Chapter 553: Dark Medical Ninjutsu
Today, Ishiro had some free time and took a trip to the Iwagakure Hospital.
The hospital had been lively recently, as Ishiro had invited a renowned medical-nin from the shinobi world: Shinnō.
At Ishiro's "invitation," Shinnō had taken on two new disciples: the recently graduated genin Karin Uzumaki, and the still-enrolled Academy student Sakura Haruno.
Ishiro had even personally attended the apprenticeship ceremony and announced to the shinobi world that these two girls were also his disciples.
This news had thoroughly confused those who didn't know Shinnō's true identity as the leader of the Sky Ninja. They couldn't understand why Ishiro was making such a fuss over a medical-nin taking on students.
Ishiro arrived at the hospital and first met with Ōnoki and Sōkai, who were in charge of monitoring Shinnō.
Shinnō was, after all, the research fanatic who had created the Zero-Tails. Ishiro didn't trust him to walk freely around Iwagakure. Only with Ōnoki and the Mangekyō-wielding Sōkai watching him could Ishiro be at ease. If Shinnō dared to unleash the Zero-Tails in Iwa, the Mangekyō Sharingan could handle it.
"Has Shinnō caused any trouble?" Ishiro asked Ōnoki.
Ōnoki shook his head. "He's been very cooperative. He hasn't done anything other than instruct Karin-chan and Sakura-chan."
Ishiro glanced at Kō, who was standing nearby with his Byakugan activated, staring in a specific direction. Ishiro nodded.
After confirming Shinnō was behaving, Ishiro went to the hospital's laboratory.
Inside, Shinnō was teaching Karin and Sakura his unique medical ninjutsu.
Upon Ishiro's arrival, Shinnō revealed a kindly smile. "Greetings, Lord Tsuchikage."
Ishiro smiled back. "You've worked hard these past few days, Shinnō-senpai."
Shinnō chuckled. "These two children are exceptionally talented. It's a pleasure to teach them."
"In that case, I'll have to ask you to continue putting your heart into it, senpai," Ishiro said.
After a pleasant exchange, Shinnō returned to instructing the two girls.
Ishiro watched for a while, nodding to himself. Shinnō was, as ordered, teaching them his real skills.
Shinnō's "medical ninjutsu" was better described as "medical arts." His abilities were more focused on what Ishiro knew from his past life as surgery.
He had a unique set of skills, distinct from conventional medical ninjutsu, covering everything from incisions, anatomy of the internal organs, bandaging, and hemostasis, to toxicology.
Shinnō's medical level might not have been on par with Tsunade's, but his unique methods were an immense help in perfecting Iwagakure's own medical ninjutsu.
Ishiro had high hopes for Sakura, but in this life, she would never have the chance to study under Tsunade. Ishiro had to find other ways to raise her skill.
Seeing that Karin and Sakura were learning diligently and effectively, Ishiro left the lab, satisfied.
Outside, the Head of the Medical Department, Nakata Hajime, was waiting for him.
Nakata glanced at the closed laboratory door. "Lord Tsuchikage, is there... a problem with that Shinnō-senpai?"
Ishiro nodded. "Be on your guard when dealing with him. He's the leader of the Sky Ninja, a village destroyed by Konoha during the Second War. His strength is not to be underestimated; at full power, he's Kage-level. He's also a highly skilled intelligence operative. Do not let him near any of the hospital's restricted areas."
Nakata Hajime swallowed, stammering, "K-Kage-level? Lord Tsuchikage, putting such a dangerous individual in the hospital... isn't that a bad idea? Shouldn't we set up a lab outside the village for him to teach in? And maybe have them learn separately, in shifts... If he goes berserk, our losses would be catastrophic."
Ishiro glanced at him. "Don't worry. Lord Third is watching him from nearby. If he makes a wrong move, Lord Third will kill him. You don't need to worry about the 'force' aspect. Besides, it's just one Kage-level. Our village's Kage-level count is in the double digits. What are you afraid of? Put on the air of a department head from the number one village. No Kage would dare start a fight here... unless they're on a suicide mission."
Nakata Hajime smiled bitterly. Ishiro made it sound simple, but if Shinnō really did go on a rampage, the hospital would suffer heavy losses even if Lord Third intervened.
At that point, he, the "department head of the number one village," would probably be showing off his authority in the afterlife.
Ishiro ignored Nakata's internal drama and left the hospital.
After leaving the hospital, Ishiro went to the ANBU prison.
Shinnō's medical ninjutsu had reminded him of another man who had walked his own path in the medical field: Yomi.
Ever since Ishiro and the Priestess had worked together to defeat Mōryō, and he had brought Yomi (who carried a part of Mōryō's power) back to Iwagakure, Ishiro had all but forgotten about him.
Ishiro was very interested in the Dark Medical Ninjutsu Yomi had invented in the original story.
He had locked Yomi up in Iwa, forcing him to continue his research. Ishiro wondered how that research was going.
Ishiro arrived at the ANBU prison. After confirming his identity, he entered and found Yomi.
