Haito's Recovery

Konoha Village, Root Base

Haito Hyuga lay on the bed, his limbs securely fastened.

"Haito-sama, we are now administering the anesthetic. You will be fully anesthetized and lose consciousness shortly. We will then proceed with the treatment for your left leg."

The Root researcher followed the procedure.

Haito Hyuga took a deep breath. Since he had decided to come, he had already prepared himself mentally.

"Go ahead."

As the cold liquid entered Haito's body, he felt a wave of drowsiness overcome him. His eyes grew heavy, and soon, he was entirely unconscious.

From the nearby wall, Zetsu's body slowly emerged.

The Root researcher quickly bowed his head. "Sir, Haito Hyuga has been anesthetized."

Zetsu waved his hand. "You may leave."

"Yes, sir."

The two researchers exchanged a glance before leaving.

Zetsu circled Haito once, his gaze settling on Haito's left leg. A white humanoid figure slowly emerged from Zetsu's body, shrinking to a tiny white dot. Zetsu's hand brushed Haito's leg, creating a cut through which the white dot slipped inside.

Due to years of immobility, Haito's leg muscles had atrophied, leaving them pale and thin. The spore began to grow rapidly, bulging and contorting Haito's leg as if countless worms were writhing beneath the skin. Haito's body started to convulse and shiver, and he made unconscious gasping sounds.

After a few moments, the bulges subsided, and Haito's leg grew visibly larger, now resembling a regular leg.

Zetsu nodded in satisfaction. "That should do it."

He placed his hand on Haito's leg. "Don't rush; going too fast would raise suspicion."

Haito's leg gradually slimmed down. Zetsu pressed a button, summoning the two researchers back into the room.

"In about four hours, his leg will regain sensation. Once he wakes up, ensure he consumes plenty of food to replenish his energy."

"Yes, sir." The researchers made no further comments.

After giving his instructions, Zetsu sank back into the ground.

The researchers exchanged looks before one closed his eyes and formed a seal with his hands.

A subtle wave swept through the room.

He nodded.

The two researchers examined Haito's body, finding no incisions or needle marks. However, Haito's legs had visibly changed. Perplexed, they attached various monitoring devices to Haito and drew a blood sample for testing.

Zetsu's incision had already healed, but the researchers carefully took a tissue sample from the area before closing it up again with a bandage.

Unbeknownst to them, the wound under the bandage quickly healed.

An hour later, Haito slowly regained consciousness. He found himself in a room with two Hyuga branch family guards by his side.

"Sir, you're awake!" The guards were the first to notice Haito's awakening.

"What time is it?" Haito asked, disoriented.

"Sir, it's been about an hour and a half," one guard replied.

Haito frowned, looking at his left leg. The skin was a bit grayish, but his attention was drawn to the absence of the long scars that used to be there. His leg no longer appeared atrophied.

"What exactly did they do to me?"

"They were very secretive about it. There's a sealing barrier here, so the Byakugan couldn't see anything. We only saw you after the treatment was done."

Haito had anticipated this and didn't press further.

The door opened, and two researchers entered with Danzo.

"Danzo, when will I be able to stand on my own?"

Danzo smiled. "Be patient. You'll regain sensation in about three hours and should be able to stand within a month. For now, you need to eat plenty to give your cells the energy they need to regenerate."

"Three hours, huh?" Haito's eyes gleamed.

"I am feeling quite hungry. I'll head back now. If my leg can stand, I'll make the arrangements you requested."

As the anaesthesia wore off, Haito felt a wave of intense hunger. Danzo nodded. "Haito, don't disappoint me."

Haito gave Danzo a long look before his guards wheeled him out.

"Did you find anything?" Danzo asked flatly.

"Sir, we extracted blood, muscle tissue, and skin samples from Haito Hyuga for analysis. Besides increased cell activity, the results were the same as his previous medical records."

"Hmph, useless!"

Danzo snorted in anger, making the researchers tremble and bow in fear.

"Forgive us, sir!"

Danzo glanced at them, irritated. "Forget it, you may go."

Relieved, the researchers wiped the sweat off their brows and left.

...

The sound of clinking chopsticks echoed.

The table in front of Haito was piled with empty dishes, and bowls were stacked high beside him. Despite his noble upbringing, Haito devoured food like a starved man, shoveling it into his mouth without pause.

He was on his fourth pot of rice, and the dishes on the table had been replenished twice already. Haito had never imagined feeling this greedy; the more he ate, the hungrier he became. He kept calling for more food from the kitchen.

Finally, after finishing the fourth pot of rice, he felt somewhat satiated. More importantly, he could feel a sensation returning to his leg. It had been many years since he felt anything in his leg beyond coldness and numbness. Now, he could feel the blood flowing through it.

As he ate, his leg swelled. Now that he was complete, the strange sensation in his left leg subsided. He shakily stood up, holding onto the table for support. His left leg felt weak, and he almost fell, but the fact that he could feel it at all was a triumph.

Haito's emotions surged, but he kept them in check. He activated his Byakugan to examine his left leg and found that the chakra pathways function normally.

Haito frowned, pondering the nature of Danzo's treatment. He sat back down and clapped his hands. His two guards entered.

"Summon Daisuke and Kaizaki."

"Yes, sir!"