After leaving the Shimura clan's mansion, Kizaru accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi's invitation and walked beside his sensei through the lively streets of Konoha.
Hiruzen held his pipe in one hand, smiling warmly as he returned the villagers' greetings along the way.
"Kizaru," Hiruzen asked with a smile, "do you know what satisfies me most as Hokage?"
After they moved away from the crowd, Hiruzen lifted his pipe, took a slow puff, and looked up at his disciple.
Kizaru tilted his head lazily.
"Using a crystal ball to peek at the women's bathhouse?"
"Cough—cough, cough!"
Hiruzen nearly choked on the smoke. Kizaru's answer struck him so hard that the old man coughed several times before finally glaring at him.
"I am not Jiraiya!"
Kizaru only smiled slowly, looking as innocent as ever.
Hiruzen quickly regained his calm expression and continued, "As Hokage, the moment that satisfies me most is walking through the village streets and seeing the smiles on the faces of the villagers."
"You've done well, Sarutobi-sensei," Kizaru said with a relaxed smile.
"Hahaha!"
Hearing praise from his disciple, Hiruzen laughed heartily.
"I am only doing my best to shoulder the responsibility of Hokage," he said modestly after his laughter faded.
Kizaru nodded along and did not say anything more.
After a brief silence, Hiruzen finally moved to the real matter.
"Kizaru, I want to ask you for a favor."
Kizaru slowed his steps slightly and lowered his gaze toward the old man beside him, waiting for him to continue.
"My second child will be born soon. When that child grows old enough, I hope you will become his sensei."
Earlier, while they were discussing matters at the Shimura residence, Hiruzen had heard Kizaru agree to accept Uchiha Fugaku's future child as his disciple. That had given him an idea.
By the time his second child was old enough to graduate from the Academy, Kizaru would be in his early twenties, just the right age to begin taking disciples.
Kizaru was the successor Hiruzen had chosen. Naturally, Hiruzen also hoped to deepen his connection with the Sarutobi clan.
Hearing his sensei's request, Kizaru could not help but sigh inwardly.
Another familiar name was about to be born into this world.
Sarutobi Asuma.
A short-lived winner in life.
And the largest unit of money measurement in the ninja world.
"My standards are very strict, Sarutobi-sensei," Kizaru said, looking down at him with a lazy smile.
"Hahaha! Strict is good!" Hiruzen laughed even brighter, knowing Kizaru had agreed.
He had taken Kizaru as his disciple and chosen him as his successor. In the future, Kizaru would take his unborn child as a disciple.
Perhaps this, too, was a form of inheritance for the Will of Fire.
"Kizaru," Hiruzen said after a moment, "regarding the commercial medical development of Hashirama's cells, I want you to pay more attention to it and take responsibility."
Satisfied with Kizaru's agreement, Hiruzen returned the favor.
After listening to Kizaru's explanation, he had also understood the enormous commercial value behind Hashirama's cells.
By handing the commercialization of Hashirama's cells to Kizaru, Hiruzen was also handing him the right to divide the benefits.
It was both a rich opportunity and a test.
Within any force, only the leader and the heir had the right to distribute interests.
In the past, Hiruzen himself had always handled such matters.
But this time, he chose to hand that authority to Kizaru.
If Kizaru could balance the various factions in the village and properly distribute the profits among the clans, then he would naturally win their goodwill and support.
Hiruzen believed his outstanding disciple could do it.
And do it well.
"How troublesome…" Kizaru muttered.
He understood Sarutobi-sensei's intentions, but faced with such a bothersome matter, he still complained out of habit.
"Those with ability must shoulder more, Kizaru," Hiruzen said with a smile, already used to his disciple's way of speaking.
After parting with Hiruzen, Kizaru went to Orochimaru's experimental base.
The commercial value of Hashirama's cell medicine was indeed enormous, but the core of everything still depended on whether Hashirama cell transplantation technology could be perfected.
Orochimaru, who was in charge of this research, was the key to whether the future Kizaru had described could actually become reality.
To better stimulate Orochimaru's motivation, Kizaru came here after leaving Sarutobi-sensei.
He was prepared to draw an even bigger and more fragrant pie for Orochimaru.
After entering the experimental base and meeting Orochimaru, Kizaru first told him what had happened in the Uchiha clan, along with his conversations with Hiruzen and Danzō.
Orochimaru listened quietly.
With his intelligence, he immediately understood the commercial value behind Hashirama's cells.
Kizaru-kun's ability to make money really was terrifying.
Looking at Kizaru in front of him, Orochimaru felt as though he was not looking at his junior at all.
He was looking at a continuous stream of research funds.
"Orochimaru-senpai," Kizaru said slowly, "next, I'll need you to prepare a feasibility report on the development of Hashirama cell transplantation technology. The main points should be development difficulties, development prospects, and development budget."
"I will prepare it as soon as possible."
Since it concerned research funding, Orochimaru took it very seriously and agreed immediately.
"Orochimaru-senpai, do you know how to write this report?"
"I will explain the current problems in the research and the potential applications once the technology succeeds." Although this was his first time writing something like this, Orochimaru still sounded quite confident.
