Sarutobi Hiruzen carried large and small packages in his hands, with Tsunade walking beside him as they headed toward the Senju clan estate.
When visiting Uzumaki Mito, one couldn't possibly go empty-handed…
She might not necessarily have any use for the gifts, but courtesy never offends—at the very least, it was a gesture of goodwill.
"Sensei, isn't bringing this many things a bit too formal?" Tsunade asked.
Hiruzen smiled.
"How is it formal? I'm usually busy with work and rarely have the chance to visit Mito-sama. I can only use a few gifts to express my respect."
Tsunade scratched her head. "What even are all these…"
"Nutritional supplements I bought for Yamato, and a few books recording interesting anecdotes about Hashirama-sama…"
A trace of curiosity rose in Hiruzen's mind.
Recently, he had often heard Biwako mention that Uzumaki Mito's condition had been getting better and better—she no longer looked like someone at death's door, and her movements were extremely agile.
Was this the foundation of the older generation's powerhouses?
"Oh right, Sensei—Orochimaru has been talking to me a lot lately about your kekkei genkai…"
"He was complaining, saying that when you taught us back then, did you hold back? How come you have techniques like that but never taught them to him…" Tsunade laughed heartily.
There was no longer that faint trace of sorrow lingering between her brows. Clearly, she had fully moved on from the loss of her loved ones.
Now, Tsunade was engaged in the medical field she loved. The slow-release technique for medical scrolls had already begun to show preliminary signs of breakthrough.
This visit to Uzumaki Mito was also to have this master of sealing techniques take a look and give her opinion.
"He wants to learn? I can just teach him. If he can't learn it, then he's just too stupid…"
"I'll take back his title as a genius," Hiruzen joked.
"Exactly! Your recent performance has really put a lot of pressure on Orochimaru…"
"He keeps saying he can't fall behind the old man. Even though your current state has nothing to do with being old, he still likes calling you that in private…"
"Jiraiya going off to train in Sage Mode has also made Orochimaru a bit nervous!"
"As for that title, 'Master of Prophecy,' Hiruko is quite envious—he keeps subtly asking me whether it would be too presumptuous if he proposed taking Asuma as his disciple…"
Tsunade chattered nonstop as she talked to Hiruzen.
She, Hiruko, and Orochimaru all worked in the research department, so they interacted frequently.
And these everyday, down-to-earth conversations were also key to healing Tsunade.
They made her feel that her friends and family were still by her side—so vivid, so real.
A thought stirred in Hiruzen's mind.
Just by listening to Tsunade's gossip, one could actually infer quite a lot of interesting information…
Looks like he should find time to chat with her more often in the future…
Hiruko and Orochimaru's thoughts and intentions had been partially revealed through Tsunade's casual remarks.
Orochimaru was under pressure—he needed some level of reassurance.
Hiruko wanted to get closer to him…
"Hiruko wants to take Asuma as a disciple? I agree. I'll go ask that brat later."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"That kid is clever enough, but his talent ceiling is right there—he won't achieve much in the future."
"Letting you take him as a disciple would be wasting your slots. You and Orochimaru aren't like Jiraiya back then, collecting disciples like you're farming them…"
"And now there's even this 'Master of Prophecy' nonsense, saying I'm some ancient monkey!"
For Orochimaru and Tsunade, their disciples represented inheritance—it was essentially a ticket into the Hokage lineage.
Taking in Asuma, the Hokage's son, would not only waste the opportunity to recruit truly outstanding talent into the Hokage faction, but it also didn't align with their ninja paths—poor compatibility.
Since Hiruko was willing to take Asuma as a disciple, Hiruzen didn't mind doing him a favor.
That way, Hiruko would effectively become the number one figure in the Hokage faction—through his disciple.
Riding on his student's coattails, so to speak.
Tsunade burst into hearty laughter.
"He's not normal at all! And he still wants to chase me? He's a few hundred years too early!"
"Sensei, don't you dare push me to get married like Grandma Mito!"
Hiruzen waved his hand.
"I don't meddle in arranged matches… Overall, I do want to promote population growth in the village, but individuals are free."
"You young people all have your own thoughts. Getting involved in that kind of thing just offends people…"
Tsunade smiled sweetly.
"Sensei, you're the best! So understanding and perceptive—you definitely wouldn't misunderstand others…"
"Forget it, just call me 'old man.' It feels weird hearing you say that."
