer Bee pondered. "We retrieve the captured ninjas secretly. That way, no money is spent, and Cloud Village retains its dignity."
Despite his usual annoyance with Bee's odd logic, Ai saw sense in his plan.
"Fine. Lead the rescue team—and eliminate Morkel."
Bee hesitated. "Why me? I have other responsibilities!"
Ai scowled. "That kid took out a dozen Jōnin. Only you, with Eight-Tails, have the strength to face him. Even if you can't win, you can escape."
Bee groaned internally. He had no desire to confront Morkel, but Ai had made his decision.
---
Konoha – One Week Later
After a week of training under Tsunade, Morkel had mastered advanced medical ninjutsu and developed an unshakable composure.
"The surgery is tomorrow. I'll assist you, so don't be nervous," Tsunade assured.
"I'm not nervous," Morkel replied, grinning.
"Did you tell Rock Lee?" he asked.
Tsunade shook her head. "I don't want him worrying. Not many trust you with this yet."
Morkel agreed and went home.
---
At home, Naruto was surprised. "You're back early! Doesn't training continue?"
"It's done. Lee's surgery is tomorrow," Morkel sighed in relief.
"Only a week of training—is that enough?" Naruto asked, concerned.
"Should be."
Changing the subject, Morkel asked, "What's for dinner? I need a feast before surgery."
"Ramen! Ichiraku has a buy-10-get-1-free deal. I'll eat 10, you get the free one!"
Morkel: "...You can really eat."
Recalling a lottery ticket he had, Morkel decided to check it before it expired. Using Flying Thunder God, he teleported to a nearby convenience store.
A passing villager greeted him. "Buying instant noodles again, Morkel? I'll treat you to barbecue!"
"I don't eat instant noodles that often! Just here for the lottery!" Morkel laughed.
At the lottery counter, he turned the handle.
A small ball rolled out.
Seeing the number "1," Morkel's eyes widened.
"What did you win?" Naruto asked excitedly.
The clerk beamed. "First prize! Collector's Edition of 'Icha Icha Paradise,' signed by Jiraiya-sama!"
Morkel's excitement faded instantly. Jiraiya literally writes this next to me—I don't even read it!
"Can I trade it for second prize? Like a free month of Ichiraku Ramen?"
"No exchanges, sorry."
Disappointed, Morkel left with the prize.
---
On the Way Home
Passing an old man, they felt an eerie presence.
It was Danzo.
"Hello again, Morkel," Danzo greeted. "I have a ninja tool from the Second Hokage. As the village's hero, I want you to have it."
Naruto's eyes lit up, eager to follow, but Morkel grabbed him, shaking his head.
His instincts screamed danger.
Feigning exhaustion, Morkel declined. "I have surgery tomorrow. Need rest."
Before Danzo could protest, Morkel teleported away with Naruto.
Danzo's lone exposed eye gleamed. "Does he suspect something?"
---
Surgery Day
After twenty grueling hours, the operation was a success.
Exhausted, Morkel teleported home to sleep.
---
The Next Day
Shizune knocked on Morkel's door with good news.
"Rock Lee is awake. No complications! You created a miracle!"
Morkel, unfazed, asked, "When do I get paid?"
Shizune sighed, pulling out ten bills of ten thousand ryo each—plus an IOU for 9.9 million.
Morkel: "..."
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