Under this dazzling display of skill, the crowd was shocked to discover that the patient's upper body was gradually connecting with the corpse's lower half.
Apart from the lower half being slightly pale, from a distance, it looked merely like an injured person, not someone on the verge of death after losing their entire lower body.
"This technique is truly exquisite," Tsunade watched unblinkingly.
"This... it's simply a master's work!" The hospital's director also sighed softly, afraid that a louder sound would disturb Takumi.
The surgery proceeded in an orderly manner. Countless blood vessels, muscles, nerves, bones, ligaments, etc., were all connected. Once the skin was sutured, aside from a slight color difference, there seemed to be no abnormality.
However, before suturing the skin, Takumi first performed a unique Mystical Palm Technique, using Chakra to transfer the patient's vital energy to the corpse's lower body.
In the future, Sunagakure's Chiyo would use the Forbidden Technique, One's Own Life Reincarnation, to transfer her own life force into Gaara, who died after his Biju was extracted, to save him. He was applying the same principle… transferring the patient's life force into the lower body.
A few seconds later, the originally lifeless lower body began to regain color, becoming vibrant.
"Whew..." Half a minute later, Takumi let out a soft breath. The injured patient's lower body had now completely regained its color, looking full of vitality.
Takumi began the finishing work, suturing the skin and having the patient get up and walk a few steps.
Under the crowd's apprehensive gaze, the patient, who had been severed in two, actually stood up! One step, two steps. He walked normally, completely recovered!
"Truly... truly a magnificent technique..." Tsunade couldn't help but praise. At this moment, she completely forgot about the bet. As a Medical-nin, seeing such exquisite technique and the method of transferring life force held immense value for her own Medical Ninjutsu!
By following Takumi, she felt her Medical Ninjutsu might reach new heights!
"I never thought I'd witness such exquisite Medical Ninjutsu in my lifetime," The hospital director also noticed the uniqueness of Takumi's Mystical Palm Technique.
Others didn't understand the specifics, but they all expressed their amazement.
"Holy crap! He can even save someone like this? Too awesome!"
"Takumi-kun is truly a once-in-a-century genius for Konoha!"
"This medical talent, I believe, rivals Shodaime Hokage-sama's Wood Release talent!"
"Reviving the dead and regenerating flesh and bone… this is truly top-tier Medical Ninjutsu!"
"With Takumi here from now on, why worry about mission injuries? Even if you die, as long as you're brought back in time, Takumi can revive you!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion. Their gazes at Takumi were filled with fervor and shock.
After Takumi finished the final touches, he looked at the director.
"So? Did I win?"
"Huh?" The director was startled, then remembered they were still in the contest.
He immediately smiled and said, "Of course."
Then he announced loudly, "The winner of the medical ninjutsu contest between Tsunade and Takumi is Takumi!"
"Woo!!"
"Deserved victory!"
"So strong! This is basically sage art!"
The crowd cheered jubilantly, happy with the result. This was natural. When the fourth patient appeared, Tsunade had already lost to Takumi. Now, witnessing Takumi's miraculous methods made them feel the trip was worthwhile!
However, Tsunade's face now darkened. She remembered the bet with Takumi. The thought of having to wear very sheer, scant clothing and cook for Takumi for the next month filled her mind with embarrassment.
"Eh, Tsunade-sama, what's wrong?" Shizune, unaware, looked surprised at Tsunade's flushed cheeks.
Takumi, seeing this, quietly approached Tsunade and whispered in her ear, "Don't forget our bet."
Poof!
Tsunade's head erupted like a volcano, emitting copious steam.
"Tsunade-sama? Tsunade-sama?" Shizune panicked, wanting to reach out but unsure what to do.
The director also looked baffled at Tsunade. "What's wrong, Tsunade?"
"N-nothing, let's leave it at that! I admit my defeat!" Tsunade said, her face red, pretending nothing was wrong as she left.
Takumi calmly waved goodbye and walked out the door under the gazes of the Konoha villagers, who looked at him as if he were a deity.
…
The next day at noon.
Outside Takumi's house.
Kurenai stood alone. She was there on Hiruzen's orders to summon Takumi. Sandaime Hokage had important matters to discuss with him.
Knock, knock, knock.
A gentle knock on the door.
"Why did it take so long to..." Under Kurenai's utterly surprised expression, Tsunade, wearing an apron, opened the door and came out.
When Tsunade saw it was Kurenai and not Takumi, her calm expression instantly turned bright red. Because right now, she was wearing an extremely thin piece of clothing! It was practically just a layer of gauze!
Although she had an apron covering her front, if viewed from behind, she would be almost completely exposed.
"Tsunade-sama?" Kurenai's face showed unconcealed surprise. "Why are you here?"
"Oh, me? I, uh, I'm here to cook for Takumi. It's the bet from our contest yesterday," Tsunade said somewhat flustered.
"Oh, is Takumi-kun here? Hokage-sama needs to see him," Kurenai stated her purpose.
"He's not here right now. I'll tell him when he gets back. You can go back first," Tsunade urged quickly.
"Oh, okay. Thank you, Tsunade-sama." Kurenai frowned slightly, feeling something was off, but she couldn't pinpoint what. Lady Tsunade seemed flustered.
'What's going on? It's just cooking, why is she so flustered?'
However, before Kurenai could inquire further...
Slam.
Tsunade immediately closed the door.
This sudden action deepened Kurenai's suspicion.
'Not inviting me in to sit? Does Tsunade-sama have some secret she can't reveal?'
Kurenai wondered suspiciously, sneaking to a nearby window to peek carefully.
But then, something even more bizarre happened.
Inside the living room, Tsunade, after closing the door, actually started walking backward! Tsunade's vigilance was high, as she guessed there was a high chance Kurenai would peek! So she walked backward!
Witnessing this, Kurenai was completely dumbfounded.
'What? What's going on? Why is Tsunade-sama walking backward?! Doesn't it feel awkward? And isn't she afraid of tripping?'
Under Kurenai's bewildered gaze, Tsunade slowly backed her way into the inner kitchen.
"Dammit, what on earth is happening?! Does Tsunade-sama have some special quirk?"
...