Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe

"The Scroll of Seals, huh? Of course, I'm interested." Daniel Davis was indeed fascinated by the Leaf Village's Scroll of Seals. In fact, it wasn't just the Leaf's scroll—he was equally interested in the scrolls from the other four great ninja villages. However, the Leaf Village's scroll had the greatest allure.

Techniques like Wood Release, Impure World Reincarnation, the Flying Thunder God Technique, Explosive Tag Multiplication, and powerful sealing techniques were unparalleled, setting the Leaf apart from the other villages.

The Leaf Village had always been blessed, almost as if it were the "chosen village." In the Fourth Great Ninja War, it was less about the Five Great Villages uniting and more about the Leaf Village standing out above the rest.

Originally, Orochimaru had no interest in the Scroll of Seals. Before his defection, as one of the Leaf's Legendary Sannin, he had access to it and had already studied it thoroughly. Impure World Reincarnation was one of the techniques he had learned back then. Back when he was still in the village, Orochimaru could peruse the scroll whenever he wanted, which dulled his interest.

But things had changed. After fusing with the First Hokage's cells and acquiring Wood Release, Orochimaru now needed the Scroll of Seals to fully master the Wood Release techniques. Previously, without Wood Release, Orochimaru had no reason to delve into those sections of the scroll.

While it was possible to develop Wood Release techniques gradually over time, why go through that trouble when the answers were already written down? Developing new jutsu, especially ones as complex and powerful as Wood Release, took an immense amount of time.

For instance, despite his genius, the Fourth Hokage took three years to develop the Rasengan. On the other hand, Jiraiya and Naruto both learned it in less than a month. That's just one jutsu—Hashirama's powerful Wood Release techniques were far more complex.

Currently, Daniel could use basic Wood Release techniques combined with his Vanishing Flower Style, but he couldn't yet perform Hashirama's world-shattering techniques like Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands or Deep Forest Emergence. These techniques couldn't simply be imagined and then used—they required mastery.

However, Daniel was confident he would eventually be able to use those high-level Wood Release techniques. Orochimaru, on the other hand, was limited. Even after acquiring Wood Release, he wouldn't be able to surpass someone like Yamato by much in that regard.

In truth, one of the main reasons Daniel was so interested in the Leaf's Scroll of Seals was because of the Second Hokage's water-style techniques. As a Hokage, Tobirama's mastery of water-style jutsu was unparalleled, even within the Mist Village. Some of his water-style techniques weren't even known to the Mist Village.

Water-style techniques, while limited in the ninja world, would be a perfect fit in the One Piece world, where the sea was a constant presence—a natural advantage.

Tobirama's early death was a great loss. Otherwise, Impure World Reincarnation and the Flying Thunder God Technique wouldn't have needed Orochimaru and the Fourth Hokage to further develop them.

With the upcoming Chūnin Exams, it was time to select the participants. Orochimaru chose the same team as in the original storyline: Zaku, Dosu, and Kin. These three were the elite of the Sound Village's genin, personally enticed by Orochimaru with promises of power.

The Sound Village wasn't a name Orochimaru chose randomly. Many of its ninja specialized in sound-based techniques. For example, Tayuya from the Sound Four was proficient in genjutsu using her flute.

The three Sound Village genin participating in the upcoming exams also relied on sound-based attacks.

One of Orochimaru's many experiments led to the creation of sonic equipment. Though not overwhelmingly powerful, these tools were highly effective for genin- and chūnin-level ninjas.

In fact, similar sonic equipment existed in the One Piece world, such as the sonic arm amplifier used by Jesus Burgess, the champion of the Blackbeard Pirates. While both used sound-based weapons, the focus differed—Orochimaru's were mainly for genjutsu, while Burgess's focused on raw physical destruction.

"Are you interested in going back to the Leaf Village?" Daniel asked Sasuke as the Sound Village team prepared to depart. He explained the Chūnin Exams and hinted at Orochimaru's plans to attack the Leaf.

