Hokage Residence.
Morning.
After finishing his training in Lightning Release chakra-enhanced taijutsu, Hiruzen had just taken a hot shower. He changed into casual home clothes, ate the breakfast prepared by Biwako, and pondered the Yin Seal.
He naturally possessed resources concerning the data and essentials of the Yin Seal.
However, each person differed in the robustness of their Chakra Pathways, the rate at which chakra was produced, and the degree to which it dissipated. As such, others' experiences in constructing the Yin Seal could only serve as reference.
Hiruzen held a rice ball in one hand while gesturing with the other, outlining his own conception of the Yin Seal.
It had already begun to take shape.
He was not in a hurry. The Yin Seal was something meant to accompany him for a lifetime; no amount of meticulous refinement could be considered excessive.
But at that moment, a burst of arguing sounded from outside the door.
"I'm here to see my sensei!"
"Please, I'm not trying to make things difficult for you. Can't your Byakugan see that it's really me?"
"I have urgent business!"
That was Tsunade's voice.
"Without the Hokage-sama's permission, no one is allowed to approach the Hokage Residence." Hizashi's voice was cold. Wearing a mask, he stood in front of Tsunade, with no intention of stepping aside even a single step.
"If you have urgent matters, please proceed to the Hokage Building and wait for the Third-sama."
Inside, Biwako, who had been tidying up, exchanged a glance with Hiruzen.
Understanding his intent, she pushed open the door.
She saw that behind Tsunade stood Orochimaru and Jiraiya, both wearing helpless expressions.
"Come in, all of you…"
"Tsunade, you're still as rash as ever. Have you eaten breakfast?" Biwako said with a warm smile, then nodded to Hizashi at the side.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Hizashi bowed slightly. "It is my duty."
Seeing this scene, Orochimaru nodded faintly.
Sensei's wife Biwako truly was the sensei's capable partner—her sense of measure was impeccable.
What impressed him even more was the extent of Hiruzen's influence within the Hyūga clan…
Judging by Hizashi's demeanor, forget Tsunade, the so-called Princess of Konoha—even her father Hyūga Tenzō, or even if a former Hokage were to be resurrected…
Orochimaru suspected that as long as the sensei gave the order, Hizashi would not even furrow his brow.
A completely loyal minister.
Moreover, it was said that recently the sensei had been conversing quite pleasantly with Hyūga Tenzō, and that another batch of branch family members had entered ANBU…
He had to learn this. He absolutely had to learn this!
"Sorry for the trouble, sensei's wife!"
Tsunade rubbed her hands together. "I'm just too excited! There's been major progress on the technical side, and I wanted to share it with Sensei…"
Biwako shook her head with an amused smile and silently went to prepare tea for the group.
"Sensei, there's been a major breakthrough in the research techniques for medical chakra scrolls!"
"That day, you told me to go talk with Grandma Mito. As expected, the elder really had excellent ideas and lines of thought…"
"Right now, I've already found a way to inject medical chakra into objects without it dissipating!"
"I'm asking that production of 'Sage Region Pills' be halted, and that resources be fully tilted toward the medical scroll project!"
Tsunade said as much.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "How big of a breakthrough is it? Speak honestly—don't exaggerate in the slightest."
"At present it's only a little…" Tsunade paused, putting away her grinning, playful face.
She realized that once Hiruzen brought up village affairs, he became like a different person…
Could it be that this was why Great-Uncle approved of him the most?
Back then, Senju Tobirama had been like this too…
He was very gentle with her, but the moment matters related to the village were involved, he would immediately switch states.
"But… but this method is very simplified. I'm confident I can teach it to the Nara and Akimichi ninja who make 'Sage Region Pills'!"
"Or you can let me pick a few promising ones—this really isn't hard!"
Hiruzen shook his head, signaling her to be quiet.
He knew it…
Back then, when Tsunade talked about assigning medical ninja, she had been the same way.
Her daydreaming was severe—she almost never considered the various practical factors.
