Tsunade: "Teacher's Heart Is as Black as Second Granduncle's!"

After listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's account.

The Sannin fell into a long silence, stunned by shock.

Why had their teacher always emphasized a conservative approach in the past?

Why had the current Hokage suddenly changed his style, seeming like a completely different person?

Everything now had an explanation.

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, and both could see the complicated emotions in each other's eyes.

When it came to why they did not want to become Hokage, they had something in common.

It was not merely because administrative affairs were so demanding.

On a deeper level, it was also because the previous Hokages' brilliance had shone too brightly...

Senju Hashirama was the God of Shinobi; there was no need to elaborate on his renown.

As for the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, although he lacked Senju Hashirama's overwhelming power, the various ninjutsu he had invented and the policies he had pioneered were all an entire era ahead of the shinobi world.

In a sense, the deterrence he inspired in his enemies was only half a level below Senju Hashirama's.

After all, while the God of Shinobi was powerful, he loved peace too much.

But Senju Tobirama was a ruthless man who could revive an enemy's loved ones and turn them into bombs...

Deep down, both Jiraiya and Tsunade had once entertained thoughts similar to Hiruzen Sarutobi's...

If they became Hokage, could they surpass those who came before them?

Even setting Senju Hashirama and Tobirama aside, could either of them match the ability and talent Hiruzen Sarutobi had displayed in his youth?

Orochimaru's gaze softened considerably.

Compared with Jiraiya and Tsunade, his sense of responsibility toward the village was not as strong.

What he cared about more was his bond with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.

Especially Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been both teacher and father to him.

The teacher who had once taught him everything without reservation and valued him so highly had gradually drifted away from him one day. That estrangement had remained a huge knot in his heart...

And geniuses were always proud.

Orochimaru had never considered apologizing to Hiruzen Sarutobi, nor did he believe he had been wrong...

He wanted to achieve something great and make his teacher see it. Then, right and wrong would speak for themselves...

But today, Hiruzen Sarutobi had bared his heart so frankly.

Clearly, he still regarded him as a trusted disciple.

Together with how lightly he had treated the damaging information, and the concern he had shown for him before everyone...

A trace of bitterness rose in Orochimaru's heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently took in the reactions of his three disciples.

At this point, there was finally a relatively fitting explanation for his sudden change in personality.

If he did anything later that did not fit his previous persona, there would be no need to dwell on it.

It was more or less as he had expected...

With the foundation of their bond as teacher and disciples, even if there had once been misunderstandings and estrangement, so long as nothing irreparable had happened, things could be talked through easily.

It was different from when he stood before the people of the village.

Before the masses, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not display this side of himself. At most, he could endure in silence, because the shinobi needed a dependable leader, not an old man who required their sympathy.

But before his three disciples, this vulnerable act of baring his heart could make them empathize with him.

They were teacher and disciples, not merely superiors and subordinates.

Being too closed-off or too perfect would make them feel distant from him. A self with weaknesses would be more complete and real, stirring their desire to give back.

"Teacher, you've worked hard..."

Tsunade spoke slowly. A faint glimmer of tears flickered in her eyes. "You've already tried so hard. Don't push yourself until you break down..."

So the Old Man had once been under so much pressure that he felt death itself was a release?

And she, his disciple, had not even noticed...

Or rather, she had sensed a little of it, but had not cared for her teacher in time!

That was far too awful...

Jiraiya's gaze was firm as he said in a deep voice, "Teacher, don't underestimate me! I may be your dumbest disciple, but I can still help share your burdens!"

Orochimaru said softly, "Teacher, I'll help you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "Good... With those words from the three of you, I feel much more secure."

"Konoha has many problems now."

"The first major problem is the abundance of factions. The various ninja clans lack trust in and cooperation with the village leadership. The Hyuga Clan is like this, and the Uchiha Clan harbors even stronger feelings of confrontation."

"And even clans such as the Inuzuka Clan, Aburame, and Kurama Clan are willing to cooperate with the village, but their ties to it are far from close enough."

"Why?" Hiruzen Sarutobi posed the question.

"Because they lack the Will of Fire?" After pondering deeply, Jiraiya tentatively spoke up.

Hearing that, Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed. "Good disciple, I never expected Mount Myoboku to teach you an S-rank Forbidden Technique. Even I, the Hokage, do not casually use this Labeling Technique..."

"You learned it without a teacher!"

Expulsion from Konoha!

"Does that Toad spirit of Mount Myoboku, the Toad Sage, truly possess such peerless Kamui that he's already expelling people from Konoha?" Orochimaru raised a brow.

"If you became Hokage, Konoha would probably lose a third of its population..."

Tsunade could not hold it in either. "Jiraiya, I think you're the one who lacks the Will of Fire the most. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade and awkwardly waved his hand. "You come from impeccable roots, so whatever you say is right... Stinky Snake, that's not what I meant. I just couldn't figure it out..."

