The surgery proceeded methodically. Kiyoshi's eyes manifested the unique tomoe of the Sharingan, slowly rotating along his pupils.
Astonishingly, as time passed, Kiyoshi continued to grow stronger.
His Sharingan allowed him to see more clearly, his increasing insight letting him map out every blood vessel in Yamada Daiyu.
Kiyoshi's scalpel carefully avoided the thick meridian systems around the heart, cautiously operating on the organ itself.
Every part of the human body contained a meridian system—blood vessels transported blood, while meridians carried chakra.
These meridians ranged in size: the smallest hidden in cells, the largest comparable to major blood vessels.
The heart held the densest concentration of meridians. That was why Kakudo's "Ji Enyu" exploited this, transplanting others' hearts and associated meridians into his own body to gain additional chakra natures.
This was a postnatal way to enhance chakra properties without long-term training.
Ordinary Jonin usually mastered only two chakra natures; many Chunin and Genin had just one.
"H…how's it going?"
Hazuki's voice was hesitant, as if chewing while speaking.
"Almost done."
Kiyoshi didn't look at Hazuki, continuing the surgery with precise hands on the operating table.
...
Half an hour later, Daiyu was moved to a ward.
"Well, I'll leave first."
Hazuki, buried in her own thoughts and silent, watched Kiyoshi walk away.
Once he left, she slowly lifted her delicate face.
Tears welled in her eyes, brimming at the corners, ready to fall.
At that moment, Daiyu let out a faint groan.
He frowned and slowly opened his eyes.
A familiar white ceiling greeted him.
Kiyoshi had precisely timed the anesthesia to ensure he woke now.
"Hazuki… this is…?"
Daiyu lifted his hospital gown, noticing fresh bandages on his body.
"The surgery was a success, Daiyu,"
Hazuki wiped her tears and smiled.
"My chakra refinement doesn't hurt like before,"
Daiyu found to his surprise.
Looking at Hazuki, who had worried and even cried for him, he felt a warm surge of gratitude.
Her hair was messy from concern, a stray strand at the corner of her mouth.
"Hazuki, thank you so much,"
Daiyu spoke sincerely.
He had planned to gamble on whoever was available to perform the surgery, not being picky.
Yet Hazuki had summoned a Uchiha medical ninja—an unexpected blessing.
"By the way, that ninja… was that Kiyoshi?"
Daiyu recalled encountering Uchiha Kiyoshi back when he was dealing with the ninja-cat clan.
"Yes, it was him,"
Hazuki nodded softly.
"I'll make sure to invite him for a meal."
Daiyu resolved this immediately.
...
At Kiyoshi's home.
After the surgery, Kiyoshi began adapting to the heightened ocular power of his right eye, feeling it reverberate through his limbs.
He picked up his ninja blade, practicing simple slashes.
The ten-kilogram blade was manageable, but prolonged swings were tiring.
A normal metal katana wouldn't be this heavy.
Most ninjas used short blades or kunai; Kiyoshi's blade was long, rare even among ninjas.
He was pleased—still growing taller, he would master this weapon perfectly in a few years.
Longer reach, stronger strikes, and more enchantable distance.
"Next… the 'Great Serpent Substitution Technique'."
Kiyoshi murmured.
His skin split down the middle, his clothes peeling off like a second layer of skin.
"You have acquired the entry: [Serpent Ninja (White)]."
[Entry: Serpent Ninja (White)]
[Requirement: Successfully use a variant jutsu independent of the Five Great Ninjutsu, once—Serpent Technique.]
[Progress: Completed.]
[Effect: Your affinity with snakes increases; using serpent jutsu grants a 5% boost.]
[Note: Can continue to advance.]
"Serpent Jutsu, huh?"
Kiyoshi thought.
Training the 'Great Serpent Substitution Technique' had triggered a progress bar, only today reaching full completion.
"Looks like I shed a layer of skin."
He examined the discarded outer skin, still wearing the same clothes as him.
Slowly, the skin shrank over time and would soon disappear.
The 'Great Serpent Substitution Technique' also had a transformation effect: a layer of chakra on the body's surface could be sacrificed after an enemy attack.
Similar to the "Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak" of a Jinchuriki, but mimicking his appearance.
"Don't eat it."
Kiyoshi squatted, tapping the white snake's head.
The snake had snuck over to the discarded skin, trying to eat it while Kiyoshi was distracted.
"Hiss…"
The snake's hoarse hiss echoed, but it reluctantly released the outer layer, retracting its crimson tongue.
"You'll get your meal later."
Kiyoshi shook his head, tossing the discarded skin into the trash.
Whether it was chakra or flesh, he didn't know.
Better not risk unknown effects on his summon.
They were departing on a mission tomorrow; no accidents could happen.
"Chakra consumption is high."
His body was strong but lacked flexibility.
This technique required more suppleness; his prior lightning-based training had only strengthened his muscles.
With "Soft Body Modification," chakra consumption would decrease significantly.
"I need to find a way to get 'Soft Body Modification' from Orochimaru."
Kiyoshi thought.
Orochimaru was ideal: cutting-edge research, learning a series of serpent techniques.
The question remained: did summoning snakes count as serpent jutsu?
Orochimaru's "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands" and "Ten-Thousand Snake Formation" all relied on summoning snakes.
(End of Chapter)