"As for personnel, let's wait and see."
Kin only had a handful of people under his command at the moment: Hyūga Kiyoshi and Hizure. The Uchiha radicals had been absent for a long time, and no one knew what they were up to. Eventually, they would all fall under his authority.
After all, he wasn't the one who needed to worry.
There was one person, however, whom Kin was eager to recruit—someone crucial for the Research and Development Department. This individual could significantly accelerate the progress of Internal Energy Technique research.
"I plan to bring in Lady Tsunade."
"Tsunade?" Orochimaru lowered his head in thought. As the head of the Medical Department, Tsunade was essentially a figurehead. If she were brought into the department, it would theoretically pose no issues.
Sarutobi Hiruzen would undoubtedly agree.
With two of his disciples in the Research and Development Department, the Third Hokage would be overjoyed. It was hard to say who truly controlled the department.
However—
"But Tsunade won't agree." Orochimaru shook his head. Currently, Tsunade was taking care of Katō Dan's niece and showed little interest in village affairs. The war had left her disillusioned with the shinobi life, and she had lost all enthusiasm for anything else. It was unlikely she would agree.
"We should at least try," Kin insisted. Tsunade was the first to refine the Basic Internal Energy Technique, and Kin had high hopes for her.
In the original timeline, Tsunade had abandoned research entirely in her later years. Even her medical abilities had stagnated, though her lofty position meant no one noticed. Among the Sannin, only Orochimaru had continued to progress, albeit primarily in the pursuit of immortality. His strength improved slowly, but his reputation as the "Slippery Snake" was well-earned—no one could easily kill him, not even Uchiha Madara.
"Kin, I never expected you to actually become a department head." A voice filled with amazement came from the doorway. Nara Shikaku was peeking inside with a mischievous look.
"Move along." Namikaze Minato pushed him forward as they entered, followed by Kushina, Akimichi Chōza, and Yamanaka Inoichi.
"What brings you here?" Kin looked at them curiously. He hadn't informed anyone, so how did they know?
"It was Dai-san shouting all over the place. He'll probably be here soon," Minato explained. He and Kushina had heard Might Dai yelling,
"Kin-boy has become a department head! I must train even harder!!"
They watched as Might Dai arrived, walking on his hands.
"Dai-san isn't here yet?" Minato asked, puzzled.
Soon, Kin heard a distant shout:
"Kin-boy!! I'm coming!!"
Kin's face darkened as he glanced at Orochimaru, who was also sweating nervously and wiping his brow.
"Since Dai-kun is also my subordinate, I had to inform him," Orochimaru said defensively. He had merely notified him—he hadn't expected this.
"Dai-kun is always full of surprises, haha." Orochimaru laughed awkwardly as the voice grew closer.
In the distance, Kin saw two figures—one large and one small—approaching upside down. When they finally arrived, Might Dai stood upright.
"And this is…?" Kin's gaze fixed on the small child still balancing on his hands.
"This is my son, Might Guy!" Might Dai declared proudly, thrusting out a thumbs-up.
"Hello, Uncle Kin!" Might Guy mirrored his father's gesture, both of them flashing identical thumbs-up.
Truly a father-son moment.
Kin's expression darkened further. He wasn't even an adult yet! He stepped forward and smacked Guy lightly on the back of the head.
"Call me Big Brother Kin."
"Understood, Uncle Kin!"
Damn it!
Kin sighed, staring at Might Guy. Was the future "King of Youth" this mischievous as a child?
"Today, we're here to celebrate Kin-boy becoming a department head!"
"Thanks…" Kin was already resigned to his fate. At this rate, there was no need for publicity—the entire Konoha probably knew by now.
But as he watched the lively group, their sincere congratulations and genuine warmth, he felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart.
Perhaps this was why he hadn't left yet.
Unknowingly, he had formed what one might call… bonds.
Though such bonds could easily be severed.
As the group settled in, more visitors arrived to congratulate Kin: Aburame Shibi and Aburame Shiko, followed by representatives from the Uchiha radicals, the Hyūga clan, and the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, all bearing gifts.
Once everyone else had left, only Kin's inner circle and the Uchiha radicals remained.
Uchiha Hokai and the others knelt formally before Kin, who lounged casually in a chair, observing them. Orochimaru and the others tactfully excused themselves to give them privacy.
"Lord Kin." The Uchiha spoke in unison.
Kin smiled.
"I assume you've all made your decision."
Their prolonged hesitation had likely been due to internal discussions.
Scanning the group with Observation Haki, Kin noted five with chakra reserves at jōnin level and twenty-three at chūnin level—not a single genin among them. While chakra quantity wasn't an absolute measure of strength, it was usually a reliable indicator.
"So, if you wish to follow me, you'll have to join the Research and Development Department." Kin cut straight to the point. He had no intention of involving himself with the Police Force—his focus was entirely on developing the R&D Department, his own domain.
"We have no objections." Hokai agreed immediately. For the Uchiha clan, extending their influence beyond the Police Force into other departments was a welcome development.
"Do you have any other requests?" Kin's smile remained gentle, though few could guess his true thoughts.
To the Uchiha, his seemingly warm expression carried an unspoken pressure.
"We ask only that Lord Kin lead the Uchiha to greater strength." Hokai's words were simple. Their goal was clear: to see Kin become clan leader and guide them to glory.
Once Kin assumed leadership, they would push him further—onto the Hokage's seat.
And if Kin refused?
Sometimes, leaders had little choice when their subordinates were determined to elevate them.
"Good." Kin nodded, unaware of their long-term ambitions. "Report to the R&D Department tomorrow after transferring from the Police Force. You'll have important roles to play."
The Uchiha would make excellent test subjects.
While others came to work and conduct research, Kin had already decided the Uchiha's purpose: to be researched.
Of course, he wouldn't go too far—nothing life-threatening. In fact, it would only make them stronger.
After all, they were his clansmen.
Beneath his smile, Kin's intentions remained inscrutable.
After dismissing the Uchiha, Kin prepared to extend an invitation to a heavyweight candidate:
Tsunade.
...
Thanks to Andres919 for the support!
Read 50 advance at patreon.com/CNBLUE
(End of Chapter)