"If we use the Cellular Activation Technique, how many people are we short?" Hiruzen asked, maintaining his calm as Hokage.
"We're short two. Normally, four people can perform it, but the organ loss is too severe. One group isn't enough; we need two groups rotating to complete the treatment," Dr. Fujita answered without hesitation. She knew these details by heart.
"If I find one more person, making it seven, can you do it?"
Everyone was surprised. Cellular Activation wasn't simple. Its rarity and difficulty meant few could perform it. Those who could were already working at the hospital. Where would Hiruzen find another? Could he recall Tsunade? But even if he could, the time... and her condition...
While the higher-ups pondered, Dr. Fujita thought for a moment and gave a conservative answer. "We can try. If it doesn't work, we'll reduce the effectiveness. Better than him dying."
She imagined Yamaguchi with uneven kidneys but decided it was acceptable given the circumstances.
"Good. Prepare the site." Hiruzen turned to the cat-masked ANBU. "Find Taiichi Matsushita. Explain the situation and bring him here immediately to save his captain."
The ANBU left. The others were shocked. They all knew Taiichi, but no one realized his medical ninjutsu had reached this level.
Hiruzen didn't explain. He couldn't exactly say he almost cursed in shock when he saw Taiichi perform Cellular Activation via his Telescope Technique.
---
Meanwhile, Taiichi was at home, researching Sealing Jutsu.
His desk was piled with draft papers covered in runes. His Sealing Jutsu was Lv4, still two levels away from making the Multiple String Light Formation tags.
He worked hard because he couldn't keep troubling Kushina. He learned that the tags required not only high skill but expensive materials. The ten tags she gave him probably cost a million ryo.
Fortunately, the book from the Daimyo's library, Detailed Explanation of Sealing Jutsu Structures, was extremely helpful. His progress was rapid, and he expected to hit Lv5 soon.
Just as he was absorbed in a difficult problem, urgent knocking broke his concentration.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Taiichi frowned, annoyed. Who is so rude?
"Coming! Who is it?"
He opened the door and saw the ANBU mask. His heart sank.
"Taiichi Matsushita. Emergency mission."
"What mission?"
"Save your captain. He's at the hospital. Come with me!"
The ANBU turned and leaped away.
Taiichi was stunned. Captain is hurt? Badly enough that the hospital can't fix him?
He chased after the ANBU.
On the way, he learned the details. The Hokage personally recommending him due to staff shortage surprised him, but he figured it was a desperate measure.
At the hospital, a nurse guided him, briefing him on Yamaguchi's condition and handing him the medical file.
Everything screamed urgency.
Entering the treatment room, the ritual field was active. Four medical ninjas sat at the cardinal points, pouring chakra into the Cellular Activation Technique.
Dr. Fujita approached him.
"Director, is it that bad? Starting without a full team?" Taiichi asked. This jutsu required strict conditions and coordination. This looked rushed.
"We had no choice. He started hemorrhaging during transport. We couldn't wait for you," Fujita explained helplessly. "I stayed to brief you."
"Go ahead."
"Ideally, we rotate two teams. With only seven people, we have to swap individuals out early to let them recover chakra."
Taiichi frowned. Worse than expected.
"Frequent swaps destabilize the field. The second group needs to last longer. I wanted you in the first group, but..."
"Director, don't worry. I might be better than you think," Taiichi said confidently. "I'll take the first swap to buy you time."
"That's our only option." Fujita lacked confidence, but Taiichi didn't elaborate.
With his Lv6 Cellular Activation, he was far superior to most hospital staff.
The Konoha leaders approached.
Hiruzen looked hopeful. Danzo was skeptical. "Taiichi, how confident are you? Can you summon Tsunade?"
Questioning me? Testing me?
"Elder Danzo, we can't wait for Tsunade-sensei. Besides, you know her condition," Taiichi retorted. "We are doing our best."
Danzo grunted and walked away. Koharu gave Taiichi a friendly nod.
Taiichi observed the ritual.
Yamaguchi lay in the center, cleaned up but missing a huge chunk of his right side. It looked like he'd been scooped out with a giant spoon. Surviving this was a miracle.
Thirty minutes in, tissue reconstruction hadn't even started. They were wasting time and chakra due to unfamiliarity.
This jutsu worked best with one powerful, skilled user leading the whole process. These four were pure medical ninjas—good control, low reserves.
"Let me take over," Taiichi said. "The one in the East is sweating."
Fujita looked surprised. "Too soon? He can last another thirty minutes."
"Can't wait. Their efficiency is too low. That's my captain; I won't gamble with his life."
Fujita hesitated. She remembered Taiichi as an intern.
Hiruzen stepped in. "Let him do it. I take responsibility. Taiichi, go ahead. I believe in you."
"I believe in you." Those words moved Taiichi. He would burn attribute points if necessary not to disappoint the Hokage.
Taiichi approached the East ninja. "I'm taking over."
Relieved, the ninja withdrew his chakra and left.
The field destabilized instantly—the risk of swapping.
Taiichi stepped in, stabilizing it with seals.
Initially, he matched the others' conservative approach. No wonder it's slow. They're letting the body heal itself. This jutsu is about forced intervention!
Once synchronized, Taiichi didn't wait. "Everyone, follow my lead."
He burst his chakra, seizing control of the entire ritual.
The other three were shocked, then awed. The chakra was powerful yet precise, reminiscent of Tsunade. They submitted to his lead.
The spectators were stunned. Taiichi's chakra far exceeded a normal Jonin's. And the flow felt familiar.
Taiichi focused, abandoning the passive healing for direct reconstruction.
Using the medium as a core, new tissue grew in Yamaguchi's side. Slowly, a small kidney formed.
Blood vessels and nerves grew rapidly, connecting to the new organ.
Blood flowed in. The pale kidney turned pink and alive.
Twenty minutes later. "Vessels connected. Kidney functions normal. Kidney treatment complete."
His announcement boosted everyone's confidence.
"Amazing. Just like Tsunade."
"Who is he? Do we have someone like this?"
"The Hokage brought him."
Ignoring the whispers, Taiichi sensed the fatigue of the other three. "Swap the next group. One by one. Maintain stability."
Fujita and two others swapped in.
Under Taiichi's stable lead, the transition was smooth.
Next, the intestine. Easier than a whole organ. Taiichi catalyzed the medium, growing new intestinal tissue to bridge the gap.
An hour later, the intestines reconnected.
Three hours total. Muscle and skin grew over the wound. The green light faded. The critical surgery was over.
Staff rushed in to move the patient and help the exhausted medics.
The leaders approached Taiichi.
"Taiichi, do you need rest?" Hiruzen asked first. This boy was a talent, a true heir to Tsunade, and firmly in his camp.
Taiichi looked at the mixed expressions—joy, relief, surprise, and one hostile glare. "I'm fine. Hokage-sama, mission accomplished."
"Good, good! Truly Tsunade's disciple!" Hiruzen laughed, patting Taiichi's shoulder, showing him off like a proud grandfather.
Homura and Koharu smiled. Danzo looked down, hiding his venom. The more excellent he is, the more I hate him. He should have been mine!
"Taiichi, when will Yamaguchi wake up? His body is healed," Homura asked impatiently. "We need the intel."
"At least a day for recovery."
"Too slow!" Danzo interrupted. "His body is fine. Use Genjutsu to wake him now!"
Everyone stared at Danzo.