Chapter 25

"Alright", Raiju said as she appraised their finished impromptu surgery room one last time, "It's ready."

"From now on, nobody but Itachi, the Master, and I are allowed inside. Is that clear?", she asked strictly. This was the most important. No avoidable source of contamination was allowed inside.

Plus, she doubted the Master would appreciate her pupils ogling her mostly naked body either.

"Itachi", she turned to her temporary assistant, "fetch the patient."

He nodded, striding away. He was already wearing a surgical mask, hairnet, gloves, and scrubs and was carrying a clean sheet he'd wrap her in temporarily to carry her back. They didn't have a trolley or anything like that after all.

The woman was already waiting for him, only a newly purchased towel wrapped around her that had been airtightly sealed earlier. He handed her the medication Raiju had prepared earlier to make sure she slept through the procedure. Since it was a small surgery, only putting her into a deep sleep was enough.

She wordlessly took it, washing it down with a few sips of water. He then scooped her up and went back towards the surgery room, where Raiju was already waiting, checking everything over one last time. When he came in, he gently set the sleeping patient onto the table, removing the sheet he'd used to carry her as well as the towel, all the while carefully making sure he didn't touch the sterile surface below.

Now Raiju jumped into action, positioning her properly for the surgery and placing another two freshly unsealed towels over the woman, covering her private areas and making sure she'd not become too cold.

She then started disinfecting the areas around the festering wound. She had drawn on lines earlier, for where she'd be cutting soon.

Meanwhile, Itachi had used the partitioned-off area of the room to re-wash his hands, change his hair net, gloves, and mask, as well as put on a surgical cloak.

Once she was finished, Itachi was ready, putting away the cardboard basin with used cotton swabs, while Raiju checked the woman's vitals. Everything was good to go.

Raiju took one last deep breath before settling into the correct state of mind.

"Scalpel. #15, handle #3", she instructed. Only a second later, the correct blade was handed to her.

"Wipe blood"

"Bottle C"

"…"

Over the course of two hours, Raiju and Itachi worked hand in hand. Itachi needed fewer and fewer instructions on what to hand her as time went on, and towards the end, the interactions were nearly silent. The most important thing for this surgery to succeed now was to make sure the toxin didn't manage to spread to healthy flesh once again. That's what the different liquids in bottles A-D were for.

They worked in unison to prevent the spread and contain the toxin properly. The patient's vitals stayed stable throughout the whole procedure. Thus, slowly but steadily, as the wound got bigger, more and more healthy flesh was revealed.

Apart from the initial flow of blood as she cut into the skin, excessive bleeding had been prevented. The transfusion they had prepared just in case was thus unnecessary and the usual saline infusion would be enough until she awoke. She'd need to drink a bit more than usual anyhow, to feel at her best again.

Once the wound was clear, Itachi performed his diagnostic technique just to be sure they had succeeded and the last stitch was sewn, the ninja performed the basic Mystical Palm Jutsu, to kickstart the healing of the deepest parts of the wound at least, ensuring the elderly lady's immune system could handle the rest properly.

Raiju bandaged up the wound properly, using a large band-aid to cover the stitched area. They then covered her with a sheet once more, signaling the conclusion of the surgery.

They removed their garbs and started cleaning their equipment, making sure the items they used were maintained properly and everything that should be thrown out was disposed of properly.

Then, they opened the doors to their no-longer-surgery-room and went outside.

There, fidgeting anxiously but patiently waiting, all the members of the dojo were waiting for them. All their eyes were on Raiju, waiting for her verdict.

"It's done. It was removed successfully."

A cheer went through the crowd at the confirmation.

"Is she… still asleep?", Zed nervously asked, staring at the door longingly.

"Yea. How about it, would you like to help carry her back?", Raiju asked kindly.

"I… yes."

This, Itachi motioned him to follow. He guided him in properly washing his hands, before they went inside and steadily lifted the sleeping old lady, making sure the freshly stitched wound wasn't jostled too much.

"She should wake in another 2 hours. Take care of her as we've shown you and take her to the clinic for check-ups, just in case an infusion is needed, or something goes wrong. They may want her to stay a few days as well, just follow their advice."

Zed nodded, having made sure to commit her words to memory. Despite the fact he regularly called her an old hag, he still loved his mother and didn't want to see her suffer.

Soon, they reached her room and placed her on the freshly changed bedding.

Silently, they looked down at her, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest.

It was now afternoon. There'd still be light for a few hours yet, meaning that…

"We should go now", Raiju concluded, "Give us a call once she wakes. I did give you my contact info, right?"

"That… yea. Are you sure you already want to leave? Before she wakes?"

"Yea. We already said our goodbyes earlier. She knows we'll likely be gone when she wakes."

