Monday.
Hokage Office.
Tsunade looked at the information Kitazawa handed her, falling into surprise and contemplation.
The document detailed the reforms Gato Shipping Company intended to undertake and the potential role it could play in the future.
Kitazawa had briefly mentioned it to her last night, but due to time constraints, it wasn't detailed enough. This document made Tsunade intuitively realize the significance and importance of this matter.
She felt this was a way to change how Ninja operated. Traditional Ninja would not engage in such activities.
But what if it could generate a substantial amount of money? Then the major Ninja villages wouldn't adhere to the rules so obediently.
After all, no one would complain about having too much money. Moreover, the allocations from the various countries were often insufficient.
For instance, the Land of Wind was very stingy, leading to the Hidden Sand Village having no money, and Fourth Kazekage Rasa even became a gold miner.
Currently, the Land of Fire was relatively generous. But if a war broke out, it wouldn't be enough.
Kitazawa also knew that after Naruto became Hokage, the Fire Daimyo of that time approached him about reducing the allocation. In short, it was better to be prepared.
If Gato's shipping company could truly have so many uses as Kitazawa described, Konoha Village could gradually reduce its reliance on the Land of Fire.
"How did you come up with all this?" Tsunade looked up at Kitazawa and couldn't help but ask.
"I conducted a field investigation," Kitazawa replied. "It's an improvement based on the investigation."
"You really don't seem like a Ninja." Tsunade chuckled lightly and said.
"Whether I'm a Ninja or not, I am a person of Konoha Village," Kitazawa said seriously.
"I don't doubt that."
Tsunade put down the document and said, "Try to keep this matter confidential; if it leaks, other Ninja villages will definitely not sit still."
"As long as they don't know we're making money, it's fine." Kitazawa smiled and said.
He naturally understood the terror of imitation better than anyone. In his previous life, when something became popular, various similar things would emerge until the market became saturated.
In today's Ninja World, Ninja villages rely on allocations from various countries, and these countries are still in a feudal era, lacking many things.
For Kitazawa, there were blanks everywhere, allowing him to seize the initiative.
And Ninja, constrained by traditional thinking, wouldn't easily follow suit unless they personally saw him making a lot of money.
But by the time they truly realized Kitazawa was making money, he would have already occupied most of the market.
"You understand this better than I do; I trust you."
Tsunade coughed lightly and asked, "Then how will the profits from this shipping company be distributed?"
At this moment, Kitazawa was like a major financier in her eyes.
"Just like the Underwater Exploration Team," Kitazawa said with a smile. "I'll give you a 10% share."
For the Underwater Exploration Team, Konoha received 50%, Tsunade 10%, the Aburame Clan 10%, and he received 30%.
But Gato's shipping company would definitely not give a share to the Aburame Clan; besides the usual share for Konoha, he and Tsunade would split the rest.
"Very good." Tsunade nodded with satisfaction.
This Kitazawa was very sensible; she liked him.
"But your 10% share will also be managed by me," Kitazawa added in time.
"You'll regret this!" Tsunade's smile instantly froze, and she said angrily.
If it weren't for Kitazawa being generous with money, she would have punched him to the ground and stomped on him fiercely.
Kitazawa had a subtle expression. Is that something you should be saying?
"The Underwater Exploration Team has already discovered a mineral deposit," Kitazawa remembered the main topic and said. "I hope to dispatch an Earth Release Ninja squad to establish a passage on the seabed."
Actually, the most suitable person for mining was him. He had Magnet Release and could be a gold miner like Fourth Kazekage Rasa.
But it was still the same problem: he couldn't reside permanently on the island. At most, he could help occasionally.
"Although Konoha has relatively few Earth Release Ninja, there are some; see who is available and send them to help," Tsunade said very generously.
After all, this was related to her great money-making venture. And the 10% profit Kitazawa gave her didn't need to be handed over to Konoha; it was her personal savings.
"Alright then."
The first person Kitazawa thought of was Kakashi Hatake. But he had to teach classes and take students on missions, so he didn't have time and probably wouldn't be willing.
Kitazawa didn't have much impression of the remaining Earth Release Ninja.
But it didn't matter; he would call them all and have them quickly create the underwater passage to facilitate mining.
