Previously, Uehara Soma might have refused outright.
Are you kidding.
A surgery that even a medical ninja can't perform, and they want a blacksmith like me to do it?
Even if the Third Mizukage says the surgery fails, it's not my concern.
But what about Ao's family?
What about Ao's friends?
What will these people think?
Uehara Soma doesn't expect much from many people in the Hidden Mist Village.
The entire family of the Kaguya Clan is almost mentally unstable.
Many ninjas immersed in the Bloody Mist.
Once a radical appears among Ao's surroundings, it's very likely that the reason for the surgery's failure will be attributed to Uehara Soma, causing trouble for him.
In addition, Uehara Soma remembers that in the original storyline, Ao was doing just fine until the Fourth Great Ninja War.
It proves that he got through that crisis.
But now, the situation is different.
Uehara Soma has acquired God's Hand.
And he also gained 2000 points of Body Modification Technique experience, reaching the Familiar level.
In other words, now Uehara Soma can also be considered a medical ninja.
He just doesn't know Medical Ninjutsu, only surgery.
But with these conditions, Uehara Soma is quite confident in completing Ao's surgery.
In this situation, Uehara Soma accepted the invite.
On one hand, he can earn Ao's gratitude.
As a Jonin of the Hidden Mist Village, and a Jonin with the Byakugan at that, Uehara Soma feels that Ao is a very valuable ninja.
Furthermore, in the original storyline, Ao can become one of Terumi Mei's guardians, which also indicates something.
It indicates that under the future turmoil of the Hidden Mist Village, Ao made the right choice.
The second aspect is that this is a request from the Third Mizukage himself.
No matter how the Third Mizukage performs in the position of Mizukage.
No matter how much the Third Mizukage is currently affected by Uchiha Madara's Genjutsu.
The Third Mizukage is still the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village.
"Shall we go to the medical department now?"
"Okay."
Biwa Juzo also followed along.
Previously, Biwa Juzo was under the Third Mizukage's orders to protect Uehara Soma.
But now, Biwa Juzo has begun to see Uehara Soma as more important.
Because a Mizukage is only temporary.
But a ninja sword is forever.
The three of them quickly arrived at the medical department.
They went straight to the ward where Ao was.
An elderly woman glanced over.
The Third Mizukage introduced, "This is Mayuko Ringo, the highest-ranking medical ninja in the medical department, proficient in Medical Ninjutsu."
"And this is Uehara Soma, the head of the forging department, the highest-ranking blacksmith in our village."
Uehara Soma glanced at the elderly woman in front of him, feeling a slight stir in his heart.
He hadn't seen this person before.
But the name "Ringo" left an impression on Uehara Soma.
In the original storyline, after Kurosuki Raiga's death, the Thunder Swords circulated and eventually returned to the hands of the Hidden Mist Village. Later, they were inherited by a young female ninja.
The female ninja's name is Ameyuri Ringo.
According to the information released by the Hidden Mist Village, Ameyuri Ringo's talent surpassed Kurosuki Raiga's, and the Thunder Swords were even more powerful in her hands.
Unfortunately, her health was poor.
She passed away at a young age.
By the time of the Fourth Great Ninja War, she could only appear as an Impure World Reincarnation.
"Mayuko-senpai."
Uehara Soma said, "Mizukage-sama, I'm not very clear about the details of the surgery request. How about I first practice on a test subject and let Mayuko-senpai take a look?"
"If Mayuko-senpai thinks it's okay, then I'll proceed with the surgery on Ao-senpai?"
The Third Mizukage nodded.
"This is better."
Then he looked at Mayuko Ringo.
"Mayuko, go prepare."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
Mayuko Ringo turned and left.
Soon, she returned.
Such test subjects were not uncommon in the Hidden Mist Village's medical department; medical ninjas need them for learning.
A snow-white rabbit was brought in.
It's not a native creature of the Hidden Mist Village, but because it's suitable for experimentation, it was brought here.
Now it's one of the mainstay creatures of the Hidden Mist Village.
Because there are too many of them, they're even served on the dining table.
Just relying on the laboratory isn't enough to consume them.
To control their numbers, wildcats were introduced to hunt them.
Mayuko Ringo placed the rabbit on the adjacent test platform.
Uehara Soma stepped forward.
The rabbit already has many wounds, its life force is weak, relying solely on medical ninjas to sustain it. However, without surgery, it will soon perish.
Uehara Soma took out God's Hand and put it on.
Mayuko Ringo was puzzled for a moment.
"Gloves?"
Typically, medical ninjas wear gloves during surgery.
But those are thin, meant to prevent infection.
The God's Hand that Uehara Soma brought out was noticeably heavier.
Uehara Soma explained, "Wearing these gloves will enhance my surgical abilities to some extent."
Mayuko Ringo nodded, didn't say anything more, seemingly accepting Uehara Soma's explanation.
Uehara Soma looked at the rabbit in front of him, his expression becoming serious.
Then, he extended his hands.
The moment he touched the rabbit, Uehara Soma suddenly felt a surge of a familiar sensation that didn't belong to him.
It's as if instinctively, he just knew how to handle it.
"So this is the influence brought by the Familiar-level Body Modification Technique," Uehara Soma thought.
Uehara Soma took the needle and thread and began suturing the rabbit's wounds.
"How is it, Mayuko?"
The Third Mizukage, Mayuko Ringo, and Biwa Juzo stood nearby.
Their conversation was hushed, afraid of disturbing Uehara Soma.
"Very steady," Mayuko Ringo replied. "This kid's hands are very steady, as if born to perform surgery."
As soon as Mayuko Ringo saw Uehara Soma's actions, she showed admiration in her eyes.
Mayuko Ringo felt that such steady hands, such great talent, not being used as a medical ninja, not being responsible for surgeries in the medical department, would be a waste.
But then, Mayuko Ringo remembered what the Third Mizukage had said about Uehara Soma's identity.
"Mizukage-sama, is this kid's Forging Technique really that strong?"
The Third Mizukage raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Mayuko, what are you trying to say?"
"Mizukage-sama, this kid's hands are truly suited for surgery. If we could have him join the medical department and specialize in performing surgeries, he could save many lives that couldn't be saved otherwise."
"So, Soma's demonstrated ability is sufficient to handle Ao's surgery?"
"Absolutely."
"That's good to hear."
The Third Mizukage smiled.
But then he added,
"However, it's unlikely for Soma to join the medical department and specialize in learning Medical Ninjutsu."
---
You can read up to 50 Advanced chapters and support me at patreon.com/Lookar