I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 228 Even the most captivating game will gradually become boring.

"Tsuna, can you take Shizune out to play?"

As the New Year approached, at Konoha Hospital, Kato Dan, who was undergoing another medical check-up, spoke to Tsunade. Tsunade glanced at Tatsuma, who was disdainfully pushing Shizune's head away to prevent her from hugging her, and turned back to ask:

"Are you going to rest?"

Kato Dan shook his head and said, "I've been recovering quite well lately, and I don't get sleepy so easily anymore. But... there are some things I want to say to Tatsuma."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade was somewhat surprised and looked at Tatsuma, who was equally puzzled. How come everyone around her had become Tatsuma's acquaintances, and even treated Tatsuma better than they treated her?

But Tsunade quickly shook her head. Impossible, it must be her imagination!

She quickly picked up Shizune, who was trying to walk towards Tatsuma but remained stationary, and walked out of the ward. Tatsuma looked at Kato Dan curiously and asked, "Dan-senpai, is something the matter?"

"I want to thank you again for saving me. I've been thinking about some things lately."

Kato Dan said with a smile, and Tatsuma shook his head and said, "It's alright, you also helped me and Lord Orochimaru complete the experiment."

"No, I've never really been able to express my gratitude to you."

Kato Dan's expression turned serious as he sat up from the hospital bed. He had indeed recovered quite well. Although he had a kidney removed, after nearly three months of recovery, coupled with his Jonin background, he looked no different from an ordinary person.

Of course, this applies to situations where one is not involved in ninja affairs.

Under Tatsuma's questioning gaze, Kato Dan took out a bundle of scrolls from his medicine bag and said, "After thinking it over, only this can express my gratitude."

Chenma took it, untied the rope locking the scroll, glanced at it, and quickly rolled it up again. He said seriously, "Senior Duan, the Spirit Transformation Technique is a forbidden technique and cannot be circulated privately."

"That's true, but there are always exceptions. This is my family's secret technique. Although it's listed as a forbidden technique in the village, I have the right to dispose of it. Of course, it will be a bit troublesome if you want to pass it on to others in the future."

Kato Dan said with a smile, and Tatsuma looked down at the scroll in his hand and said, "I probably don't need the Spirit Transformation Technique, so please take it back, Dan-senpai."

"I know, but for you, the true value of a skill lies not in its application, but in learning the knowledge behind it. I believe this will be of great help to you."

Kato Dan showed no intention of taking back the scroll. Before Tatsuma could refuse again, he continued, "I really have nothing else to offer to express my gratitude."

Furthermore, even before the kidney transplant results came back, the Hokage promised to allow me to retain my Jonin position and authority. If the surgery is successful, it will continue until I retire. If you need anything, feel free to ask, especially things that are inconvenient to tell your teacher.

Even the gentlest ninja will inevitably do some shady things, and Kato Dan's intention is clearly that he is willing to become Tatsuma's black glove.

Chenma pursed his lips. He didn't have anything to hide right now, so he didn't need black gloves, but who could guarantee that?

After a brief moment of thought, Chenma nodded readily and said, "Alright, but Senior Duan, you don't need to worry about the kidney transplant. If you're in a hurry, I can make one for you that grows faster."

Tatsuma was actually quite curious about what kind of results using a small amount of Hashirama cells to cultivate organs would bring to the recipient after transplantation.

Regarding the rejection reaction caused by Hashirama cells, Tatsuma and Orochimaru had actually developed several plans, including drugs, sealing techniques, and cursed seal techniques.

However, they haven't tried it yet. Their next step was to try it on mice and piglets, but they were kicked out of the project team.

Although they can return to the base and use the equipment, both he and Orochimaru lack any motivation and have no intention of actively participating again. They simply check on the progress of the severed kidney cultivation every day.

However, if Duan were to give it a try voluntarily, Tatsuma felt that Orochimaru wouldn't refuse. Orochimaru had been quite negative lately and had even started asking him if he had any activities planned.

Later, he couldn't stay idle, so he took a leave of absence and left the village. He didn't know where he was going, and Tatsuma hadn't seen Orochimaru for almost two weeks.

Kato Dan shuddered upon hearing Tatsuma's words. He had spent several days at the Wood Release experimental base and learned about the experiments being conducted there. He forced a smile and said to Tatsuma:

"No need. Since I became a ninja, I haven't had a moment's rest. I feel guilty towards my parents and sister. Now I only have my niece left. I plan to take this time to be there for her as she grows up."

If any other ninja had said this, Tatsuma would have worried that they would run out of money, but Kato Dan seemed to be a tycoon. After all, he treated Tsunade to meat and alcohol every day, and sometimes he would even bring Tsunade, an "outsider," along, without seeming to feel any pain in spending the money.

It is estimated that Kato Dan's kidney will be able to grow to a fully functional size suitable for transplantation in about six months. Now, nearly half of that time has passed. After a few months of recovery following the surgery, Kato Dan will at most need to rest for a year, which he should be able to afford.

