"Tsuna, can you take Shizune out to play?"
Approaching the New Year, inside Konoha Hospital during another round of hospitalization check-ups, Dan Kato said to Tsunade. Tsunade looked at Tatsuma, who was sitting beside her with his hand against Shizune's head, preventing her from approaching, then turned back and asked, "Are you going to rest?"
Dan Kato shook his head and said, "I've been recovering well lately, not getting drowsy all the time. There are just a few things I want to discuss with Tatsuma."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade was somewhat surprised and looked at Tatsuma, who was equally puzzled. How come everyone around her had become acquainted with Tatsuma, even treating Tatsuma better than they treated her?
However, Tsunade quickly shook her head, thinking it couldn't be true, it must be her imagination!
She swiftly picked up Shizune, who had been trying to move towards Tatsuma but was still in place, and walked out of the ward. Tatsuma, also curious, looked at Dan Kato and asked, "Dan-senpai, is there something you need?"
"I wanted to thank you again for saving me. Recently, I've been remembering some things," Dan Kato said with a smile. Tatsuma shook his head, replying, "It's nothing. You've also helped me complete experiments with Orochimaru-sama."
"No, I haven't properly thanked you yet," Dan Kato's expression turned serious. Sitting up from the hospital bed, he had indeed recovered well; despite having one kidney removed, after nearly three months of recovery and his Jonin foundation, he appeared almost no different from an ordinary person.
Of course, this was under the condition that he wasn't involved in Ninja affairs.
In Tatsuma's puzzled gaze, Dan Kato took out a bundle of scrolls from his medicine pouch and said, "After thinking it over, only this can somewhat express my gratitude."
Tatsuma took it, undid the scroll's lock, glanced at it quickly, then rolled it back up. His expression serious, he said, "Dan-senpai, Spirit Transformation Jutsu is a forbidden technique. It's not allowed to be privately read."
"Indeed, but there are always exceptions. This is my family's heritage. Although it's classified as a village forbidden technique, I have the authority to handle it. Of course, it might be troublesome if you intend to share it with others in the future," Dan Kato said with a smile. Tatsuma looked down at the scroll in his hand and replied, "I probably won't need to use Spirit Transformation Jutsu. Please take it back, Dan-senpai."
"I understand, but for you, the true value of a jutsu lies not in its use, but in the knowledge it provides. I believe this will be very helpful to you," Dan Kato didn't show any intention of taking back the scroll. Without waiting for Tatsuma to refuse again, he continued, "I really can't think of any other way to express my gratitude.
Also, before the results of the kidney transplant come out, Hokage-sama has agreed to let me retain my Jonin rank and authority. If the surgery is successful, it will continue until my retirement. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask, especially things that are inconvenient to tell your sensei."
As a ninja, even the gentlest ones inevitably do things that are best kept in the dark. Dan Kato's implication was clearly that he was willing to be Tatsuma's "black glove."
Tatsuma pursed his lips. At the moment, he didn't have any secrets that needed such handling, so he didn't need a "black glove." But who could guarantee such things?
After a brief moment of thought, Tatsuma nodded generously and said, "Alright, but Dan-senpai, you don't need to worry about the kidney transplant. If you're in a hurry, I can create one with an accelerated cultivation speed for you."
In truth, Tatsuma was quite curious about what results using a bit of Hashirama Cells to cultivate organs and transplant them would yield.
Regarding the rejection reactions caused by Hashirama Cells, Tatsuma and Orochimaru have actually devised several plans, including medications, Sealing Jutsu, and Cursed Seal techniques.
They just haven't been tested yet. Their next step was originally going to involve experiments on mice and piglets, but their plans were removed from the project team.
Now, although the base and equipment are available for their use again, both he and Orochimaru lack a bit of motivation and have no intention of actively participating again. They just check on the progress of Dan's kidney cultivation every day.
But if Dan volunteers to give it a try, Tatsuma thinks Orochimaru wouldn't refuse. Orochimaru has been passive for a long time now, even starting to ask if there's any activity going on.
Later, unable to stay idle, Tatsuma took a leave and left the village for a while, not knowing what to do. He hasn't seen Orochimaru for almost two weeks.
Upon hearing Tatsuma's words, Dan Kato shivered. He had stayed at the Wood Release experimental base for several days before, learning about the experiments conducted there. He forced a smile and said to Tatsuma:
"I don't need it. Ever since I became a ninja, I haven't had any free time. I owe a lot to my parents and sister. Now, only my niece is left. I plan to spend this time accompanying her as she grows up."
If another ninja said this, Tatsuma might worry about living off others, but Dan Kato seems to be wealthy. After all, he often treats Tsunade to meat and drinks, and sometimes even includes Tatsuma, this "outsider," without any hesitation.