"Then what do you think?"

"Perhaps they see no future?" Orochimaru spoke faintly.

"Among those who could be considered village leadership, aside from the four of you, Teacher, there is at most Nara Kashan, the Jonin Squad Leader who barely has any presence."

"The First passed it to the Second, the Second passed it to his disciple, Teacher, and the other three disciples hold seats alongside him."

"The Nara Clan is also Teacher's core base. Where is there any room left for anyone else?"

"If you were a jonin and saw this situation, setting aside whether you would feel dissatisfied, with your path of advancement blocked, other feelings would inevitably grow in your heart."

Jiraiya opened his mouth.

"You, a Hokage's disciple, don't want to become Hokage. That is your personal freedom, and I will not judge it further."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "But do you know how many ninja clans would sell everything they own for the identity you have?"

Tsunade unconsciously twisted her fingers together.

Although her grandfather, Second Granduncle, and teacher had already done all the work she would need to do in this lifetime while serving as Hokage.

Still, hearing those words left a strange feeling in her heart...

"Good boy! No wonder you managed to gather a whole crowd of supporters!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled as he scolded Orochimaru, then nodded. "What Orochimaru said is basically correct."

"The village's avenues for advancement are too limited. We need to mobilize the enthusiasm of the major ninja clans and Commoner Ninja, and show them our sincerity."

Jiraiya nodded. With his relatively simple mind, he immediately liked the sound of such a policy. "Does this mean letting other ninja clans enter the leadership too? I support it!"

Tsunade frowned slightly. "Then do we accept the Uchiha Clan? And the Hyuga Clan? What if they gain power but still continue doing whatever they want?"

"It might even fuel their ambitions."

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade in surprise. He had assumed this woman spent her days studying medical arts, gambling, and drinking. She actually had such a sharp mind?

Orochimaru's pupils narrowed into slits like a snake's. "This is a serious matter. If we wait until they enter the leadership and begin subversive activities, even if we eliminate them then, the village will suffer severe losses."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru with satisfaction.

He understood research, was powerful, and could keep up with his train of thought...

What a useful assistant.

And what Orochimaru wanted, at least for now, was support for his research and the position of heir apparent.

That did not conflict with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

At least, not for the moment.

"We need a tiered structure. Not only among the four decision-makers; we must also establish a new channel for promotion among the jonin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, "Among the slightly more than one hundred jonin, establish a new tier of around twenty people."

"These twenty shinobi should receive better treatment than ordinary jonin. Those with administrative ability should be brought into management and given the authority to participate in and propose village affairs."

"Those unwilling to participate in administration, such as those skilled in frontal combat, should instead receive subsidies in combat resources."

"In this way, we solve the problem of advancement channels for most jonin."

"As for the purity of the members..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, "I, the Hokage, will designate the list of candidates, and the main voting body will also be jonin. I will not allow any problems in this process."

Jiraiya blinked. "But Hyuga and Uchiha people will have to occupy seats too, right? After all, if we ignore them, then this..."

Tsunade nodded slightly.

Jiraiya had put it bluntly, but if the Hyuga and Uchiha were once again excluded from this reform, it might instead intensify the conflict between those two clans and the village.

After all, they could not become decision-makers, and now they could not even become core jonin?

But Orochimaru seemed to have thought of something. His eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with burning intensity. "Teacher, had you already considered this?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded.

"Considered what? Don't speak in riddles, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya impatiently leaned close to Orochimaru, until their faces were nearly touching. "Just say it!"

"You're too close, idiot Jiraiya."

Orochimaru pushed Jiraiya away in disgust, though a smile lingered on his lips. "It's simple. Put the ninja from prominent clans who support the village, or who can only draw close to the village, on the list."

"Do you remember? Teacher publicly allowed Hizashi Hyuga to join the Anbu... As a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, he has accepted the Hokage's protection, making him one of the best candidates."

Tsunade understood as well and slammed a fist on the table.

"No, what did you guys figure out?" Jiraiya also slammed the table. "Are you deliberately leaving me out? Isn't he from the Hyuga Branch Family? He has the Caged Bird on his head..."

"Who would dare use the Caged Bird on Anbu directly under the Hokage?"

Orochimaru chuckled, his eyes growing increasingly excited. "Are they trying to pry into village secrets, or plotting rebellion? The Hyuga Main Branch absolutely does not have that kind of nerve."

Tsunade took over. "That's right. So long as Hizashi Hyuga, as a Branch Family member, faces off against the Main Branch without being punished, he will naturally become a third force within the Hyuga Clan."

At last, Jiraiya understood. He said in sudden realization,

"Behind him will stand an endless stream of Hyuga Branch Family members, and they will have to support the Old Man because they need the Hokage's protection."