"Right…", he finally said before taking a deep breath and bowing at the waist, "Thank you very much for all you've done for us, Itachi, Raiju. We are in your debt. If you ever need anything, anything at all, please know that the Hidden Sword school will not hesitate to lend a hand."

"Please raise your head", Raiju said, smiling gently, "We were happy to help our friends out even without such a vow, but nonetheless, we gratefully accept your offer of aid. Be sure to take care of everyone properly, Zed."

"Yes!"

"…take care.", Itachi said.

Zed bowed once more, trying to hide the tears of relief gathering in his eyes. He was strong, yes, but even for him the events of the day had been overwhelming.

When he looked up once more, the siblings were gone. The Eustass family would never forget this debt.

Later, when his mother awoke, he was still faithfully guarding her bedside.

She woke slowly, yawning casually as if only awakening from a nap.

"Good morning", he greeted her.

"Good mornin'… did… did i' work?"

"Yea… it worked. In fact, we should change the band-aid soon so you can look at it yourself."

"Ah… so, gone already, are 'ey?", she asked, her tone slightly hoarse with emotion. Zed didn't comment on it as he took his mother's hand in his.

"Yea…"

"They were good kids."

"Yea."

"I hope we get to see them again."

"Yea. 'at bra' still owes me a spar."

"Yea."

They smirked at each other knowingly. Sooner or later, they'd hunt them down again if they didn't come back. They wouldn't get away from them that easily.

Meanwhile, Raiju was snuggled up against Itachi as they lay on Kuromu's soft back, the summon quietly gliding through the air above the clouds at speeds never reachable by boat. She was indulging herself today. The ninja was dozing lightly as his summon carried them toward their next destination.

This was nice. The sun shone down on them, the winds flowed around them and the soft, warm feathers of their friend formed a reassuring bubble of peace around them. She… never wanted to lose this feeling.

With those last thoughts, Raiju lazily closed her eyes from where she'd watched the clouds below and fell asleep.

Soon, she'd need all the energy she could get. If not to study as much as possible in Torino Kingdom, then to get through the more straining phases of her pregnancy.

Only a few hours later, she was awoken as her pillow started to shift.

"Itachi?", she asked, voice still groggy from sleep.

"Continue sleeping", he simply said, placing her head on something soft.

"…Kay"

It wasn't as comfortable as her previous pillow, but it'd do for a few hours more. In no time at all, she was asleep once more.

After making sure Raiju was out once more, Itachi turned around to Kuromu, who, sensing his regard, turned her head to fix him with one eye.

"Are you sure?", he asked.

"Positive.", the summon answered in a surprisingly quiet voice, lazily circling the area, "they definitely spotted me. I also think I saw someone take a 'photograph', at least the way you described those 'camera' things certainly fit. Though I have no idea how they could do so in this darkness. That's why I let my guard down and I noticed too late. They're gone now."

Regret and chagrin colored her tone. It seemed like the lack of action as of late had made her become a bit careless. She vowed to pick up her training once more. She couldn't let down her summoner like this, or he'd switch whom he would call! All those delicacies she could get… could definitely not go to someone else!

Itachi sat up and peered down, turning on his Sharingan to search the area properly but after an hour, he still didn't find anything. It seemed that the photographer really had gotten away.

"Hn. It happens. At least they shouldn't have spotted us since we were lying flat against your back. As long as you learn from it, I'll let it go."

"Kaaaa", she crowed, admonished, "I'll be sure to. I'm sorry, Itachi."

In reality, Itachi was not overly mad about it. He hadn't honestly expected them to be able to avoid detection of some sort for as long as they had and really, he'd have to wait to see what consequences arose due to that photo first. Since they had let the person escape, there was no changing it now.

"Let's just continue", he finally decided, gently stroking the sensitive feathers around Kuromu's neck to let her know she was forgiven.

Relieved, the crow realigned herself once again and sped off into the distance.

Two days later, just a few hours before the sky would start to brighten in preparation for the sunrise, Kuromu arrived over the gigantic tree characteristic of Torino Kingdom.

Due to that night's events, he'd talked to Raiju and convinced her, to stay there for the rest of her pregnancy under the supervision of one of his blood clones.

If his mode of transport was to be known by the world government, he'd need to speed up his investigation in South Blue as much as possible before he couldn't use his summons as openly anymore. She'd hone her knowledge some more over there and safely bear her child without the strain any danger could cause.

It wasn't like he was underestimating her, no. It was just a fact that the growing ball in her womb was starting to affect her mobility more and more. And she was the type of person not content to stay back and be protected even with a condition like that, especially now she had some degree of training. Training his blood clone was more than able to continue.

She had been kind of sad but had understood. Plus, it wasn't like he'd leave her alone. She was also kind of glad she'd not have to rush her studies as much as anticipated now that she'd get to spend at least half a year there.

