A classic lives on

Nawaki had missed the best window for treatment. In the days following his surgery, his injuries had stabilized.

Even if he recovered completely, Nawaki's body could no longer support a ninja's life. He could only live as an ordinary person from now on, so Tsunade was researching regenerative techniques that restored the body rather than healing Medical Ninjutsu.

Tsunade felt she bore no small share of responsibility for what had happened to Nawaki. If she had not given him their grandfather's necklace, he would not have gotten so excited that he failed to notice the trap.

That was why Tsunade was so desperate to develop a regenerative technique. It would give Nawaki a chance to become a ninja again.

"Kushina, are you out of money again?"

Seeing Kushina fidgeting, looking as though she wanted to say something but could not bring herself to speak, Tsunade guessed that she needed a favor. But within the village, spending money was probably the only thing Kushina would need to ask her for.

Still, wasn't she spending far too much? Chocolate might have something to do with it, but hadn't she just given Kushina a hundred thousand ryo a few days ago?

"It's because I caused a little trouble today."

Kushina hesitated for a moment, but under Tsunade's gaze, she finally told her what had happened that day.

The corner of Tsunade's mouth kept twitching as she listened. What kind of precious wooden board cost a hundred thousand ryo? A few hundred ryo should have been the absolute limit. And the concealed weapon Kushina described might have been amazing, but it could not possibly have cost that much either. That foolish girl had simply been swindled by that fellow.

Still, judging by Kushina's account, the man was rather timid. After a scare like that from Kushina, a panicked reaction was hardly surprising.

Tsunade suddenly thought of cats. Those creatures grew wary around strangers, and someone approaching them could trigger a stress response. It was exactly like Karn's behavior. He had probably taken all of Kushina's money to teach her a lesson, too. Otherwise, her pranks would only get more outrageous.

"Never mind. Consider this a lesson, but you've already spent your allowance for the month after next, too. You'll have to be frugal from now on."

Tsunade found her wallet and gave Kushina fifty thousand ryo. Although she had not been taking missions lately, the hospital paid her a substantial allowance. Besides, many nobles from the Land of Fire came to Konoha for treatment, and custom dictated that they give generous sums to the Medical Ninja who treated them.

Tsunade was the most famous among them. Her Medical Ninjutsu was already the best in Konoha.

If she had not been juggling Medical System Reform and her research into regenerative techniques, earning money would have been effortless with the speed at which she treated patients.

After receiving the money, Kushina left happily. If she could ask Tsunade for it, she would not need to go to Grandma Mito.

During his time in Konoha, Karn had funded the orphanages, found Yakushi Nonō and invested in her, restocked several shops, and opened an arcade. A barbecue restaurant and an izakaya were also in the works.

Konoha had approached Karn for another shipment of medicine, though the order was smaller than the previous two. More than a month had passed since the last shipment, so it was only to be expected that their supplies were running low.

While purchasing the medicine, however, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly asked, "Mr. Karn, I heard you were planning to donate to the orphanages recently."

"Yes, that's right. Having spent so long traveling as a merchant, I've seen far too many tragedies involving homeless children, so I wanted to do something. It isn't much money, but as long as it gives them enough food and warm clothes, that's enough."

Karn spoke with a sigh, playing his war-weariness to perfection. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help letting out a quiet sigh at the expression on his face.

"This should have been Konoha's responsibility, yet we've ended up troubling you with it, Mr. Karn. As Hokage, I've truly failed in my duty."

"There's no need to say that, Third Hokage. I'm only making a modest contribution. It's nothing."

Karn's words left Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat at a loss. Three orphanages cost a million and a half ryo a month, eighteen million a year, and that was without even knowing how long Karn would support them. In his place, Hiruzen would never have been willing to allocate so much of Konoha's money. That was enough to cover three months of equipment expenses for the ANBU.

Afterward, Hiruzen Sarutobi made a few indirect inquiries about Kushina, but Karn feigned ignorance and answered naturally. She was an ordinary little girl who happened to have quite a bit of money.

Karn did not spend long in the Hokage Building, but most of the questions concerned Kushina. That was enough to reveal Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions that day.

Still, only a handful of people in Konoha knew Kushina's secret. Mito Uzumaki had also personally said that Karn "harbored no ill intent," and there were his recent donations to the orphanages and his medicine business to consider. Hiruzen Sarutobi did not press him further. Once Mitokado Homura finished the handover, he smiled and had the ANBU escort Karn out.

After Karn left, a man emerged from a side door in the Hokage's Office. It was Danzo, who had only recently returned from the front lines.

"Danzo, you heard everything just now. Stop being so suspicious."

Danzo said coldly, "Hiruzen, there's no harm in being cautious. Tsunade encountered this man on the battlefield in the Land of Rain. Whatever the circumstances, we must remain wary of him. Kushina is the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. It would be best not to let him get too close to her."

"That still depends on Kushina. Are you going to control her movements?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo before continuing, "Karn doesn't spend much time in Konoha, and even when he's here, he rarely goes out. We can't forbid Kushina from visiting the sweet shop, can we? If that's what you have in mind, go speak to Lady Mito yourself."

Danzo was stumped. How could he dare bring this up with Lady Mito? If he actually went, she would certainly scold him for making a fuss over nothing. Besides, his real intention was to have Root begin training Kushina Uzumaki as soon as possible. That way, once she became a jinchūriki, she could wield the tailed beast's power, and Konoha would not be without a strategic deterrent in the next war.

But as long as Mito Uzumaki was alive, she would never allow Danzo to have contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Danzo did not even want to see Mito Uzumaki.

"Hiruzen, the Sand Ninja didn't deploy their tailed beast this time because they couldn't determine the status of Konoha's Nine-Tails. If they learn that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki can't take to the battlefield, then when another war breaks out, Konoha Ninja will have to face the tailed beast jinchūriki of other villages!"

Danzo spoke to Hiruzen with forceful conviction. If they did not start training Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki early, it would be too late when the next war came.

"I have my own plans for that. Danzo, Root's duties are to train personnel for the ANBU and carry out missions outside the village. Do not interfere in anything else!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his voice slightly as he addressed Danzo. At this point, he was still the Shinobi Hero, not the indecisive Third Hokage he would become decades later.

"I am the Hokage now. I will handle the matter of Kushina and Karn."

At those words, Danzo secretly gritted his teeth. Hadn't he merely hesitated a little too long back then? That alone had cost him the position of Hokage. Teacher Tobirama, choosing Hiruzen as Hokage will prove to be your greatest mistake!

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this."