As a law-abiding shinobi who followed all three principles of a "model ninja," Shinju knew very well: embezzling village funds carried extremely heavy consequences. If he wasn't careful, he could end up spending the rest of his life rotting in Konoha's prison.
So, Shinju laid down a condition with Tsunade:
"Alright. But the public funds? You're the one shifting them. This has nothing to do with me."
Tsunade agreed without hesitation, nodding firmly.
"You're one slippery guy… Don't worry. Since I'm the one asking for your help, I won't let you take the blame."
...
Over the next few days, Shinju practically lived in the laboratory.
From a total beginner in biology, he forced himself to become a research master.
A week later.
Shinju submitted the complete surgical procedure for Rock Lee, detailing every stage of the cell activation process.
Tsunade sat in the Hokage's office, looking through the plan Shinju handed over. The more she read, the more her heart trembled.
"You wrote all of this… on your own?"
Her voice rose without her meaning to.
It wasn't that she was exaggerating—this boy really was heaven-defying!
The surgical plan he presented didn't just cover every step and every detail in full—it also listed dozens of possible complications that could arise during surgery, with corresponding solutions to each one.
Most shocking of all was his detailed explanation of the cell activation process.
It was so refined, Tsunade found it hard to believe this came from someone who had been studying medical ninjutsu for less than a month. It was like reading the work of a veteran doctor with decades of experience!
"Yeah."
Shinju rubbed his eyes, looking utterly exhausted.
He'd been burning the candle at both ends for days, all for this plan.
Honestly, it was more tiring than training ninjutsu!
But finally, it was done.
"Take your time reading through it. Just remember to send the money to my account. I'm going home to sleep."
Barely able to keep his eyes open, Shinju pushed open the door, ready to leave.
But Tsunade called out to stop him, looking troubled.
"After going through this whole plan of yours… I think there's one more thing you'll need to prepare for."
Shinju spread his hands, looking annoyed.
"Fine. But it'll cost extra."
Tsunade grinned in her usual bold fashion.
"Done! I'll raise it to five million!! (•‾̑⌣‾̑•)✧˖"
In an instant, Shinju straightened up, his fatigue gone.
"Hokage-sama! Whatever it is, just say the word!"
Tsunade smiled sweetly.
"I want you to perform Lee's surgery yourself."
Shinju: --003d͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪ ‧̣̥̇)
Shizune: ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!
"Tsunade-sama, is that really okay?! Shinju has only been learning medical ninjutsu for half a month!
"Lee's surgery is extremely dangerous. Even you, with years of experience, aren't fully confident. Letting a rookie handle it would be far too reckless…"
Shizune hurriedly objected.
She admitted Shinju was a genius, but he was still just a thirteen-year-old boy. How could he possibly bear such responsibility?
Tsunade had expected doubts. She picked up the plan from the desk and handed it to Shizune.
"See for yourself…"
Shizune skimmed through it—and the further she read, the wider her mouth fell open.
Th-this…
Could a beginner really have written this?!
Even if Tsunade herself had drafted it, she might not have made it this detailed!
Seeing Shizune's stunned expression, Tsunade looked as though she had expected exactly that.
"This plan is thorough, yes—but if we want the best chance of success, Shinju himself has to perform the surgery. After all, he's the one in Konoha who understands 'cell activation' better than anyone else.
"And besides, only he has the massive chakra reserves needed to push through such a difficult operation in one go."
"But still…"
Shizune hesitated.
Tsunade looked straight at Shinju.
"So? What do you say?"
She explained further, anticipating his reluctance.
"Don't worry. Officially, it'll be announced that I performed the surgery. Even if it fails, you won't carry any blame."
Shinju fell into thought.
Surgery… what a hassle.
And he hadn't even performed a single one yet. Up to now, the most he'd done was apply ointment or set bones for injured shinobi.
"I…"
He opened his mouth, ready to decline.
But Tsunade grit her teeth and raised a single finger.
"Ten million. If the surgery succeeds, I'll transfer ten million to your account."
Shinju: ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!
Technically, he could refuse. But that amount of money… it was too much.
"Hokage-sama's business is my business!! Don't cheapen it by mentioning money—it hurts my feelings!
"I'll do it!"
Shinju straightened, his tone righteous and firm.
Tsunade smiled in satisfaction.
"Good. Then go rest for now. Starting tomorrow, you'll begin hands-on surgical training. After all, you're still a total newbie who's never even cut into a patient's skin."
"Mm."
Shinju gave a small nod, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly teleport home and collapse into bed.
Back in the Hokage's office, Shizune frowned with concern.
"Tsunade-sama, don't you think this decision is a little too hasty?"
Tsunade exhaled slowly, standing at the window, gazing out at the streets of Konoha.
"It's fine. I'll personally train him over the next few days. If he's not suitable, we'll swap someone else in."
...
At Shinju and Naruto's house.
Naruto, training hard in the yard, noticed Shinju stumble in and fall straight to bed. He hurried over, worried.
"What have you been working on these past few days? You're up early, asleep late—you've even fallen behind on training."
Half-asleep already, Shinju mumbled:
"Helping Lee with surgery…"
Naruto: "Huh?! --003d͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪ ‧̣̥̇)"
...
Konoha Hospital.
Tsunade walked up to Rock Lee's bedside, smiling like a gentle big sister.
"Lee, in about a week, we'll have you undergo surgery.
"Once it's done, you'll be able to return to how you were before."
Might Guy, standing beside him, frowned.
"But last time, you said the chances of success were very low?"
"Shinju solved the problem of cell activation."
Tsunade smiled as she explained.
"Because of that, the success rate has jumped straight to eighty percent."
"Shinju again, huh… That guy just keeps surprising us."
Lee, lying in bed, looked up with eyes full of admiration.
The first time he'd seen Shinju was on the training grounds outside the village, when Shinju—so young—was already opening the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates.
Later, during the Chunin Exams, he challenged Shinju to a fight. He'd been completely crushed.
Since then, news of Shinju had spread one after another—like the Wood Release shinobi saving Konoha…
Gradually, the self-proclaimed "genius of hard work" realized Shinju had become his second idol, right after Guy-sensei.
"I'll always aim for him. He's the one I'll chase for the rest of my life!"
Lee clenched his fists tight.