"Tatsuma is looking for me? Let him come up."
The next day, in the Hokage's office, upon hearing Shikato's report, Hiruzen showed a puzzled expression on his face.
After all, as an ANBU and a Hokage Guard, Tatsuma didn't need to report to meet him; he could just come directly to the Hokage's office. Why would he suddenly make a temporary appointment?
Seeing Hiruzen's confusion, Shikato prompted, "Third-sama, perhaps Tatsuma is not coming to see you in his official capacity."
The fact that Tatsuma is an ANBU is a secret to most people, but for Shikato Nara, who enters and exits the Hokage's office several times a day as a Hokage aide, it's not a big deal.
Prompted by Shikato's reminder, Hiruzen suddenly understood and said, "Then let him come up quickly."
"Alright, I'll go get him."
Shikato then left the Hokage's office and soon returned with Tatsuma, who was walking with a slight limp. He didn't enter the office but indicated for Tatsuma to go in alone.
"Thank you."
Tatsuma expressed his gratitude, and after seeing Shikato turn to leave, he knocked on the Hokage's office door.
"Come in."
Inside the office, Hiruzen spoke up. He heard Tatsuma's uneven footsteps and was somewhat puzzled until he saw Tatsuma open the door and enter.
Noticing his gait and posture, Hiruzen frowned. After Tatsuma closed the office door, he asked, "Was it very difficult? It's alright, this is a three-to-five-year plan, there's no need to rush."
Tatsuma shook his head and said, "It wasn't difficult. On the contrary, it went more smoothly than I expected."
"Then, you..."
Hiruzen pointed to several injured areas on Tatsuma. Despite the clothing, as a powerful and outstanding ninja, Hiruzen could tell where Tatsuma was injured through his observations.
Tatsuma's expression turned bitter as he said, "There were some unexpected incidents afterward, but everything went smoothly."
Thinking back to the severe beating from Tsunade after discussing official matters yesterday, Tatsuma couldn't help but shudder. Tsunade really hit hard.
She relied on her medical ninja skills to strike places that wouldn't be fatal; otherwise, Tatsuma felt he could have reduced his lifespan yesterday.
Hiruzen also thought of his disciple's temper. However, the fact that Tatsuma managed to persuade Tsunade, even enduring a beating afterward, demonstrated his impressive abilities.
But Hiruzen was still curious and asked, "Since things went smoothly, why did you come to see me today?"
"It's like this. Although Sensei has agreed, she has conditions. She doesn't want to see you, fearing she might harm her teacher, so she sent me instead."
Tatsuma's tone was less formal and respectful than usual when he served as the Hokage Guard, which Hiruzen found a bit unusual. However, he understood that Tatsuma was now representing Tsunade, so he let it slide.
As for whether Tsunade could actually harm her teacher, it was one thing, but it was still best not to see her recently to avoid straining their relationship.
"Ahem."
Hiruzen cleared his throat twice, sat up straight, and pointed to the chair opposite him, indicating for Tatsuma to sit down. He began filling his pipe, lost in thought.
In recent months, Hiruzen's smoking had significantly decreased because Tatsuma, or rather Yaksha, always found reasonable ways to interrupt or dissuade him from smoking.
However, Tatsuma himself couldn't interrupt Hiruzen's desire to smoke at the moment, so he could only helplessly watch him light up his pipe.
After finishing an entire pipe of tobacco, Hiruzen had formulated his bottom line. Initially, the plan was to use the establishment of a new Medical Ninja Training System to gain Tsunade's approval for the Wood Release Ninja project.
However, Hiruzen knew this was unlikely. After all, he had already promised Tsunade the establishment of the new Medical Ninja Training System, so it could only be used as a bargaining chip.
To truly get Tsunade's agreement, he would have to make concessions. The only question was how much Tsunade would demand.
Hiruzen looked at Tatsuma and said, "Tatsuma, you should know that the village is undergoing post-war reconstruction. It's not just the village, but many towns in the Land of Fire are also rebuilding after the war.
"So, neither the Daimyo's office nor the village can provide much money."
The so-called post-war reconstruction was merely a redistribution of interests. This time, the war hadn't spread within the Land of Fire. There were some minor disturbances in various places, but nothing that required real "reconstruction" efforts.
Furthermore, in Konoha, the previous redistribution of land ownership was done through a bidding process. The demolition and reconstruction were the individual clans' responsibilities, unrelated to the village.
Using post-war reconstruction as an excuse for having no money was pure nonsense, and Tatsuma didn't believe a word of it.
However, he wouldn't expose the lie. Besides not wanting to offend Hiruzen, the main reason was that he wasn't here for money.
Tatsuma smiled and nodded, saying, "Sensei is well aware of the village's difficulties. She wouldn't make unreasonable demands during this period of post-war reconstruction and development, hindering the village's progress."
