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Chapter 185: Family Secrets
Konoha's jonin gradually left the conference room, leaving only Tsunade and Hiruzen. A loud crash resonated from inside, the sound of a table breaking, just as Tsunade's furious voice was heard from within.
"Elder, have you gone crazy? Such a good reform plan, and you actually disagree, even using the Hokage's power of veto."
"Tsunade, I don't completely oppose it, but the village is short on personnel and funds are limited, so the reform is on hold," Hiruzen replied, evading the question.
Finally, Tsunade pushed the door open violently and left, their relationship soured. "Deduct the entrance fee from her mission pay," Hiruzen ordered the hidden ANBU, "to prevent her from gambling again."
The days of peace did not last long. The three thousand mobilized Konoha ninjas finally arrived at the Land of Grass front. Adding to the two thousand already there, the total number exceeded five thousand.
Konoha's strength was at its peak. There were no fewer than ten Kage-level ninjas: Uzumaki Mito, Hiruzen, Danzo, Akimichi Choza, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Kato Dan, and Hatake Sakumo. The Uchiha, Hyuga, and Aburame clans also had powerful quasi-Kages, and the combined strength of the Ino-Shika-Cho leaders rivaled that of a normal Kage. Furthermore, it harbored numerous experts like Maru, Chen, and Duy.
As for elite jonin, the combined strength of Sunagakure and Iwagakure might not rival Konoha's. Umino Sasuke, Yuhi Shinku, Mitarashi Anko, and numerous three-tomoe Uchiha couldn't even reach the true leadership of the village. Conversely, the elite jonin of the other villages were formidable figures capable of commanding armies.
With the arrival of reinforcements, reorganization began. The Umino unit, still understaffed, also took the opportunity to recruit. Among the talented ninjas forced to graduate were Sasuke's younger siblings, Tobirama and Koharu. However, Koharu was assigned to Tsunade as a personal assistant, a position equivalent to Shizune's future one. As for Tobirama, he teamed up with Teku Kin and Inuzuka Tsume, becoming Sasuke's new apprentice. To strengthen the alliance between the clans, the Teku clan sent their eldest son, Kin, and the Inuzuka clan their most talented member, Tsume, whose talent even surpassed Ryo's.
Tobirama was not without merit. He maintained an Umibozu clone, capable of unleashing chunin-level power. With its help, he made considerable progress in mastering the Water Syrup Secret Technique. His younger sister, Koharu, followed Tsunade and specialized in medical ninjutsu, supplemented by the Black String Technique, which relied heavily on Yang Style and chakra control.
Tsunade, grateful to Sasuke for saving Nawaki, treated Koharu very well, even helping her with the crucial step of chakra sharing, necessary for the fusion of the Umibozu clone with her. It was revealed that the slug, Katsuyu, possessed this ancient inheritance.
Tsunade's simple act was a decisive event for the Umino clan, effectively addressing their greatest weakness: the lack of talent of their ninjas. Now, Umibozu clones could fuse with clan members, improving their attributes and allowing them to perfect the secret techniques.