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Aside from its unconventional appearance, the Earth Grudge Fear's precision was unmatched. And the chakra cost? Negligible.
It was practically a license to print money.
One surgery, 200,000 ryō. Ten surgeries, two million. A hundred…
He could even modify his usual methods.
Instead of killing his targets, he'd simply damage them.
Leave them with a choice: pay up, or spend the rest of their lives watching their wives enjoy the company of others.
And those wealthy merchants and nobles they'd pay a fortune for his services.
The more chaotic the times, the more profitable surgery became.
Kakuzu felt a pang of regret. Why hadn't he thought of this sooner?
"If we disregard the patient's comfort, a finger reattachment takes less than a minute. A limb? Five minutes, tops. And my skills are impeccable. As long as the components are intact, I can restore them to perfect condition."
Kakuzu looked at Gojo Kaigetsu, his voice filled with a newfound respect.
"Advisor Gojo, I misjudged you."
He didn't care about the other departments.
His surgical practice would be a gold mine.
"You'll manage the hospital's finances. The Hokage Tower takes a ten percent cut. The rest is yours, to manage as you see fit."
"Consider it done!"
Even with normal operations, Konoha Hospital required funding from the Hokage Tower.
Gojo Kaigetsu's "Konoha Healthcare Plan," while beneficial, had strained the hospital's budget.
Ninja injury rates were high, and the cost of medical supplies was exorbitant. They were spending more than they were receiving in "insurance payments."
Yagura's arrival had helped, but it wasn't enough.
The Hokage Tower still had to subsidize the hospital.
Gojo Kaigetsu wouldn't entrust such a vital asset to just anyone. Trust was one thing, but incompetence he couldn't risk it.
But Kakuzu was different.
While his loyalty to the Will of Fire was questionable, his loyalty to money was absolute.
To Kakuzu, it wasn't whose money, but rather the money itself.
To others, money was just a number in a scroll.
To Kakuzu, it was alive. A source of warmth and comfort, a tool for self-improvement.
With such a devotion to money, Gojo Kaigetsu trusted him to manage Konoha Hospital's finances with the utmost care.
And besides, Kakuzu was a skilled accountant. Even the Akatsuki, a group of unconventional individuals, had trusted him with their funds.
He was the perfect choice.
Tsunade, on the other hand, though undeniably loyal her financial skills were questionable.
He couldn't let her handle the hospital's budget. She'd likely donate it to a casino.
She was better suited for hands-on work, not administration.
"But there's a problem," Kakuzu said, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "There aren't always patients. What about slow days?"
"Don't worry, Kakuzu. Once your reputation as a surgical prodigy spreads, you'll have more clients than you can handle."
"More injured ninja?"
"Not necessarily. Ninjas, even knowing they can be healed, still value their bodies. But there are those with more money than they know what to do with, who indulge in certain pursuits. They'll seek you out, even without injuries. Can you guess who?"
"Who?" Kakuzu was intrigued.
Since arriving in Konoha, he'd encountered countless unforeseen circumstances.
"Merchants. Nobles."
Kakuzu scoffed. He'd killed plenty of those. But he'd never heard of them intentionally injuring themselves. That was insane.
"You're unfamiliar with the Land of Fire's history. Let me enlighten you." Gojo Kaigetsu's tone turned serious.
"Our merchants and nobles are known for their proclivities. Multiple wives, concubines you've noticed, haven't you?"
Kakuzu nodded hesitantly.
"There's a story about a wealthy merchant with a large harem. But he was insecure, worried that his performance wasn't up to par."
"So, he contacted a renowned medical-nin, offering 23.33 million ryō for an enhancement procedure."
"An enhancement procedure?" Kakuzu's eyes widened as if a new world had opened before him. "You're talking about that?"
"Exactly."
"They insert things to enhance certain attributes."
"And the merchant, pleased with the results, paid the medical-nin an additional twenty million."
"His companions bragged about it, and word spread. The medical-nin's clinic, though seemingly quiet during the day, was packed at night. The sounds of pleasure and pain never ceased."
Gojo Kaigetsu finished his historical anecdote.
He wasn't sure if it was entirely accurate. He'd made it up. But it was certainly interesting.
Kakuzu stared at him, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Of course, such a specialized service requires a reputation. Who would trust an unknown medical-nin with their future happiness?"
"Build your reputation, and the clients will come. You'll be drowning in enhancement requests, Kakuzu."
Kakuzu nodded solemnly, his eyes gleaming. "I understand. Money flows towards skill. A single surgery, millions of ryō I could die happy."
So, the fastest way to get rich in the ninja world wasn't through missions or bounties, but rather catering to the wealthy.
Hitomi was wheeled into the operating room.
"Advisor Gojo, please I don't want the surgery anymore," he pleaded.
"Why not?"
A high-quality explosive tag costs around 10,000 ryō. A powerful, versatile tool. For a lower-ranking ninja, it was like a second chance.
And for a ninja facing a life of disability, leaving his savings for his son wasn't a bad option. A way to pass on his legacy.
Gojo Kaigetsu didn't answer, leaving the decision to Kakuzu, the newly appointed Chief Surgeon.
He'd wanted to lower the prices, but that would have to come from Kakuzu, not him.
"You're rejecting my services? After I've prepared everything?" Kakuzu's face darkened.
Hitomi, intimidated by his Jonin-level aura, stammered, "I-I've changed my mind. Who are you, anyway? Can you force me?"
"I am Uzumaki Kakuzu. You can call me Doctor Kakuzu, Chief Surgeon." He'd quickly adapted to his new identity. "I despise patients who refuse treatment because of financial concerns."
He examined Hitomi. "Your right arm and leg are severed. Significant tissue loss. I can fix this. And your strength will mostly recover. Normally, this would cost one million ryō. But seeing as you're struggling, let's say 500,000."
"I-I still can't afford it."
"400,000."
"Still…"
"350,000. That's my final offer. Any lower, and I'll reattach your arm to your face, and your leg to your…" Kakuzu's patience was wearing thin.
He wouldn't let this cash cow escape. And this was his first client!
If not for Konoha's laws, and Orochimaru's control, he'd have simply operated.
Hitomi gulped. 350,000…
He closed his eyes. "Do it, Doctor Kakuzu. And no pain medication. I can handle it."
"Don't underestimate my skills. You won't feel a thing."
Kakuzu, a veteran of the black market, understood the importance of a good reputation. He'd become a surgical prodigy, renowned throughout the ninja world.
He envisioned a future where clients lined up outside his operating room, all whispering, "Doctor Kakuzu he's the best."
Kakuzu formed hand seals, and black tendrils, like monstrous sutures, erupted from his body.
Those same tendrils that had once pierced Danzo's body were now healing a Konoha ninja.
As Hitomi watched in horror, the tendrils went to work, collecting flesh fragments, holding skin flaps in place, and then, shrinking to a microscopic level, weaving between muscle and bone, reattaching the severed limbs.
Kakuzu's focus was absolute. He was no longer a bounty hunter, but a surgeon.
No one understood the Sage of Six Paths' better than Gojo Kaigetsu.
Every ninja's abilities, no matter how bizarre, could be used for good, or evil.
Konan's Paper Ninjutsu could revolutionize the paper industry.
Sasori's puppetry, a marvel of engineering, could liberate the workforce. Deidara's clay bombs could build roads.
Orochimaru is a pioneer in bio-engineering. Kisame is a lifeguard. And Hidan.. well, perhaps he could join a circus.
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