After going through this information in his mind, Tatsuma didn't press the issue.

Transplanting Hashirama cells could potentially grant the power of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, which is indeed a great temptation for many, but many others would strongly resist it.

For example, someone who already possesses sufficient strength and doesn't need to rely on Hashirama cells to gain anything, like Kato Dan, would naturally find it impossible to accept transplanting Hashirama cells, as it would somewhat tarnish the First Hokage's reputation.

Seeing a hint of regret on Tatsuma's face, Kato Dan took a deep breath and changed the subject, saying, "Tatsuma, if one day your plan matures and you want to implement it, I will be your staunchest supporter."

"Internal organ cultivation? It's already quite mature."

Tatsuma sensed something unspoken, but still pretended not to understand and asked the question. Kato Dan just smiled and looked at him without responding.

Tatsuma understood, smiled and nodded, put the scroll into his ninja tool bag, and stood up, saying, "Senior Dan, I won't disturb your rest any longer. Next time we meet, I will restore you to a complete man."

"Don't say that, my back hurts."

Having spent a lot of time with Tatsuma, Kato Dan has become less reserved and less overly polite, clutching his missing kidney and playing along with Tatsuma's jokes.

Tatsuma left the ward, and just then, Kato Dan's test results arrived. After checking them and finding no problems, he left Konoha Hospital.

Upon returning to the Senju clan's territory, Tatsuma discovered an unexpected person: Orochimaru, who had been wandering outside for nearly half a month, had suddenly returned to the village and came directly to the Senju clan's territory.

"Lord Orochimaru."

Looking at Snake in the study, who wanted to look through his notes but didn't dare to reach out, Tatsuma suddenly found it somewhat...interesting?

Tatsuma used to have a stereotypical prejudice against Orochimaru, but gradually, that prejudice has faded and disappeared. Hearing Tatsuma speak, Orochimaru reluctantly looked away and said:

"I went out of the village to investigate a while ago, and those Iwa ninja did indeed have contact with the Kumo ninja, just as you guessed."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma frowned. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to leave the village to investigate this matter. He had previously thought Orochimaru was just bored and had come to inquire about it.

However, a look of dissatisfaction and disgust appeared in Tatsuma's eyes, and Orochimaru followed up by saying, "Just as you guessed, Konoha's reconnaissance team failed to find these obvious traces."

I even took the time to impersonate an Iwa ninja for two days, living in a small town they passed through, but they didn't notice me or the Iwa ninja I was impersonating. It's ridiculous.

"Although I already knew, their incompetence still shocked me once again."

Tatsuma shook his head, and Orochimaru didn't intend to kick someone when they were down. After all, belittling others wouldn't elevate oneself. He asked, "Tatsuma, when do you predict they will make their move?"

"The New Year, probably from the third to the sixth day of the New Year, is when the village is least on guard."

"Just as I suspected, should I tell Lady Mito?"

Orochimaru nodded. Tatsuma's answer was the same as his, which comforted him greatly. Indeed, compared to most idiots, Tatsuma was more like his companion.

Tatsuma nodded and said, "Yes, the nanny will leave in a little while, then we can go over there."

Afterwards, the two discussed some ninjutsu techniques in the study. When Tatsuma sensed that the female ninja who was taking care of Mito Uzumaki had left, he brought Orochimaru to visit her.

Mito Uzumaki was the more trustworthy person in Tatsuma's eyes, so he told Mito Uzumaki his guesses early on. Mito Uzumaki was also very glad that they didn't tell Hiruzen Sarutobi about these things.

Because Mito Uzumaki had an idea in mind: before Kushina became a vessel for a tailed beast, she needed to be filled with love first, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. The material, of course, was the completely unaware Minato.

After listening to their story, Mito Uzumaki pondered for a moment and then said, "In that case, I'll leave it to you. I'll handle the explanation to Hiruzen afterwards."

"Ahem~ It's about time. If we drag this out any longer, it might not be good for the village."

Seeing Mito's increasingly frail body, Tatsuma asked worriedly, "Grandma Mito, what's wrong with your health?"

Mito Uzumaki's health has deteriorated so drastically in the past two years that even Tatsuma finds it hard to understand. He tried several times to take Mito Uzumaki for a check-up, but she refused each time.

This time was no exception. Mito Uzumaki waved her hand and said, "Anyway, there's not much time left. I know what I'm doing."

".All right."

"Go and make preparations, I have other matters to attend to here."

Seeing that Mito Uzumaki did not want to continue the conversation, Tatsuma and Orochimaru did not force her to stay. After the two left, Mito Uzumaki touched the increasingly bright diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, took a deep breath, and slowly formed hand seals.

On the fifth day of the new year, at night, Tatsuma and Orochimaru, who had been lying in wait for several days, finally showed expressions of victory. They had guessed correctly!

(End of this chapter)