Naruto and his group returned to the underground base of Otogakure.
Although Tsunade's hands were not bound, the complex jutsu seal on her abdomen acted like a lock, tightly restricting most of her chakra, leaving only a small amount sufficient to maintain basic ninjutsu.
She followed behind Naruto, looking at the deformed experimental subjects thrown into the life support pods around them, her eyes filled with disgust.
"You are as repulsive as ever, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru, walking behind them, let out a hoarse laugh.
"Hehehehe—Tsunade, you are still so naive."
"The darkness buried beneath Konoha's shining facade is no less than what's here."
"At least their lives contributed to science, unlike—"
Naruto ignored the two of them catching up on old times and walked straight toward the center of the laboratory.
As Yakushi Kabuto pushed open the heavy door ahead, light shone out from within.
"We're here."
"Tsunade, this is where you will be working from now on."
Beep, beep, beep.
The heart rate monitoring equipment emitted a monotonous sound, as if marking a countdown to life.
On the operating table nearby lay a white-haired boy.
Kimimaro.
By this time, he was as thin as a skeleton, and his blood vessels were clearly visible beneath his pale skin.
The most terrifying thing was his bones.
The Shikotsumyaku, the strongest weapon of the Kaguya Clan, had now become a deadly scythe.
Uncontrolled bone cells were proliferating wildly, mercilessly piercing and crushing his fragile internal organs from within.
"Lord Naruto—"
Yakushi Kabuto checked Kimimaro's data indicators, his tone heavy.
"Kimimaro's condition—it has reached its limit."
"His kekkei genkai disease has fully erupted now. The proliferating bone spurs have riddled his internal organs with holes."
"I'm afraid... he could stop breathing at any moment."
Orochimaru stood to the side, looking at what was once his most perfect vessel.
A trace of pity flashed through his golden vertical pupils before turning to coldness.
"Naruto-kun, give up."
"As a vessel, he is already damaged."
"This is a collapse at the genius level, a curse brought about by the Kaguya Clan's atavism. Even I am powerless to help."
Naruto walked to the operating table and looked at Kimimaro, who was still frowning in his coma, enduring excruciating pain throughout his body.
He reached out his hand, and a pale blue light ignited as he placed it on Kimimaro's forehead.
This was the power of the Hōgyoku.
Although Naruto's medical ninjutsu skill prevented him from curing Kimimaro, he could sustain the boy's last breath.
Naruto turned around and looked at Tsunade, who appeared slightly shocked by the sight.
"Tsunade, this is your first task."
Tsunade frowned slightly and stepped forward a few paces.
The instinct of a medical professional made her begin observing the patient.
Naruto pointed at Kimimaro and calmly explained.
"Kimimaro has a genius disease."
"Due to the Kaguya Clan bloodline atavism, he was granted stronger bone control ability than normal clan members."
"But his mortal body cannot bear this evolution, leading to a genius collapse."
"Ordinary medical ninjutsu cannot cure him. I can only temporarily lock down his vitality."
As he spoke, a sharp light flashed in Naruto's eyes.
"But as long as we help him unlock the second stage of the Gene Lock, he will be able to perfectly control every muscle, every bone, and even every cell in his body."
"His incurable disease will then resolve itself."
"Coincidentally, you recently gained experience treating the first stage Gene Lock, not to mention you are the person in the ninja world who understands cell repair and Yang Release chakra the best. That is why I sought you out."
Tsunade was stunned.
Before this, she had never heard of anything called a Gene Lock.
However, what happened to Shizune forced her to believe the theory of the young man before her.
And according to what Naruto said, the Gene Lock on Shizune was only the first stage—and now they needed to help Kimimaro unlock the second stage Gene Lock—
The second stage Gene Lock allows perfect control over the body?
If anyone else had said these things, she would have considered them a madman.
But looking at Naruto's resolute gaze, and recalling Shizune's previous changes, she wavered.
"Even if the theory is feasible—"
Tsunade gritted her teeth and continued.
"But why should I help you? I have no obligation to save one of Orochimaru's subordinates."
"Moreover, this surgery is extremely risky. I am not confident I can save his life."
"It doesn't matter if you're not confident; just do your best."
Naruto said casually, "As for why you should save him—"
He looked up, revealing a capitalist-like smile.
"Tsunade, since resources are limited."
"For the sake of fairness, I have decided to implement a contribution point system within the organization from now on."
"Points?" Tsunade was taken aback.
"That's right."
Naruto's tone was like explaining company regulations.
"Every successful mission, every perfect surgery, every contribution to the organization will be calculated as points."
"And these points will be the crucial metric for redeeming revival slots and revival order in the future."
"You can think of it as currency."
Naruto looked deeply at Tsunade.
"You wouldn't want—when the technology is mature, to be unable to obtain a physical body for Nawaki and Kato Dan's souls because you lack enough points while they are waiting in line, would you?"
"You!"
Tsunade trembled with rage.
Treating the revival of relatives as a commodity to be exchanged through labor?
This brat—he was simply a demon wearing human skin!
"Lord Naruto."
Yakushi Kabuto, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke up.
His lenses reflected a white light, and his eyes held a trace of eagerness and testing.
"If it's a point system—if I accumulate enough, can I also redeem the qualification to become one of 'us' as well?"
He also desired that chain, the seat of true trust.
Naruto glanced at Kabuto, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.
"Of course, Kabuto, I am very clear about your abilities."
"As long as you cooperate well with Tsunade during this surgery, your points—will be enough very soon."
"I understand."
Kabuto's breathing quickened slightly, and he immediately turned to pack up the surgical instruments, his movements more active than ever before.
"See? The rules are very fair."
Naruto looked back at Tsunade, spreading his arms.
"Kimimaro is the experimental subject for this gene repair technology."
"If you can save him, not only will you verify the feasibility of the revival technology, but you two will also receive a generous amount of points."
"This is a win-win; you win twice!"
"Now, tell me your intention, Tsunade."
"Will you put on the white coat and start earning the hope of bringing your relatives back?"
"Or will you watch Kimimaro die, and we abandon the revival plan too?"
On the operating table, Kimimaro's heartbeat alarm grew increasingly piercing.
Karin, standing nearby, tugged at Naruto's sleeve somewhat reluctantly.
"Naruto-kun—this older sister looks like she's about to cry—"
"She should be called Grandma—and besides, this is a necessary choice."
Naruto stroked Karin's hair.
Tsunade, standing nearby, clenched her fists tightly.
She looked at the dying boy on the operating table, then thought of Nawaki's smiling face.
If she didn't act, hope would be extinguished.
If she acted, she would be completely trapped on the pirate ship.
But did she—have any other choice?
"—Give me the scalpel."
Tsunade took a deep breath, her voice somewhat hoarse, as if she had exerted all her strength.
She snatched the white coat next to her and threw it on, her eyes turning fierce and resolute.
"Uzumaki Naruto, if you dare lie to me—I will personally tear your bones apart."
Then, she turned to Karin and said seriously, "Not Grandma, I am an older sister!"
The surgery began.