"Hiruzen, I learned about Raikage's matter. When I go back tonight, I will educate Kizaru."
Hurrying from the root base to the Hokage's office, Danzo immediately spoke up for Kizaru as soon as he entered the room.
Sitting at his desk, having finished a busy day, Hiruzen was smoking and pondering.
Seeing Danzo suddenly barging into the office, Hiruzen's lips curled up into a smile as he took the pipe out, smiling.
"Kizaru explained everything with his shadow clone." Hiruzen, who wasn't angry anymore, said with a smile.
Seeing this, Danzo also smiled, taking a few steps forward and sitting across from Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, the tripartite talks have concluded. Do you have any thoughts on Kizaru's follow-up arrangements?"
This question was the main reason why Danzo came to see Hiruzen nearing the end of the workday.
Danzo's question was also the same question Hiruzen was contemplating.
Regarding Kizaru's arrangements, Hiruzen's initial plan before the war in Amegakure was to form a three-person team for this disciple, allowing him to lead the team in the Chunin Exams.
After the Chunin Exams, he would arrange for Kizaru to lead several high-level missions, naturally promoting him to the rank of Jonin.
Unfortunately, plans couldn't keep up with changes, and Kizaru's performance in Amegakure was outstanding!
He defeated the Third Raikage, killed the Fourth Kazekage, and single-handedly eliminated nearly two thousand ninja from the Sunagakure. His reputation as the Golden Flash had spread throughout the ninja world.
In such circumstances, even if Hiruzen's face was thick-skinned, he couldn't make arrangements for Kizaru to participate in the joint Chunin Exams.
Or rather, if Kizaru were forcibly arranged to participate in the Chunin Exams, then the Chunin Exams simply couldn't be held jointly.
After all, the other villages' Kage and high-level officials weren't fools!
Plus, some time ago, Kizaru visited with Legendary Sannin and proposed a reform plan, further raising Hiruzen's evaluation of this disciple.
With Kizaru's strength and mindset, letting him lead missions was simply squandering talent!
Because of this, Hiruzen had been hesitant about Kizaru's follow-up arrangements.
"Have you talked to Kizaru?" Hiruzen asked Danzo, looking at him.
"Before Kizaru left the village, he did talk to me. He hopes to cooperate with Orochimaru to establish the Konoha Research Institute."
"The Konoha Research Institute?" Danzo's answer was a bit unexpected to Hiruzen.
Could it be that besides his talents in training and leadership, Kizaru also had a talent for research?
"Kizaru doesn't plan to participate in the research. He proposed establishing a Konoha Science Corps with the main responsibility of protecting, collecting research materials, and testing the results according to the research needs of the institute."
Seeing the thoughts in Hiruzen's mind, Danzo explained.
A Konoha Science Corps?
Hiruzen couldn't immediately discern whether Kizaru's idea was good or bad.
However, considering cost-saving and other factors, Hiruzen wasn't very supportive.
"These needs of the Konoha Research Institute can be fulfilled by the Anbu and Root working together. Establishing a ninja corps solely affiliated with the research institute is too much!"
Different from Hiruzen's thoughts, Danzo supported Kizaru's proposal.
Danzo's idea was simple: if the Science Corps proposed by Kizaru could be established, then the Shimura clan would simultaneously control two organized ninja forces, and the military power would be enhanced once again.
It's important to note that in peacetime, there are only three organized ninja forces in Konoha: the Hokage's Anbu, his own Root, and the Uchiha clan's police force.
So if Kizaru's Konoha Science Corps could be established through the decision of the higher-ups, Danzo would support it wholeheartedly.
Because of this, Danzo wasn't surprised by Hiruzen's refusal based on cost, despite how close he and Kizaru were or how much trust he had in Kizaru. As the Hokage, he couldn't let the Shimura clan control two organized ninja forces simultaneously.
"I don't support it either!" Testing Hiruzen's attitude and understanding this was the Hokage's bottom line, Danzo outwardly echoed his support.
Glancing deeply at Danzo, Hiruzen maintained his smile, took a puff of his cigarette, and then spoke slowly.
"You mentioned the Research Institute, which gave me an idea."
"Oh? What is it?" Danzo asked curiously.
"This reform is of great significance. Tsunade is in charge of the hospital, and Orochimaru is overseeing the Research Institute. I'm very reassured about both!"
"It's just the reform of the ninja academy, with no one overseeing it, that worries me, keeping me awake at night!" Hiruzen said, indeed reminded by the conversation, about this arrangement.
"The ninja academy?" Danzo pondered over Hiruzen's words.
"This old man still wants to stay in the position of Hokage!"
Having Kizaru take charge of the ninja academy reform is indeed a good thing. It can ensure the smooth progress of the reform and also allow Kizaru to build relationships with the new generation of ninjas, nurturing his loyal followers.
