Use plant names at work!

The Hokage Building 'Assembly Hall.

Kagami Uchiha sat in the main seat. Today's meeting was the core meeting of Konoha, where all the village's high-ranking officials had gathered together.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were not present; the former was stationed in the Western border region of Konoha, while the latter was on the front lines coordinating all the war efforts in the Land of Rain.

Those present were all powerful figures in Konoha: Utatane Koharu, who was in charge of the Medical Department, and her deputy, Mitokado Homura; Shikata Nara, who was in charge of the finance department; and the Three Great Elders of Konoha, representing the three major ninja clans.

Senju Bu and Tokuma Hyuga were all quite old, while Uchiha Setsuna looked energetic and vigorous.

It's said that good fortune brings a cheerful spirit. More than a decade has passed since Kagami Uchiha became Hokage. Although the Uchiha Clan has lost most of the power in the village's Military Police Force, the core of the village still belongs to them: Hokage Uchiha Clan Kagami Uchiha, Elder Uchiha Setsuna, and Shadow Guard Captain Uchiha Tsukiyama...

Whenever he thought of these events, Uchiha Setsuna would feel a secret sense of satisfaction. He even forgave Tobirama Senju, whom he had hated his whole life.

As a result, nowadays, every time he sees Tobirama's Hokage Faces Yan, he can't help but smile from the bottom of his heart.

Although Tobirama Senju committed countless evil deeds and lived a treacherous life, his choice of successor was truly wise!

Inside the Assembly Hall, the people stood on either side, their expressions solemn, and the atmosphere was slightly tense.

Everyone knows that whenever the Lord Hokage holds such a formal meeting, he always announces some new decisions; similarly, it may also harm the interests of some people. In short, every high-level meeting always produces some amusing moments.

But Hiruzen and Danzo aren't here today, so it probably won't be as exciting.

Kagami Uchiha tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his expression calm, and slowly said, "Let them in."

As he finished speaking, the Meeting Room doors swung open, and several figures entered: Hatake Sakumo, Hiruko, and Orochimaru stepped into the hall one after another.

Looking at the three people who entered, Kagami Uchiha gently raised his hand and said calmly, "The three of you, sit down."

He then turned to the other high-ranking officials and introduced them, "Hatake Sakumo, as the deputy commander of the Western garrison, is representing Hiruzen at this meeting; Orochimaru Danzo."

You're probably familiar with their faces, aren't you?

At this point, he pointed to the most unfamiliar of the three, Hiruko, stood up, and solemnly introduced him:

"As for this one, Hiruko, he currently serves as the head of the Konoha Research Institute, a position with authority equivalent to that of other major department heads."

Some of you know him, some don't, that doesn't matter, you'll all get to know each other today.

"Oh, by the way, he's also my newly accepted disciple."

At this point, he casually instructed Hatake Sakumo, "Sakumo, don't forget to take your junior brother to cultivate a relationship after the meeting."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the high-ranking officials present showed surprise. Only Hatake Sakumo immediately replied respectfully to Kagami Uchiha, "Master, I understand." Then he nodded Hiruko to Hiruko.

Uchiha Setsuna's usually cold and stern face softened into a smile. His expression was calm and friendly as he spoke, "Since he's the Lord Hokage's new disciple, we should all welcome him. Let's all congratulate this fortunate junior."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took the lead and raised his hands to clap gently, followed by a burst of uneven applause in the Meeting Room.

Uchiha Setsuna thought to himself, since he was Kagami's disciple, he had to show his support. After all, the Hokage's disciples were all disciples of the Uchiha Clan, so they weren't outsiders.

"Alright, from now on, Hiruko will also be required to attend village-level meetings as usual."

"Now, let's begin today's meeting topic. Hiruko, you may speak."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Hiruko replied loudly, his expression filled with excitement.

This was his first time attending a high-level meeting in the village, and his teacher had just introduced him, his new disciple, to everyone.

He didn't care about being a minister or anything like that; what mattered was his teacher's approval. However, he didn't want to end up like his senior, Sakumo, who referred to himself as a plant during work, lacking even that basic political awareness.

I heard that the teacher is planning to groom him to be the next Hokage. In my opinion, his senior's Hokage Position are probably in jeopardy...

However, his academic friend Orochimaru behaved in a very organized and reasonable manner, proving himself to be a man he respected.

Thinking of this, Hiruko and said with a solemn expression, "Everyone, I, Hiruko, am honored by the Lord Hokage's favor and appointed as the head of the Konoha Research Institute. After so many years of hard work and research, I have finally lived up to the Lord Hokage's expectations and achieved some results." With that, he stood up and bowed respectfully to Kagami Uchiha.

He then unfolded the scroll in his hand and placed it on the table, looked around, and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, our research institute has thoroughly mastered the topic of Kekkei Genkai Factor."

"A few days ago, we successfully conducted experiments on humans. Currently, Konoha has dozens more Steel Release Kekkei Genkai Ninja and Swift Release Kekkei Genkai Ninja."

"In other words, our Artificial Kekkei Genkai Ninja Project has succeeded. Next, we only need to cultivate these two Kekkei Genkai Factor in large quantities, and we will soon be able to mass-produce ninjas with these two Kekkei Genkai!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru, looking surprised, couldn't help but ask, "It really worked?"

Hiruko did not answer, but turned to Orochimaru and nodded emphatically.

As Hiruko, a commotion immediately broke out in the entire Assembly Hall.

Mitokado Homura frowned, his expression full of surprise and doubt. "Artificial Kekkei Genkai Ninja? Lord Hokage, since ancient times, apart from those with Kekkei Genkai have all been passed down through the bloodline inheritance of ninja clans."

"Could such a secret technique harbor huge hidden dangers? For example, could it affect the lifespan of a ninja, or cause physical disabilities?"

Shikata Nara stroked the pen in his hand, his expression serious, and added, "If Artificial Kekkei Genkai Ninja could be mass-produced, Konoha's combat power would undergo a dramatic change; however, the risks are equally significant. If the modified ninjas suffer uncontrollable backlash or go out of control, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Tokuma Hyuga sat in his seat, his mind in turmoil. His years of experience in meetings told him that if he dared to speak, someone would surely criticize him. But this matter concerned the future of all the Kekkei Genkai Clan in Konoha, and even Uchiha Setsuna might not support him.

If the artificial bloodline limit is truly as Hiruko, successfully overcoming all difficulties and achieving stable and safe technology, then what will happen to the Hyuga's Byakugan?

The branch Branch Family ninjas had been increasingly dissatisfied with the Main Family in recent years. With the rebellious Shizuya Hyuga, and with Kagami Uchiha secretly backing them up, the Hyuga Clan had been quite unstable for many years.

Now there's Artificial Kekkei Genkai Ninja Project? Does that mean the Hyuga Main Family still has a reason to exist? He doesn't know what other ninja clans think, but for the Hyuga Clan, this is blatant digging up their roots. They absolutely cannot let this project proceed, otherwise, not only the Hyuga, but the status of all the ninja clans in Konoha in the future will be impacted.

Thinking this, his gaze fixed on Hiruko, his expression cold, he shouted loudly, "Lord Hokage! I do not agree to this plan!"

"Not only does our Hyuga Clan disagree, but all the ninja clans of Konoha will disagree."

At this point, he turned to look at Uchiha Setsuna beside him and said coldly, "Would you agree, Elder Setsuna? No, Uchiha Setsuna!"