Jonin Meeting

"What are everyone's thoughts on Tsunade's proposal to assign Medical Ninja to mission teams?"

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wore a grave expression as his deep, commanding voice rang through the Operations Department's conference room.

Discussion immediately broke out below.

Hatake Kawafune stood among the Jonin, his sharp gaze fixed on the stage.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a head of silver hair and a height of over six feet. With sword-like brows and bright eyes, he was a strikingly handsome man.

After discussing it for a while, everyone turned inquisitive looks toward Tsunade.

Tsunade stood prettily in the front row before the stage. Her outstanding poise and curvaceous figure made her especially eye-catching.

Only in her early twenties, with twin ponytails and two locks of pale blond bangs framing her forehead, she paid no heed to everyone's stares.

Hatake Kawafune nudged his older brother, Hatake Sakumo, with his shoulder, never taking his eyes off Tsunade.

"Big Brother, Princess Tsunade is pretty beautiful."

However, Tsunade wore a Jonin combat uniform that slightly concealed her impressive bosom, which Kawafune found rather regrettable.

"Can you be quiet?"

Hatake Sakumo gave his younger brother a cool glance. He had no interest in discussing such matters; he was a married man, after all.

He was not interested in voicing an opinion on this proposal either. Whether there were Medical Ninja or not, completing the mission was all that mattered.

"You're such a bore."

Kawafune was already used to his brother's reaction. Sakumo was an old-fashioned stick-in-the-mud, stubborn to the core.

Watching the surrounding ninja continue debating the proposal's pros and cons, he found it terribly boring.

The Second Great Ninja War had not yet begun, and Tsunade's proposal was destined to fail at this meeting.

Then Kawafune reconsidered. Making an impression in front of her would not be a bad choice.

"I think Tsunade's suggestion is excellent. It can reduce casualties among mission teams."

"Too many of Konoha's ninja have died because their battlefield injuries could not be treated in time."

Kawafune's frivolous expression vanished as he spoke aloud, drawing everyone's attention. The entire Operations Department fell silent.

Sakumo also looked at him in surprise. The Hatake Clan had always avoided voting on all manner of proposals, precisely to avoid possible clan disputes.

Who knew what medicine his usually uninvolved younger brother had taken this time? He had actually stepped forward to support the Senju Clan's princess, without fearing he might offend the Uchiha Clan.

Though surprised, Sakumo did not rebuke him aloud. He had always acknowledged his younger brother's intelligence.

Tsunade looked over as well and gave Kawafune a grateful smile.

She knew this genius of the Hatake Clan. Rumor had it that he already possessed Jonin-level strength before he was even twelve.

Now, he was nearly on par with his older brother, Hatake Sakumo, though they had never crossed paths before.

She had not expected him to be the first to support her at this meeting, while even her fellow disciples Jiraiya and Orochimaru had yet to speak.

"Thank you for recognizing my proposal, Kawafune-kun."

There was a trace of sincerity in her sweet voice. Kawafune gave Tsunade a handsome smile, looking every bit like a sunny, cheerful young man.

"You're thinking about everyone's safety. Naturally, I support you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing. He simply watched the people below the stage in silence, taking in every expression.

"I also support Tsunade's proposal."

Dan Katō nearly regretted it to death. He had only hesitated for a moment before Hatake Kawafune had seized the initiative.

At that, Tsunade gave him a slight nod, clearly treating him less warmly than she had treated Kawafune.

After that, a large number of ninja voiced their opinions. The Uchiha Clan voted against it, while those close to the Senju Clan expressed their agreement.

Some neutral clans and ninja abstained one after another, leaving the final tally nearly even.

"Then let's leave it at that for now. Tsunade, we'll discuss your proposal another time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was quite satisfied with the situation before him. It was not that he disapproved of the proposal; he merely intended to set it aside for the time being.

As his disciple, Tsunade presumably would not have too many objections.

"Alright, Teacher."

Tsunade frowned and opened her mouth several times, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end she merely gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a simple response.

Because of the uneven economic development among the nations and the current signs of another great war, this operational meeting had been convened. War might break out before long.

After the meeting ended, Sarutobi Hiruzen was the first to leave. Only then did the remaining Jonin begin departing in an orderly fashion.

Seeing his younger brother lingering by the door, Sakumo had no idea what he was plotting again.

Just as he was about to call him over, he saw Tsunade come out and strike up a conversation with him. Dan Katō stood not far behind Tsunade, his expression ugly.

"Although the proposal didn't pass, I still want to thank you, Kawafune-kun."

Tsunade expressed her gratitude once more. She had developed the desire to get to know this handsome man.

"Nice to meet you. I usually enjoy a little drinking and a few rounds of gambling."

"Let's hang out sometime."

Kawafune's lips curved slightly upward, gleaming beneath the setting sun. Tsunade nearly stared blankly at him.

This man really was handsome, and his hobbies were the same as hers. Ripples stirred in Tsunade's heart.

"Alright, Kawafune-kun. We can drink together sometime."

"Then I'll hold you to that. Don't make me come to your house and find myself unable to get in."

With a teasing tone, Kawafune voiced what he wanted to do.

"Of course not. You're welcome to visit my home anytime."

Tsunade hurriedly waved her hands. She was not merely being polite; she truly wanted to make a friend.

As the two chatted enthusiastically, two figures watched from beneath a distant tree.

"Looks like Tsunade is very interested in this Hatake Kawafune."

"Jiraiya, you have another romantic rival now."

The speaker's voice was gloomy, his face frighteningly pale, and his eyes were snake eyes. It was Orochimaru.

"As long as she's happy."

Jiraiya said no more. He did not wish to dwell on it and left alone, though his back looked somewhat desolate.

Orochimaru stood there alone for a while longer before turning and leaving, no longer paying attention.

After chatting with Kawafune for a while, Tsunade nearly blushed before reluctantly taking her leave.

Watching Konoha's greatest woman vanish from sight, Kawafune smacked his lips and walked over to Sakumo.

"Let's go, Big Brother."

Twenty-two years had passed since he had transmigrated into the Naruto World, yet he still had not figured out exactly how it had happened.

He clearly remembered writing a Naruto fanfiction novel, right when he was deeply engrossed in it.

Then everything went black. When he regained consciousness, he discovered that he had become a crying infant.

Getting transmigrated into Naruto was one thing, but I even got an older brother who dared to kill himself. Heaven has truly treated me well...

Aside from being skilled with blades, the Hatake Clan had no heaven-defying Kekkei Genkai. Surviving in this dangerous Naruto World would not be easy!

And if he remembered correctly, the Second Great Ninja War was about to erupt in the Land of Rain.

When the time came, he certainly would not be spared from going to the battlefield as a Jonin of the Hatake Clan.

Perhaps because of his transmigration, he had also received a modest Golden Finger: extremely high Cellular Activity.

It gave him greater strength and speed, along with astonishing recovery abilities and Chakra Reserves.

Because of this, he was actually a level above Sakumo, who was several years older than him, rather than merely being nearly equal to him as the rumors claimed.