Reporting to the Higher-ups

After Hyuga Mirai handed his research report on Healing Tags and a semi-finished Healing Tag to the Vice Dean, the middle-aged female Ninja immediately left Konoha Hospital with the Body Flicker Technique.

When Hyuga Mirai had drawn the Healing Tag earlier, the methods he used to solidify Chakra and the layers of basic Sealing Runes had greatly broadened the vice dean's horizons. However, in her view, if Hyuga Mirai possessed more advanced knowledge of Sealing Techniques, he might be able to create an even more perfect Healing Tag.

Once she reported this matter, she would definitely apply to Hokage-sama to teach Hyuga Mirai advanced Sealing Techniques.

Once such talent was properly nurtured, he would surely become a towering tree of Konoha.

The vice dean of Konoha Hospital was a Medical Jonin and one of Konoha's Higher-ups, holding a deputy post in a department with real authority within the village. If Kimura wanted to see the Third Hokage, she could do so anytime.

She was not stopped by the Anbu at all when she arrived at the Hokage Tower. After knocking on the door to Sarutobi Hiruzen's office, Kimura walked straight inside.

She should have informed Tsunade about this matter first, but when Kimura left Konoha Hospital, Tsunade was still dead drunk and had yet to wake up. So Kimura bypassed Tsunade and reported directly to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Third Hokage, I would like you to take a look at this Healing Tag."

Kimura did not say much, because this semi-finished Healing Tag could not preserve its Chakra for much longer. She directly cut her own arm, then placed the Healing Tag over the wound, formed hand seals, and shouted, "Release!"

Under the treatment of Yang Release Chakra, the wound on Kimura's arm quickly healed.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen showed the same surprise Kimura had when she first saw the Healing Tag. "Kimura, this is...?"

"This is a Healing Tag. It was developed by a Hyuga clan youth. Apparently, it was only thanks to Hokage-sama approving his use of Konoha Hospital's Laboratory that he achieved this result."

Kimura then gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a detailed introduction to the Healing Tag's strengths and weaknesses.

Training a Medical-nin was very difficult. Although the village emphasized Chakra control as early as Ninja Academy, many people still lacked talent in that area.

Training a Medical-nin to the point where they could use the Mystical Palm Technique was even harder. Usually, only one out of every ten people could learn the Mystical Palm Technique. Among the nearly one hundred Medical-nin at Konoha Hospital, only a dozen or so had mastered it.

That was only because Tsunade had vigorously pushed for the development of the Medical system. Now that Tsunade barely handled any affairs, Konoha's Medical system had directly stagnated.

Although the Five Great Nations and the various Small countries had remained relatively peaceful since the Second Shinobi World War, no one could guarantee that war would not break out.

There had already been many clashes with enemy Ninja along the borders. Once war began, Konoha's current number of Medical-nin would definitely be unable to meet the needs of the Front line.

If the Healing Tag could be perfected and stockpiled in large quantities, then when war came, Konoha's Medical system would not face the slightest pressure.

With Sarutobi Hiruzen's insight, he naturally recognized the strategic significance of the Healing Tag.

"Kimura, can this still be improved?"

Vice-Director Kimura nodded with certainty. "Of course. Both Mirai-kun and I believe that as long as we use advanced layered Sealing Runes, we can reduce the size of the Chakra paper while preserving it for longer."

"Hyuga Mirai... I remember him. He is an exceptionally gifted genius Ninja." Unfortunately, he was a Branch family ninja controlled by the Main Family.

Sarutobi Hiruzen kept those latter words to himself. Since Ninja squads were personally arranged by the Hokage, how could he not know this youth, Hyuga Mirai? Back then, the Fourth Elder of the Hyuuga Main House had visited the Hokage Tower specifically to have Hyuga Mirai and Hyuga Kiyomi form a squad.

If he had been a Ninja from any other Ninja Clan, even the Uchiha Clan, it would have been better than being from the Hyuga Branch Family.

"Kimura, go to the Sealing Team and take all their Sealing Techniques. You may also find a teacher for Hyuga Mirai. You must perfect the Healing Tag in the shortest possible time. This is very important to Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke solemnly to Kimura. As for Sealing Techniques, while the Sealing Team's Sealing Techniques were precious, they were not the most important ones. Konoha's most valuable Sealing Techniques, aside from those in the Book of Seals, could only be learned from Uzumaki Kushina.

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Kimura immediately agreed. After receiving Sarutobi Hiruzen's written authorization, she left the Hokage Tower.

After Kimura departed, Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the desk with his Pipe. Two Anbu immediately appeared inside the room.

"Bring me Hyuga Mirai's file. Also notify the Advisors."

Whoosh!

The Anbu immediately left with the Body Flicker Technique to faithfully carry out the Hokage's orders.

Before long, a file on Hyuga Mirai appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk. From the time of his father's death to his squad's most recent mission, it was recorded in great detail.

It contained Ishii Ichiro's comments from his time at Ninja Academy, evaluations from Doctor Nakano and other Medical-nin during his internship at Konoha Hospital, and Kaminari Kaede's assessment of Hyuga Mirai after he joined a mission squad.

In summary: He perfectly inherited the Will of Fire, cared for patients, treated his classmates well, was a Konoha Ninja skilled at employing tactics, possessed outstanding Medical talent, and was somewhat weaker in Taijutsu. (Note: This may be related to the Main Family not teaching him the essence of the Gentle Fist. There are plans to shift him toward tactical combat.)

Judging by this evaluation alone, even Sarutobi Hiruzen had nothing negative to say about Hyuga Mirai.

If he were not from the Hyuga Branch Family, Sarutobi Hiruzen would even consider placing Hyuga Mirai among the candidates for Hokage aide or Fifth Hokage.

However, Hyuga Mirai had rendered considerable merit this time. If he resolved the Healing Tag's flaws, those Sealing Techniques alone would not be enough as a reward for his contributions.

And the Hyūga Clan would not practice other Ninjutsu. As for whether the Healing Tag could truly be perfected, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no doubts at all. The confidence on Kimura's face before she left had been obvious.

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was considering the matter, the two Hokage Advisors and Danzo, the Hokage's aide, entered together.

"Hiruzen, what exactly did you call us here for? I was still handling other matters in Root."

Homura and Koharu wore the same expressions. They were busy as well.

"Take a look at this. Kimura just handed it to me."

After Sarutobi Hiruzen passed them the summary report on the Healing Tag, all three realized its strategic significance after reading it.

"Hiruzen, when can this Healing Tag be produced? With it, Root will suffer far fewer casualties while carrying out missions outside."

Root's Ninja were troublesome to train as well, especially Jonin. Every one who died was one fewer. Moreover, the missions Root carried out meant they could not be assigned Medical-nin. But with this Healing Tag, the survival rate of Root's Ninja could be greatly increased.

Danzo immediately thought of this. This was practically something developed specifically for his Root!