"With my sensory perception enhanced, the state of my chakra has become much clearer."
Saying that, Chiba slowed his hand seals—Hai, Chou, Yin, Zi…
One by one, the seals took shape. His chakra surged in response, and soon, the familiar hum of the Chakra Scalpel appeared once .
No difficulty whatsoever.
Then, dispersing the chakra, he began forming another sequence of seals—this time swapping out two of them.
With a little extra fine control of chakra—
After another round of hand seals, a slender, needle-like shape appeared in the center of Chiba's palm. The dense chakra had condensed into something almost tangible.
He tested it with a kunai.
Clang!
It deflected easily.
"As I thought," Chiba murmured, "these few seals can aid chakra cohesion, it easier to gather chakra. Of course, it still takes precise control. Without that, it's impossible."
After pondering for a moment, he opened his notebook and began to jot things down.
Technique: Chakra Needle
Difficulty: A+
Effect: Can touch physical matter; offensive potential yet to be verified
Optimization: Finer structure, greater number, more durability, lower difficulty
"For now, it's not a jutsu that can be popularized."
But that didn't mean it was useless.
The Chakra Scalpel was invaluable in surgeries—but it wasn't always applicable. For instance, when dealing with damaged tendons or muscles, its precision in cutting the fascia was limited.
The Chakra Needle, however, could do that.
"I'll have to test it in a real operation."
Chiba rose and headed toward the office.
As a trainee who hadn't even graduated—and one who technically didn't know medical ninjutsu—he would need permission and supervision from his instructor, Kitayama Xu.
Kitayama Xu had long forgotten about the "Icha Icha Paradise" incident.
The Medical Department was simply too busy.
Even in peacetime, with few battlefield casualties, the endless cycle of training, study, and surgeries left her with no mental energy for trivialities.
Still…
When Chiba entered, the awkward memory flickered in her mind.
After a brief silence, Chiba spoke first.
"Sensei, I tried integrating the Chakra Scalpel into a technique I've been developing."
"???"
Kitayama Xu stared, her expression somewhere between disbelief and are you kidding me?
You just learned the Chakra Scalpel!
Now this?
Her composure wavered slightly. After a few seconds, she asked, "What technique?"
"I call it the Chakra Needle."
Chiba swiftly formed the seals, then extended his right hand. A shining needle of chakra condensed into existence. "I enhanced its shape transformation—it's tangible now."
"This jutsu…"
Kitayama Xu's eyes widened. Though she hadn't been in the Medical Department for long, years of experience told her immediately what such a jutsu could do.
A certain surgery came to mind. She turned, rifled through a stack of folders, and pulled out a medical record.
"Sensei, whose record is that?"
"Maruboshi Kosuke."
That name struck Chiba—Maruboshi Kosuke, the man officially listed as a genin but in truth of elite jōnin caliber.
"On the battlefield, Kosuke-senpai suffered a severe fracture in his left leg. Though he was treated quickly, there were too many bone fragments. After Lady Tsunade's departure, the Medical Department couldn't handle it… he had to be amputated."
Kitayama Xu sighed. "If someone back then had known your technique, there might've been a chance to save his leg."
"Are there any similar operations coming up? I'd like to observe—or participate."
"We get such cases from time to time. Wait a bit."
Chiba didn't have to wait long.
The very next day, Kitayama Xu took him into an operating room.
Of course, he wasn't allowed to perform surgery yet—only to observe and acclimate himself to the environment, to avoid freezing up in future operations.
But not everyone approved.
For instance, Hanpo—the class leader of the Medical Department, one rank above Kitayama Xu. Still, when she mentioned the Hokage's orders, he had no choice but to agree.
After a few operations, Hanpo's impression of Chiba softened considerably.
Though clumsy at first, Chiba displayed genuine respect for life, deft hands, and rapid learning. By the second surgery, he was already helping in small ways without hindering the procedure.
Half a month later, the operation Chiba had been waiting for arrived.
A chūnin from the Nara Clan—also an ANBU operative—had been struck by an explosive tag during a mission. His left hand was shattered, with debris and foreign materials embedded deep within the flesh.
The operation would be extremely difficult.
"This level of fragmentation…"
"We'll need to perform simultaneously," Kitayama Xu said. "Otherwise, it'll be too late."
She glanced at Chiba, hesitating.
"Sensei, let me help."
"You?" Hanpo frowned.
Chiba was gifted, yes—but he had never performed an operation himself. If they failed, it would be a heavy blow to him.
Hanpo thought for a moment. "This is too risky. Just assist with chakra control."
"I want to help remove the debris and realign the bone fragments."
"Very well. I'll support you," Kitayama Xu said firmly, before Hanpo could object.
Hanpo shot her a glare of silent protest, but she didn't elaborate. Everyone in the division already knew about Chiba's "Chakra Needle." They all agreed on one thing—
It had enormous potential.
Chiba was assigned to the thigh area.
He didn't mind, and quickly focused on the task.
Hand seals—jutsu activated.
The Chakra Needle shimmered into existence in his palm.
Hanpo hesitated briefly, then joined in.
The patient's condition was critical—time was short!
Centering himself, Chiba found that his heightened perception allowed him to sense the impurities embedded in the tissue more clearly. With steady hands and precise chakra control, he began to remove them.
Minutes passed. Before long, he had cleared the area from the foot all the way up to the waist. His right hand wielded the Chakra Needle; his left hand the Chakra Scalpel—neither ever pausing.
Hanpo and Kitayama Xu were stunned.
He's moving so fast!
They observed more closely—and their astonishment deepened.
His left hand used the Chakra Scalpel, while his right hand manipulated chakra in a way reminiscent of the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique. But unlike that jutsu, Chiba simply used chakra suction to draw out the removed debris.
The room fell silent.
Everyone exchanged looks—then quietly stepped back, giving him space.
Without realizing it, Chiba had become the one leading the surgery. The slender Chakra Needle danced between the shattered bones, slicing away damaged flesh and impurities.
The others worked to reassemble the fragments.
After what felt like ages, all the bones were rejoined. Under the glow of healing chakra, they began to fuse and recover, while the incisions made by Chiba's needle sealed swiftly.
"It's done. Rest now, kid. We'll take it from here," Hanpo said gently.
"Huh?"
Chiba blinked, coming out of his trance—then suddenly felt dizzy.
"The worst of it was in the left arm. You cleared most of it already. We'll handle the rest. You're low on chakra anyway."
Hanpo's voice was calm, almost respectful now.
Before, he'd treated Chiba kindly because of his potential.
Now, it was out of genuine respect.
If only the boy could learn medical ninjutsu properly…
He might one day become another Lady Tsunade.
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