Chapter 202: Ch-202 Inoiki’s surgery.
In the Hokage’s office, Tsunade looked up as Inoiki entered in his wheelchair. "Inoiki," she said, folding her arms, "what brings you here?"
"I wanted to ask when you’ll be free to examine ," he replied. "I need to find out what exactly is wrong with my spine—or wherever the issue is—so I can start walking again. Of course, I’ll rely on your treatnt, Lady Hokage."
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. Head over to the hospital and have them run a full set of tests. I’ll review the reports once they’re ready and let you know what I can do."
She then listed the specific tests he would need.
Inoiki nodded, then turned his wheelchair toward the door. But just before exiting, he paused and glanced back.
"By the way... have you figured out why the news of
being alive didn’t reach Konoha a week ago? It should have by then."
Tsunade’s expression turned serious. She shook her head. "Not yet. We’re still investigating. It may take so ti."
Inoiki nodded and left the Hokage’s office, heading straight to Konoha Hospital, where his family was already waiting. They had co to get his mother checked—after all, she had been bedridden for nearly a month, only regaining consciousness the previous day. Her recovery had been triggered by the joy of seeing her son alive and well.
After his mother’s examination was complete, Inoiki underwent all the dical tests Tsunade had prescribed. The hospital staff inford him that the results would be ready by the following day and would be sent directly to Tsunade, as instructed.
With that done, Inoiki returned ho with his family.
-----
The next day, as planned, Inoiki arrived at the Hokage’s office in the early evening.
Tsunade glanced at the reports in her hand before looking at him.
"Hmm. Your suspicion was right—when you healed yourself, sothing went wrong. The issue lies in your spine. Specifically, a critical vein didn’t heal properly. But the good news is that your condition—where you can feel sensations in your legs but can’t move them—can be treated."
She placed the report down.
"With a few operations, you’ll make a full recovery. Within a month, you’ll be walking, running, and fighting again—performing all your physical movent techniques like any other ninja. Everything will be back to normal."
Inoiki let out a slow breath, deeply relieved.
He had feared the worst—that he might never walk again. He had even ntally prepared a desperate backup plan: to destroy his spine completely and re-heal it with psychokinesis, just as he had once done before. It would’ve been agonizing and incredibly risky—but he had been ready for it.
Fortunately, now, that wouldn’t be necessary.
----
After leaving the Hokage’s office, Inoiki made his way to Naruto’s house.
When Naruto opened the door, he looked surprised. "Hey, Inoiki! What brings you here?"
Still seated in his wheelchair, Inoiki smirked. "Why? Am I not welco in your ho anymore?"
Naruto quickly waved his hands. "No, no! It’s not like that—it’s just... you haven’t been here in a long ti. Co on in."
Inoiki nodded and wheeled himself inside. He took a mont to glance around, quietly observing the familiar surroundings.
Then he turned to Naruto, his expression becoming more serious.
"I ca to talk to you about Sasuke," he said. "So sit down."
Naruto’s smile faded slightly at Inoiki’s words. Quietly, he sat down on the edge of his bed, his expression turning more serious.
Inoiki looked at him steadily. "You probably rember—I gave my word. I told you, and I told Sasuke, that if he didn’t return within the ti I gave him... I’d go after him myself."
He paused for a mont, letting the weight of that promise settle.
"Well, that ti has long passed. I’m ready to fulfill that promise."
He exhaled softly before continuing.
"Actually, about a month ago, when I was on a mission to Iwagakure, I had planned to bring Sasuke back on my return. But... things happened. I was injured, and everything got delayed."
Inoiki tapped the armrest of his wheelchair lightly. "Now, even for this," he motioned to his legs, "I need multiple surgeries. It’ll take about a month before I’m fully recovered."
He looked directly at Naruto. "So... what do you say?"
Naruto responded, his voice calm but sincere.
"Don’t worry about it, Inoiki. Your treatnt cos first. After your surgeries, it still won’t be too late to bring Sasuke back."
He looked down briefly, then added, "I’ve already waited this long... waiting one more month isn’t a big deal."
Naruto gave a faint smile, tinged with guilt. "Honestly, I know it’s my stubbornness that’s making you feel obligated. I realize that without you—or another powerful ninja—there’s no way the village would let
leave on my own to go after Sasuke."
His expression darkened slightly.
"If I could, I would’ve gone myself. At least tried... instead of leaving it to the Akatsuki. But with them still out there, I can’t even move freely. I’m basically stuck here."
Inoiki nodded at Naruto’s words.
"Thank you for understanding, Naruto. But don’t get
wrong—I’m not against your determination to bring Sasuke back. In fact, I believe it’s necessary. If he doesn’t return to Konoha soon, the darkness and rage inside him will consu him entirely."
He paused, then added with quiet conviction, "And—if I may be so bold—in this entire world, I believe you’re the only one who can truly pull him out of that darkness."
Naruto gave a soft, genuine smile and nodded, his resolve quietly reaffird.
With nothing more needing to be said, Inoiki turned and left Naruto’s house.
----
Returning ho, Inoiki gathered his family and inford them about the upcoming surgeries. He explained that Tsunade, the Hokage herself, would be personally overseeing the operations.
Naturally, his family was worried—but they understood the necessity of the procedures. And above all, they had faith in Tsunade.
She wasn’t just a Hokage.
She was a legendary dical ninja—no, not probably—the best dical-nin alive in the world.
----
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