Hiruzen glanced at Tsunade suspiciously.
"Do you have something you want to tell me?"
Tsunade scratched her head.
"You figured it out already?"
"Hiruko and Orochimaru have developed the preliminary form of a ninjutsu. It's basically a forbidden technique."
"I spoke too quickly earlier, mentioning Orochimaru and Hiruko… and with this added in, I was worried you might misunderstand…"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"What technique?"
"Hiruko named it the Chimera Technique."
Tsunade spoke slowly.
"It establishes a ritual array and uses a special method to combine foreign biological tissue with a person, thereby obtaining its abilities."
"It's a byproduct of researching my grandfather's cells. Orochimaru and Hiruko used a large number of animals to experiment with the compatibility of Hashirama's cells…"
"They haven't yet found a way to reduce the activity of those cells, but they accidentally derived this Chimera Technique—a method that allows kekkei genkai and foreign tissue to be fused."
"And Hizashi became very interested in it after learning about it."
Under Orochimaru and Hiruko's experiments, those rabbits that had Hashirama cells implanted into them all died due to their uncontrollable vitality.
However, during the Chimera ritual, a few rabbits, at the brink of death, unconsciously used Wood Release.
Based on this, Orochimaru and Hiruko continued their research.
They concluded that other ninjas' cells didn't possess the terrifying vitality of Hashirama's, so through this method of transplantation, it might be possible to obtain their kekkei genkai.
Structural-type kekkei genkai would most likely not work—only chakra-based ones could be integrated.
But the problem was…
Orochimaru had a prior record.
And Hiruzen had recently displayed two different kekkei genkai.
Adding in Hiruko wanting to take Asuma as a disciple…
And with Hizashi, a staunch Hokage loyalist, also getting involved—
When everything was put together, it sounded like they were planning to study the Hokage's family.
It was hard not to overthink it.
"Let me guess—Hiruko asked you to probe me, right? Orochimaru wouldn't distrust me."
Hiruzen shook his head and chuckled.
"It's a good thing when researchers gain unexpected results along the way—and that's not something they can control."
"At its core, they are still diligently researching the First Hokage's cells."
"I understand this matter. Hiruko's old inferiority and sensitivity are acting up again—I'll talk to him."
"As for Hizashi…" Hiruzen sighed.
Sometimes, excessive loyalty could be troublesome.
Hizashi always felt his strength wasn't enough, yet he couldn't find a direction forward. He had been training more and more frantically lately, to the point that Hatake Sakumo had already reported it.
But there was no solution—whenever someone tried to persuade him, Hizashi would respond like this:
"As the Hokage-sama's eyes, and as a Konoha council member trusted by him, if I stop here, then I would be betraying the light he has bestowed upon me."
At that point, no one knew what else to say.
If it was for loyalty to the Hokage, what argument could anyone make?
"In the future, if something like this happens again, communicate with me more, Tsunade."
"You've done well. Sometimes I'm too busy to take care of everyone's thoughts. You're well-liked and perceptive—help me consolidate things."
Hiruzen said seriously.
Tsunade smiled from the bottom of her heart.
"I knew it—Sensei, you wouldn't misunderstand! I'm going to tease Hiruko about this for an entire year!"
"I'll take care of it. I quite enjoy listening to gossip anyway…"
The two chatted and laughed as they knocked on the door of the Senju estate.
But what they saw next was astonishing.
The famous Hokage advisor, Root's leader, the darkness of the shinobi world… was holding a hoe, drenched in sweat, diligently loosening the soil in Uzumaki Mito's garden.
"Hiruzen, why are you here?" Danzō froze for a moment, his expression somewhat unnatural.
"And you are…" Hiruzen's expression turned playful. "What exactly are you doing?"
"I came to visit Mito-sama. Since you're usually busy, I happened to have time today…"
"After all, I am also a Konoha ninja recognized by Mito-sama." At his chest, the jade pendant Hiruzen had given him was still worn close to his body.
"I told Danzō he could focus on his work. Biwako usually keeps me company."
"He's been working hard as well."
Uzumaki Mito's voice came from inside as she slowly walked out.
What shocked Hiruzen was—
the current Uzumaki Mito was no longer the wrinkled old woman whose face resembled dried riverbeds.
Although she still looked elderly, but most of the wrinkles had faded by more than half. There was clarity and vitality in her eyes and brows, her posture was far straighter and more spirited than before, and even the color of her red hair seemed to have deepened somewhat.