"Sure." After a moment's thought, Sasuke agreed.

"Want me to capture Danzo and hand him over to you?" Daniel teased, noticing Sasuke's cold demeanor.

"No need. I've said it before—I'll deal with him myself."

"As you wish."

For Daniel, taking down Danzo would be a simple task. However, Sasuke was adamant about personally avenging his parents, so Daniel let him be. After all, Danzo wasn't much of a threat, and letting him live a little longer wouldn't hurt.

"Let's go. We'll participate in the Chūnin Exams as well." After obtaining documents from Orochimaru identifying them as Sound Village genin, Daniel, Sasuke, Karin, and the trio of Sound genin set out for the Leaf.

Initially, Daniel had considered disguising himself and Sasuke as merchants or travelers to enter the Leaf. With so many people flocking to the Leaf for the exams, sneaking in was a golden opportunity. In fact, many ninja from various villages were using the exams as a cover to infiltrate the village.

However, when Karin expressed interest in going to the Leaf as well, Daniel had a sudden idea: they could all enter as Sound Village genin.

Orochimaru, though surprised by Daniel's sudden interest in the Chūnin Exams, provided the necessary documents.

The Chūnin Exams in the ninja world were typically held twice a year by the five great ninja villages, with each village conducting its own internal exams. However, every five years, a joint Chūnin Exam was held, which was the most challenging of all because participants weren't just competing against fellow villagers but against ninja from other villages. These exams were often life-and-death battles.

The exams were divided into two parts: a written test and a preliminary elimination round, followed by the main competition. The preliminary and main rounds were of little interest to the daimyos, village leaders, and wealthy spectators. Only the final competition would attract their attention, where the best performances would be on full display.

There was a one-month interval between the preliminary and main rounds, giving the competitors time to prepare and ensuring that the final battles were spectacular.

The trio of Sound Village genin had no idea who Daniel, Sasuke, or Karin really were. To them, Daniel's group were simply fellow Sound Village genin, and as a result, the two groups didn't travel together.

This gave Daniel the opportunity to wander around with Sasuke and Karin, taking in the sights along the way.

"Big Fat Sheep? You know about her too? Unfortunately, you're too late—she left a few days ago," Daniel said after stopping by several casinos. He wasn't there to gamble but to gather information about the "Big Fat Sheep" of the gambling world, who was none other than Tsunade, the future Fifth Hokage.

While he had learned about Tsunade's whereabouts, he hadn't been able to catch up with her. He had no idea where Naruto and Jiraiya would eventually find her.

There were simply too many casinos in the Land of Fire, making it impossible to predict where she would appear. Moreover, Tsunade was known for hiding when she was in debt, only resurfacing once her debts were cleared.

Luckily for her, she was a skilled medical ninja, capable of earning enough money to stay afloat, or she would have gone bankrupt long ago.

"Come to think of it, don't ninjas cheat when gambling? Tsunade must have good gambling ethics. With her level of chakra control, cheating would be easy," Daniel commented, impressed by her poor gambling streak.

As the date of the first round of the Chūnin Exams approached, Daniel gave up searching for Tsunade and rushed toward the Leaf with Sasuke and Karin.

"Why not invent something like cars or bicycles? Ninjas don't need them, but regular people could sure use them," Daniel remarked as they traveled along the crowded roads filled with merchants heading to the Leaf for the exams.

At first, Karin had been interested in the surrounding sights, but she soon hid behind Daniel, trembling slightly.

"Ninja from the Grass Village." Her reaction made Daniel look around, spotting six Grass Village ninja with masks covering their faces.

Though the Grass Village had suffered heavily due to Daniel's actions, the village hadn't been wiped out, and they couldn't refuse an invitation to the Leaf's Chūnin Exams. Sending six expendable ninja wasn't a big deal to them.

"Today is full of coincidences." Not long after, Daniel noticed another familiar group sitting in a pavilion along the roadside. The trio was hard to miss, and their presence had cleared the pavilion of other travelers.

