Jiraiya had learned senjutsu, but his mastery was only partial. Orochimaru, on the other hand, never took it seriously. Now there was Shinki, who had perfected senjutsu, sparking Orochimaru's interest.
Recently, Orochimaru had been contemplating a visit to Ryuchi Cave to learn senjutsu himself.
"Old man, this is Shinki's report, all about the medical room. As for the other matters, we'll have to wait until Senior Shukako returns."
Tsunade walked into the Hokage's office and casually placed the report on the desk.
"Huh~~~~"
The Third Hokage exhaled heavily as he opened the report file and began reading it.
"Tsunade, do you think I made a mistake?"
"???"
Tsunade paused, momentarily stunned. She responded hesitantly:
"In what regard? Shinki or Orochimaru?"
"If it's about Shinki, then yes, you made a huge mistake, but it's too late to dwell on that now. As for Orochimaru, I won't say much. If you want him to head to the battlefield, you need to go yourself."
Tsunade didn't want to take on such a thankless task. Besides, she didn't see Orochimaru as being in the wrong.
He had just returned from the Rain Country battlefield, and now he was being pushed to go to the River Country front? How was that fair?
The war in the River Country wasn't critical enough to demand everyone's presence on the battlefield.
"The Anbu still has plenty of work to do. I'll report later," Tsunade said with a wave, turning on her heel. She wasn't interested in continuing the conversation with the Third Hokage.
He had brought this situation upon himself, and now he regretted it? Too late for that.
Even the forgiving Shinki wasn't inclined to forgive the Third Hokage easily. And Tsunade herself harbored some resentment.
As for Orochimaru, she had a fairly good idea why he was being targeted.
The Third Hokage wasn't opposed to Orochimaru taking a break. His issue was that Orochimaru's closeness to Shinki was problematic.
It wasn't just the proximity; it was that the Hokage's group, famously known as F4, had been desperately trying to obtain Shinki's puppets and their core secrets. Orochimaru had some, but he wasn't willing to share.
Hence, the Hokage's insistence that Orochimaru return to the battlefield.
Tsunade knew the backstory, and so did Orochimaru, which was why he brought Jiraiya into the equation.
The decision was simple: either he'd go to the battlefield with Jiraiya, or he'd take his much-deserved break.
After handling matters at the Anbu, Tsunade hurried home to inform Shinki about Orochimaru.
"It's expected."
Shinki shook his head. "Those old men are desperate to get their hands on the puppets and their core secrets, but since Orochimaru has some, it's no surprise they're targeting him."
"But they don't have the guts to openly ask him to hand over his experimental materials for free."
Orochimaru was fully engrossed in his research. No one could simply take away his materials, not even his former teacher.
"This has nothing to do with us," Shinki continued. "Orochimaru and I are engaged in a fair exchange. He helps me make the puppets, and I provide him with some as research material."
The partnership was strictly business. Shinki had no intention of stepping in to defend Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was unlikely to take sides, and even if he did, Shinki wasn't willing to align himself too closely.
After all, if Orochimaru ever turned to human experimentation, Shinki didn't want to be implicated.
"The old man is delusional," Tsunade scoffed. "Orochimaru isn't as easygoing as Jiraiya. I just hope this doesn't strain their master-apprentice relationship too much."
"By the way, can you get the forbidden scroll?"
"???"
Tsunade looked back, puzzled. "The forbidden scroll? The one in the Hokage's office? What do you need that for?"
"It's not for me; it's for Minato," Shinki explained. "I need to copy some ninjutsu, especially the Flying Thunder God Technique and some sealing techniques."
Shinki spread his hands as he elaborated. "As the war drags on, the pressure on the village will increase, and our alliances might falter. It's better to secure these techniques now."
Shinki wasn't particularly interested in forbidden techniques for himself, but Minato needed them.
Besides nerve reflex training, Minato's next stage of training would include learning sealing techniques. The Flying Thunder God Technique was an essential safeguard.
Better to have those scrolls now than scramble for them if alliances crumbled.
"Fine, I'll get it for you tomorrow."
Tsunade agreed. It was just copying a few sealing techniques and the Flying Thunder God Technique. As long as Shinki didn't delve into dangerous forbidden techniques, she had no objections.
Theoretically, only the Hokage had the authority to access the scroll, but Tsunade had the right to review it, and the Third Hokage wouldn't deny her.
"Wait! What about Nawaki's training?"
Your disciple's path is set, but what about my brother?
Damn you, Jiraiya—wait until you get back!
"Isn't Nawaki's training course already in place?" Shinki responded with a hint of confusion. "Swordsmanship and physical skills as a foundation, focusing on water ninjutsu. I don't expect him to master everything, just your grandfather's water-style techniques."
Nawaki didn't need to learn everything. Specializing in what suited him was more effective.
Not everyone could be the next Senju Tobirama.
"I don't think Nawaki's training will change much in the next decade," Shinki added. "If he and Minato meet my requirements, whatever they choose to learn in the future is their decision."
Tsunade, knowing her brother's talent, agreed. Nawaki was skilled compared to his peers but fell short of Namikaze Minato's brilliance.
The next day, Tsunade confidently walked into the Hokage's office. She opened the secret compartment, retrieved the forbidden scroll, and started copying it with a pen and scroll in full view of the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage, absorbed in his paperwork, glanced up and asked, "Tsunade, do you need to learn the techniques on that scroll?"
"Why, is there a problem?" Tsunade shot back, not bothering to look up.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 280 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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