The Hokage Residence.
Early morning.
After finishing his Lightning Style chakra-body training, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped out of a hot shower and changed into casual clothes. He sat at the dining table, eating the breakfast Biwako had prepared while turning over the structure of the Yin Seal in his mind.
He had access to the core materials and research on the Yin Seal, of course.
But every person's chakra pathways were different. The thickness of their meridians, the rate at which they produced Chakra, the way it dissipated. No two were exactly the same. Other people's experience building the Yin Seal could serve only as reference.
Hiruzen held a rice ball in one hand while the other traced invisible lines in the air, sketching out the blueprint of his own Yin Seal.
The framework was already taking shape.
He wasn't in a hurry. The Yin Seal was something that would stay with him for the rest of his life. No amount of refinement was too much.
Sharpening the blade before chopping wood was never a waste.
Just then, raised voices broke the quiet outside.
"I need to see Sensei!"
"Come on, I'm not trying to make things hard for you. Your Byakugan can tell it's really me, can't it?"
"I have something urgent!"
Tsunade.
"Without permission from Lord Hokage, no one is allowed to approach the Hokage Residence."
Hizashi Hyuga's voice was cold and steady. Mask on, he stood directly in Tsunade's path without shifting an inch.
"If you have urgent business, please wait at the Hokage Tower for the Third."
Inside, Biwako paused her tidying and exchanged a glance with Hiruzen.
Understanding at once, she moved to the door and opened it.
Behind Tsunade stood Orochimaru, looking resigned, and Jiraiya, wearing the same helpless expression.
"Come in, all of you."
"Tsunade, still as reckless as ever. Have you eaten yet?" Biwako asked with a warm smile. She gave Hizashi a small nod. "Thank you for your hard work."
Hizashi bowed slightly. "It is my duty."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered at the exchange.
Biwako-sensei truly was the perfect partner for his teacher. She handled everything with flawless tact.
What impressed him even more was Hiruzen's degree of influence over the Hyuga Clan.
Looking at Hizashi's stance just now, Orochimaru doubted that even Tsunade, the so-called princess of Konoha, could move him. Not his father Tenzo Hyuga. Not even a resurrected former Hokage.
If Sensei gave the order, Hizashi probably wouldn't hesitate for a heartbeat.
Utterly loyal.
And lately, it was said that Hiruzen and Tenzo Hyuga had been getting along remarkably well. Another batch of branch house members had quietly entered the Anbu.
There was much to learn.
"Sorry to barge in, Biwako-sensei!"
Tsunade rubbed her hands together, barely containing herself. "I'm just too excited! There's been a major breakthrough in the technology, and I had to share it with Sensei…"
Biwako shook her head with a soft laugh and went to prepare tea.
"Sensei, the Medical Scroll research has made huge progress!"
"You told me to go talk to Grandma Mito the other day. She really had incredible ideas…"
"I've found a way to inject medical Chakra into objects without it dissipating!"
"I'm requesting we halt production of the Sage Land Pill and shift all resources into the Medical Scroll project!"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "How big is this breakthrough? Be honest. No exaggeration."
"Well… it's still in the early stages," Tsunade admitted after a pause, her playful grin fading.
Every time Sensei started talking about village affairs, he felt like a different person.
No wonder Tobirama Senju had valued him so highly.
The Second Hokage had been the same way. Gentle in private. But the moment the village was involved, his demeanor changed completely.
"But the method is much simpler now. I'm confident I can teach the Nara and Akimichi ninja who make the Sage Land Pill!"
"Or let me select a few promising candidates. It's really not that hard!"
Hiruzen raised a hand, signaling her to stop.
Just as he'd expected.
Whenever Tsunade talked about equipping medical ninja, she slipped into the same pattern. Idealistic. Detached from practical constraints.
"Let me ask you something."
"Some of the Nara and Akimichi ninja can focus on producing the Sage Land Pill because the Administrative Department has coordinated with the Land of Fire and projected clear profits."
"So they can give up missions and work full-time."
"If they switch to research, research costs money. Where will their compensation come from?"
Tsunade faltered, then stubbornly shot back, "I'll treat patients and cover it myself!"
"Fine. Let's say you do."
Hiruzen calmly continued, "Then how do you plan to compensate for the projects funded by Sage Land Pill profits?"
He extended his right hand and folded down one finger at a time.
"The ninja welfare system. Support for orphaned children of ninja. Research on the First Hokage's cells. Raising the standards of the Ninja Academy. Subsidies for Medical Scrolls and other ninja tools and techniques…"
Tsunade's head spun.
At the same time, she felt a jolt of shock.
Sensei was planning all of that?
Each item sounded just as monumental as her Medical Scroll project.
What exactly was he trying to build Konoha into?
Hiruzen kept going, lifting another finger with each addition.
"Further reinvestment for expanded production. Calibration of specialized Medical Scrolls."
"After harvesting noble capital, redistributing orders to stimulate financial circulation and strengthen the overall national power of the Land of Fire."
Jiraiya's mouth hung slightly open, awe filling his eyes.
There wasn't even a draft in front of him. How was he listing all of this so smoothly?
Being Hokage really wasn't easy.
"Stop, stop!"
Tsunade clutched her head like a monkey with a tightening headband. "I just want the village to be better. I don't want so many comrades dying in the next war…"
Hiruzen chuckled softly and glanced at Orochimaru.
You're not thinking the same as her, are you?
Orochimaru shook his head vigorously and spread his hands.
Dragged here against his will.
"Sensei, you know I've always supported you," Orochimaru said at once.
He couldn't let there be any misunderstanding.
If he got lumped in with Tsunade, that would be unfair.
"Sensei, why aren't you looking at me? I was dragged here too!" Jiraiya protested dramatically. "I support you as well!"
"Mmm."
"Sensei, what's with that perfunctory response? Am I not important?"
"Mmm. Important, important," Hiruzen replied with a smile.
"That hurts, Sensei. I'm heartbroken…"
Jiraiya's antics broke the tension, easing what had been a serious atmosphere.
Hiruzen's thoughts shifted.
Like Mito Uzumaki, Tsunade held a uniquely elevated position in the village.
This was a good opportunity to deepen her trust in him.
Otherwise, her impulsive style would cause problems sooner or later.
"I understand your intentions. But everything must be done step by step. You need to read the situation and avoid chasing quick success."
"The Hidden Mist is busy with internal strife. The Hidden Sand is licking its wounds. The Hidden Cloud is rebuilding its strength. If we remain still, the Hidden Stone won't move either. This is a period of development for all the great villages."
"However, this technical breakthrough does require adjustments. We should aim for mass production of Medical Scrolls within three to five years."
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
That timeline was actually faster than she'd expected.
Research to mass production was never instantaneous.
If they could reach that goal without sacrificing other village projects, it would truly be the best of both worlds.
Hiruzen closed his eyes, thinking.
Tsunade shot Orochimaru and Jiraiya a warning look.
No one make a sound.
She would not risk interrupting Sensei's train of thought.
The two men glared back.
Only you would barge in like this in the first place.