"Yes, Captain!" Moli responded swiftly. In no time, she had completed a handwritten contract scroll and summoned Minato Namikaze.
As soon as Minato entered the tent, he turned to Ishihara. "Jōnin Ishihara, are you really going through with this kind of surgery?"He instinctively sensed that the procedure carried considerable risks. That's why he asked again — not just to confirm, but also to dissuade him. After all, Ishihara's limbs were not crippled. Why undergo such an operation?
"Yes. I'm certain, Minato-san."
"Very well then." He didn't try to dissuade him further.
Uchiha Kin and Ishihara confirmed the price."Jōnin Ishihara, a large-scale replacement like this... won't be cheap.
"You know, the density of neural endings in a ninja's body far exceeds that of ordinary people — roughly one nerve ending every two millimeters. Our most basic task is to connect each of them, one by one.
"And overcoming rejection is the true core of this procedure — a technique that belongs solely to me… it's extremely complex, so…
"One arm is two million ryō. If you also want the core muscle group on the back, because of the extensive tissue area involved, that will be another seven million ryō. If that's acceptable to you…"
"I accept. Nine million it is," Ishihara answered without hesitation. The price was steep, but the power that came with it was beyond any monetary measure.
Kin nodded. "Then let's sign."
Ishihara signed the contract, followed by Minato. With that, Uchiha Kin began the operation.
The majority of the surgical work was carried out by his two assistants, Moli and Jingju.
They removed the arm and core muscles, keeping them active with Healing Palm. They then detached Ishihara's corresponding limbs and muscles, temporarily severing the nerves...
Kin took over for the final connection. A mass of yellowish nerves extended from his palm like plant roots, threading into the replacement arm and muscle tissue, connecting with Ishihara's own body.
Ishihara felt an overwhelming surge of power.
Once he stepped off the operating table, he handed Kin a bank check for nine million ryō."This is from the Konoha Bank. I hope we'll have more chances to work together in the future."
Kin smiled. "Yes, I look forward to it."
Minato hesitated. "This kind of procedure…" He frowned slightly. "As a friend of the Uchiha, I must warn you — this operation is already straddling the edge of darkness. Be very cautious.
"Don't let yourself fall into the shadows. This technique… should be classified as a forbidden jutsu. Use it with discretion!"
"You're overthinking it, Minato-san."
"Ugh, this guy…" Obito clicked his tongue in irritation, clearly annoyed seeing Kin and Minato chatting so amicably.Hyūga Sen, on the other hand, congratulated him jokingly. "Wow, not bad! Just one surgery and you made that much? If I'd known, I'd have become a medical-nin myself!"
Kin replied, "Well, you'd have to be the master of your own fate first."
A branch member of the Hyūga clan didn't get to choose their "future" —Whether they became a ninja, what kind of ninja they became, or where they were assigned — these were all decided by the main house.
He had no personal will.
Even though the Byakugan had significant medical applications, even though he clearly had talent — his rebelliousness had only allowed him to switch from Gentle Fist to Gentle Blade. And that was it.
Sen had always believed his clan was the pinnacle of taijutsu, the masters of the Gentle Fist among both hard and soft taijutsu schools.
And so, all Hyūga descendants could only distinguish themselves within that limited field.
Hyūga Sen paused, then took a deep breath. "You always know what to say."
Kin replied, "Thanks for the compliment."
He changed his clothes again, gave Moli and Jingju a few final instructions, and left with Hyūga Sen.
The two strolled out of the camp at a relaxed pace—then suddenly accelerated.
Their torsos leaned forward almost parallel to the ground, arms swept back like wings — they sprinted forward at high speed.
"Kinda makes you nostalgic, doesn't it?" Sen mused. "Back when it was you, me, and Nara Gyoku on missions together…"
Kin echoed the sentiment. "Yeah, those were the days. Shame about Gyoku…"
Nara Gyoku had been their teammate when they graduated — assigned by the Hokage based on compatibility and skill.
Unfortunately, he died.
He was clever, sensitive… but perhaps too clever, too sensitive. During a mission, he accidentally triggered an enemy trap — and was killed.
"Yeah… such a waste. He was so smart," Sen sighed. Then he looked ahead. "We're here."
They bounded like grasshoppers into the forest. Before long, they reached a tree hollow and entered.
Inside, a stone staircase wound downward. Sen activated his Byakugan and took the lead.
Behind him, Kin casually pulled out a small fluorescent flashlight. Once switched on, it lit the surroundings with stark clarity.
The tunnel walls were etched with patterns and embedded with black stones, twisted like the roots of an ancient tree.
Intricate. Interwoven.
This was clearly a visual interference design made to thwart the Byakugan.
Although the Byakugan could still technically penetrate the space, once inside, the layered patterns acted as camouflage — concealing any person within from view.
Kin raised a brow. "Copying me?"
Sen asked calmly, "It works, doesn't it?"
"Pay up the copyright fee!"
They finally descended into a vast natural cavern, where a cold wind blew steadily.
Inside the cave were several disguised tents, specially designed to fool the Byakugan. Sen walked into one of them.
"I've already cleaned this place out," he said. "Right after the eyes were successfully cultivated."
The tent was dimly lit. On a table stood a glass jar filled with fluid — and inside were two eyeballs.
Byakugan!
The sclerae were snowy white; the irises pale and frosted, radiating a cold, metallic luster.
"What a beautiful pair of eyes…" Kin couldn't help but remark.
"Kin, let's begin," Sen said firmly. "This is our first step toward freedom. Once I control the Hyūga Clan… the caged bird seal will be history."
What utter nonsense, Kin thought.
He didn't believe a single word — not even the punctuation.
Once Sen became the clan head, would he really abolish the Caged Bird Seal?
No.
Why would he?
He wasn't the one wearing it.
Kin smiled faintly. "Mm. I'm looking forward to that day. Shall we begin the procedure?"
"Of course," said Sen. "I can't wait."