"Alright. I'll ask you a few questions."
"Some of the Akimichi and Nara ninja can specialize in producing 'Sage Region Pills' because, based on communication between the Administrative Department and the Land of Fire, they can see an accurate profit outlook."
"So they can give up missions and choose to be full-time workers."
"But if they shift into research and development, R&D costs money. Where will their pay come from?"
Tsunade was momentarily speechless, but she still argued stubbornly. "Worst case, I'll go treat people!"
"Fine. Let's count that as you paying for it."
"Then the village projects that 'Sage Region Pills' profits are used for—how do you plan to make that up?"
Hiruzen spread open his right palm, and each time he named one, he curled down a finger:
"Establishing a ninja security system, assistance for ninja orphans, research on First Hokage cells, elevating and raising the standards of the ninja academy, subsidies for medical scrolls and other ninja tools and ninjutsu…"
As Tsunade listened, she felt dizzy, yet inwardly she was deeply shaken.
So Sensei was planning to do so many things for the village?
Each one, every single item, sounded like a major undertaking on par with her medical scroll project!
Sensei, what kind of Konoha are you planning to build?
Hiruzen continued, and each time he said one more, he raised another finger.
"Further profits from expanded reproduction, the tuning and adjustment of dedicated medical scrolls…"
"After harvesting the nobles, issuing orders downward to keep finance circulating, strengthening the overall national power of the Land of Fire…"
Jiraiya, standing to the side, had his mouth slightly open, his gaze filled with admiration.
There wasn't even a draft nearby—so how had he rattled off such a long string of terms in one go…
Being Hokage really wasn't an easy job!
"Stop reciting, stop reciting!"
Tsunade clutched her head, as if it were being squeezed by a tightening band. "I just want the village to be better, so that not so many comrades die in the next war…"
Hiruzen chuckled softly and looked toward Orochimaru, his gaze probing.
The meaning was clear: you don't think the same way as Tsunade, do you?
Orochimaru shook his head vigorously and spread both hands.
The meaning was that he had been forcibly dragged here by Tsunade, and there was truly nothing he could do.
"Sensei, you know—I've always supported you!" Orochimaru immediately spoke up to state his position clearly.
This could not be allowed to cause a misunderstanding…
If he were put at the same table as Tsunade, that would really be an injustice.
"Sensei, why aren't you looking at me? I was dragged here by force too!" Jiraiya said exaggeratedly. "I support you as well!"
"Mhm, mhm…"
"Sensei, what kind of perfunctory attitude is that? Am I not important?"
"Mhm, mhm—important, important," Hiruzen said with a smile.
"No, Sensei, I'm so heartbroken…"
With Jiraiya's antics, the atmosphere—which had been somewhat serious—was diluted.
A thought stirred in Hiruzen's mind.
Somewhat similar to Uzumaki Mito, Tsunade's position within the village was also quite transcendent.
Taking advantage of this opportunity to further deepen Tsunade's trust in him was very necessary…
Otherwise, with her constantly reacting so impulsively, it would hardly be ideal.
"Your intentions—I understand them. But everything must be done step by step. You must learn to assess the situation and act accordingly; do not rush for quick success."
"Kirigakure is busy with internal strife, Sunagakure is licking its wounds, Kumogakure is restoring its strength… If we do not move, Iwagakure will not move either. This is a period of development for all the major hidden villages of the nations."
"However, regarding this technological breakthrough, some adjustments will indeed be necessary. We should strive to achieve mass production of medical scrolls within three to five years."
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
This projected timeline was actually a bit faster than she had expected…
From research and development to mass production had never been something achieved overnight.
But if it could be done without delaying village affairs, and at this pace at that—wouldn't that be a double blessing?
Hiruzen closed his eyes, thinking.
Tsunade cast a dangerous look at Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
No one was allowed to make a sound…
They absolutely could not interrupt Sensei's thinking!
And the two of them shot annoyed looks back at Tsunade as well—only you would do something like this!
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