"Here's this Ninjutsu for you." Tsunade suddenly thought of something and pulled out a Ninjutsu scroll.
Kitazawa glanced at it and raised an eyebrow. It was the S-rank Medical Ninjutsu, Ninja Art Creation Rebirth – Strength of a Hundred Seal, which could only be used after releasing the Yin Seal.
"Your Yin Seal training is nearing its end," Tsunade explained. "You can look at this for the next two days, and then I'll teach you."
Kitazawa nodded. His Yin Seal was mastered through the system.
Now, after pretending for so long, he could finally stop pretending; the only pity was that he had to learn Ninja Art Creation Rebirth – Strength of a Hundred Seal himself.
He still preferred the system to directly max it out, which was hassle-free and time-saving.
Theoretically, there should be a system mission that rewards Ninja Art Creation Rebirth – Strength of a Hundred Seal.
But Kitazawa certainly wouldn't wait or try his luck. Since he had it in hand, he would learn it first. Fortunately, for him, it wasn't that difficult.
Once he completed the system mission of five Medical Ninja learning Limb Regeneration, he would gain proficient Yang Release Chakra Nature Transformation.
At that time, learning Yang Release Ninjutsu would be very fast.
Currently, Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen had already learned Limb Regeneration, Yakushi Nono and Yakushi Kabuto were almost there, and Shizune was a bit slower.
After discussing the matters, Kitazawa left the Hokage Office and went to the ANBU Office.
"Lord Kitazawa." The ANBU Ninja on duty in the ANBU Office quickly stood up and bowed to him.
"Gather all the Jonin and Chunin of Earth Release in the village who don't have missions and have them meet the Aburame Clan's Underwater Exploration Team," Kitazawa instructed. "Once you find the people, they can depart; there's no need to come see me."
"Yes, Lord Kitazawa." The ANBU Ninja vanished from the spot.
"Konan," Kitazawa called out again.
Konan appeared before him.
"The time is almost right; return to the Akatsuki Organization and bring that patient to the previous location," Kitazawa looked at her and said. "At that time, I'll have a Shadow Clone examine him and prescribe new medicine."
"Thank you." Konan nodded and said, "I'll depart now."
"Mmm." Kitazawa also had nothing that required Konan's assistance these two days.
After Konan left, he went to the ANBU Training Ground to practice the Five Release Great Combo Technique.
He had already learned the five elemental Ninjutsu and was now entering the second stage, which was the most difficult—combining them.
Monday was for theoretical classes, so he didn't go to the Ninja Academy.
By Tuesday, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Maruboshi Kosuke, and Kakashi had all returned to Konoha Village after completing missions with their students.
As soon as Kitazawa arrived at the Training Ground, he heard Naruto excitedly recounting what happened during the mission.
This time, they went to the Hidden Sand Village and even encountered Fourth Kazekage Rasa, who was gold panning. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Rasa had a fight, which greatly broadened the horizons of Sasuke and Naruto.
Naruto was narrating this Kage-level battle. However, neither side achieved a decisive victory.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had to consider Sasuke and Naruto, so he merely stretched his muscles. After the Hidden Sand Village's reinforcements arrived, he stopped fighting Rasa.
But he specifically found a Hidden Sand Village squad for Sasuke and Naruto to practice with.
Kitazawa stroked his chin.
In the original storyline, Rasa was killed by Orochimaru. This was because Orochimaru needed to impersonate Rasa to launch the Konoha Crush during the Chunin Exams. Would Rasa still die now?
Kitazawa felt he would escape this fate. After all, Orochimaru no longer had a reason to launch the Konoha Crush.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had retired, and he hadn't been instantly killed by Itachi Uchiha, thus becoming obsessed with the Mangekyo Sharingan.
However, Orochimaru was always a hidden danger. Kitazawa was waiting for him to leave the Akatsuki Organization; then he could find a way to capture him.
The reason for only capturing him was that Tsunade was currently Hokage, and she probably couldn't bring herself to kill an old teammate.
Furthermore, Orochimaru himself possessed extremely high talent; killing him would be a waste. Capturing him to do hard labor would maximize his value.
And with him, Kabuto could truly grow and unleash his talents.