Hearing this, Hiruzen asked somewhat uncertainly, "You're not here for money?"
"Of course not," Tatsuma replied firmly. Hiruzen nodded, feeling that the situation was even more troubling. Money would have been easier to deal with, but the fact that it wasn't about money didn't seem like his disciple's usual style.
However, Hiruzen didn't dwell on it and instead asked, "What are Tsunade's thoughts? The village will do its best to accommodate."
"Well, Sensei's idea is quite simple. Since this matter involves the handling of the First Hokage's remains, although she is the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Sensei doesn't dare to make a decision on her own."
After Tatsuma spoke, Hiruzen's curiosity deepened. Tsunade wasn't known for being so considerate. However, he waited for Tatsuma to continue, and Tatsuma didn't delay, saying:
"There is one person who has absolute authority over the handling of the First Hokage's remains."
'Mito-sama?'
Hiruzen thought of Uzumaki Mito. As Senju Hashirama's wife, Mito did have authority, but it couldn't be considered absolute. Moreover, this matter shouldn't involve Mito. Didn't Tsunade understand this? Could Tatsuma and Mito not understand this either?
"Oh? If Tsunade can't make the decision, who could be more qualified?"
Hiruzen asked. Tatsuma nodded and looked at one of the walls in the Hokage's office, where three picture frames hung. Tatsuma then said, "Let the First Hokage decide himself. This way, there will be no dissenting voices."
"Tatsuma, don't joke about this. The First Hokage has been dead for decades. How could he make a decision?"
"The Second Hokage once developed a forbidden technique called Impure World Reincarnation. It should allow the First Hokage's soul to return from the Pure Land and come back to this world to make a judgment, right?"
Tatsuma continued to smile, but Hiruzen's face darkened. He said, "Disturbing the peace of the dead and violating the natural order of life and death is something I cannot allow.
"Does your sensei have any other ideas? I absolutely cannot agree to using the Impure World Reincarnation to summon the First Hokage. Besides, no one today knows how to perform the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu."
"True, the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu is too profound. Even if someone tried to learn it now, it would likely take years, which would delay the village's future plans."
To Hiruzen's surprise, Tatsuma nodded and continued, "I've also persuaded Sensei and proposed an alternative solution."
Someone once said, 'People's nature always prefers compromise. For example, if you say this room is too dark and needs a window, everyone will object. But if you suggest tearing down the roof, they will compromise and agree to open a window.'
Tatsuma knew the village would never agree to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. After all, if they were willing to use it, there would be no need to cultivate new Wood Release ninjas.
However, directly asking for Tsunade to be given a status similar to Mito's would also be unacceptable to the village. Therefore, it was necessary to make concessions and show the village their sincerity.
"Explain in detail."
As expected, Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Tatsuma with anticipation.
Tatsuma put away his smile and said, "The effort to recreate Wood Release ninjas is will be Grandma Mito's project before her passing, but it is meant for her legacy after her death. Grandma Mito, to the Senju Clan, was not only the former matriarch but also a living monument commemorating the clan's immense contributions to the village over decades. If Grandma Mito is forgotten after her passing, the Senju Clan's history and sacrifices might gradually fade away."
'Not for profit, but for honor!'
Hiruzen's eyes widened as he looked at Tatsuma, finally understanding. This entire plan, this style, was likely not Tsunade's doing at all; it was all Tatsuma fighting for her rights.
Suddenly, the somberness, dissatisfaction, and faint surprise on Hiruzen's face vanished, replaced by a smile.
This young man, as his guard, had strategized for him and was willing to "sacrifice" Tsunade's interests for the village. Now, as Tsunade's disciple, he was ready to fight for his sensei, even if it meant claiming credit for the village's plans. Truly remarkable.
Previously, when Tatsuma disregarded the bond between him and Tsunade without hesitation for the sake of the Wood Release Ninja project, Hiruzen had worried that this young man might become obsessed with the village's interests and walk into darkness.
But now, it seemed that perhaps since that day, he had already set his sights on advocating for his sensei. These past few months had merely been waiting for the right moment.
If anyone else had behaved like Tatsuma, saying one thing and doing another, Hiruzen would undoubtedly be angry. But for Tatsuma...
How could this be called duplicity?! This was called fulfilling one's role and strategizing for the greater good! As a Hokage Guard, he shared the burdens of the Hokage—yes! As a disciple, he fought for the rightful interests of his sensei—yes!
Moreover, Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Sakamoto Tatsuma were all part of the same community of interests, weren't they?
However, Hiruzen suddenly felt a pang of heartache because such a good child was about to be pushed into darkness by his own hands for the sake of his interests.
"No! It seems I must also leave a way out for this young man!"
In Hiruzen's heart, he had already begun to plan how to make Tatsuma Orochimaru's assistant, allowing him to participate in the research to recreate Wood Release ninjas, while still keeping an escape route for him.
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