The sword seems to take on a life of its own in Tomomi's hands, as she performs a veritable dance in her backyard, testing out the many techniques she possesses with her new weapon. The sword doesn't appear to be much different from a regular katana, except that it's slightly thinner and has a distinctive yellow edge.
"Lord Akira, this sword is amazing," Tomomi says, activating a special ability that causes its blade to begin discharging arcs of electricity around it, "But unfortunately, I cannot control the electricity that is emitted."
"It's the price for using energy that isn't yours. The advantage is that you don't consume your own chakra. However, with practice, you should be able to predict its behavior and get used to a more close-quarters style," says Akira, sitting next to Kiyoko on a wooden bench, very close to Tomomi's house.
"That's true," says Tomomi, watching the electric shocks from her sword, "The energy has a wild essence, impossible to control normally. I feel like if I dare to control it, I'll end up destroyed from within. Is this what they call natural energy?"
"Correct. And if you can somehow control it, you could be considered a senjutsu user," the man adds.
"I feel like I did when I was a little girl just beginning my ninja training," Tomomi comments with a bittersweet look, "When do I start work?"
"Your armor should be ready in two more weeks. From then on, you'll join the intelligence department, where you'll be required to participate in missions immediately," Akira says.
"It sounds ominous. Is there something important on the agenda?"
"Let's just say we have to secure our position on the international map. But to do so, we're going to generate enormous regional instability," the man's tone is emotionless.
"You make it sound too simple for what it really means," the woman complains. "Are there going to be deaths?"
"If all goes well, quite a few. But we need to cause massive destabilization immediately, because there are forces right now that are counting on the world's peace to gain strength in the future. We can't allow that," the man says seriously.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but it sounds like we're in more trouble than I thought," Tomomi sheathes her sword and kneels in front of Akira. "I know I haven't said this formally, but… I thank you, with all my heart, for saving me and giving me the chance to live again. That's why I want to help you in any way I can."
"I appreciate the honesty," Akira replies calmly. "You will have your moment to help the cause when you fully recover and receive your armor."
But Tomomi doesn't rise from the ground. "I have a request, Lord Akira."
The woman's solemn face forces Akira to nod. "Tell me what you want."
"As you know, my village is still in civil strife. It's chaos, and good ninjas are dying every day. I'd like your permission to recruit some of them… I haven't set foot on the land of water in a while, but I know several ninjas who would be much better off in this organization than anywhere else," the woman asks.
"I don't much like the philosophy of the ninjas from your former village. Don't be offended, but I find it difficult to trust them," the man replies with a hesitant tone.
"But you don't have to worry about that, I'll take care of that for you," Tomomi declares confidently. "It may not seem like it, but I was an important figure within Kirigakure. Those I dare to recruit will be my responsibility, and I will personally discipline them. Otherwise, I will be the one to eliminate them if necessary."
Akira stares at the woman's eyes for a long time, which continue to display a confidence the man hadn't seen before. "You have my permission, only after you obtain your armor. Try to prioritize quality over quantity, as this isn't a charity for rogue ninjas."
"Don't worry, Lord Akira, there aren't many who are really worth looking for," Tomomi concludes with a devilish smile.
…
[Touki]
The moment of truth came one day in December, when Tsunade performed the crucial operation on Suki, transplanting the eyes that had once belonged to Fugaku into her.
It had been a long time since Touki had felt as nervous as he was at that moment. The man even allowed Tsunade time to familiarize herself with the full range of healing artifacts he possessed. The Sannin spent two full days marveling at the artifacts' capabilities and specializations, allowing her to greatly simplify the operation that would normally take a long time.
Touki knows well that it's possible to perform eye transplants in a more brutal manner, as Kakashi, Nagato, Sasuke, and others have done. But the situation with Suki may be different, as we're talking about someone who has never had vision in her life and isn't exactly a person of great power like the previous examples.
Tsunade is necessary, from Touki's point of view, to ensure the operation is a success and to diagnose and treat any possible conditions resulting from the transplant.
Fortunately, the operation was a success, being carried out in the presence of Touki himself, who endured as best he could seeing the image of Suki's eyes being removed, and then inserting the new ones. Tsunade, for her part, demonstrated her skill and knowledge by effectively connecting the optic nerves and using the innovative healing devices to accelerate tissue healing.
Suki, still anesthetized and asleep, immediately showed signs of rejection of the new eyes, which began to activate on their own several times from the moment they were fully connected, but the sannin managed to control them by stimulating the patient's brain, forcing them to shut down. In the end, it was determined that Suki's eyelids should remain closed for a long time, waiting for her body to properly assimilate the new eyes.
Once the operation was complete, Touki immediately transported Suki to his home in Konoha and treated her as if she had a contagious disease, preventing anyone from approaching her for five days. Not even Karin was allowed to approach her for the first few days, despite both of their pleas.
For the five days, Suki remained in the basement of the house, exposed to a wide variety of healing artifacts, as well as wearing a specially designed mask that alternated between different types of healing auras, focused directly on her eyes and brain.
Because both Tsunade and Touki came to the conclusion that Suki should not open her eyes for a long time, she will be in need of constantly using a blindfold, something that fortunately the man predicted in advance and forced her to use some time ago.
For Touki, the only thing left to do now is to fulfill his part of the deal and begin Tsunade's treatment, something he also plans to use as an opportunity to experience the true potential of the pink aura as a mechanism to reverse someone's age. He only hopes there are no other side effects that have not been seen so far.
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