Chapter 49: The Chives Leap into the Bowl

The attempt to use illusionary techniques ended in failure.

Before that, Fugaku Uchiha had brought Shisui to the medical ward, hoping that Orochimaru could examine Shisui’s eyes and determine if there was any possibility of saving them. Accompanying them were two advisors to the Hokage, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. After a day, they had gained a general understanding of the course of the war and learned that Shisui had played a crucial role.

However, the elders had not come to commend Shisui, but rather for the Uchiha clan's forbidden eyes. The twisted Uchiha wind never relaxed its vigilance against their own, no matter the time or place.

“His vision has deteriorated severely. There’s a high chance he will go blind.”

Orochimaru opened Shisui’s eyelids, observed for a moment, and delivered his verdict.

The two advisors visibly relaxed at first, then their expressions quickly hardened. Apparently realizing their previous display was somewhat unseemly, Koharu managed to put on a worried face and asked, “Orochimaru, do you have any means to help him? Shisui’s contribution in this war was considerable; don’t keep anything to yourself.”

Implicit in her words was the need to go through the motions, whether effective or not, as a gesture of reassurance to the Uchiha. Being from the Hokage’s circle herself, she trusted Orochimaru would understand.

Orochimaru glanced at her. “Of course, I have a method.”

Koharu’s expression froze, her feigned concern slipping away.

“Really, Lord Orochimaru?”

Fugaku was genuinely delighted.

The war had ended swiftly, with far fewer casualties among the police force than expected, and their merits were undeniable. Moreover, Shisui had lost his Mangekyo Sharingan in battle against two Jinchuriki, which indirectly helped clear the clan’s suspicion to some extent. If Shisui’s eyesight could be preserved now, the Uchiha would have won a resounding victory.

“The simplest way is to replace his eyes.”

Orochimaru flexed his nimble fingers. “Eye replacement surgery is easy for me, and as for Sharingan, with Shisui’s standing in the clan, he should be eligible to obtain another pair.”

Fugaku’s smile became strained. He had considered this solution, but it would not preserve the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Upon hearing this, Koharu was not particularly pleased either. She suddenly realized that Orochimaru’s earlier evasive remarks had been deliberately teasing her.

“As for a more complex solution, I have one too. If successful, it might preserve his current eyes.”

Orochimaru glanced at Shisui, whose eyes were tightly shut, and spoke softly, “Unfortunately, given Shisui’s current condition, surgery isn’t possible.”

“Why is that?” Fugaku’s emotions surged, growing anxious.

The two advisors glared at Orochimaru, blaming him for stirring up trouble.

“Surgery is meant to enhance a ninja’s constitution. I won’t go into details, but you need to know it carries certain risks.”

Orochimaru swept his gaze over the group and spoke slowly, “The procedure requires the patient to possess formidable mental strength. Originally, Shisui’s Mangekyo Sharingan made him an ideal candidate, but now that he’s blind, his spirit has been affected as well. If we proceed recklessly, it could result in death.”

Fugaku stepped forward, speaking gravely, “Lord Orochimaru, is there no other way? If Shisui receives a new pair of Sharingan, could he withstand the surgery?”

“It’s possible, but there’s a greater chance of failure.”

Orochimaru glanced at Fugaku, deliberately stating, “The Sharingan, as a hereditary organ, carries a portion of the original owner’s spirit. After transplantation, adaptation is required, and the outcome depends on Shisui’s compatibility with the new eyes. There are many uncertainties.”

“Perhaps, with his talent, he could awaken Mangekyo in the transplanted eyes, or maybe, in the end, he would need another replacement.”

“However, if the donor is a blood relative, the probability of failure decreases greatly...”

Shisui sensed Orochimaru’s gaze and smiled bitterly. “In my branch, not only do I lack siblings, but even close relatives are few, and those with Sharingan are rarer still. Even if there were, I wouldn’t want to take their eyes.

Lord Fugaku, Lord Orochimaru, thank you for your concern. Let my eyes remain as they are.”

“You needn’t be overly despondent.”

Orochimaru’s lips curled, his cold demeanor replaced by a faint smile, his voice loud enough for everyone in the ward to hear.

“The surgery is dangerous because it’s still immature. Perhaps after two or three more years of research, you could withstand it even in your current state.”

Hearing Orochimaru’s reassurance, Shisui forced a smile, but held little hope in his heart.

Moreover, these Mangekyo Sharingan were the price he had decided to pay for the war. Now that they had successfully driven away the Cloud, easing the tension between the clan and the village, Shisui had no further desires.

“Lord Orochimaru, if the surgery succeeds, can Shisui’s eyes truly regain their sight?”

At that moment, Uchiha Jinsuke, who had been quietly listening from his hospital bed, suddenly sat up and asked, his gaze filled with hope.

Having reached the rank of elite jonin, Jinsuke had awakened from unconsciousness earlier than others, and had heard the entire conversation, his emotions tumultuous.

Last night, he had witnessed Susanoo match two Jinchuriki in battle, and like other Uchiha, had been ecstatic. Today, he was faced with the reality of Shisui’s blindness, which he could not accept.

He had just vowed to conquer the giant summoning beast and make Manda submit, yet had no idea how to accomplish it. Shisui’s Mangekyo Sharingan was his guiding light. That light had shone for less than a day, and now it was to be extinguished? Was this a joke?

Jinsuke looked eagerly at Orochimaru, like a drowning man grasping at the last straw.

He held a peculiar trust in Orochimaru, nurtured gradually after receiving treatment many times following near-fatal encounters with the eight-headed serpent.

Among the Uchiha’s elite and mid-level jonin, this was the common view of Orochimaru.

—They revered his power and admired his medical skills.

Faced with skepticism, Orochimaru’s displeasure was visible, and to the two advisors, his aura was chillingly oppressive.

Orochimaru glared coldly at Jinsuke, enunciating every word, “Do not doubt my judgment!”

Jinsuke blanched, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and spoke again, “If I volunteer for the surgery, would it speed up your research?”

Koharu and Homura’s faces changed dramatically; Fugaku, astonished, looked at Jinsuke, not expecting such self-sacrifice for Shisui.

Before the advisors could object, Orochimaru spoke first.

He glanced at Jinsuke on the hospital bed, his lips curling in mockery. “You’re not qualified!”