Each with Their Own Schemes

The farce ended, but Sakumo still did not call him big brother.

Only after Kawafune had fully indulged his big-brother urges in front of Nawaki did he awkwardly make his way over to Sakumo.

"Big brother, I'll teach you."

"No need. You're my big brother."

Sakumo was still angry. This little brat is already this grown up and still has to piss me off.

"Big brother, stop sulking."

Kawafune raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing.

"Have some backbone. If he doesn't want to learn, forget it."

Watching the two of them fool around, Nayuki came over to stir things up. The Ghost Mastiff wisely stayed out of the battlefield.

This was a matter between humans. It had nothing to do with dogs.

Sakumo shot his wife a glare. She had come over just to undermine him.

"Who said I wasn't learning?"

"Come on, then."

As he spoke, Sakumo grabbed Kawafune and pulled him aside, leaving Nayuki behind.

"The most important thing about Flying Thunder God is sensing the power of space."

"Big brother, I can't guarantee that you'll be able to learn it."

When it came to serious matters, Kawafune was still very solemn.

His expression abruptly turned serious as he took the scroll containing Flying Thunder God Slash from his robes.

"I only learned it by chance with Lady Mito's help."

"Learn the technique formula first. Then give it a try."

With that, Kawafune handed the scroll to Sakumo.

If Sakumo could learn Flying Thunder God, the limits of his Chakra reserves would prevent him from using it continuously like Kawafune could.

However, using it against enemies would not be much of a problem. As the future Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo's Chakra reserves were nothing to scoff at.

Sakumo took the scroll and began studying it.

Before long, the Flying Thunder God Technique Formula appeared on his short blade. This part posed no difficulty for him either.

But when it came to sensing the power of space, he hit a wall.

No matter how seriously he tried to sense the formula, he made no progress.

Kawafune could do nothing about that. It depended entirely on Sakumo's own comprehension.

His thoughts began to drift again, returning to that instant when Tsunade had been in his arms.

By then, Tsunade had already arrived at the Third Hokage's office.

A box of banknotes lay open in the very center of the office.

"Teacher, these are banknotes worth 100 Million Ryo."

"Next, we can begin construction."

Tsunade stood across from the Third Hokage, looking relaxed. Her journey had been peaceful, and no one had dared set their sights on her.

"Hehe, the Hatake Clan really is wealthy."

"I thought it would take some more time."

"Now the village's schools and other facilities can be improved even further."

"This can also be considered a good deed for the village."

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, and the smile on his face seemed genuine.

Tsunade greatly admired her teacher at this moment. After all, under his leadership, the lives of Konoha's commoners had indeed improved.

"It is our good fortune that Teacher keeps Konoha in his heart."

"Haha, this old man is merely an inheritor of the Will of Fire."

The Third Hokage laughed heartily. He truly was a continuation of the Will of Fire.

Nostalgic expressions also surfaced on Mitokado Homura's and Utatane Koharu's faces, though their teacher was no longer around.

"Are Hatake Kawafune and you very close?"

The Third Hokage changed the subject and asked Tsunade.

"Why do you ask, Teacher?"

"For such a large sum of money, he did not even deliver it himself. Is he afraid of an old man like me?"

What the Third Hokage said was precisely what Tsunade had worried about before. She now recalled Kawafune wrapping an arm around her waist in the treasury.

A blush crept onto her cheeks without her noticing.

"We're good friends."

How credible Tsunade looked saying that now was for the Third Hokage alone to judge.

"I see. You may go back if there's nothing else."

"A great war is about to begin. Be careful."

The Third Hokage gave Tsunade one last reminder, after all, there was still a Jinchuriki in her family.

"Understood, Teacher."

"Two Advisors, I'll take my leave."

Tsunade bade everyone farewell and exchanged a smile with Utatane Koharu. The two had already reached an agreement.

After leaving the Hokage Building, she did not know where to go. She was temporarily too embarrassed to visit the Hatake Clan, so she simply ducked into a gambling den.

The legendary big fat sheep had returned to the gambling den. Konoha's gamblers swarmed over, packing the small establishment to the brim.

Tsunade happily shook the dice, unaware that Root ninja had seen her generous money-losing ways clearly.

In an underground chamber, a Root ninja knelt on one knee before Danzo.

"Sir, Tsunade has delivered the money to the Hokage's office."

"So quickly? It seems the Hatake Clan is truly well-funded."

Danzo still sat in the main seat of the underground chamber. Root agents kept watch over every move made in the Hokage Building.

His wolfish ambitions were plain to see. Only the Third Hokage could tolerate someone like him.

"Then they will begin construction on the hospital next."

"Inform the Uchiha Clan to make their preparations."

"We'll wait for an opportunity to act."

Danzo instructed his subordinate to deliver the message, unaware that the Uchiha Clan Head had the same idea as him.

How could two old foxes possibly cooperate wholeheartedly?

The moment he gave the order, the Uchiha side was already prepared.

The Root ninja thought he could enter and leave the Uchiha compound freely, but the moment he stepped into their territory, he was seized by two Police Force ninja captains.

He was escorted before the clan head.

"So, you are one of Lord Danzo's subordinates."

"Why haven't you released him yet?"

The clan head put on quite a performance, clearly intending to put Root in its place.

"We thought he was a spy, so we captured him."

The two captains released the Root ninja and even offered insincere apologies.

"Lord Danzo has sent word. The Senju Clan's hospital will begin construction soon."

The Root ninja had not spoken a word throughout his capture. Only now did he reveal the information.

Danzo's brainwashing and the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal had created a batch of emotionless ninja. It was truly ruthless.

"Go back and tell Lord Danzo that we Uchiha will certainly cooperate."

The clan head waved a hand, signaling for the Root ninja to leave.

Only then did Fugaku speak. "Clan Head, how should we arrange things?"

"Isn't someone watching that hospital site day and night? We'll talk when there's movement."

The clan head remained calm and composed. Fugaku still fell far short of him.

For the entire morning, Sakumo had been trying to comprehend Flying Thunder God. His dedication was commendable.

Unfortunately, aside from gaining a clearer perception of the technique formula, he made no progress whatsoever.

Seeing the sweat left behind by Sakumo's excessive mental exertion, Kawafune tried to persuade him.

"Big brother, take a rest."

"This isn't something you can master in a single day."

He had forgotten that he himself had mastered it in one morning right in front of Sakumo.

"Sure enough, I'm not as good as you, little brother."

Sakumo had no choice but to admit it. This younger brother's talent was exceptional, truly beyond his own.

Once he spoke, his training was interrupted. The two went over and sat at the stone table.

Nayuki thoughtfully prepared cold tea and pastries, her eyes filled with heartache.

Her husband was good in every way, except that he was far too competitive.

"Have something to eat and rest. Training can't be rushed."

With a sigh, she tried to persuade him. She knew Sakumo was surely still holding in his frustration.

"I know."

Sakumo's gaze softened. He smiled at his wife and picked up a pastry to feed her a bite.

"They're killing dogs! They're killing dogs!"

Kawafune shouted, startling Sakumo. Nayuki's face flushed as she hurried away.

Hearing Kawafune shout about killing dogs, the Ghost Mastiff, who had been lying beneath the tree, sprang to its feet and vanished from the Training Hall in a second.

There was only one dog in the Hatake Clan. If it did not run, was it supposed to wait for death?

It finally followed the scent to find Nayuki, then hid in her arms and whimpered in fright.