Konoha's Gamble and Poison

Konoha, early morning.

The ninja academy's training ground had been temporarily requisitioned.

The open space, usually filled with the sounds of children playing, was now packed with people.

Clan heads from the major families, elders who had stepped back from the front lines, and young ninjas who had emerged from the genius program.

They stood according to their family lineage, clearly separated, and in complete silence.

At the very front of the crowd, Hiruzen Sarutobi wore simple clothing, his pipe unlit.

Beside him stood Minato Namikaze, clad in the Hokage Robe.

His azure eyes were as clear as the sky, and a warm, sunny smile graced his face.

He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the young faces, and said:

"Everyone!"

His voice, amplified by chakra, reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Today, we gather here to witness a brand new step towards the prosperity of the Land of Fire!"

"The Daimyo deeply cares for us ninjas. To cultivate the next generation of Konoha's pillars, he has personally established a special genius cultivation program and allocated immense funds!"

He paused, then turned slightly and continued, "Next, please welcome the special envoy from the Daimyo Manor's Internal Affairs Department to read the Daimyo's decree and distribute the funds!"

All eyes turned in unison towards a middle-aged man in the official attire of the Daimyo Manor.

He stepped forward unhurriedly only after Minato Namikaze finished speaking.

Behind him were two rows of heavily armored samurai.

Beyond the samurai were over a dozen heavy, large wooden chests.

The chests were locked, but many in the crowd craned their necks, their throats bobbing.

The Internal Affairs official cleared his throat, tilted his chin slightly, and looked down at the crowd.

"By order of the Daimyo!"

Everyone in the audience instinctively straightened their bodies.

"Effective immediately, the Land of Fire's Special Genius Cultivation Program is officially launched!"

"All those selected are talents who will become pillars of the Land of Fire, and they shall be treated as vital national assets!"

"The Daimyo orders that to ensure the unhindered growth of these geniuses, special funds have been allocated and will be distributed according to their talent level!"

"Now, I will read the names!"

"Shisui Uchiha, Class A+, monthly salary of 3 million Ryo!"

"Anko Mitarai, Class A, monthly salary of 2 million Ryo!"

"Might Guy, Class A, monthly salary of 2 million Ryo!"

"..."

One name after another was called out.

One young ninja after another walked onto the high platform under the envious gaze of the crowd.

When the money chests, filled with crisp banknotes, were handed over, almost all the young people's arms trembled.

It wasn't just the weight of money.

It was the ladder to a sky-high future!

A civilian ninja, his face flushed with excitement, knelt directly on the ground and bowed deeply towards the Land of Fire Capital.

"Thank you, Lord Daimyo!"

This bow was like a signal.

All the young ninjas who received funds spontaneously knelt down.

Cheers of gratitude, like a tidal wave, echoed across the training ground.

"Thank you, Lord Daimyo!"

Watching the scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally put his pipe in his mouth and lit it.

The smoke he exhaled obscured his lonely face.

Minato Namikaze let out a long sigh, happy for these youths but also worried about the village's future.

He wasn't sure if this change was the right path.

"Teacher, have you resigned yourself to it?"

A soft, effeminate voice echoed, tinged with mockery.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't turn around; he knew who it was.

Orochimaru.

His most brilliant disciple had appeared behind him at some point, a playful smile on his pale face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring.

"You've finally decided to emerge from your laboratory?"

"Heh heh..." Orochimaru chuckled, his long tongue flicking across his lips, a sickly excitement on his face. "Such a magnificent spectacle, wouldn't it be a shame not to witness it firsthand?"

He looked at the young ninjas expressing their gratitude to the Daimyo, his tone laced with mockery.

"Look at them, such pure eyes, such sincere gratitude."

"The Konoha you protected your entire life, the Will of Fire you preached your entire life, in the end, it can't compare to this gold."

"Teacher Hiruzen, don't you think... it's pathetic?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer, merely taking a deep drag of his smoke.

"Heh heh!"

Orochimaru smirked playfully, his gaze shifting away from Hiruzen Sarutobi's back and returning to the mountain of gold on the high platform.

The mocking smile on his face gradually vanished, replaced by irritation.