Dan Kato's kidney should be fully functional and suitable for transplant in about half a year. Nearly half of that time has passed now, and after a few months of recovery post-surgery, Dan Kato could take a break for a year at most. He should be able to afford it.
After running through these thoughts in his mind, Tatsuma didn't feel compelled to object.
Transplanting Hashirama Cells could potentially grant the power of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, which is indeed a great temptation for many. However, many also strongly resist it.
For those who already possess a certain level of strength and don't need to rely on Hashirama Cells to gain something, like Dan Kato, the idea of transplanting Hashirama Cells may tarnish the legacy of the First Hokage, something Dan Kato naturally wouldn't accept.
Seeing a hint of regret on Tatsuma's face, Dan Kato took a deep breath and changed the subject, saying, "Tatsuma, if one day your plan matures and you wish to implement it, I'll be your staunchest supporter."
"Internal organ cultivation? It's already quite mature," Tatsuma detected an underlying meaning but pretended ignorance as he asked. Dan Kato just smiled at him without responding.
Understanding the unspoken implications, Tatsuma nodded with a smile, stowed the scroll into his ninja tool pouch, and stood up, saying, "Dan-senpai, I won't disturb your rest any longer. Next time we meet, I'll make sure you're restored to being a complete man."
"Don't say such things, my back hurts," Dan Kato replied.
Having spent a considerable amount of time with Tatsuma, Dan Kato had become less formal and more relaxed. He joked about his missing kidney, matching Tatsuma's banter.
After Tatsuma left the ward, Dan Kato's test results came back, confirming everything was fine. He then left Konoha Hospital.
When Tatsuma returned to Senju Clan's territory, he unexpectedly encountered Orochimaru, who had returned to the village after spending nearly half a month wandering outside, and had directly come to Senju Clan's territory.
"Orochimaru-sama."
Looking inside the study, where Orochimaru seemed eager to look through his notes but hesitated to touch anything, Tatsuma suddenly found it somewhat amusing.
Tatsuma had harbored rigid biases against Orochimaru in the past. However, over time, these biases had gradually faded. Orochimaru, upon hearing Tatsuma speak, reluctantly shifted his gaze away and said, "I went out of the village recently to investigate. As you suspected, those Iwa-nin indeed had contacts with Cloud Ninja."
At these words, Tatsuma frowned. He hadn't expected Orochimaru's trip out of the village to be related to this investigation. He had previously thought Orochimaru had come to inquire out of sheer idleness.
Nevertheless, a hint of displeasure and disdain appeared in Tatsuma's eyes. Orochimaru continued, "As you also suspected, Konoha's reconnaissance teams failed to detect these obvious traces."
"Moreover, I even took the time to impersonate an Iwa-nin for two days, living in the town they passed through. Yet they failed to notice either me or the Iwa-nin I portrayed. It's truly laughable."
"Although I had anticipated it, their incompetence still astonishes me," Tatsuma shook his head. Orochimaru showed no intention of further belittling them; after all, demeaning others doesn't elevate oneself. He asked, "Tatsuma, when do you estimate they will strike?"
"During the New Year, probably between the third and sixth day. That's when the village is least vigilant."
"Just as I suspected. Should we inform Mito-sama?"
Orochimaru nodded. Tatsuma's answer mirrored his own, which comforted him. Indeed, compared to most fools, Tatsuma seemed more like his ally.
Tatsuma also nodded. "Yes, once the nanny leaves, we'll go."
Afterwards, the two discussed some insights on Ninjutsu in the study. When Tatsuma sensed the departure of the female ninja caring for Mito, he brought Orochimaru to visit. Mito was the person Tatsuma trusted the most, so he had already shared his suspicions with her early on. Mito was also glad they hadn't told Hiruzen about these matters.
Because Mito had a thought in mind—to fill Kushina with love before making her the Jinchuriki, and this opportunity presented itself naturally with the unknowing Minato.
After listening to both of them, Mito pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, I'll trouble you with the explanation to Hiruzen later. I'll handle it."
Cough "It's about time. Delaying further wouldn't be good for the village," Tatsuma said worriedly as he looked at Mito's increasingly frail body. "Grandma Mito, how is your health?"
Mito's health has deteriorated significantly over the past two years, which Tatsuma finds difficult to comprehend. Several times he tried to take her for a check-up, but Mito always refused.
This time was no exception. Mito waved her hand and said, "There's not much time left anyway, I know how things stand."
"Alright."
"You go get ready. I have other matters to attend to."
Seeing that Mito didn't want to continue the conversation, Tatsuma and Orochimaru didn't insist. After they left, Mito touched the brightening diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, took a deep breath, and slowly formed hand seals.
On the fifth night of the new year, after several days of surveillance, Tatsuma and Orochimaru finally showed expressions of victory—they had guessed correctly!
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