"There's one more thing. I'll be leaving Konoha in about two months."
Tsunade's face showed a rare hint of fatigue, but it was quickly replaced by seriousness.
"Before then, you must learn the Mystical Palm Technique and the Healing Seal you're currently using."
"Don't worry after I leave; I'll communicate with you or meet you regularly every so often."
Naraku's Ninjutsu talent was exceptionally high, surpassing anyone Tsunade had seen in years. With his aptitude, these requirements would be no trouble at all.
As for why Tsunade was leaving Konoha, the reason was obvious.
Konoha was already a place of sorrow for her. Her return to Konoha was not only at Sakumo's request to treat Naraku, but also because her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, was nearing the end of her days after the Nine-Tailed was extracted. She wanted to accompany her last remaining relative through the final journey of her life.
Given Uzumaki Mito's physical condition, she would likely last until the end of next month.
By then, she would have no relatives left.
Once her grandmother passed, and Naraku's condition stabilized, she would have no reason to stay, not even for half a day longer.
"Yes," Naraku replied seriously to the arrangement, without any dissatisfaction or objection, "I will work hard to achieve it."
...After Naraku left, a figure quietly emerged in the office where only Tsunade remained.
A slightly hoarse male voice spoke, carrying a relaxed familiarity between old acquaintances.
"If Jiraiya came back and found you had just left, would he pound his chest in frustration?"
"Who cares about him!"
Tsunade waved her hand impatiently, complaining, "Didn't I tell you I needed more time to consider? Your experiments might not even work on him."
The black-haired man slowly walked to Tsunade's desk. His pale skin looked as if it hadn't seen sunlight in many years, and his golden snake-like eyes were surrounded by purple eyeshadow.
"But ordinary methods are no longer effective for him. At most, he has a few years left; you know that in your heart."
"Tsk."
Tsunade tapped her fingers impatiently on the desk, looking at him suspiciously: "Orochimaru, are you really that kind-hearted? Even if he's Sakumo's student, it's not worth you proactively coming to help, is it?"
Orochimaru didn't mind Tsunade's attitude in the slightest, maintaining a polite smile on his face.
"We've been old acquaintances for many years, Tsunade."
"To be honest, my lab is short on funds."
"I imagine the Uchiha Clan won't easily give up on that child, especially since you believe he can learn Mystical Palm Technique and Healing Seal within two months—a genius with such extraordinary talent."
Tsunade rolled her eyes: "I knew it; you really don't do anything without a personal gain."
...The mission Minato and Kakashi were on was simple: escort a Merchant caravan out of the Land of Fire and hand them over to another team of Ninja once they entered the Land of Rain.
It was said that the Land of Rain had recently renovated two trade routes, allowing passage for a very low transit fee, which reduced transportation costs by 20-30% compared to before.
As soon as the news broke, it immediately attracted countless Merchants and vendors, big and small, who flocked there, making the perennially rainy Land of Rain suddenly bustling.
Caravans passed continuously on the roads, and some quick-witted Merchants from the Land of Rain had already started hotel and tavern businesses, earning a fortune.
Growing businesses required more employees, which in turn allowed many commoners to find work to support their families.
In a short time, the number of refugees in the Land of Rain sharply decreased, and the turbulent situation was slightly appeased.
"So that's how it is. The Daimyo of the Land of Rain is very far-sighted."
Minato, sitting in the carriage, listened to his employer's introduction and praised.
"The roads weren't built by the Daimyo of the Land of Rain."
The old employer chuckled and waved his hand, a thoughtful and reminiscent expression appearing on his face.
"It is said to be an organization called 'Akatsuki.' They completed it within half a month."
"Even now, they are still continuously expanding the roads."
"They are truly remarkable fellows, hahaha."
The old man laughed twice, his eyes catching sight of a worker fumbling with something. He quickly ran over and slapped the back of the fellow's head.
"Clumsy! You can't even tie a knot properly!"
Seeing that the employer would be busy for a while, Minato withdrew his gaze and quietly observed Kakashi, who was sitting on the other side.
He was vigilantly watching the other side of the road, guarding against any enemies or other things that might emerge.
"What do you think about this, Kakashi?"
Minato initiated the conversation, and he genuinely believed: "Using Ninja power to build roads and bridges is indeed very convenient; it's much faster than ordinary people without Chakra."
"Hmm, I did something like that when I was a Genin…"
Kakashi's words trailed off.
He and Naraku had once received a mission to help villagers from another village repair a road. If he hadn't known Earth Release, he didn't know how long they would have been working.
But even with Earth Release, both of them were covered in dust and grime when they returned home.
At that time, he was busy changing clothes and vaguely heard Naraku say… "The productivity of Ninja is much higher than that of ordinary people."
"Hmm? What productivity?"
Minato's question pulled Kakashi out of his memories, and he realized he had zoned out while talking to his senior, and had even subconsciously repeated Naraku's words.
"No, nothing." Kakashi quickly regained his mission-appropriate demeanor and apologized, lowering his head: "I'm sorry, Minato-senpai, I zoned out just now."
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
Minato smiled gently, his face showing curiosity: "But I'm more interested in the 'productivity' you just mentioned. Could you tell me about it?"
"Perhaps it just means that Ninja can accomplish more in the same amount of time?"
Kakashi averted his gaze, unconsciously rubbing the hilt of his sword, trying to ease the restlessness in his heart.
"I heard it from Na—someone else. I don't really understand the meaning."
Minato vaguely understood something from the slip of the tongue and chuckled: "The person who came up with that idea is truly remarkable."
"Uh, uh…"
Kakashi mumbled his agreement, and because he had just thought of Naraku, his thoughts uncontrollably drifted off again.
He wondered how he was doing now… After leaving the office, Naraku went straight to Sakumo's private hospital room.
Although the private room was small, it had a very large window. Sunlight streamed through the glass, filling the entire room, making it warm and wonderfully comfortable.
Sakumo was sleeping on the bed in the very center, his expression peaceful, as if he were only in a brief, light slumber.
Naraku pulled up a stool and sat by the bed, using the basic Medical Ninjutsu he had learned to examine his body, guide his Chakra, and massage his long-unused muscles.
The deeper he delved into medical knowledge, the clearer it became to him that Sakumo's chances of waking naturally were slim to none.
It seemed that things were indeed as he had thought before; he would have to use popularity points to create a miracle under the guise of Medical Ninjutsu.
To completely heal Sakumo would require a huge amount of popularity points, so he needed to find more ways to fleece the audience.
And that black mud was not idle either; it was probably thinking every day about how to promote the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan to him. If he didn't let it succeed, it would probably do things to harm those around him.
Therefore, it was impossible to stay cooped up in the Uchiha Clan Compound forever.
Nor could he be "healed" by anyone.
Once Tsunade left Konoha, he would also have to start acting.
A gentle breeze blew, the sunlight was bright and warm, making Naraku feel sleepy.
The massage was almost done, so he put down Sakumo's arm, leaned on the side of the bed, and prepared to doze off for a bit.
After thinking for a moment, he pulled Sakumo's left hand over and placed it on his own head, pretending he could briefly be a carefree child again, and slowly drifted into sleep under his father's comforting touch…
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