Konoha Prison.
The Police Department is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of Konoha. The Uchiha clan oversees the supervision of the village's three major prisons.
Outside the regular prison cells, two elite Uchiha guards were vigilant, carefully observing their surroundings. Even outside the prison, there were additional guards ready to react to any potential issues.
Surprisingly, beneath the bright and clean room, there was another hidden chamber. The room was filled with the strong smell of disinfectant, and the operating room was bustling with activity.
Outside the operating room, Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes and trained his chakra's nature transformation by manipulating a leaf between his fingers. The ground beneath him was covered in countless burnt leaves turned to ashes.
"Yoru-niisan."
Uchiha Shisui emerged from the room after escorting a prisoner. However, he was suddenly shoved against the wall upon stepping outside, causing him to grunt.
Shisui remained composed despite the attack, his hand gripping his collar. He was astonished by the swiftness of the attack but refrained from retaliating.
Uchiha Yoru, with a firm grasp on Shisui's collar, lifted him up, his Sharingan eyes radiating intense pressure.
"Shisui! What's the meaning of performing surgery on the prisoner today? I specifically instructed that only deserving individuals should be targeted."
Shisui, struggling to breathe, met Uchiha Yoru's intense gaze. He displayed a hint of shame and replied with difficulty, "Yoru-niisan, there weren't enough prisoners in the facility, and he was the only one with a compatible kidney for transplantation."
The pressure on Shisui's chest gradually eased, allowing him to breathe normally again. Uchiha Yoru frowned and responded, "Can't we find a suitable candidate among the prisoners in the three major prisons of the village?"
"Yoru-niisan, the prisoners in the facility either participate in human experiments or have their organs harvested due to their heinous crimes. There is a shortage of suitable candidates, and the village has increased surveillance recently."
Shisui's voice carried a sense of exhaustion. "Yoru-niisan, the Anbu are closely monitoring our clan's territory."
With a tinge of helplessness in his eyes, Shisui expressed three parts resignation, four parts frustration, and three parts anger.
—
Suddenly, the lights in the operating room switched on, and the door opened. Uchiha Yoru and Shisui entered as if nothing had transpired.
"Hehe, thank you, Lord Yoru. I wouldn't have known when my back would heal without you."
Inuzuka Yuu, a middle-aged ninja from the Inuzuka clan, supported his bandaged waist and greeted them with a pleasing smile. Uchiha Yoru responded with a smile after assessing the situation.
"Don't mention it. Inuzuka Yuu, you are a hero of Konoha. You have worked tirelessly for so many years and even sustained an injury for the sake of our village. We are all dedicated to the betterment of Konoha."
The conversation between them appeared cordial, making Inuzuka Yuu's smile grow wider as he waved his hand. "Hehe, we are all working for the good of Konoha, for our village."
Though the Uchiha clan was currently isolated, it was different for the Seventh Division of the Police Force. They represented Orochimaru and were admired by the major clans for their clandestine organ trading operations.
"Sir, here are the prescribed medications. Take them regularly. During the first six months, come for monthly check-ups to ensure there are no rejections, and then switch to every three months."
A masked medical ninja approached and handed over the prepared medications with a smile. Inuzuka Yuu, weakened from the recent surgery, smiled in response.
"No problem. I appreciate all the trouble you've gone through."
Under the guise of pleasant conversation, Inuzuka Yuu, escorted by hidden ninjas, departed from the prison through a secret passage. Only four individuals remained in the operating room.
The surgeon removed his mask, revealing a gentle smile. It was Yakushi Kabuto, the Surgeon. With a forced smile and a respectful tone, he reported, "Inuzuka Yuu's two kidneys have been successfully replaced, and the prisoner has been given kidneys that are about to necrotize. After such a major surgery, the prisoner is unlikely to survive for more than two months."
The other surgeon, identified solely by his eyes, belonged to the Hyuga clan.
Another prisoner in a prison uniform lay unconscious on a separate bed, unaware that his kidneys had been stolen while he was in a coma.
Uchiha Yoru listened intently to Kabuto's report, his expression serious. He nodded slightly and said, "Keep this operation discreet. If anything happens to this prisoner, it should appear as a natural death."
"Yes, sir."
After leaving the prison, Uchiha Yoru stood in the sunlight, but to Shisui, it felt as if darkness still surrounded him.
"Shisui, from now on, we will leave the organ trading in the prison to the Hyuga clan. The Uchiha clan needs to be prepared to retreat at any moment."
"Yes, Yoru-niisan," Shisui respectfully replied. Since the Nine-Tails incident last year, he had experienced a great deal within a short span of time, shaping his perspective profoundly.
In the past two months, there seemed to be a rise in unexplained prisoner deaths in the village's prison, but it hadn't garnered much attention. However, the number of critically ill patients had significantly increased.
Many prisoners in the facility were repeat offenders who would spend decades behind bars. Most of those imprisoned for over fifteen years were included in the organ transplantation list.
Numerous ninjas from the major clans in the village had old injuries resurfacing or were in critical condition due to organ damage. The recent clandestine organ trades had addressed their urgent needs.
No one desired to die, especially when ninjas had experienced their prime and feared death. The prisoners could provide a match for organ transplants, ensuring the exchange of organs or even transplantation.
All of this relied on the near-perfect organ transplantation technology developed by Orochimaru.
"Shisui, we are not doing this for Orochimaru-sama. The Root division and the Anbu engage in similar activities privately, but the difference lies in our superior technology and supply."
Nohara Rin, a chūnin-level medical ninja, could perform transplantation surgeries even on intense battlefields. It showcased the level of medical ninjutsu in Konoha, particularly in organ transplantation.
As ninjas frequently faced injuries during their missions, they relied on life-saving ninjutsu, including organ transplantation. The difference was that within the village, they had to be discreet due to the potential consequences. However, they primarily used death row prisoners or spies from other countries.
On the other hand, the village's prison held a broader pool of candidates, and it would be wasteful not to utilize them.
The key aspect was that ninjas could only receive organ transplants from fellow ninjas, as transplants from ordinary people would be rejected.
Uchiha Shisui had already witnessed too much darkness. Despite using prisoners, it was still preferable to sacrificing innocent lives. He nodded and said, "Yoru-niisan, I understand."
"No, you don't fully comprehend yet. Do you know why Orochimaru-sama asked the Uchiha and Hyuga clans to collaborate secretly?"
Uchiha Yoru once again bore the burden of a heavy responsibility. He had no other choice since Shisui's potential was undeniable. Ignoring Shisui's potential and letting him join the Hokage's faction would be a mistake.