Time passed little by little, and Shihōin Naraku's influence within the ANBU expanded rapidly. He personally secured funding from Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi to improve the members' benefits, and with all the equipment upgrades and maintenance, the ANBU could be said to have undergone a complete transformation.
As a result, Shihōin Naraku established a firm foothold in the ANBU in an extremely short time and developed a faction of his own.
As the ANBU Deputy Captain, Naraku did not need to go out as frequently as the other members. Only for particularly important and dangerous missions would he personally lead a team.
He had been so busy upon first joining the ANBU mainly because he was familiarizing himself with its working methods and getting to know his subordinates. Once things were on track, his schedule became less demanding.
With matters in the ANBU settled for the time being, Naraku turned his attention to the Medical Department. After all, he still held the position of Deputy Head of the Medical Department.
"Lord Naraku, this is the detailed intelligence on the Medical Emergency Response Unit's recent situation."
"Elders Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu have begun placing people in Konoha Hospital. So far, they only hold positions in the administrative departments, but both elders have already shown signs of trying to win over medical ninja."
"On the emergency response unit's side, Yashiro Ao initially tried to get his hands on the medical funds, but he failed. I blocked him."
"I thought Yashiro Ao would continue testing the waters, but instead, he unexpectedly turned his attention to the Medical Laboratory. I believe he has someone helping him inside the laboratory, but I haven't found out who yet!"
Shihōin Naraku finished reading the documents in his hands. He was very satisfied with his subordinate's work, and a smile appeared on his face.
"You've done well. Keep it up."
"Yes, sir!"
"As for the laboratory..."
"Just continue investigating in secret. Don't draw attention to it for now."
"Yes!"
Having finished his report, his trusted subordinate turned and left. Immediately afterward, someone else appeared before Naraku.
The person who came to see Naraku was Tsume Inuzuka of the Inuzuka Clan. She was also the mother of Kiba Inuzuka, one of the Konoha Konoha 12.
Tsume Inuzuka led the Medical Department's Animal Care Unit. Its name made its purpose clear, so its leader had always been a ninja from the Inuzuka Clan, without exception. After all, dealing with ninja beasts was that clan's specialty.
This unit also had the lowest profile of any organization within the Medical Department, keeping an even lower profile than the Corpse Disposal Unit.
As such, Tsume Inuzuka did not have much work to report on, and she soon left.
And the third person to appear in Naraku's office was-
Kabuto Yakushi!
The leader of the Corpse Disposal Unit!
In the original storyline, Kabuto Yakushi was following Orochimaru's orders at this point in time, hiding within Konoha's Medical Department while learning Medical Ninjutsu and gathering intelligence for Orochimaru. To avoid attracting attention, he also deliberately suppressed his abilities and failed the Chunin Ninja Exams seven consecutive times.
But Naraku did not care what plans Orochimaru had. He hauled Kabuto Yakushi straight over to his side and began training him. By now, Kabuto Yakushi had become a Jonin of Konoha and was also managing the Corpse Disposal Unit.
Kabuto Yakushi had also brought Naraku substantial returns. Not only did he work diligently under Naraku and contribute to the development of the Medical Emergency Response Unit, but most importantly, Naraku had obtained a considerable amount of intelligence about Shimura Danzō from him.
"Lord Naraku!"
Kabuto Yakushi stood respectfully before Naraku and presented the documents with both hands.
Naraku looked at the documents in his hands, then asked directly.
"Yashiro Ao came to see you!"
"Yes!"
Kabuto Yakushi had not expected to hide it and admitted it outright.
The person Yashiro Ao had gone to see at the Medical Laboratory was indeed him.
Naraku did not question him further. It was perfectly normal for Yashiro Ao to approach Kabuto Yakushi, because Kabuto himself was a triple agent, with Shihōin Naraku, Shimura Danzō, and Orochimaru behind him.
Glancing at Kabuto Yakushi, Naraku asked with apparent casualness, "Has Master Orochimaru contacted you recently?"
"We were in contact just a day ago. We only exchanged experimental data."
Naraku knew that Orochimaru had already begun his Konoha Crush Plan at this point. He simply did not know how much Kabuto Yakushi currently knew.
"Starting today, cut off contact with Orochimaru. You are no longer allowed to send him data from the Medical Laboratory."
"Yes!"
