Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Eye Replacement
In the Hokage's office, Nara Shikaku was hard at work, pen moving briskly across the paperwork. Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, he didn't even need to look up to know who it was.
"My dear Hokage, you've finally decided to show up…" Shikaku remarked dryly, still focused on his documents.
However, something felt off. He raised his head to see Tobirama Senju entering, but he wasn't alone. Someone else followed closely behind.
"Who is this?"
The figure accompanying Tobirama was almost unrecognizable. It was none other than Uchiha Itachi, though his trademark Sharingan was gone, and his clothes were little more than shredded rags. If it weren't for those who knew him well, he'd have been impossible to identify.
"This is Uchiha Itachi. He's returned to Konoha," Tobirama said with a faint smile. "I assume you're already aware of the truth behind the Uchiha Clan's downfall?"
Shikaku nodded. As the Hokage's advisor, he had long since learned the secrets surrounding Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo's handling of the clan's massacre.
"Itachi was actually planted as a spy within the Akatsuki by Sarutobi. That's why they're hunting him now."
"And Orochimaru? What's his role in all this?"
"Orochimaru has allied himself with the Akatsuki," Tobirama explained, his tone turning serious.
"He's taken Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. Shikaku, have ANBU and the Root keep a close watch on Orochimaru's movements. If he truly intends to use those eyes, we must be prepared."
The news hit Shikaku like a thunderbolt. Orochimaru had stolen Itachi's eyes? That was a dangerous development.
"Understood," Shikaku said solemnly.
Tobirama frowned as he considered the situation. His Flying Thunder God mark on Orochimaru had disappeared, likely due to the Living Corpse Reincarnation. He regretted not dealing with Orochimaru earlier when he had the chance.
"Shikaku, escort Itachi to Konoha Hospital. I'll personally handle his eye surgery and treat his injuries. Once he's recovered, he'll be reinstated into the ANBU."
Shikaku blinked. "Eye surgery? Where are we getting eyes for him?"
Tobirama explained, "Shisui's. Before his death, Uchiha Shisui entrusted one eye to Itachi. The other was recovered after I dealt with Danzo. Both are now in Itachi's possession."
Shikaku fell silent, stunned by yet another revelation.
"Oh, and this—" Tobirama raised his hand, revealing Hidan, the Akatsuki member, squirming as only his upper half remained intact. It was a bizarre and almost comical sight.
"I captured him alive. He has an immortal body and uses blood to cast deadly curses. Make sure he's secured in Konoha Prison. Warn the guards not to reattach his limbs."
Shikaku could hardly keep up. Immortal bodies? Curses? Today had brought nothing but bizarre events—Itachi's return, Shisui's eyes, and now an unkillable member of the Akatsuki.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Shikaku said with a resigned sigh.
After Hidan was sealed and confined, the group arrived at Konoha Hospital. With special arrangements, a surgical room was cleared for Tobirama to operate.
Though Tobirama wasn't a trained medic, the original Tobirama Senju had conducted extensive research on the Sharingan, arguably understanding it better than the Uchiha themselves.
Wearing a white coat and gloves, he appeared every bit the experienced surgeon. Itachi handed him the Sharingan stored in glass containers, and the surgery began.
Tobirama used a chakra scalpel to carefully remove Itachi's damaged optic nerves. Employing the Healing Palm Technique, he closed the wounds before sterilizing Shisui's Sharingan and painstakingly reconnecting the nerves.
Watching from the side, Shikaku was both amazed and unsettled. Who knew Tobirama could handle medical procedures with such expertise?
If Itachi had cells from Hashirama, Shikaku mused, the Sharingan might have just plugged in like a USB drive. Such was the absurdity of Hashirama's biological gifts.
Half an hour later, the surgery was complete. Tobirama set aside his gloves and mask, his face betraying a rare trace of nervousness.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Much better," Itachi replied, slowly opening his eyes. Though initially blurry, his vision soon sharpened, clearer than it had ever been.
Shisui's eyes were far superior to his own, which had deteriorated from years of overuse since awakening the Mangekyō at thirteen.
"Can you activate the Mangekyō?" Tobirama asked curiously.
Itachi nodded and focused. The Sharingan activated, its pattern transforming into a new design—a combination of Shisui's and Itachi's, resembling a spiraled shuriken.
"What's this?" Tobirama was taken aback. The transplantation had somehow caused the Sharingan to evolve further.
Itachi, too, was perplexed. While he could no longer sense his original abilities, Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu, he now possessed dual versions of Shisui's Kotoamatsukami—one capable of directly and permanently controlling a target, and the other subtly influencing their thoughts over time.
"My new eyes seem to hold Shisui's Kotoamatsukami. My old powers… they're gone."
Tobirama frowned in thought but ultimately let the matter rest. The operation's goal had been achieved, and there was no need to delve deeper.
"You'll need time to adjust to your new eyes. If you need anything, speak to Shikaku. I'll take my leave."
With a flash of blue light, Tobirama disappeared, leaving Shikaku muttering to himself about the endless surprises the day had brought.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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