"The Gourd Kid," Daniel thought, spotting none other than Gaara of the Sand, along with his siblings Kankuro and Temari. Gaara sat with his eyes closed, while his siblings kept a wary watch on their surroundings.

Temari noticed Daniel's gaze and paused for a moment before looking away.

Despite their disguises, Daniel still looked handsome. Sasuke's appearance had been altered to be more ordinary, and Karin had simply applied some light makeup.

"The ninja from the Sound Village have already arrived," a Leaf Village chūnin remarked, eyeing Daniel's group suspicious

ly as he examined their documents at the village gates.

"We traveled separately to complete a mission. Does the Leaf have a rule that ninja from the same village must arrive together?" Daniel replied calmly.

"There's no such rule. Apologies." The chūnin returned their documents and summoned a genin to escort them to the Sound Village's quarters.

Since they were officially participating in the Chūnin Exams, the Leaf Village would cover their accommodations and meals. After all, the Leaf could afford it.

Moreover, the joint Chūnin Exams were a lucrative opportunity for the Leaf Village. While the influx of outsiders posed a security risk, it also stimulated the local economy.

While the Leaf provided food and lodging, it didn't mean they couldn't explore. This was a rare chance to openly tour the village, and Daniel wasn't going to miss it.

In terms of overall environment, the Leaf was the best of the five great ninja villages, and it was certainly better than any of the smaller villages. The only other major village present for the exams was the Leaf's ally, the Sand Village.

Temari, in particular, seemed excited upon arriving in the Leaf. Growing up in the arid, barren environment of the Sand Village, the lush greenery of the Leaf was a refreshing change for her.

"Don't get too excited. You'll be living in the Leaf permanently soon. But without Sasuke's defection, how will Temari and Shikamaru develop?" Daniel mused as he watched her from behind. He then led Sasuke and Karin to the Sound Village quarters, where a Leaf genin showed them the rules for the Chūnin Exams.

The rules were simple: no causing trouble in the village, no fighting outside of the exams, and violators could be executed on the spot. Beyond that, the other rules were minor details.

"Let's go out and take a look around," Daniel suggested. He had plenty of places in the Leaf he wanted to visit, and while Sasuke grumbled about there being nothing interesting to see, he still followed along.

Despite his familiarity with the village, Sasuke hadn't truly explored it before, his mind always preoccupied with revenge. Now, knowing the truth, he had the opportunity to see the village in a new light.

"The Hokage Monument," Daniel remarked, gazing up at the giant stone faces of the Hokage carved into the mountain. From anywhere in the village, one could see the imposing monument, with the Fourth Hokage's face seeming to watch over the Leaf. Below the monument lay the Hokage's office and the ninja academy.

The village streets were bustling with activity, with vendors hawking their wares, and many ninja—both local and foreign—roamed the streets.

Daniel even spotted a few familiar faces.

"Let's go eat at Ichiraku Ramen," Daniel suggested. After all, no visit to the Leaf would be complete without trying out the famous ramen shop, a favorite of Naruto's even after he became the Seventh Hokage.

"Welcome!" As Daniel, Sasuke, and Karin entered the ramen shop, Sasuke froze in place, and even Daniel was a bit surprised.

Sitting there, enjoying a bowl of ramen, was none other than Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke's only acknowledged friend after the Uchiha massacre. But what surprised Daniel wasn't Naruto—his presence at Ichiraku was expected, given his love for ramen.

What caught Daniel off guard was the man sitting beside Naruto: a white-haired figure with a headband inscribed with the word "oil," wearing a red coat. It was none other than Jiraiya, the famous Toad Sage and one of the Legendary Sannin, known for his vices of gambling and women.

"So, he's back already? A butterfly effect, perhaps?" Daniel thought as he and his group sat down at a nearby table, lucky to find available seats.

Jiraiya, noticing the trio's Sound Village headbands, narrowed his eyes slightly. While few knew the full truth, Jiraiya had heard rumors that Orochimaru was the true leader behind the Sound Village.

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