"As for the other neutral ninja clans, they only lack a path for advancement. They will not oppose Teacher, who is opening that path for them..."

Jiraiya bared his teeth and sighed repeatedly. "Man, I really can't be Hokage... Old Man, how did you come up with all this?"

Tsunade took a swig of wine and laughed loudly. "Yeah, it feels like your heart is as black as Second Granduncle's, just like Grandfather used to say!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help laughing either.

When the First was still around, he had loved rejecting the Second's proposals whenever he could, saying that the Second's heart was not honest enough...

"As for the Uchiha Clan, I have not found a suitable candidate yet. We'll first look for the Dove Faction on the surface."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said,

"Until a suitable candidate appears, I will not let them enter the highest level. Besides, among the seven seats I currently envision for the highest level, there is no rush to fill them all."

"Me, Danzo, and Orochimaru; one selected from the neutral ninja clans; and Sakumo to represent the Commoner Ninja."

"For the remaining two seats, let this leverage of interests foster Dove Faction forces among the Hyuga and Uchiha..."

Jiraiya shuddered for no apparent reason.

Fortunately, he did not come from any ninja clan and had been lucky enough to be accepted by his teacher. He did not need to get involved in such matters.

"Wait, Teacher, Stinky Snake is entering the leadership too?" Jiraiya belatedly cried out. "Hey, don't assign me to work under him!"

"Teacher, it's an excellent design."

Orochimaru struggled to suppress the upward curve of his lips.

His teacher had casually given him a seat. That meant he had always held a place in his heart.

"Shouldn't Orochimaru be included?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Jiraiya with a chuckle.

"He should..."

Jiraiya had wanted to argue, but thinking of how Orochimaru's ideas aligned so closely with his teacher's, he stubbornly said, "Hmph, it's only because I can't be bothered to handle these things."

"The system is a good one."

Orochimaru said, "But how will it be implemented, Teacher? Whether it is subsidies for jonin or provisions for the elderly, all of it requires resources and money..."

"Is the village's treasury sufficient? Or is the Daimyo Mansion willing to provide additional funding?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Orochimaru an approving look.

Though it sounded like he was pouring cold water on the idea, it was a genuinely practical point.

Castles in the air did not count. Everything had to proceed from a practical and realistic standpoint.

"That's right. Without money and resources, no matter how good the system is, it cannot be implemented."

"So we need to generate revenue first, then reform..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Who is the richest in the Land of Fire?"

"That would naturally be the daimyo," Jiraiya answered without thinking.

"Correct, but the daimyo is merely the single richest person. In terms of social class, the Nobles of all ranks in the Land of Fire are the wealthiest..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Jiraiya thought for a moment, and his gaze gradually turned wary. "Teacher, you're not planning to kill all those Nobles, are you?"

This time, Tsunade could not hold it in either. "Jiraiya, are you trying to kill my family? Are you going to slap them with a label of lacking the Will of Fire before you kill them too?"

"My grandfather's and father's descendants are among them!"

Jiraiya waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, that's not what I meant. I was afraid Teacher might be too extreme..."

Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi burst out laughing.

"Our population is not large enough to take over the Land of Fire's entire system. Declaring all-out war against the Nobles would not be worth the cost."

"It would also drive the Nobles into enemy countries. The daimyos of those enemy nations would then fully support the other Hidden Villages because of such an attitude, which would only strengthen our enemies."

"Besides, as Tsunade said, the Daimyo Mansion contains the family members of Hokages."

The subtle relationship between the Daimyo Mansion and the Hidden Villages was not only because the intense situation in the shinobi world affected the populations of the Hidden Villages, requiring them to maintain a relative unity with one another.

It was also because the Daimyo Mansion had absorbed some of the family members of each village's "Kage."

A single hair is pulled, and the whole body is affected.

"So, we need to make these Nobles willingly hand over their money..."

"And this step will depend on you!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly. He produced a clump of dirt from his palm and placed it on the table. "Do you know what this is?"

Jiraiya and Tsunade looked at each other. This time, even Orochimaru wore a puzzled expression.

"It's dirt, isn't it, Sensei?" Jiraiya said uncertainly.

"This is Konoha's Specialized Healthcare Pill, developed through research into Lord Hashirama's Self-Healing Gene and the refinement of the scrolls left behind by Lord Tobirama, with contributions from Tsunade, the Shinobi World's number one medical ninja, and Orochimaru, a research expert..."

"Safety-tested by Lady Mito Uzumaki, wholeheartedly recommended by the three great Holy Lands—Ryūchi Cave, Mount Myoboku, and Shikkotsu Forest—it gently nourishes the body, prolongs life, eliminates hidden ailments, and even replenishes vitality and warms the yang!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said this with utmost seriousness.