Kizaru shook his head and revealed a somewhat sly smile.
"Ooh… Orochimaru-senpai, you're still too honest."
"Is that wrong?" Orochimaru asked, slightly confused.
"There are three key points in this report. You have to remember them, Orochimaru-senpai."
Looking at the still-young Orochimaru, Kizaru decided to teach his senior a lesson.
"What are they?"
"First, write the difficulties and problems in detail if they can be solved. If you're not sure whether they can be solved, write them vaguely.
"Second, the development prospects are the key. Write them as clearly and as grandly as possible.
"Third, for the development budget, write as much as you reasonably can. As long as the reasons make sense, even several times more is acceptable."
Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully.
He felt as though he had understood something important.
"How exactly should the budget be increased?" Orochimaru asked curiously.
"For experimental materials, if the price is transparent, write it normally. If the price is unclear, quote it as high as possible.
"At the same time, you can include materials needed for your other experiments here as well. That way, you can reduce the cost of your private research.
"Also, you must add losses. Experiments always fail, don't they?
"And repeated experiments require repeated costs."
As Kizaru spoke, Orochimaru felt as though a door to a new world was slowly opening before him.
So experiments could also be used to make money.
"In addition," Kizaru continued, "after the report is approved and the funds arrive, you can suggest a bidding system for purchasing experimental materials and instruments. When that time comes, I can help."
Before Orochimaru could fully digest what he had just learned, Kizaru opened another door behind the first.
"A bidding system?" Orochimaru's eyes brightened slightly.
At this moment, he was like a sponge, rapidly absorbing new knowledge.
"To reduce costs, we invite several chambers of commerce at the same time and let them compete for the purchase order of a certain type of experimental material.
"Whoever offers the best price, best service, and the most sincerity gets the order."
Kizaru explained it roughly.
Orochimaru nodded and praised, "That method is very good."
"Orochimaru-senpai, as long as the Hashirama cell commercialization project is officially established, your experimental funds will be very abundant in the future.
"And if the research succeeds…"
Kizaru smiled lazily, his voice carrying an irresistible temptation.
"Then you'll never have to worry about lacking research funds again."
A smile appeared on Orochimaru's face.
His eyes shone with excitement as he nodded again.
"I understand. Once the materials provided by the Uchiha arrive, I will devote all my energy to researching Hashirama cell transplantation technology."
His motivation had been stimulated by one hundred and twenty percent.
Seeing Orochimaru's expression and hearing his promise, Kizaru also showed a satisfied smile.
...
Today was the day Hatake Sakumo, who had become a jōnin instructor, went to the Ninja Academy.
Recently, Sakumo's expression had been improving day by day, just like his mood.
Thanks to Kizaru's push, the research project for Hashirama cell transplantation technology had been officially established in its early stage, and Orochimaru had already received the first batch of research funds from the village.
At the same time, the Uchiha clan had also cooperated and provided the research materials Orochimaru needed.
If everything went smoothly and the research succeeded, then Sakumo's wife's physical condition could be completely cured.
With Kizaru's help, Sakumo had finally seen hope.
Because of that, his mood naturally grew better with each passing day.
Keeping Kizaru's kindness in his heart, Hatake Sakumo walked into the Ninja Academy with a gentle smile and a good mood.
This was his first time becoming a jōnin instructor and leading a genin team that had just graduated from the Academy, so even Sakumo felt slightly nervous.
After all, the genin team he would be leading this time was rather special.
Shimura Yuki, a third-year student who passed the early graduation exam and Kizaru's younger sister.
Hyūga Toda, a third-year student who passed the early graduation exam and a member of the Hyūga clan.
Uchiha Inari, a third-year student who passed the early graduation exam, and a six-year-old Uchiha genius who had already awakened the Sharingan.
All three students were geniuses who graduated early, and all three came from prestigious clans with extraordinary backgrounds.
Even for someone as strong as Hatake Sakumo, leading such a talented group still brought no small amount of pressure.
Because all three had graduated early, Sakumo did not meet them in a classroom, but on the playground.
When he arrived, the scene before him was exactly what he had feared.
An Uchiha and a Hyūga were arguing with each other, while a girl holding a ninja sword watched them coldly without saying a word.
This looks troublesome.
Sakumo touched his head and sighed heavily in his heart.
"The only lifelong rival Kizaru-san has is me, Uchiha Inari! As for a mere Hyūga… hmph."
Uchiha Inari crossed his arms and sneered disdainfully.
"The one who will defeat Kizaru-san in the future will be me, Hyūga Toda!" Toda retorted confidently, his hands hanging at his sides.
A flash of steel cut through the air.
Shimura Yuki suddenly pointed her sharp ninja sword at Hyūga Toda, her expression cold.
"You want to defeat Brother Kizaru? Then you should try getting past the sword in my hand first."
"Yuki."
Sakumo appeared in front of the three almost instantly. He reached out, gently pushed Yuki's blade aside, and looked at her with a serious expression.
"A sword should never be pointed at your comrades."
"I understand, sensei."