But the students of this ninja academy, the oldest of them are only twelve or thirteen years old. It will take at least ten years for these new generations to mature and form the core of Kizaru's followers.
Through Hiruzen's arrangement, Danzo could see that Kizaru's position as the future Hokage was absolutely secure.
But what Danzo also saw was that Hiruzen wasn't willing to relinquish the position of Hokage within ten years.
Ten years might be fine for Kizaru, who is barely in his teens and just right.
But for someone like Danzo, who is almost the same age as Hiruzen, waiting for ten years is a bit agonizing.
"Hiruzen, isn't it a bit of a waste to put Kizaru in charge of the ninja academy?" Danzo, who didn't have as much patience as Hiruzen, questioned skeptically, now that he could see the realization of his hope to unify the ninja world.
"It's appropriate! Kizaru's strength no longer needs to be honed through missions. Letting him be responsible for reforming the ninja academy will train his leadership and management skills, which I think is very suitable."
Before making a decision, Hiruzen, who was accustomed to considering the bigger picture, would hesitate and be conflicted, but once a decision was made, he would be very firm and resolute.
Having spent many years together and understanding Hiruzen's character, Danzo, upon hearing his stance, didn't argue further but simply nodded silently.
"Now that you've made a decision, I'll support Kizaru," Danzo said, then got up from his seat, preparing to leave.
"Danzo!" Stopping Danzo, who was already turning to leave, Hiruzen said with implied meaning, "The younger generation still needs time to grow. For the sake of the village, us old folks have to hold on for a few more years."
"I'm not old yet, Hiruzen!" Understanding the advice hidden in Hiruzen's words, Danzo pretended not to understand and replied coldly.
"Hehehe!" Hearing his old friend's response, Hiruzen chuckled, "Everyone has to respect their elders, Danzo!"
Without saying more, Danzo left the Hokage's office with a stern face.
At the entrance of the Konoha Hospital, having completed a full-body examination and received treatment formulated by Tsunade herself, and after completing the first day of treatment, Duy followed Kizaru and Tsunade out of the hospital.
Most of his body was wrapped in gauze soaked with medicine, and he held the tonic bag arranged by Tsunade in his hand. Duy's eyes were red, tears streaming down his face as he bowed 90° to Tsunade and Kizaru in gratitude.
"Thank you for your help, Kizaru-sensei, Lady Tsunade!"
"Go on, Dai!" Helping Duy up, Kizaru said with a smile.
Wiping away his tears, Duy gave an exaggerated smile to Kizaru and nodded.
"Kizaru-sensei, I will train hard to repay your kindness!"
"Don't rush the training, first get your body back in shape, Dai!"
"Yeah!" Nodding vigorously, Duy said goodbye, eager to go home. "Kizaru-sensei, Lady Tsunade! Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!"
They both responded simultaneously, with Tsunade and Kizaru standing together, watching as Duy walked away.
"That's quite unexpected!" Kizaru spoke as he watched Duy's figure disappear into the distance.
With one hand on his hip, Tsunade looked up at Kizaru beside her, puzzled.
"I didn't expect Dai to already have a wife, and she's pregnant," Kizaru explained in response to Tsunade's gaze.
Looking again at the retreating Duy and recalling his outrageous behavior at the hospital earlier, Tsunade couldn't help but nod in agreement.
But soon, Tsunade shifted her target of complaint and looked at Kizaru again.
Wearing the same bizarre outfit and still not speaking properly, how could this guy, Kizaru, dare to comment on others?
"You better think about yourself!" Arms crossed over her chest, Tsunade half scolded Kizaru.
"Ohoho! I do have someone!" Ignored Tsunade's disdainful gaze, Kizaru smirked.
"Who?" Her eyes widened slightly, Tsunade asked quickly, somewhat excitedly.
Facing Tsunade's question, Kizaru remained silent, just smiling mischievously at her.
Being stared at by Kizaru, Tsunade noticed his smug smile, and her cheeks flushed red with a mix of embarrassment and anger. Tsunade shouted, "Go to hell, you jerk!"
As she yelled, Tsunade swung her right fist at him.
Unlike when she fought against Jiraiya, Tsunade, hitting Kizaru, didn't use her monstrous strength but simply exerted her usual force.
Tsunade's pure physical strength was considerable too, but for Kizaru, who possessed the peak physical qualities of a top-tier general, it wasn't much.
Due to her height, Tsunade's punch could only land on Kizaru's chest.
It felt like punching a hard stone. Without using chakra enhancement, Tsunade even staggered back a step due to the recoil.
"You're a real monster!" Shaking her right hand, Tsunade looked at Kizaru, who remained smiling, and sarcastically remarked.
"Is it hard enough for you, Tsunade-senpai?" Noticing Tsunade shaking her hand, Kizaru joked.
"You jerk!" Glaring at Kizaru, Tsunade turned and walked back into the hospital.