Naraku knew that although Kabuto Yakushi agreed aloud, he would certainly continue exchanging intelligence with Orochimaru in secret. But Naraku was only saying it so that if this connection ever came to light in the future, it would not reflect badly on him.
Naraku had personally established the Konoha Medical Laboratory, primarily to develop various new forms of Medical Ninjutsu. It was also a place for Konoha's medical ninja to conduct experiments.
Orochimaru had always thought highly of Naraku. Unfortunately, he had not taken Naraku with him when he defected, so when he learned that Naraku had established a Medical Laboratory, he immediately took an interest. Through Kabuto Yakushi, he learned about most of the Medical Ninjutsu developed and improved by the laboratory, along with its other results.
Of course, if that had been all there was to it, Naraku would have killed Kabuto Yakushi long ago. In exchange, Orochimaru's knowledge and results were also passed back to Naraku through Kabuto Yakushi.
This secret exchange could also be considered a tacit understanding.
Both Naraku and Orochimaru benefited from it, but neither would acknowledge it.
Now, however, Naraku had personally severed that connection. One reason was that the Konoha Crush Plan was about to unfold. The other was that, with the Promotion System, he no longer had to worry about improving his strength. There was no need to keep playing with fire alongside Orochimaru.
"You young people have so many ideas. An old man like me can barely keep up."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the document Shihōin Naraku had given him and began reading it with a cheerful smile.
"Split up the Medical Emergency Response Unit?"
As Hiruzen Sarutobi read the document, his expression turned serious. After going through it for a general understanding, he closed his eyes and thought for a while before saying hesitantly, "This is a little sudden. The Medical Emergency Response Unit has a great deal riding on it right now. If we do this..."
"It's not really sudden. The Medical Emergency Response Unit should have been split up long ago."
"Right now, the emergency response unit not only manages Konoha Hospital, the laboratory, and numerous other medical institutions, but it also handles medical matters for all the ninja in Konoha. The whole organization is too bloated."
Naraku spread his hands and laid out his reasons.
In truth, the Medical Emergency Response Unit should have been split up after its rapid expansion. But Naraku had been in charge back then, and he certainly was not going to weaken his own authority for no reason.
Things were different now. Splitting up the Medical Emergency Response Unit would benefit him.
"First, we need to establish a new Convalescent Center to serve the Daimyo, nobles, and wealthy merchants of the various countries, so they stop complaining about being unhappy sharing a place with commoners. This would also eliminate security risks..."
"The Medical Laboratory also needs to be relocated. Its current location has too many different people coming and going. Somewhere more secluded and quiet would be suitable..."
"Because of their identities and other reasons, many ninja aren't suited to receiving treatment in a hospital open to the public. Security is just as important as confidentiality..."
"The medical ninja training institution established by Lady Tsunade also needs improvement. The village still has too few medical ninja..."
Shihōin Naraku laid out his entire plan in an uninterrupted stream. By the time he reached the later points, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes had widened, and he did not know how to react.
"Your suggestions are excellent. Let's do as you propose."
Coming back to his senses, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Naraku, who had finally finished speaking, and breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately agreed.
He might not understand the technical matters as well as Naraku, but after decades as Hokage, he could still see how much Konoha would benefit if the Medical Emergency Response Unit were reformed according to Naraku's plan.
Of course, if the plan described in the document was truly completed, Naraku's prestige in Konoha would certainly rise to another level.
"Tsunade found herself a fine student."
Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt rather pleased. After all, Shihōin Naraku was also a talented member of the Hokage's faction.
"But this also makes things troublesome. Naraku now fully meets the requirements to become Hokage."
Strength, experience, prestige, and connections-Shihōin Naraku lacked none of them!
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself did not think he had possessed Naraku's current qualifications when he first took office.
But with that, a faint worry arose in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart. If Naraku truly became Hokage, would there be anyone who could keep him in check?
The thought had arisen because Hiruzen Sarutobi had sensed a threat from Shihōin Naraku!
In fact, if Naraku had not been Tsunade's student and a junior member of the Hokage's faction, covert suppression would already have begun.
Hatake Sakumo's rise back then had been terrifyingly swift, and Shimura Danzō had therefore moved to suppress him, driving him to suicide. Had Hiruzen Sarutobi truly known nothing?
Perhaps it was possible that Hatake Sakumo had also posed a threat to the Third Hokage back then!
Before you continue