Time flew by in an instant, and before they knew it, a month had passed.
During this time, the members of Team Seven undertook a variety of missions, ranging from minor D-rank tasks like investigating missing pets and babysitting children, to S-rank missions of national significance, such as helping a fallen princess reclaim her throne.
They had seen it all.
In mid-May, under the blazing sun and gentle breezes, the year's most refreshing, vibrant, and beautiful season was in full bloom.
Inside a laboratory Sasuke had purchased in Konoha Village, Yakushi Kabuto watched with a sunny smile as Sasuke experimented with his ninjutsu.
Sasuke concentrated his chakra in his hand, causing a faint green blade to materialize, sharp as a scalpel. With a delicate motion, he lightly slashed his own forearm.
Instantly, the keen chakra blade sliced open a moderate-sized wound, from which blood seeped out.
'Chakra Scalpel!'
A formidable technique from Medical Ninjutsu capable of severing an opponent's muscles and meridians.
Mastering this A-Rank Medical Ninja technique requires exceptional chakra control.
Yet, almost simultaneously, the moment a small cut appeared on Sasuke's arm, a green light erupted from the wound, healing it completely in mere moments.
"Truly astonishing talent, Sasuke," Yakushi Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses with a gentle smile as he stepped forward to praise him. "To have mastered Secret Healing Injury Destruction already? It took me years to master this medical ninjutsu. You're a genius the likes of which comes along once in a century, Sasuke."
Sasuke smiled faintly, his tone tinged with gratitude as he replied, "Senior Kabuto, you're far too modest. You're the most knowledgeable and erudite person I've ever met. I'm deeply grateful for your guidance these past few years."
If Sakura and Naruto were here, they would have been astonished to hear Sasuke speaking so politely.
'Impossible! This isn't Sasuke!'
"Secret Healing Injury Destruction is indeed as Senior Kabuto said—an incredibly practical support ninjutsu for combat."
Secret Healing Injury Destruction, an A-Rank medical ninjutsu, was explained in the original anime as a technique that minimized damage by preemptively healing the targeted area before the enemy's attack landed.
Initially, Sasuke rejected this Medical Ninjutsu, dismissing it as pointless.
'If you can predict an enemy's attack and preemptively heal yourself, why not just dodge or eliminate them outright?'
'Why bother with this extra step?'
Though skeptical, Sasuke kept his doubts to himself.
It wasn't until Yakushi Kabuto explained the underlying principles that Sasuke grasped the true nature of this support technique.
Secret Healing Injury Destruction works by proactively coating a specific part of the body with Yang Release Chakra infused with healing properties.
For instance, Sasuke had pre-charged his arm with Medical Chakra.
Within a limited timeframe, if his arm were injured, the Medical Chakra would automatically initiate healing, eliminating the need for him to stop and tend to the wound himself.
Over the past two years, Yakushi Kabuto had imparted his knowledge to Sasuke with virtually no reservations. This didn't surprise Sasuke.
Just as Orochimaru had held nothing back in the original timeline, to them, Sasuke was the chosen vessel for Orochimaru's reincarnation.
As long as it remained within his control, the more knowledge and power he possessed, the better.
"Secret Healing Injury Destruction is ultimately just an ordinary Medical Ninjutsu," Yakushi Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses. A faint glint appeared in his eyes as he spoke with a hint of longing, "Compared to the legendary Regeneration Arts of the Uzumaki Clan, Secret Healing Injury Destruction is hardly a remarkable technique."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Sasuke replied with a slight shake of his head and a faint smile. "I don't know much about that Healing Hands technique, but I've witnessed firsthand Senior Kabuto's exceptional skill and talent in Medical Ninjutsu. With his abilities, it's only a matter of time before he creates a Medical Ninjutsu far surpassing the Uzumaki Clan's secret technique."
Sasuke was well aware of the Regeneration Arts technique Kabuto mentioned.
It was a secret art of the Uzumaki Clan. When activated, the caster's body would automatically use Medical Ninjutsu to heal any wounds they sustained, effectively creating an enhanced, intelligent version of Secret Healing Injury Destruction.
Especially since the Uzumaki Clan itself was descended from the Yang Release lineage, possessing the genes of the Sage Body.
When they used Regeneration Arts, its effectiveness was far greater than that of ordinary people.
In the original timeline, Yakushi Kabuto later obtained this secret technique from Uzumaki Karin.
Sasuke speculated that Lady Tsunade likely knew this technique as well. Perhaps it was this very technique that inspired her to create the Mitotic Regeneration: Strength of a Hundred Sealings, building upon the foundation of the Yin Seal.
"Sasuke, you overestimate me," Yakushi Kabuto said, shaking his head with a wry smile. He chuckled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, Team Seven has become quite the sensation in the village lately."
"How so?"
"You know I have a knack for gathering intelligence." Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, offering the explanation without a trace of emotion.
"Team Seven's mission record: 367 D-rank missions, 0 C-rank missions, 1 B-rank mission, 1 A-rank mission, and 1 S-rank mission. To accomplish such a feat in just over two months since graduating from the Ninja Academy... the entire village is buzzing about your performance, calling you the legendary Team Seven."
"Not bad," Sasuke said with a dismissive chuckle, unimpressed.
Aside from classified and ANBU missions, most ninja missions weren't secret; only the specific details remained undisclosed.
Sasuke and his team had already become well-known in Konoha for completing hundreds of D-rank missions.
But what truly ignited widespread discussion in Konoha, and even caused a significant stir throughout the Land of Fire, was the letter of gratitude sent two days prior by Kazahana Koyuki, the newly appointed female Daimyo of the Land of Snow, who had dispatched an envoy to deliver it to Konoha.
The letter focused almost entirely on expressing gratitude to Team Seven.
Kazahana Koyuki was originally the only daughter of Kazahana Hayuki, the former ruler of the Land of Snow.
Ten years ago, after Kazahana Dotō staged a coup, she fled the country, concealing her identity under the alias Fujikaze Yukie and becoming a highly acclaimed celebrity in the Shinobi World.
A fallen princess, a glamorous star.
The combination of these two identities naturally sparked immense curiosity and a voyeuristic urge among the gossip-hungry masses.
'Shocking! The true identity of mega-star Fujikaze Yukie is actually...'
'Fujikaze Yukie is a hidden nobility? These are 5 facts about her, number 4 will...'
'Ahem.'
In short, people were extremely curious and focused on this matter.
Konoha naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to promote themselves.
Although the Land of Snow was a remote, small country on the continent, it was still a sovereign nation ruled by a Daimyo and royal family.
Apart from a few classified details, they publicized the rest without reservation, boosting morale.
Thus, Team Seven became famous.
"By the way, Senior Kabuto," Sasuke said softly, meeting Yakushi Kabuto's gaze. "Do you think humans could have a third eye?"
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Some missions that don't contribute to the protagonist's power progression or advance the plot will be skipped over with just a brief mention to avoid unnecessary padding.
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