"Mito-sama, seeing you in such condition truly puts my mind at ease!"
Hiruzen quickly stepped forward.
"I brought a small gift for Yamato, and for you, a few diaries from Senju clan members over in the Land of Fire. They record quite a few interesting anecdotes from back when Hashirama-sama, Tobirama-sama, and you were around."
"How thoughtful, Monkey!"
Mito smiled as she patted Hiruzen on the shoulder.
"You've made Konoha flourish more and more with each passing day, and seeing that eases my heart as well. Once my spirits improved, I was able to draw out some of the Nine-Tails' chakra and pour it into the Yin Seal…"
"You've done an excellent job with the Ninja Academy. If Hashirama saw it, he would definitely praise you greatly!"
Hiruzen shook his head modestly.
"Not at all, Mito-sama… Monkey has merely followed Hashirama-sama's line of thought, and with your care as support, barely managed to make the village a little better…"
"Being modest again, are you?"
Mito smiled with quiet grace, then glanced at Tsunade.
"See? The moment Hiruzen comes, he brings things. Every time you come, you show up empty-handed and run off right after eating."
Tsunade grinned. "Then next time I'll learn from Sensei and bring you something too!"
Meanwhile, Danzō, who was still hoeing the ground, watched this scene with a sour feeling in his heart.
He had already come two or three times, so why had Mito-sama never praised him like this?
Could it be that Hiruzen really was the inheritor of Hashirama-sama's will?
"Mito-sama, there's still business in the ANBU, so I'll be leaving first…" Danzō said in a muffled, sullen tone.
"And Hiruzen—that Uchiha brat called Seisui is very dangerous. You need to be careful. Don't get too close to the Uchiha clan!"
"I understand…" Hiruzen stopped as if wanting to say more, then gave a light cough.
"Danzō, regarding some of Root's past actions, if you have the ability, you should still make some compensation."
Danzō's brows immediately knit together.
Root?
That was what he considered his greatest political achievement!
"Stop worrying about pointless things, Hiruzen…" Danzō replied stiffly, then strode off.
"Danzō, that child of his… he's always trying to compete with you. He's not a bad child, but…" Mito shook her head and did not continue.
He was too utilitarian...
He was at least a somewhat capable ninja, yet he had worked up a sweat just from hoeing the soil?
Even if he was putting on an act, he couldn't even get the details right.
At that moment, a little boy ran over and said in a childish voice, "Hello, Hokage-sama!"
"Hello, Tsunade-onee-san!"
It was Yamato.
Hiruzen smiled and rubbed his head, feeling a little emotional inside.
A ninja's growth really was a wondrous thing.
At two or three years old, they could already run with steady steps, and their language ability developed extremely quickly.
By the time they were twelve, thirteen, or fifteen, sixteen, some ninjas already had the build and appearance of full-grown adults.
Minato was just like that now.
In just a little over two years, the childishness had already faded from his face, and his build had grown lean, toned, and well-proportioned.
"Hokage-sama, Grandma taught me a really amazing ninjutsu!"
Yamato raised one hand, and his arm transformed into branches.
It was Wood Release.
"Yamato is amazing. In the future, you should keep learning from Grandma Mito and be obedient…" Hiruzen said with a smile.
Among Konoha's youngest generation, a genius had already appeared.
Although Yamato had previously succeeded in receiving Hashirama's cells, no one had known whether he had awakened Wood Release...
Seeing this, Hiruzen felt reassured as well.
Even if Yamato's Wood Release could not compare to Senju Hashirama's, once he grew older and his kekkei genkai stabilized, they could appropriately extract some of his cells and study why he had been able to fuse with Hashirama's cells successfully.
"Go play, Yamato. I'm going to talk with the Hokage and your Tsunade-onee-san for a while…"
Yamato nodded obediently.
As the group chatted, Mito spoke very highly of Biwako, and even joked that in a few days, Biwako would more or less complete the most basic level of the Yin Seal. At the very least, she would be able to restore her youth.
Hiruzen smiled and shook his head.
He suddenly remembered Asuma's rather outrageous complaint from recently.
He thought he had simply been born too early—if Hiruzen had had him a few years later, maybe he would have been born with two kekkei genkai as well!
"Grandma, help me take a look at this technique!" Tsunade gave a light cough.