Yomi was currently experimenting on an animal.
He had not been idle these past years. As per his agreement with Ishiro, his main job was research. Iwagakure provided him with live test subjects, including small animals and prisoners from other nations.
For example, Iwa had captured many prisoners from its wars with Suna. Many more were captured when Iwa's forces cleared out rogue ninja from newly occupied territories.
Some of these prisoners were released (not for free, of course). A considerable portion were controlled by special means and forced to work for Iwa—mining for gold in the Land of Wind, or doing the back-breaking labor required to build new branches.
Ishiro didn't wear his evil on his sleeve like Danzō, but in some ways, his methods were no gentler.
The rest of the prisoners became test subjects in Iwa's various labs.
These Suna-nin had witnessed the darkest parts of Iwa's rise, hidden beneath its shining exterior.
Human experiments weren't just happening in Yomi's cell. They were happening in the White Zetsu labs, the newly established Hashirama cell lab, and the medical department's secret operating theaters. Even Katsumata and Natsuki's Yin Release lab occasionally used foreign ninja. The Barrier Team used prisoners to test new seals.
Akino Atsumi had even used prisoners for her early space-time teleportation attempts. More than a few Suna-nin and rogue ninja had died in transit.
But the biggest consumer of prisoners was the ANBU. As Iwa's army expanded, the average ninja's real-world combat experience decreased. To maintain the ANBU's edge, Ishiro had ordered that the ANBU's training needs for prisoners be met.
This order had institutionalized the practice.
ANBU training was live combat. A single mistake could be fatal for the prisoner. As such, the ANBU had consumed the most prisoners over the years. Uchiha Shisui was their strongest "sparring partner" and was used the most.
Yomi's cell was just one of many.
Seeing Ishiro suddenly appear at his cell door, Yomi, who was in the middle of an experiment, froze. Ishiro had never come here before.
As he hesitated, the rabbit in his hands died, having missed its window for treatment.
Yomi recognized Ishiro and said respectfully, "Lord Tsuchikage."
Ishiro walked into the cell, his face expressionless. "Yomi, we had an agreement. You work for Iwagakure for ten years, and I set you free."
"It hasn't been ten years, but I need your research results. Tell me everything. If I'm satisfied, you walk free today. If I'm not... then I apologize."
Yomi's breath hitched. He had never believed in the ten-year promise and had been waiting for an opportunity—for Iwa to be attacked, for its defenses to fall into chaos—to escape.
But after more than six years, that day had never come. He couldn't understand it. Had there been no wars? Not even a single Tailed Beast rampage?
The longer he waited, the more he despaired. He had already decided to attempt a breakout in another year or two, even though he was in Iwa's most secure prison. He was confident his research would give him at least a 30% chance.
But he never expected Ishiro to come for him now.
Is Iwa finally in a crisis? he wondered. Can I negotiate?
But Ishiro's next words made his heart sink.
Who negotiates like this? he thought. This is just an ultimatum.
Yomi calmed himself and tried to probe. "Lord Tsuchikage, my research was planned for a ten-year timeline. After only six years, the results may not be to your satisfaction."
Ishiro said flatly, "It's fine if I'm not satisfied. I just kill you. It's no loss for me."
Yomi's face twitched. He cursed Ishiro internally but said, "Lord Tsuchikage jests. I will tell you my results now."
Yomi formed hand seals, performing an Earth Release-like jutsu. "Lord Tsuchikage, considering your village's specialty, I have researched a special jutsu that can turn the body entirely into mud. I will write it all down for you."
As he spoke, his arm turned to mud, then back to flesh, several times. While it was mud, he sliced at it with a scalpel, but when it turned back, it was unharmed.
This was different from Iwa's Hardening Jutsu, which only increased defense. This jutsu allowed the user to become earth.
Ishiro just stared at him, saying nothing.
Yomi, sweating, said, "I have... also researched similar methods for the other four elements. Since you are a master of multiple elements, I thought..."
Seeing Ishiro still unmoved, Yomi's smile faltered. "Lord Tsuchikage, this... this truly is everything."
Ishiro said, "It seems you're very confident in your medical ninjutsu. You think you can resurrect yourself from death, to pull off a 'cicada shedding its golden shell' right in front of me?"
As he spoke, Ishiro formed a one-handed seal. Before Yomi could react, a C-rank Light Release jutsu struck his arm.
Yomi, despite his vigilance, had never seen Ishiro attack. He couldn't react in time.
He leaped back to the corner, scalpel raised.
Seeing Ishiro wasn't moving, he looked down at his empty left shoulder.
His left arm was gone.
Ishiro, noting the wound barely bled, said, "This is the result of your non-compliance. Now, show me. Let's see if your 'Dark Medical Ninjutsu' can restore an arm that my Light Release vaporized."
Yomi forced a smile. "Ah... you meant the medical ninjutsu. Lord Tsuchikage, you've misunderstood. I have researched some medical jutsu, but they are incomplete. Just... concepts. I was going to give them to you, but they're not fit to be seen..."
