At this time, in Orochimaru's laboratory.
"Well... it's a clever way to handle it," Orochimaru mused. "Channel the excess chakra the body can't handle outward first."
"In this way, we can slowly test the limits of what the subject's body can endure. Even if we can't create a perfect subject, at least they won't be destroyed in the process..."
A wicked smile crept across Orochimaru's face. "Hehehe... Reiki really is a talent."
However, if Reiki were to be useful to him, Orochimaru knew he would need to make significant preparations.
The primary obstacle was Tsunade. Among everyone in the village, Tsunade was the last person Orochimaru wanted to cross. Others might be cautious about internal politics and alliances, but if Tsunade was provoked, she could find and dismantle his base within minutes. Danzo had once clashed with Tsunade, only to see his root organization crumble under her pressure.
Furthermore, Reiki wouldn't agree to anything unless he volunteered. If forced, Tsunade would undoubtedly find out.
"I'll need to make contact," Orochimaru decided, already plotting his next move.
---
The next day, after completing his morning exercises, Reiki headed straight to the hospital.
"Senior Brother Reiki, we have new assignments," Shizune said as he entered the office. "Three B-rank and one A-rank mission." She handed Reiki four task sheets along with a prepared breakfast.
Shizune had recently abandoned the idea of joining Reiki for morning training. Her body couldn't keep up with his pace, especially with her regular healing duties and helping Reiki with other tasks.
"Thank you, Shizune." Reiki glanced at the task list and froze when he noticed one of the names. "Orochimaru?"
They really were pushing their luck, weren't they? Reiki just wanted to continue as a medical ninja, improve his skills, and grow quietly.
Yesterday, Mito Kaden had sent over some of Orochimaru's failed experimental products, almost as if trying to cover something up. And now, Orochimaru had personally sent four patients for Reiki to handle.
"Shizune, are all four of them in the same ward?" Reiki pushed the task list back to her as he continued eating.
"They're all in separate high-level wards, spread across four rooms."
"Not adjacent, huh? Got it." Reiki glanced at her. "By the way, I noticed some minor cases on the task board earlier—simple debridement and stab wounds. Could you handle them on your own today?"
Shizune looked surprised. Since joining the hospital, she had completed every task alongside Reiki. Despite being Tsunade's disciple, she had learned much directly from Reiki, especially with Tsunade's recent busy schedule.
"Don't worry," Reiki reassured her. "You're already an excellent medical ninja. Plus, this afternoon, someone you know is coming to visit. It'll be good practice for handling injuries independently."
The tense atmosphere lightened as Reiki spoke, and Shizune's curiosity got the better of her. "Who? Is it Sister Rin?"
Reiki chuckled. "Go on, Shizune. Rin will be here this afternoon, so don't let her show you up."
---
Although initially hesitant, Shizune quickly gathered her resolve and headed to take on the task. Reiki, after finishing his breakfast, made his way to the high-level wards with the four task sheets.
Waiting by the door of one patient's room, he found Orochimaru himself.
"Lord Orochimaru," Reiki greeted him with a faint smile. "Here in person? Does that mean you're planning to assist with the treatment?"
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Reiki, I wouldn't want to miss seeing you work. My curiosity compels me."
With that, Reiki entered the ward. Spotting the patient, who looked like a "mummy" due to the extensive bandages, he turned back to Orochimaru with a slight frown.
"Don't look at me like that," Orochimaru said. "If you had agreed to help me sooner, they wouldn't be in this condition. So, how about reconsidering my offer?"
Reiki sighed, inspecting the patient. "Couldn't the rejection response have been managed sooner? This body isn't suited for these experiments. Fitness levels should be assessed before attempting to merge special energies. Or, limit the energy to what their body can handle, then gradually allow it to grow internally. What do you think, Lord Orochimaru?"
As Reiki spoke, he placed his hands over the patient's body, using a specialized technique to remove the Hashirama cells that were wreaking havoc internally. Hashirama cells, remarkable as they were, could be lethal to hosts who couldn't sustain them.
"Room: Slaughterhouse!" Reiki's thought activated the power of his surgical fruit, extracting the problematic cells and storing them in his system space. With the Hashirama cells removed, addressing the remaining injuries became much easier, and Reiki completed the treatment within half an hour, gaining valuable experience in the process.
"Treatment is complete, Lord Orochimaru," he said, standing. "I'll proceed with the remaining three patients. Feel free to observe, if you'd like."
With that, Reiki left, heading to the next ward, his resolve to stay true to his path unshaken.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 300 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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