Searching for Tsunade

"Forget it. There's nothing I can do right now. I can only figure it out slowly."

Unable to come up with anything, Chentian decided not to make things difficult for himself and instead focused on maxing out his ninjutsu proficiency first.

Then he would look for chances to pick up more cards and improve his strength, little by little.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since the last incident. During that time, several of Chentian's ninjutsu had reached perfection.

Minato's position as Hokage had become even more secure, and even Hiruzen Sarutobi rarely continued to interfere.

It could be said that he had gained control over most of Konoha's power and was finally starting to look like a Hokage.

But Chentian knew this was only temporary. As long as the opportunity arose, those clowns would still jump out.

Besides that, Orochimaru had built a laboratory not far from the Hokage Building.

Unlike before, this laboratory, built under Chentian's supervision, was grand and impressive, just like a modern laboratory.

Rather than feeling oppressive upon entering, it instead stirred one's curiosity.

Inside the laboratory, Orochimaru diligently conducted all sorts of chemistry and physics experiments, his face full of delighted surprise.

From time to time, he would pick up several books beside him and glance through them. Words such as "Junior High Physics" and "Junior High Chemistry" were written on their covers.

Chentian had written every one of them himself. Since he had forgotten some things, he could only write down whatever he remembered.

Some of it might not even have reached junior high level, while some was even at the university level.

"How is it? Any leads?"

Just then, Chentian set down the game console Orochimaru had made, a sly glint flashing through his eyes.

Without even turning his head, Orochimaru said, "Yes. Though I haven't fully grasped it yet, my instincts tell me there are secrets to immortality within this!"

Now it was Chentian's turn to be dumbfounded. Since when could science make people immortal?

Back when he had wanted to keep Orochimaru around, he had promised him a path to immortality.

He had figured Orochimaru did not know what science was anyway, so a little bluffing would do the trick.

Afterward, he had handed over technology from his previous life to Orochimaru and told him to research it for Konoha's benefit.

Yet before Orochimaru had even finished reading the textbooks he wrote, he actually dared to say something like this.

If he remembered correctly, even the highly advanced technology of his previous life seemed incapable of such a thing, right?

But after thinking it over, Chentian accepted it.

The technology of his previous life had been advanced, but it had never reached its limits. No one knew what lay at the end of science.

Perhaps the immortality Orochimaru spoke of really could be achieved.

Still, accomplishing something like that would probably take a very long time, but Chentian did not wish to dampen Orochimaru's enthusiasm.

If he continued researching, once all kinds of products began appearing, who knew how prosperous Konoha would become!

It was worth mentioning that Rin Nohara, the Three-Tails' jinchuriki, had also joined the laboratory and become Orochimaru's assistant.

While Chentian remained unaware, a series of coincidental events unfolded throughout the shinobi world. The plotlines he had disrupted outside Konoha all began gradually correcting themselves.

With Rin Nohara gone, White Zetsu transformed into her appearance and successfully deceived Obito Uchiha into awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Afterward, Madara Uchiha stormed into the Hidden Mist Village with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. After controlling Yagura, he erased his memories.

Not long after leaving the Hidden Mist Village, Madara Uchiha went to the Pure Land, leaving Obito to watch over Nagato for him.

But Madara did not notice that, as he departed, a civilian had accidentally witnessed everything.

After learning the secret, the man intended to report it to the ninja authorities. But as he walked, he forgot what he had seen, then forgot where he had been going.

Scratching the back of his head in confusion, the civilian staggered home.

Not long afterward, Obito Uchiha, blinded by hatred, arrived at the Hidden Mist Village. Everything returned to the course of the original story.

Through the efforts of Black Zetsu and Madara Uchiha, news of Rin Nohara was completely concealed.

However, the same events had not occurred in Konoha, where Chentian was, and he still knew nothing about them.

During this time, Chentian and Minato were at the height of their popularity in Konoha. Every commoner spoke well of them.

After Minato took control of power, Chentian made some changes to Konoha's ninja missions.

Now, ninja in Konoha often accepted agricultural missions such as watering crops and tilling fields. The work was easy and safe, and the pay was not low, either.

This policy was deeply loved by those weak chūnin.

Cast a Water Release to water the crops, then use Earth Release to till the fields. Hearing the amazed cries of the civilians around them, they felt extraordinarily satisfied.

As a result, Konoha's ninja had practically merged with the common people. Class divisions slowly began to fade, making Minato happy for quite some time.

Besides that, there was Konoha's financial situation.

In just a month, Minato discovered that perhaps, possibly, maybe Konoha no longer needed the daimyo's military funding and could become completely self-sufficient!

Under these circumstances, Chentian informed Minato and left Konoha.

Konoha might be flourishing now, but it was only on the surface. Deep down, it remained rotten to the core.

That was why he planned to bring Tsunade and Jiraiya back. By then, probably no one would dare to jump out again.

Fine, that was a little fake. Chentian's real purpose was to find the greatest medical ninja in the shinobi world and see whether she had a way to improve his body's potential.

With Orochimaru completely out of ideas, Tsunade was the only person Chentian could think of.

As for Jiraiya, he was merely an extra. If he brought him back and saw him every day, maybe he would manage to pick up Sage Mode?

Since he did not know where Tsunade was now, Chentian went from city to city, asking around for the whereabouts of the Big Fat Sheep.

His first stop was the capital of the Land of Fire!

After arriving, he was in no hurry. He spent some time properly sightseeing before beginning his search through the casinos.

Just as he expected, Tsunade was indeed not here.

After asking the gamblers for information, Chentian continued on his way.

But not long after leaving the capital, Chentian realized that someone seemed to be watching him.

There were too many people in the city for him to identify who was following him, so he swaggered out of the Land of Fire's capital.

Since I can't find you, I'll make you come out on your own!

With that thought in mind, Chentian headed wherever there were fewer people.

Only after traveling ten li from the capital of the Land of Fire did someone finally step out in front of him.

"Kakuzu!"

Seeing the familiar outfit of the newcomer, Chentian was somewhat surprised.

Other than lacking the black cloak with red clouds—the uniform he would wear in the future—he looked exactly like Kakuzu.

"You actually know me?"