"This is it for now, huh?", Raiju asked with mixed emotions as she rubbed the last vestiges of sleep out of her eyes, emotions complicated as she looked at the two identical Itachis crouching on Kuromu's back next to her.

She doubted she'd ever get used to such a sight.

"Hn", the original grunted and gently ruffled her hair, "learn well. When I return, we'll truly start searching for a member of Roger's crew. You've described them to me well, so I'll likely recognize them if I run across any of them."

"Yea, they aren't likely to show up outside the Grandline though", she added apologetically, once again.

"Hn.", he nodded, not truly upset. Once they had destroyed that seal, he'd already come to terms with the fact their journey home would be a long one. Putting off this particular venue of investigation for half a year, as promising and tempting as it was, was preferable to rushing it and potentially putting Raiju at risk and losing this venue of information altogether.

"Take care", he simply told her and nodded at his clone in a silent signal to disembark.

"You too. I'll miss you.", she said, not having fought the clone as it scooped her up in preparation for the adventurous path along the gigantic tree below.

She waved at him one last time before the clone jumped and Kuromu flew off. Her back felt strangely empty now that the little doctor was gone.

Itachi sighed as he watched the island grow smaller in the distance.

'This was for the best.', he silently reassured himself. He then crossed his legs and closed his eyes, meditating in an attempt to find his balance again and concentrate on his mission.

On the island he had left behind, Itachi's clone and Raiju had already made their way down the tree and close to the village proper, where they stopped and took a rest, just enjoying the view for a while. They had decided to approach the villagers once the sun had risen and not sneak around during the night.

When they did approach, what they found was… way outside their expectations. They actually hadn't even had much of an image in mind, seeing as to how wrong they'd been about Karate Island, yet it still managed to catch them by surprise. Instead of the technologically and medically advanced, almost sci-fi-esque surroundings, they'd half expected… the village looked like something out of this time. Just… the other way around. The whole place seemed like they still lived in the stone ages.

Even the few people they saw walking around supported this image, being only clothed in leaves, and vines, and occasionally some of them even had some wild game strung up on a pole they were carrying on their shoulders. All in all, it gave them the feeling of having stepped back in time.

It was no surprise at all, given their own fully clothed state that they stood out like a sore thumb. Almost immediately, a small group of natives peeled away from their brethren and approached warily, spears clutched tightly in their arms, ready to defend should it be needed. The populace seemed to be built pretty shortly but stoutly, with the tallest of the group approaching them reaching only up to around Itachi's shoulders.

They stopped around 2 meters away from them, only one of them stepping out of the group to greet them.

"Strangers. What you want?", he asked in broken English, grip around his spear tightening even more.

"Greetings", Raiju said as she and Itachi bowed politely, "we were sent by old Jason on Karate Island. We're looking for Coco."

Seeing as how unwelcoming and suspicious the natives acted, Raiju decided on this approach instead. If she could meet Jason's contact, then maybe they'd get some answers about what was going on here.

At the mention of old Jason, the group exchanged a visible look and relaxed slightly.

"You have letter?", they were asked.

Raiju nodded and swiftly retrieved it from her small backpack, showing it to the leader but not relinquishing it as he examined the writing on the envelope.

"That Jason's handwriting", he confirmed, causing the group to relax completely.

"Come", they smiled and waved them along, apparently planning to take them to their destination.

Raiju saw something flicker out of the corner of her eyes. When she turned towards him, Itachi nodded at her, confirming her suspicion. He'd made another clone or a few to secure the surroundings and keep an eye out in front in case this was a trap.

She relaxed slightly at that, nodded back, and turned back towards the natives. The two siblings didn't hesitate to follow behind their native guides.

The villagers they passed eyed their group in curiosity, obviously not wary anymore, now that they were accompanied by some of their own and gossiped openly in a strange language neither Itachi nor Raiju had ever heard before.

So that was why they only spoke broken English. With an accent, too. Maybe the way their village and clothing looked was also mainly attributed to culture and tradition then. They'd find out soon, or so they hoped.

They were led to a small cave-like entrance between the gigantic roots of the tree that took up the better part of the whole island, where their guides stopped and merely waved them on.

"Coco live inside. Dig out house."

"Alright. Thank you very much for showing us the way."

"No problem"

It seemed their guides were now not wary of them anymore. They even smiled and waved at them as they lumbered back to the village, laughing and thumping each other on the back as they talked animatedly.

Well then, they thought as they turned towards the dark entrance between the roots, it was time to go inside. They just hoped Jason's acquaintance would be equally open once they brought out the old man's letter.

Authors Note

Ok, so I'm not a medical professional, there are probably a billion mistakes in here and one definitely shouldn't try surgery at home, ok? Don't try this, OK? I only learned from 5 mins of internet research and vague memories of hospital scenes on TV, OK?