Hearing the words of the Third Mizukage, Biwa Juzo breathed a sigh of relief.
Mayuko Ringo had similar thoughts, and Biwa Juzo had them too.
When he saw Uehara Soma's Water Release talent, Biwa Juzo had such feelings.
However, both Kiriichimonji and the Blue Rose Sword made Biwa Juzo realize that, regardless of Uehara Soma's talents, being a blacksmith is the most suitable profession for him.
Even if it's extra time, there's no need to learn any Medical Ninjutsu or surgery.
Learning Water Release, improving strength, is much better.
Uehara Soma's safety is much more important than the safety of other ninjas in the Hidden Mist Village.
Mayuko Ringo paused for a moment, then seemed to remember something.
"Mizukage-sama, is this child the blacksmith who forged the new Ninjato comparable to the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords?"
"Yes."
The Third Mizukage nodded.
Just then.
"I'm done."
Hearing the voice, Mayuko Ringo stepped forward.
"Mayuko-senpai, how is it?"
"Very good, very perfect."
Mayuko Ringo turned to the Third Mizukage and said, "Mizukage-sama, Soma's fine operational skills are even better than what I requested. There shouldn't be any problems with the surgery."
The Third Mizukage smiled.
"Good, then go ahead and arrange the surgery."
"Yes."
Uehara Soma interjected.
"Mizukage-sama, Mayuko-senpai, if we're going to perform the surgery, could we arrange the location on Forging Island? I'll feel more confident in a familiar environment."
The Third Mizukage had no objections and looked to Mayuko Ringo.
"Mayuko?"
"It's fine, I'm okay with anywhere."
Time was tight.
The next day, Ao had already been transferred to Forging Island.
Mayuko Ringo, like the outsiders who had come to Forging Island before, felt a sense of desolation in its current emptiness.
However, when the gaze falls on Uehara Soma, one would feel that with him around, Forging Island will inevitably regain its former glory, perhaps even stronger.
Ao's body lay peacefully on the operating table.
Uehara Soma is on the left.
Mayuko Ringo is on the right.
A white eye is embedded in Ao's eye socket. However, it's evident that the eye transplant wasn't done very well, as there are signs of decay around the eye socket.
The movement seemed to stir Ao awake.
Opening his eyes, he first glanced at Mayuko Ringo, then at Uehara Soma, and faintly spoke.
"If I die, please give the white eye to someone more suitable in the village."
At that moment, Uehara Soma's scalpel pierced into Ao's wound.
Ao's eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
Mayuko Ringo used Medical Ninjutsu to sustain Ao's life.
Guiding Uehara Soma through the surgery.
Outside, Biwa Juzo stood guard at the door.
Third Mizukage is not here; he has returned to the Mizukage's Building.
As the Mizukage, Third Mizukage has a heavy workload and doesn't have enough time to stay by the side.
While Hidden Mist Village was trying to save Ao from his severe injuries, on the other hand, Konoha also got embroiled in significant commotion because of this incident.
"Hokage-sama, we're sorry, it's all our fault."
An elder from the Hyuga Clan arrived at the Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned grim.
Beside him, Shimura Danzo snorted.
"You Hyuga Clan know how important the Byakugan is to Konoha. For so many years, Konoha has never experienced the loss of a Byakugan. This time, you have made a grave mistake."
"Konoha lost a pair of Byakugan."
"Hidden Mist Village gained an extra Byakugan."
"It's very likely that Hidden Mist Village can seize the initiative on the battlefield with this Byakugan."
"Previously, Hidden Mist Village gained momentum with the victory of the younger generation of ninjas and the sudden appearance of a new ninja tool. Now, the Hyuga Clan joins in."
"Once Konoha falls into a disadvantage on the battlefield against Hidden Mist Village, Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village may take advantage of this opportunity to launch even fiercer attacks on Konoha."
"Can your Hyuga Clan bear this responsibility?"
The Hyuga elder lowered his head even further.
"I'm sorry, Danzo-sama, it's indeed our Hyuga Clan's failure. If Hyuga Taki still lived, I would surely punish him severely..."
Danzo interrupted the Hyuga elder.
"Do you think that just because Hyuga Taki is dead, you can escape responsibility for this matter?"
"Hyuga Taki's death means your entire Hyuga Clan must take responsibility for this."
"This matter must be dealt with."
"Not a single Byakugan should remain outside of Konoha."
The Hyuga elder looked troubled.
"Hokage-sama, Danzo-sama, but the Byakugan has already been taken away by the people of Hidden Mist Village and brought back there. There's nothing our Hyuga clan can do."
"It's too difficult for our Hyuga clan's ninjas to infiltrate Hidden Mist Village and retrieve the Byakugan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, gazing at the Hyuga elder, and slowly spoke.
"It's not that complicated. I've heard that your Hyuga clan has had a longstanding relationship with the Kaguya clan of Hidden Mist Village. Perhaps through the channels of the Kaguya clan, we can find out more about the situation with that Byakugan."
"Well..."
The Hyuga elder's expression grew even more troubled.
Indeed, the Hyuga clan and the Kaguya clan had a long history of friendship.
But the Hyuga clan resided in Konoha.
The Kaguya clan was a ninja family of Hidden Mist Village.
"Currently, Konoha and Hidden Mist Village are in a state of war.
In this situation, for the Hyuga clan to task the Kaguya clan with gathering intelligence on that Byakugan, how is it different from asking the Kaguya clan to betray Hidden Mist Village? Will the Kaguya clan agree?
Knowing full well that the Kaguya clan will not agree, to forcibly make such a demand of them, wouldn't it create a rift between the two ninja clans?
So, there are only two outcomes facing the Hyuga clan.
One is to forcibly persuade the Kaguya clan to betray Hidden Mist Village.
The other is to sever ties with the Kaguya clan.
"Is there a problem?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.
The Hyuga elder glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose expression was relatively mild, then at Shimura Danzo, whose gaze was incredibly dark, and ultimately said nothing.
The Hyuga elder lowered his head.
"Hokage-sama, there is no problem. I will endeavor to arrange it."
"Not just effort, but certainty!"
Danzo's voice rang out.
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
The Hyuga elder left and returned to the Hyuga clan's headquarters.
In the Hokage's office, only two remained.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
"Danzo, you shouldn't have pressured the Hyuga clan like that. Losing the Byakugan is not something they wanted to see happen. They must be feeling guilty and regretful as well."
Danzo's face briefly showed surprise, but quickly concealed it.
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