Hiruzen's thoughts also stirred.
This was exactly what Tsunade had mentioned to him before: the idea of further expanding the Yin Seal, the concept of the Strength of a Hundred Technique!
Mito narrowed her eyes.
A moment later, she nodded.
"You have ideas. Your problem is easy to solve—it should start from here…"
Tsunade nodded repeatedly.
After that, she also brought up the sustained-release technology for medical chakra scrolls.
This time, Mito's advice seemed to break through the confusion that had long troubled Tsunade, allowing her to find a new direction for her research.
So much so that Tsunade excitedly stood up.
"Sensei, I'm confident I can break through the preliminary technology within three months! At the very least, our next industry—the Sage Region cosmetics line—can start preparing for launch. Just wait for my good news!"
Tsunade turned and left in a rush, as though she could no longer wait to start experimenting.
"That child…" Mito shook her head and laughed.
Hiruzen watched Tsunade's back with a smile.
The Strength of a Hundred Technique was also something he could practice...
But this time, he had no intention of developing it from scratch himself. When the time came, he would just copy Tsunade's finished product.
He still had two techniques in hand waiting to be perfected, and a person's energy was limited after all.
"Mito-sama, seeing you in such condition truly sets Monkey's heart at ease."
"You are one of Konoha's pillar stones. With you here, Monkey has much more confidence in daily life…"
"The Nine-Tails is absolutely incomparable to you!"
Hiruzen said that from the bottom of his heart.
Whether it was improving all kinds of techniques or developing new technologies, Uzumaki Mito was an immense source of support.
What was more, with the attitude Mito currently held toward him, she could also provide extremely strong support to Hiruzen's legitimacy. Rounded up, that also counted as helping improve his talent.
No matter how powerful the Nine-Tails' strength was...
Unstable power was meaningless in the end.
"Monkey, you're still just as good with words…"
Mito smiled warmly, clearly quite pleased in her heart. After all, who wouldn't enjoy being praised by an outstanding junior?
"Kushina and the child Uzumaki Shio are both doing very well."
"I believe the Uzumaki clan will take root and sprout again in Konoha. That won't take long."
"It's just that this child Shio has fallen for a young Uchiha… Hiruzen, what do you think about that?"
Mito asked seriously. To an elder ninja like her, the Uchiha clan still did not have a very good reputation.
"As for that…"
"Let them spend time together on their own. I think we'd better not decide for them."
Hiruzen gave a light cough.
As far as he knew, no one knew what Tobirama had done at the clan meeting, but now quite a few Uchiha girls had taken a liking to him.
But the funny thing was that Tobirama seemed especially terrified of Uchiha women. He never responded to them or displayed his personal charm at all—he was practically one step away from using the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport himself away and run for it...
Sometimes when Hiruzen saw it through the crystal ball, he laughed quite happily too.
"That's true…"
Mito nodded in agreement.
"To be honest, I don't want Shio to be with an Uchiha. You know this too, Hiruzen—while Tobirama was alive, he was always researching that clan, and he told me some things as well…"
"He said they were a clan inherently evil by nature. That may be going a bit too far, but there is some truth to it."
Hiruzen's expression turned subtle. "Indeed. Let Shio think it through herself..."
So Tobirama-sensei and Uzumaki Mito still hadn't met... and yet he had already been branded as one of those inherently evil Uchiha brats?
After chatting with Mito a while longer, Hiruzen rose to take his leave.
He still needed to go train. After finishing his paperwork, he should also find time to check in on Hiruko and Orochimaru.
When those two got together, their research efficiency seemed to double.
"Monkey, wait a moment."
Mito motioned for Hiruzen to wait, then returned to the house and brought out a suit of crimson armor.
"Your original build was a little too small, but now the size fits."
"This was left behind by Hashirama. I think that if one day you need to fight, he would want you to wear his armor and protect the current Konoha…"
Hiruzen froze for a moment, then solemnly received it with both hands.
Now he really had become the proper and legitimate inheritor of the First Hokage's will!
"Thank you for your trust, Mito-sama. Monkey will definitely not fail what has been entrusted to him!"
Mito nodded lightly.
And at that very moment, a curious thought suddenly arose in Hiruzen's heart.
If Tobirama-sensei saw him wearing that armor,
he would probably be very confused, wouldn't he?
— "Monkey, why are you wearing my elder brother's armor?!"
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