However, all of this was predicated on Orochimaru defecting from the Akatsuki Organization. And given his personality, he would find it difficult to stay in the Akatsuki Organization indefinitely; he would run away sooner or later.
Nine o'clock in the morning.
Naruto finished his storytelling, still not entirely satisfied. Sarutobi Hiruzen listened with a smile, feeling as if he had found a new pleasure.
He increasingly felt that becoming a teacher at the Ninja Academy was the correct choice.
The students of the Genius Class began their training. Kitazawa, as usual, first guided his study group before attending the Medical Ninja study class.
However, this time he made a slight change.
He sent a Shadow Clone to teach the Medical Ninja, while he himself sought out Sarutobi Hiruzen to learn the Five Release Great Combo Technique.
"Your progress is actually this fast?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprised after hearing his question.
He had originally thought it would take Kitazawa a long time to start learning the Five Release Great Combo Technique, but he had already entered the second stage.
This meant that Kitazawa's mastery of the Five Release was at least at the Jonin level.
As a Jonin, one typically needed to master two elemental Ninjutsu. This difficulty was already considerable, and many Jonin only ever mastered two in their lifetime.
Jonin who could master more than two elemental Ninjutsu were considered elite.
As for Five Elements Jonin, there wouldn't be more than ten in the entire Ninja World.
"I'm just doing my best; I certainly can't compare to Lord Third," Kitazawa said humbly.
"Your personality is completely different from Tsunade's." Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but smile at the remark.
If Orochimaru had possessed Kitazawa's personality back then, he would have undoubtedly given him the position of Fourth Hokage. But alas, the darkness in Orochimaru's heart ran too deep.
"I will now explain the key points of the Five Release Great Combo Technique to you," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a serious expression.
It was rare for someone to inherit his Five Release Great Combo Technique, so he had to demonstrate his full ability.
In fact, Sarutobi Hiruzen even considered passing on his legacy to Kitazawa at that moment. After all, Kitazawa was simply too suitable.
He still had Enma, whom Orochimaru had called the strongest summoning beast, yet there was no one to inherit him.
It was another day of learning, and today, Kitazawa was undoubtedly busy.
He multitasked with two Shadow Clones attending classes, while his main body also attended — not as a teacher, but as a student.
It must be said, Sarutobi Hiruzen's Ninjutsu proficiency was extraordinarily high.
Kitazawa learned a great deal in just one day of lessons. After all, Hiruzen was the "Professor of Ninjutsu."
His only flaw was that he wasn't particularly suited to being Hokage, which had led to all sorts of chaos in Konoha Village.
---
Hidden Rain Village, Land of Rain.
Konan slowly descended onto the highest tower.
She retracted her white paper wings and stepped into the dimly lit room.
Under normal circumstances, returning from Konoha Village to the Hidden Rain Village in a single day would have been impossible.
But her Secret Technique — Dance of the Shikigami — granted her the ability to fly, greatly increasing her speed.
"You're back?" Deva Path Pain's deep voice echoed through the room.
Konan instinctively turned toward him.
Because Nagato was crippled in both legs, he used the Rinnegan to create six puppets — the Six Paths of Pain. Deva Path Pain was one of them, and the nominal leader of the Akatsuki Organization, fashioned from Yahiko's body.
"Mm." Konan's tone remained calm as she asked, "Half a month has passed. How do you feel now?"
"Indeed, there has been some improvement," Deva Path Pain replied after a moment's silence.
With the Rinnegan, he could perceive his body's state precisely. His legs, which had long lost all sensation, now occasionally responded to changes in temperature.
Though the recovery was faint, it proved that Kitazawa's Medical Ninjutsu was remarkably advanced.
After all, Nagato had sought out many Medical Ninja before — all to no avail.
"That's good," Konan said, a faint sense of relief washing over her.
Though she felt glad, her expression remained as cold and unreadable as ever.
"I'll go with you to the Land of Fire tomorrow," Deva Path Pain said, fully aware of Konan's intentions for return.
"I have an idea for making money." Konan nodded slightly and added, "Mining."
"Mining?" A flicker of surprise crossed Deva Path Pain's eyes. After a moment's thought, he replied, "Too slow."
Mining required multiple stages — locating the mine, extracting the ore, refining the materials, and selling the yield.
