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Tch. I doubted it would come to that, honestly. Both the man and I were Uchiha by blood, if anything was compatible, this would be it. Frankly, I wasn't even worried about that being a problem. I knew Blanche and I trusted her a great deal more than I usually trusted people, but shes only human. I was worth a great deal of money dead or alive, and, truthfully, turning me in would yield far greater of a reward than I could ever pay her. Still, I doubted Blanche would stoop that low.

"Don't you run a medical facility, Blanche?" I answered, the sarcastic nature of my voice too profound to ignore. "I'm sure you guys have these things somewhere around here. I already owe you a large sum of money for this, put it on my tab."" I hadn't thought it that far, honestly. While I had needlessly paid for the preservation tank in order to ensure the corpse wouldn't get bad, I never really imagined what I would do with my eye, after.

There were rumors that detailed specific weaknesses that came with such raw power, so, just in case, it was best that it was kept in the best condition as possible.

I obliged to her request, knowing full well that she was about to give me just what I needed. As soon as her chakra was felt coating the area around my eye, I winced. Even though I knew Blanche, my body's innate reaction to someone getting that close to my eyes could not be hidden. The feeling soon disappeared... as did all feeling in that eye, actually. I could barely see out of it anymore, so I opened my other eye.

"No, actually. I'm 'dead' already, remember?" Truthfully, I hadn't come to this realization. It never really dawned on me just how dangerous this operation was, so I hadn't even made preparations should I fail to make it out of here. "There is someone, now that I think about it. My wife, Beppin - let her know exactly what happened if things go sour. No one else." She was, afterall, the only reason I was still alive to this day. Had it not been for her care all those many years, I wouldn't have survived my own mental illness.

"Just make sure everything runs smoothly and you won't have to worry about that, alright?" I closed my eye again, ready for her to start the procedure whenever she was ready. "Make sure to save my eye when you're finished."

"You are partially right." I answered, whether to her statement about my day or the transplant unclear. I knew my attitude towards Blanche was rather cold, but, considering what was about to be done, I couldn't quite put a handle on my emotions like I usually did. I wasn't afraid of pain - hell, I usually welcomed it - but this was going to be on a complete different level. "Give me a sedative, then. One strong enough to dull the pain but that also allows me to be responsive."

Whether or not she obliged to my request, my left eye closed as well; I knew it wouldn't be for long, but I'd rather collect my thoughts before everything got all blurry and disoriented. "Before he died, that man was a native from Kumo. He wasn't that strong of an opponent, but..." Could I trust Blanche with this knowledge? I was already vulnerable by asking her for such a favor, so I didn't see the harm indulging her curiosity. "He had the ability to create black flames from his right eye. Not just normal fire, either - flames that could not be extinguished for seven days and seven nights." Could she still not see the relevance of this?

"He was an Uchiha, very much like myself." I paused, opening my left eye again to gaze at Blanche. "However, he had the ability to take his Sharingan to the next level. Rumor has it, that the only way to achieve such a feat..." Another pause; this time I was using the opportunity to gauge her reaction. "Is to murder the closest person to you. I refuse to lose anymore of my family for such a gamble, so here I am - taking the back route to things."

It was a rather dark topic, so I did not want to continue on with it, especially before such a dangerous operation. That, and well - I already told her too much.

"You're good at that, you know?" I smiled; though, like my humor, it was quite dull. "You always having me telling you things that you aren't supposed to hear."

The signal was feint, but I felt Blanche calling me almost the very instant she touched the seal on her neck. It was a useful ability, no doubt; one that, just as easily as she touched her own flesh, alerted me that I was needed. Having already gathered all that was needed for this impromptu meeting, all it took was a simple thought to bring me directly to Blanche. I did just that - only, however, I wasn't alone this time.

Perched steadily upon my shoulder was a corpse of a young man, his body, though rigid and still, looking almost as if he had just recently died. Without a word being said, I tossed the corpse onto one of the many metal tables that filled the room. From there, still silent, I found my way back to Blanche; I seemed different, almost as if I was more withdrawn than usual.

"Lets get this over with." Discarding my kimono, I moved onto the operating table and laid down. I was shirtless now, so the rather cool surface of the table sent shivers running throughout my body. "Don't get any ideas here, I want to stay conscious for this." I mused, but with my lack of emotion my words were playfully dry. Realizing that I hadn't actually disclosed what I needed done, I leaned up and pointed at the corpse that I had brought with me.

"I want to replace my left eye with that man's remaining eye. It should be a simple surgery for someone like you, Blanche." I began, laying back down. "I'm not sure how my body will react afterwards, so if you see anything off..." I paused, outstretching my left arm for the IV whilst closing my right eye.

"Run..."

"I figured as much." I spoke instantly, responding to her comment about not having Kusagakure fall behind the other villages. I wasn't surprised by her statement, for I knew whatever many goals Blanche had, protecting and keeping her village safe was on the top of her list. The only way to do that effectively was to have the world recognize it's rising power; it'd be a difficult task, yes - but would be made all the easier with Sunagakure's official backing.

"Likewise, Blanche." I could see the strained emotion on her face, but ignored it for I knew it she didn't intend to direct it towards me. As strong and independent as she made herself out to be, she was still human; like myself, we all needed help from others sometimes. "If you ever require my assistance, don't be afraid to call. Afterall, you worth more to me alive than dead - and, well, I'm only a second away."

I shot a glance to the nape of her neck, reminding her - if it was even possible that she forgot - that she still had my mark etched into her flesh. All she needed to do was touch the seal and I would be there, instantly. Nevertheless, I turned into the shadows, my right hand grasping the shoulder of my Shadow Clone as we prepared to make our exit.

"Actually, there is something I need." I stopped myself short of warping away. Turning, I looked at her warily - I had almost forgotten. "I need a certain... procedure done, and you're the only one I know capable of such a thing. When you're free, touch my Hiraishin seal; this needs to be done sooner than later. Don't worry, you'll be paid rather generously." I smiled at her, a simple maneuver of my free arm bringing my hand upwards to wave goodbye.

"Farewell, Blanche."

-- And I was gone.