Long Time No See

After returning home, Shiraishi Yoshijo took out a map and began to observe it carefully.

He immediately ruled out the five great nations and began searching through the smaller countries, looking for a suitable place.

Since he intended to take his clansmen away, he naturally had to be responsible for their future livelihood.

However, after looking over the entire map, Shiraishi Yoshijo felt troubled.

It wasn't that there were no suitable countries; on the contrary, there were too many.

Excluding the five great nations, there were over thirty small countries in the entire ninja world.

This number was much higher than what he remembered from the Naruto series, and he estimated that quite a few of these nations would vanish during the future ninja wars.

Among them, more than ten countries had no ninja villages.

These ten or so countries were the primary objects of Shiraishi Yoshijo's focus.

After observing for a good while longer, he put away the map and began to think deeply.

It was certainly unrealistic to try and take his clansmen away right now.

Having never experienced true pain, they were still immersed in a sweet dream of peace.

Only when their dreams were shattered and they began to recognize reality would it be the right time for him to lead them away.

Before that, what he needed to do was to lull the Konoha high command into a false sense of security and extract as much nourishment from Konoha as possible.

He would definitely have to participate in the Second Shinobi World War.

When the time came, he would try his best to collect incriminating evidence against Danzo to use as proof to persuade his clansmen.

Then there was the issue of people dying on the battlefield.

In name, he was the clan head, but in reality, his control over his clansmen was not deep, relying more on past sentiments.

He used to think this was fine, but now he had to gather the clansmen who were scattered across various families.

This would not only facilitate management but, more importantly, allow him to identify some turncoats to send to their deaths.

Thinking of this, Shiraishi Yoshijo revealed a bitter smile.

In truth, there weren't really any turncoats; after all, the biggest turncoat was himself.

He had been in frequent contact with those clansmen over the past few years and could clearly feel that many of them no longer placed much importance on the concept of the clan.

Especially the younger generation; they might respect him, but in their hearts, they likely already considered themselves Konoha ninjas.

Humans were a species with a strong tendency toward assimilation.

Especially when faced with the Will of Fire, a brainwashing genjutsu that was practically a bug, they had absolutely no resistance.

Shiraishi Yoshijo began to sigh.

How could a selfish guy like him come up with the idea of taking his clansmen away? It was so unlike him.

He tossed the map aside and walked over to sit on a lounge chair in the courtyard.

As the warm sunlight shone down on him, Shiraishi Yoshijo took out a cigarette and began to smoke.

After finishing, he casually flicked the butt onto the ground, covered his face with his hands, and let out a heavy sigh.

The next day, Shiraishi Yoshijo was notified by the Anbu that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to see him.

Upon arriving at the Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose authority grew with each passing day, was in the middle of reprimanding Jiraiya.

Orochimaru and Tsunade stood to the side with sullen expressions on their faces.

Over the past few years, the Sannin had gained growing fame in Konoha and had now all been promoted to jonin.

Shiraishi Yoshijo hadn't taken the initiative to meet them since the incident at the underground training ground.

Or rather, he didn't like these three; he always subconsciously wanted to keep his distance from them.

Seeing Shiraishi Yoshijo enter wearing a butterfly mask, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped reprimanding Jiraiya.

"Hokage-sama, is there something you need me for?"

Seeing an Anbu member walk in, Jiraiya tactfully stood together with Orochimaru and Tsunade.

Because he was wearing a mask, they didn't recognize Shiraishi Yoshijo.

Moreover, they likely didn't know that Shiraishi Yoshijo was in the Anbu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have taken the initiative to inform the three of them about this matter either.

"Take off your mask; Orochimaru and the others are quite familiar with you."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say this, the three of them were quite curious about the identity of this Anbu member and all turned their gazes toward him.

When Shiraishi Yoshijo removed his mask, all three of them showed expressions of surprise.

Orochimaru: "Long time no see, Yoshijo-kun. I thought you were already dead."

Shiraishi Yoshijo raised an eyebrow, glanced at Orochimaru, and ignored him.

Tsunade said with a face full of resentment: "Tch, still as cold as ever."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly after seeing Shiraishi Yoshijo's cold attitude.

"Yoshijo, you have been in the Anbu for five years now. Have you thought about retiring?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo had actually already guessed why Hiruzen Sarutobi was looking for him when he arrived.

"It is true that I am a bit tired."

"I see. Then which department would you like to serve in after you leave the Anbu?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo had not thought about this question yet, so he hesitated and asked, "Which department does the Hokage hope I join?"

"I want you to become a jonin instructor. Are you willing?"

After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he took out three files and handed them to him.

Shiraishi Yoshijo took them and looked them over; they were the profiles of three kids who had just graduated.

One of them was even familiar—a member of his own clan.

Shiraishi Yoshijo was silent for a moment before handing the files back to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hokage-sama, let's forget it. I'll just go back to serving in the hospital."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned, a look of confusion in his eyes.

These three children were specifically chosen by him, and he had originally thought Shiraishi Yoshijo would definitely agree, yet he was rejected.

"Fine, I understand. As it happens, the captain of the Medical Team has stepped down, and since you were already registered with the Medical Team, go ahead and be the captain."

Captain of the Medical Team?

Before Shiraishi Yoshijo could even think it through, Tsunade stood up and shouted, "Master, I don't agree!"

Shiraishi Yoshijo could not figure out what kind of act this was.

He was indeed registered with the Medical Team; Hiruzen Sarutobi had told him to go to the hospital more often when he didn't have missions, but he had basically never gone.

He was very busy and had no time to treat patients at the hospital, so he knew nothing about the current Medical Team.

"Tsunade, Yoshijo's medical skills are absolutely beyond your imagination. He has saved many lives in the Anbu. If we are talking about qualifications, he is far better than you."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Shiraishi Yoshijo seemed to understand.

Does this woman Tsunade want to be the medical captain?

He did not know what Tsunade's current medical level was, but he had absolute confidence in his own medical skills.

"I understand, Hokage-sama. I will report to the Medical Team tomorrow."

After saying this, Shiraishi Yoshijo turned and left.

After the door to the Hokage's office closed, Tsunade continued to roar in frustration: "Do you have any idea how annoying this guy Shiraishi Yoshijo is? Besides, I don't believe his medical skills are higher than mine."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened.

"Tsunade, don't be so willful. Regarding Yoshijo's Ninjutsu, not to mention you, there is no one in the entire Konoha who can compare to him."

Orochimaru became interested: "Oh? I've never heard of that. How is his current strength?"

"A few days ago, he fought against Hanzo of the Salamander."

Jiraiya said in surprise: "Is it Hanzo of the Salamander from the Land of Rain? Does that guy already have that kind of strength?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, looking troubled: "This is only the strength he displayed. Sakumo said he definitely still has more hidden."

Tsunade: "Hiding his strength? Why would he do that?"

A playful look flashed in Orochimaru's eyes as he recalled that chance encounter at the Memorial Stone.

"I don't know. In any case, do not get into a conflict with him. Tsunade, if you don't want to work under him, then quit the Medical Team."

A vein popped on Tsunade's forehead; she was not the type of person to admit defeat so easily.