However, the problem is that now natural energy and Chakra have mixed together, making the separation work dangerous.
Due to the power of the Immortal Technique, although Hakushi has conceived the final form, he has never practiced it; it's just a hypothetical setup.
If it were only the issue of natural energy, Hakushi could easily solve it.
Thinking of this, a hint of cold sweat naturally appeared on Hakushi's face.
This is the only surgery in his career where the success rate cannot be determined.
He hopes that his previous experimental data and the final form of the Immortal Technique won't deviate too much.
Speaking of which, the safest surgery would be to extract both the Chakra and the natural energy from Ruri's body, which is also the simplest and most effective operation to escape danger.
The problem is that Hakushi is still at the hypothesis stage regarding whether separating Chakra from the body will cause actual death.
If he extracts the Chakra from Ruri's body along with the natural energy, and even if the Chakra is returned but Ruri cannot awaken, it would be quite awkward.
If this hypothesis holds, Ruri's current problem is quite easy to solve.
The fundamental reason Ruri fell into this state is the fusion of natural energy and Chakra within her body, leading to an Immortal Technique rampage.
As long as the natural energy and Chakra are completely extracted, Ruri can naturally be brought out of this danger.
But a hypothesis is just a hypothesis; the surgery to separate Chakra from the body is overly risky, with the lowest success rate.
Therefore, Hakushi can only first separate the Immortal Technique into natural energy and Chakra, then extract the natural energy from Ruri's body.
To separate the natural energy from Ruri's body, using the Fine Illness Extraction Jutsu is sufficient.
This high-level medical Ninjutsu can extract unfavorable factors from the human body, even avoiding open surgery.
Therefore, Hakushi only needs to figure out how to decompose the Immortal Technique into natural energy and Chakra.
Hakushi took out a syringe from the medical box.
He injected the medicine into Ruri's body.
After the injection, Ruri's complexion improved significantly. Her breathing was still somewhat weak, but compared to before, she was much better.
Seeing this, Hakushi began the surgery.
During the surgery, Ruri struggled violently several times, but Ayane firmly held her down each time.
This allowed Hakushi to focus solely on performing the surgery to separate the Immortal Technique.
Painful groans continuously came from Ruri's mouth. Even with anesthesia, the pain was unbearable.
As time passed second by second, Ruri's condition improved a lot.
Finally, a slight blush returned to her face, and her breathing gradually stabilized.
Hakushi breathed a sigh of relief. Although he hadn't completely separated the Sage Art Chakra, most of it had been decomposed. Next, he only needed to extract the natural energy from Ruri's body.
Once they return to the camp with complete equipment, the danger can be entirely eradicated.
Hakushi's palm began to glow with a deep green light as he used the Fine Illness Extraction Jutsu to start extracting natural energy from Ruri's body.
Just then, the sound of footsteps seemed to echo from outside the cave, causing Hakushi and Ayane's expressions to change slightly.
Ayane quickly used her remaining Chakra to activate the Byakugan and surveyed the outside situation.
"Who is it? Hidden Sand Ninja?"
"No. It's Root Ninja."
Ayane's face showed some gritted teeth.
If it weren't for the Root Ninja, the three of them wouldn't have ended up so miserable, falling into a life-threatening situation like this.
"Planning to be the final predator?"
Hakushi murmured, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The Hidden Sand pursuit team had been mostly dealt with by the three of them, but they hadn't expected the Root Ninja to have been tailing them all along.
"They were able to avoid your Byakugan before, showing they clearly know its observation range is five kilometers. They know a lot about our side."
"All of it?"
"Not on my side, otherwise the Hokage's direct Anbu would have contacted me long ago."
Hakushi analyzed calmly.
According to the initial intelligence provided by Ruri, although Root is a branch of the Anbu, its leader is not the Hokage himself, but another high-ranking elder of Konoha, Shimura Danzo.
What their actual goal is, Hakushi cannot yet determine.
Whether it's to eliminate the captain of Sakumo's squad, Hatake Sakumo, or targeting the three of them, Hakushi is also unsure.
"What do we do now?"
Ayane didn't know what to do. Her Chakra was nearly depleted, and having not yet practiced natural energy, she could no longer offer significant combat power.
"Let's go meet them. Ruri is already out of danger, so interrupting the surgery won't be a problem."
Hakushi ended the medical Ninjutsu, leaving Ruri there.
Ayane nodded, and with Hakushi, walked out of the cave.
As expected, outside stood four figures, the Root squad they initially came into contact with.
They wore chillingly uncomfortable masks with cold eyes as emotionless as machines.
They stood in a line, unmoving, simply staring indifferently at Hakushi and Ayane.
Just as one of them raised a hand to prepare to attack, Hakushi was a step ahead in taking action.
He attacked not the Root Ninja, but Ayane.
He pressed Ayane facedown beneath him, twisting her arms behind her.
"Hakushi-kun!?"
Ayane was shocked; in her exhaustion, she didn't even have time to react before being pinned down by Hakushi.