Yuki withdrew her blade obediently.
So fast!
Hyūga Toda, who had been about to speak back, closed his mouth and looked up at the suddenly appearing Hatake Sakumo.
Uchiha Inari also looked up at their new instructor, secretly shocked by his speed.
"Follow me."
Looking at the three children in front of him and thinking about their behavior just now, Sakumo decided that his first lesson would be teamwork.
After speaking, he led his three disciples toward the teaching building.
He planned to get to know them properly on the rooftop.
"My name is Hatake Sakumo. I specialize in kenjutsu. My favorite food is salt-grilled saury. What I dislike most are people who abandon their comrades. My dream is to become an excellent ninja."
Sitting on the rooftop steps, Sakumo took the lead and introduced himself.
"Sensei, can you make a vacuum slash with your sword?"
The moment Sakumo finished, Yuki immediately asked the question she had been holding back for a long time.
Vacuum slash?
Sakumo was slightly stunned.
He had seen chakra-coated sword slashes before. By wrapping nature-transformed chakra around a blade, a swordsman could release a cutting attack. He could do that himself.
But what exactly did she mean by a vacuum slash?
"It means using the explosive power of the body to swing the ninja sword at extremely high speed, compressing the air with the slash and forming a vacuum blade."
Seeing that Sakumo did not seem to understand, Yuki recalled the slash Brother Kizaru had once performed on the training ground and tried to describe it as accurately as possible.
Is that something a ninja can do with pure physical strength and explosive power?
After listening to Yuki's explanation, a large question mark appeared in Sakumo's heart.
"That kind of slash requires terrifying explosive power and physical strength," Sakumo admitted calmly. "I cannot do it."
He did not feel ashamed. If he could not do it, he simply said so.
"How could anyone do something like that?" Uchiha Inari muttered from the side after hearing Yuki's description.
Hyūga Toda nodded in agreement and added, "Even the Gentle Fist of the Hyūga clan cannot create that kind of attack."
"Someone can do it. I saw it with my own eyes," Yuki said firmly.
"Who?"
"Really, Yuki?"
Hearing her words, Uchiha Inari and Hyūga Toda immediately asked curiously.
Sakumo did not speak.
A name had already appeared in his mind.
Kizaru.
"Kizaru-nii once performed that kind of slash. I saw it myself."
Yuki gave the exact answer Sakumo had guessed.
"Kizaru-san?"
"If it's Kizaru-san, then it really might be possible."
After hearing the answer, both Uchiha Inari and Hyūga Toda nodded in acceptance.
"Yuki," Sakumo said gently, "everyone's swordsmanship is different. In the entire ninja world, no one can imitate Kizaru's style of slashing."
He was worried that Yuki would become too fascinated by Kizaru's swordsmanship and try to pursue an unreachable imitation.
Faced with the kindness in Sakumo's words, Yuki nodded obediently.
"I understand, sensei."
"In the future, I will guide you and help you find the sword style that suits you."
Sakumo smiled warmly.
"Sensei, me too," Uchiha Inari quickly emphasized, since he also practiced swordsmanship.
Hyūga Toda did not practice swordsmanship, so he said nothing. However, he still looked at Sakumo with expectant eyes.
"I will do my best to guide all three of you and help each of you find the path that suits you."
Looking at his three disciples, Sakumo made a sincere promise.
While Hatake Sakumo was having a heart-to-heart conversation with his three disciples, in the office building directly opposite the teaching building, Kizaru—who had also taken office as the principal of the Ninja Academy on his first day—was happily watching from a distance.
Sakumo-san is doing pretty well.
Kizaru touched his chin and praised him inwardly with a smile.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in."
Hearing the knock at the door, Kizaru temporarily withdrew his gaze, walked back to his desk, and sat down.
The door opened.
Yamakawa Seiji, Kizaru's former homeroom teacher, walked in with a document in his hand and a complicated expression on his face.
"Principal Kizaru, this is the list of Academy teachers that the vice-principal asked me to deliver to you."
Almost calling him by the wrong title, Yamakawa Seiji quickly placed the document on the desk.
"Ooh… Seiji-sensei, please sit. It's been a long time since we talked."
Kizaru laughed and raised a hand, signaling for him to sit down.
"I still have a class to teach. I should return as soon as possible."
Facing the current Kizaru, Yamakawa Seiji felt both relieved and somewhat awkward, so he found an excuse and declined.
"Then go ahead, Seiji-sensei. We'll have plenty of time to work together from now on."
Kizaru nodded with a smile, leaning forward and reaching for the documents on the desk.
Hearing Kizaru's words, Yamakawa Seiji felt slightly relieved and quickly left the principal's office.
After Yamakawa Seiji closed the door and left, Kizaru put the documents back down.
The school reform would not officially begin until the end of the year, after the current semester ended.
Because of that, although Kizaru had now become the principal and was responsible for the reform, his current workload was actually very light.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had asked him to take office early mainly so he could adapt to the Academy's work environment in advance and prepare for the reforms that would come later.
Kizaru leaned back in his chair.
So sleepy…
Time for a nap.
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 200 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.