Sure enough.
When the upper class is willing to share benefits, the lower class will offer endless loyalty.
Shimizu Kantsuki wasn't worried that doubling salaries would attract too much negative attention.
As the Director of Konoha Hospital, he had significant autonomy. Otherwise, the Third Hokage wouldn't have given him this position as a reward.
Of course.
If Kantsuki didn't manage things, it would remain a sinecure.
But if he did manage things, it became a position of real power.
When the Third Hokage heard about the lad's actions, he laughed heartily.
Truly a fine lad.
Using his own pocket money to support the hospital.
He is simply a model of selflessness.
Buying hearts?
Good! I want him to buy hearts.
The old man already had thoughts of grooming Kantsuki for higher office. If the boy didn't show ambition and capability, how could he rise?
Besides, in the eyes of the high command, the hospital was small potatoes.
However, Kantsuki's slogan was catchy.
"Get moving! Develop! Show results!"
Hiruzen decided to use this phrase as the theme for the next Jonin Council meeting.
Thus, Kantsuki's name spread beyond the major clans to the smaller families of Konoha.
The new upstart, Shimizu Kantsuki, had thoroughly established his name in the village. Not a titan yet, but someone with weight.
[Proficiency System]
[Shimizu Kantsuki: Chūnin (Comprehensive)]
Chakra: Chūnin Level
Affinities: Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, Lightning
Taijutsu: Chūnin Level
Genjutsu: Genin Level
Ninjutsu: Chūnin Level
[Ninjutsu List]
Transformation Technique (E): LV3 (5%)
Clone Technique (E): LV3 (3%)
Body Replacement Technique (E): LV3 (42%)
Body Flicker Technique (D): LV4 (61%)
Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (C): LV2 (3%)
Chakra Refining Method: LV4 (99%)
[Genjutsu List]
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique (D): LV2 (39%)
[Taijutsu List]
Basic Konoha Taijutsu: LV4 (48%)
In his courtyard.
Kantsuki silently monitored the proficiency of his Chakra Refining Method.
Recently, he hadn't neglected his training.
He understood deeply that in the Ninja World, having strength and lacking strength were two different concepts of existence.
The peaceful days wouldn't last forever.
According to the original story, the plot began in Konoha Year 60.
It was currently Konoha Year 53. There was still breathing room.
But once the plot started, major events would cascade one after another.
Year 53 was a good time.
Orochimaru hadn't defected yet (or was just about to).
The Uchiha Clan Massacre hadn't happened.
The Hyūga clan was still hiding in their shell.
The Fourth Hokage had passed away, and the Third had reassumed control.
Outside Konoha:
The undead ghost Uchiha Madara was biding his time.
Black Zetsu was waiting to split the moon to save his mother.
The Akatsuki organization was in its infancy.
The major villages were still licking their wounds from the Third Great Ninja War.
There was time.
Kantsuki calculated the days. By the time the main plot kicked off, he should have sufficient self-preservation ability. Delaying the inevitable destruction would be much easier then.
As always: Time stood on his side. The longer he dragged it out, the better.
[Chakra Refining Method: LV4 (99%) -> LV5 (0%)]
In an instant.
Kantsuki felt his senses extending outward, expanding beyond his skin.
He vaguely "saw" something emanating from nature…
Energy? Reiki? Natural Chakra?
Whatever you called it. It was likely the Natural Energy mentioned in the original work.
His premonition was correct. A LV5 skill brought a qualitative change.
He could now directly extract Natural Energy.
He no longer needed to consume his own physical and spiritual stamina to refine chakra.
Consequently, his chakra cap and recovery speed entered the fast lane, jumping several tiers instantly.
Previously, the Proficiency System's growth was slow because it was limited by his chakra reserves.
Now?
The corner of his mouth curled up.
A glint of fire seemed to flash in Kantsuki's eyes.
The chakra in his body was completely converting into Natural Chakra.
There was no risk of petrification or turning into a toad. The LV5 technique had optimized the process.
Refined by the system, the energy wasn't violent; it was incredibly docile.
He didn't need to enter "Sage Mode."
Or rather, Kantsuki was now permanently in a state of Pseudo-Sage Mode.
Because what flowed through his veins was Natural Chakra.
Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu power skyrocketed.
According to his preliminary estimates, he should no longer fear a standard Jonin.
The increase in strength was exaggerated.
Remember, Kantsuki's base strength was merely that of a mediocre Chūnin—no bloodline, no special physique, a sewer-tier ninja.
Although Natural Chakra amplified a ninja's strength, the base stats mattered.
A pity.
If I had the base stats of a Jonin, I probably wouldn't fear Kage-level powerhouses now.
Speaking of which.
The power levels in the Ninja World were very vague.
Strictly speaking, there were only three ranks: Genin, Chūnin, Jonin.
Even "Kage" wasn't universally recognized as a distinct power tier, just a title. When ninja faced off, you only knew who was stronger after fighting.
Kantsuki, using his past life's knowledge, categorized it roughly:
Genin, Chūnin, Jonin, Kage.
Above Kage, there were monsters like Uchiha Madara—let's call them Super Kage.
Above Super Kage were the Six Paths tier "Outliers."
The more he thought about it, the more Kantsuki felt his strength was insufficient.
He had to keep grinding.
Grind strength while silently laying out his pieces.
He wanted to just hide and turtle up. But he really didn't want to hand his fate over to those two "Chosen Ones" who came later.
He sighed inwardly.
In the Ninja World, taking zero risks was impossible.
Even if you stayed home and never went out, a ninja might take a mission to harvest your head.
It was that absurd.
There were many reasons: A noble liked your house. Your land blocked a merchant's business. You became a practice target for a fresh Genin graduate.
He stretched his back.
Kantsuki decided to restrain himself for a while.
The clothing empire and the hospital were enough to establish his footing in Konoha. He would wait until his strength improved further before making another move.
"Dinner is ready!"
Haruno, wearing nothing but a naked apron, padded across the tatami with her bare, pink feet, blinking her eyes innocently.
Her man was training again.
It wasn't convenient to "sip milk."
Mrs. Yukinoshita glanced at her rebellious daughter.
Just one lift of her butt, and I know what position she wants.
Perhaps she had tasted the marrow and couldn't get enough.
This unfilial daughter was always ready, regardless of place or occasion.
Talking, cooking, reading, grinding tea—she would start flirting at the drop of a hat.
It was simply outrageous…