Ever since Danzo was eliminated, his biggest source of funding had been cut off.

Most of the research that required substantial financial support had been put on hold.

What was worse, without Root's cover, he was struggling to even obtain experimental subjects.

Ten days ago, he had risked infiltrating the Konoha prison and procured a few death row inmates.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

The security there was more stringent than ever, and any slight disturbance would attract swarms of Anbu.

He had nearly been exposed yesterday.

As if sensing Orochimaru's anxiety and malice, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly turned around, facing his disciple's pale face.

"Orochimaru, put those thoughts away."

"Times have changed."

"This is no longer an era where you can do as you please."

Orochimaru's smile grew even more sinister.

"Do as I please?"

"Teacher, don't you think this is the era where one can truly do as they please?"

"As long as... one can gain the favor of that Lord."

His words made Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sink.

No further conversation passed between them.

After the ceremony concluded and the crowd dispersed, an official from the Internal Affairs Department slowly approached.

He walked directly to Minato Namikaze and bowed slightly.

His posture was humble, but his words were flawless.

"Lord Minato, the Daimyo has a verbal decree that requires your personal attention."

Minato Namikaze politely replied, "Please, speak."

The official's tone was equally courteous, "Lord Daimyo says that all those selected for the Guardians of the Twelve are to depart immediately and report to the Land of Fire Capital without delay."

"This matter, I will trouble the Fourth Hokage to arrange."

Minato Namikaze nodded, "I understand."

Just then.

A lazy yet incredibly penetrating female voice rang out.

"What's all this noisy commotion about?"

"Are you holding a funeral for the village? Quite the grand display."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it instantly drowned out the surrounding clamor.

Everyone turned their heads in unison.

They saw a woman walking slowly towards them.

Her face bore the weariness of a hangover, and her tall figure was draped in a loose green robe. However, the baggy clothing could not conceal the voluptuous curves beneath.

With every step, her proud chest swayed.

Her slender waist contrasted with her full hips.

As she walked, her rounded, perky backside swayed alluringly.

It was Tsunade!

One of the legendary Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage, the pinnacle of medical ninjutsu!

She's back.

Her face showed no signs of the years, still possessing the peak beauty of her twenties.

But in her beautiful eyes, there was an unshakeable fatigue.

A young girl followed behind her.

The girl wore a dark blue kimono and held a small pig in her arms.

Her figure was still youthful, but her chest had already begun to develop.

Her short black hair framed her cheeks, making her skin appear fair.

Her delicate, pretty face was filled with confusion and unease.

Her name was Shizune.

She curiously observed the scene before her, completely unaware of what was happening.

Why were both the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage here?

Why was Lord Orochimaru also here?

The girl's innocence and naivety formed a stark contrast with Tsunade, who stood before her, mature, charming, and exuding a powerful aura.

"Tsunade…"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew more complex as he saw his other disciple.

Since the end of the Battle of Kannabi Bridge in the first half of the year, there had been no more fighting in the western part of the Land of Fire.

Coincidentally, there was internal strife in Kirigakure to the east.

Only the Land of Lightning refused to give up, constantly provoking them at the border.

However, the strategic advantage the Land of Fire had accumulated during the Third Shinobi World War meant that the Land of Lightning alone posed no threat.

So, Tsunade had taken Shizune and left Konoha to travel around.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Tsunade was upset with him, so he tacitly approved of her departure.

Seeing Tsunade return, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said sinisterly, "So you finally decided to come back?"

Tsunade retorted without hesitation, "Keep talking to me like that, and believe me, I'll beat you up!"

Then, without even looking at Orochimaru, she walked directly to the Third Hokage and frowned.

"Old man, what happened to the village to make it like this?"

Her tone was harsh, showing no respect for anyone present.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a wry smile and shook his head, "We'll talk later."

The Internal Affairs official had noticed Tsunade the moment she appeared.

His gaze didn't linger, and he turned back to Minato Namikaze with a perfunctory smile, "Lord Minato, my business here is concluded, so I will not stay long."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, sir," Minato Namikaze said politely, then gestured to Shikaku Nara, "Shikaku, please escort Lord out for me."

The official bowed slightly again, then turned and left with his guards.