Ishiro smiled. "Oh? Is that so? Then I apologize. My mistake. In that case, please explain exactly what stage your research is at. Be clear this time, so I don't 'misunderstand' again."
Yomi's cheek twitched. "Lord Tsuchikage, rest assured. I will tell you the truth."
He was furious. He had never intended to give Iwa his Dark Medical Ninjutsu. That was his trump card.
But, backed into a corner, he had to give up something real.
He quickly formulated his explanation. "Lord Tsuchikage, the Dark Medical Ninjutsu I am researching is different... it can greatly increase the recovery rate of... grievous wounds..."
After listening to Yomi's description, Ishiro turned and left the prison.
"Lord Tsuchikage!" Yomi called out, his voice laced with panic.
Ishiro didn't look back. "Write down everything you know. I keep my word. You should think hard. And see if your jutsu can heal Light Release damage. This is your last chance. Don't disappoint yourself. I'll be back in three days."
After Ishiro vanished, Yomi's terrified expression turned grave.
He felt as if Ishiro had known his research results all along.
He shook his head, clearing the baseless thought. He then tried to heal his missing arm.
Only then, as he focused on the wound, did he realize the truth.
"My... my left hand... it's gone! How can I heal this?"
He had assumed Ishiro had merely cut his arm off. He hadn't seen the attack clearly. He thought the limb was on the floor.
But now he knew. It had been vaporized.
His Dark Medical Ninjutsu could make him functionally immortal. He could even reattach his own head.
But that required the body parts to exist.
What could he do against an attack that disintegrated?
Sweat beaded on Yomi's forehead.
He remembered Ishiro's words: "See if your Dark Medical Ninjutsu can heal Light Release damage."
Yomi had been imprisoned for years; he had no idea that the Tsuchikage's new "Light Release" was already famous. He fell into a deep panic.
He knew that if his "answer" wasn't satisfactory in three days, Ishiro would vaporize him.
But to hand over everything... he still wanted his revenge.
"Damn it! What kind of attack is that!?" Yomi raged.
This was the tragedy of a self-taught ninja. Any academy-trained ninja would know that the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release could do the same thing. Yomi's lack of worldly knowledge was his downfall.
He paced his cell, trapped.
Three days later, Ishiro returned to the prison. This time, he brought Katsumata and Uchiha Izumi, both in ANBU gear.
Seeing them, Yomi's heart leaped. Why bring backups?
A terrible premonition rose in him.
He quickly said, "Lord Tsuchikage, wait! I'm... I'm still writing some of it!"
Ishiro said, "No hurry. You write. I'll just have my clone read what you've finished."
A shadow clone appeared and picked up the scrolls from the table.
Yomi asked, "Lord Tsuchikage, who are these two?"
Ishiro smiled. "They're here to verify that you didn't... 'forget' anything. One knows a little genjutsu, the other knows a little Yin Release. Don't worry. If you're honest, they won't harm you."
Yomi's jaw twitched. "Genjutsu? So Iwa is researching genjutsu now?" He wasn't worried; Iwa was famously bad at it.
Ishiro chuckled. "Izumi, it seems he doubts the genjutsu of the Uchiha clan."
Uchiha Izumi stepped forward. The dark eyes behind her ANBU mask flashed crimson, instantly shifting into a Mangekyō pattern.
Yomi's world went black.
When he came to, the ANBU had stepped back.
Sharingan... that was a Sharingan? Iwa has the Sharingan?! Yomi was horrified. He'd heard "Uchiha" but thought he'd misheard.
No... the pattern... that wasn't a tomoe... what was that? he thought, his mind racing. I've researched Yin Release for so long, and I couldn't even resist a genjutsu?
Wait... what did I say?
He looked at Ishiro.
Ishiro said, "Yomi, you're truly brilliant. You set thirteen traps in these scrolls. Even I didn't spot all of them. I fancy myself one of the top masters of the five elements, and you still fooled me. You're very impressive, Yomi."
Yomi's blood ran cold.
Thirteen traps. He knew the exact number. I must have confessed everything.
Yomi had decided to gamble. He had written the scrolls but planned to write the core techniques last, riddled with traps.
He never got the chance.
"Lord Tsuchikage!" he said frantically. "I'll... I'll fix it right now! I'll write the complete version!"
He grabbed the scrolls, corrected the thirteen traps, and quickly wrote down the true core of his Dark Medical Ninjutsu.
When he was done, Ishiro glanced at Izumi.
Izumi nodded and cast her Mangekyō genjutsu again.
While Yomi was under, Katsumata stepped forward, and he and Ishiro applied a complex, hidden seal to Yomi's soul.
It was similar to the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, designed to prevent him from speaking about what he had seen in Iwagakure. He would remember, but he could not tell.
Ishiro then took a sample of Yomi's blood for Chiga.
When Yomi woke up, he was no longer in the ANBU prison. He was in a remote mountain range.
"Iwa... Iwa actually let me go?" He couldn't believe it.
He looked at his missing left arm, his face twisting with regret.
If I had just cooperated from the start, I wouldn't have lost my arm...
(End of Chapter)
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