Each step demanded time and manpower, far slower than taking bounty missions from the underground black market.
In the original storyline, there were indeed Shinobi who turned to mining, like Kurosuki Raiga, who occupied the Gold Mine in the Land of Rivers, forcing villagers to labor for him.
"We still have time," Konan said after a brief pause. "We can adopt a two-pronged approach — the Akatsuki Organization handles bounties, and the Land of Rain searches for mines.
If we find one, let Kakuzu oversee it. He specializes in Earth Release, which will speed up the process."
Deva Path Pain studied her quietly.
Somehow, after her trip to Konoha, Konan seemed… different. Her reasoning was practical — almost un-Ninja-like.
"Use Earth Release for mining," she had said.
"You make the arrangements," Deva Path Pain finally replied.
He couldn't refuse her — not over something like this.
And while mining was indeed slow, it could provide the Akatsuki Organization with a steady income over time.
Konan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She then went to find Kakuzu.
To her surprise, Kakuzu readily agreed. However, he also added a condition — the money earned from mining had to meet his expectations. If the profit was too low, he wouldn't waste his Chakra.
---
The next afternoon.
Kitazawa, who was training on the school Training Ground, suddenly had a thought and walked toward a secluded corner.
In the next second, Konan appeared before him.
"How are his legs?"
Although Kitazawa was confident in the medicine he had prescribed, Nagato's condition was special — the results might not have been effective.
"He said there's been some improvement," Konan replied, then added, "I'm asking you to come with me to see him."
Kitazawa nodded. He formed hand signs and used the Shadow Clone Technique.
Konan said nothing more and left Konoha Village with his Shadow Clone.
Kitazawa continued to practice the Five Release Great Combo Technique.
About forty minutes later, the Shadow Clone's memories returned, and he immediately understood Nagato's physical condition.
Overall, it was just as he expected.
Kitazawa returned to his office.
He took out paper and pen, beginning to write a prescription for Nagato's legs — the second stage of treatment.
Konan knocked on the door and walked in. Kitazawa ignored her and continued writing.
Konan stood quietly beside him, watching in silence. Half an hour later, Kitazawa stopped and handed her the prescription.
"Thank you," Konan said, taking it.
"Because it's entered the second stage, a stronger prescription is needed," Kitazawa explained after a pause. "To put it simply, the medicine this time will be much more expensive than last time."
Konan bit her lip at the news.
The previous prescription had only been gathered with the help of the Land of Rain and the Hidden Rain Village. She wasn't sure if they could find these new ingredients. But no matter what, they had to.
"You search first," Kitazawa said with a faint smile. "If you really can't find them, I'll think of a way."
"Mm," Konan nodded softly.
Kitazawa watched her departing figure and couldn't help but smile.
Nagato had already fallen into darkness — reasoning with him without defeating him was impossible.
But Konan hadn't turned dark yet. She could still be influenced through personal favors. There was no harm in building a good relationship with her.
Given Konan's personality, if she truly owed him a favor, when Nagato came to Konoha to attack, she would likely warn him to flee.
If Kitazawa didn't have this system, that alone might have been enough to save his life. Of course, now that he had the system, he wouldn't be helpless by then.
Kitazawa suddenly let out a soft exclamation.
He realized that neither forming the Underwater Exploration Team for mining nor taking over Gato's shipping company had triggered any system quests.
This so-called Strongest Hokage Cultivation System had flaws.
If it were truly the strongest, then beyond strength, all other aspects should have been the strongest too.
Kitazawa shook his head.
Without system quests, there was nothing he could do. The top priority was still to complete the ones that had already been triggered.
A week passed in a flash.
The Genius Class's Monthly Exam came to an end. There were changes in the practical combat rankings.
It was no longer Naruto, Sasuke, and Hyuga Neji tied for first — Naruto now stood alone at the top.
Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that Naruto had performed the best in the battle against the Hidden Sand Village squad.
Sasuke took second place, Yakumo was third, Neji fourth, and Ino fifth.
Meanwhile, Konoha Village's mining plan was proceeding smoothly.
With the help of Earth Release Ninja, the Underwater Exploration Team had begun mining.
At the same time, Gato's shipping company had established an ore processing plant in the Land of Waves.
However, it would still take some time before it officially began making money.