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  Kakuzu gred at Gojo Kaigetsu and Orochimaru, his resolve firm. He wouldn't give them anything. A Shinobi had his principles. He wouldn't cooperate with those who'd—defeated him.

  "The 'Earth Grudge Fear'. Tell us its secrets, and then—participate in our research, Kakuzu," Gojo Kaigetsu said, his tone casual, yet menag.

  "You think—I'd help you?"

  "We'll pay you."

  "It's not about the money."

  "I —arrange for you to manage some of Konoha's—key industries. The profits—yours to keep. Ihem, hoard them—whatever your—financial Shinobi way dictates. You're familiar with Konoha's eic strength, aren't you?"

  Kakuzu's eyes widened. "Are you—serious?"

  "Absolutely."

  "The Earth Grudge Fear's hand seals are…"

  …

  …

  Konoha Hospital.

  The hospital was unusually busy. The Hokage's crackdown on criminal anizations and underground exges had—inspired many Shinobi to—overestimate their abilities.

  They'd destroyed the hideouts, yes, but at a cost. Missing limbs, bodies battered, they were being carried in on stretchers.

  It was unclear if the medical fees would even cover the hospital's expenses.

  Hitomi, one of the injured i a chill in his heart.

  He was just an ordinary Shinobi, his inodest. Like most middle-aged in, his earnings were mostly spent on—well, let's just say he ehe fihings in life. His savings were—limited.

  Though medical costs had decreased, his injuries were severe. The bill would be—substantial.

  Tears welled up in his eyes. This was the Shinobi life — high risk, high reward.

  He'd ighe mission's warning: 'Experienced in teams reended.' He'd thought he could ha alone.

  He hadn't expected the eo have—Explosive Tags. Though he'd pleted the mission, he'd lost an arm and a leg in the process.

  If he'd died, at least his family would have received a—generous pensation.

  But he'd lived. And now, the medical bills would likely—ruin them. Even if he recovered, his career as a Shinobi was over. He'd be lucky to find D-rank missions.

  He remembered the story, "A Bowl of Pin Ichiraku Ramen," from Three Years at the Ninja Academy.

  He'd likely be—relying on their charity soon.

  "I—I don't want treatment anymore. Let me—go," he moaned, his voice strained with pain.

  A life of D-rank missions after this—he'd rather be—incapacitated, save the money for his son's educatio him have a ce at a better life, a ce to—carry on his legacy.

  "What are you saying, Hitomi?! Without treatment, you're finished! Your wife will leave you! Your children will have a—stepfather!"

  …

  …

  He soon arrived at Konoha Hospital.

  The waiting room was filled with simirly injured Shinobi, victims of their own—overfidence.

  The the triage desk were overwhelmed. "What do we do? So many—severe injuries. We don't have enough mediin. Every department is overloaded."

  "Get Tsunade-sama!"

  "We've already sent for her."

  In a er, a Shinobi, bleeding profusely, was fading fast.

  Just then, Gojo Kaigetsu arrived, apanied by a masked figure in a strange uniform.

  "Advisojo? Where's Tsunade-sama? If she doesn't arrive soon…"

  "This—is a top-tier Uzumaki medical specialist," Gojo Kaigetsu said, his tone serious. "Prepare aing room. Now."

  "Uood! Make way! Advisojo has brought a mediin!" The nurses cleared a path.

  Kakuzu, now aensei—Medic, looked around the hospital, the smell of disiant stinging his nose.

  He'd spent his life killing. And now—he was being forced to—heal.

  What a—twist!!

  "Hey!" he hissed at Gojo Kaigetsu. "You promised me—ma of Konoha's key industries! And—I'm an Uzumaki now? What's the meaning of this?!"

  "Do you io go ba your word?! I'll—destroy this pce!"

  Despite being uhe Edo Tensei's trol, Kakuzu's—personality hadn't ged. He still valued money above all else.

  "What do you mean, 'not a key industry?'" Gojo Kaigetsu asked, his voice calm. "Don't you know Konoha Hospital is a—profit ter?"

  "A Hospital? Profit?"

  Kakuzu stared at him, his eyes filled with disbelief.

  Though her Takigakure nor Amegakure had hospitals, he still uood—the basics.

  Hospitals were a drain on resources, not a source of ine.

  "Let's see—a typical surgical procedure costs between 200,000 and 1 million ryō, depending on the severity," Gojo Kaigetsu expined.

  200,000 for minor injuries, 1 million for—Limb Reattat.

  "That includes pain medication, blood clotting agents, the mediin's fee. For extreme cases, we even have genjutsu specialists to—mahe pain. And for optimal healing, we h-quality chakra-infused sutures. Do you sider that—expensive?"

  "It's—reasonable," Kakuzu admitted.

  Konoha Hospital's prices were below average, even—generous. In some vilges, the cost was double, even triple.

  In most vilges, such services were reserved for the wealthy, not ordinary Shinobi.

  Konoha Hospital, surgery starting at 200,000 ryō, ractically a charity.

  And even after surgery, a Ninja's strength would be permaly diminished. Many simply—gave up, choosing to live as—incapacitated veterans.

  "So, Kakuzu, with your—expertise in the Earth Grudge Fear, how long would it take you to—reattach a limb?"

  Kakuzu was silent. His heart began to race.

  He hadn't sidered this before. Using the Earth Grudge Fear for surgery—it could be—lucrative!

  After all, the Earth Grudge Fear was essentially—a highly precise chakra thread manipution teique.

  Though ly—aesthetically pleasing, its precision and efficy were unmatched. And the chakra cost? A few Soldier Pills would replenish that.

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