After Danzo showed Hashirama and Tobirama the memories of the dead, two more days passed. The Kage brothers wanted to see what trump cards Danzo had that could make Menma work for Konoha, so they didn't lead their troops to wipe out Orochimaru's Sound Village as originally planned.
However, the ninjas of the four clans were still conscripted ahead of schedule. After all, Orochimaru's village was small, and besides him, there weren't many powerful figures. Two thousand ninjas were recruited.
The Sarutobi Clan contributed the most, accounting for almost 70% of the recruits. The much smaller Shimura Clan accounted for about 25%. Finally, the Utatane and Mitokado clans, with the fewest recruits, mobilized almost all their clan ninjas, making up less than 50%.
Hiruzen Sarutobi focused more on developing his own clan, while Danzo was concerned with building his Root organization. As for Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, their initial conditions were simply too poor. They had only managed to grow from ordinary commoner clans into small ninja clans through considerable effort, thanks to being Hokage advisors. Now, a single conscription had completely drained the ninjas they had painstakingly built up.
Of course, Hiruzen, with half his clan's ninjas conscripted, was clearly in a worse position. After the Uchiha Clan was wiped out, the Sarutobi Clan—also skilled in Fire Style—seized the market for explosive tags left behind by the Uchiha Clan, along with their ancestral method of making them. The reason you rarely saw Sarutobi ninjas on duty or on missions in the village was that many of them were making explosive tags!
Compared to the hard work and danger of missions, explosive tags were far more lucrative and easier to produce. Depending on quality, a single explosive tag could sell for between 500 and 1,000 ryo! An ordinary chunin, after exhausting their chakra, could make about three tags. After resting and recovering, they could continue making them, easily producing eight or nine a day. After deducting the portion given to the clan, this was far more than what a three-person team earned doing a C-rank mission. After deducting the village's cut, the remaining reward was split among three people.
It was said that because of the conscription, people passing by the Sarutobi mansion often heard sounds of smashing and cursing coming from inside! And, in the last two days, the purchase of porcelain at the Sarutobi mansion had increased. It remained a mystery how the Third Hokage, without the use of his arms and legs, managed to smash porcelain...
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Konoha Hospital.
Sasuke, who had just regained consciousness, lay listlessly on the hospital bed. He recalled a few days ago, when Itachi suddenly appeared and defeated him with a single glance. Then, gripping his neck, his tormentor replayed the night of the massacre countless times in his mind, while repeating in his ear:
"You are so weak because your hatred is not enough!"
"If you want to kill me, unleash the ultimate power of hatred, and come find me with eyes like mine!"
But this powerful Itachi was easily defeated by the arriving Menma. And it was Menma fighting two against one—a crushing victory. Even Itachi's equally powerful partner was instantly killed.
The thought drove Sasuke to near madness with jealousy! Why wasn't Menma my alternate personality?! Why was it that all his efforts, burdened with a blood feud and driven by desperation, were easily surpassed by a seemingly clueless idiot who could only laugh all day, all thanks to his alternate personality?
Clearly, compared to Naruto, who could unleash two tails like him, Sasuke felt unbalanced—utterly unbalanced! Since effort didn't work, and he didn't have a powerful alternate personality, he could only rely on others, like the mysterious masked man who gave him the Tailed Beast chakra. So he had to find a way to get to the Four-Star Village!
The thought of having to struggle to escape while Naruto gained power for no reason… Sasuke couldn't help but sit up, glaring fiercely at Naruto beside his hospital bed.
Naruto, meanwhile, was leaning against the bedside table, listening to Menma recount the plot in his mind, and furiously writing his novel. He immediately sensed Sasuke getting up and looked up in surprise, only to meet Sasuke's piercing gaze.
Naruto: "???"
"Oh no, Sasuke's awakened, and his brain seems to be malfunctioning!" Naruto turned to Kakashi, who was reading on the windowsill. "Kakashi, look at Sasuke! He seems to have mistaken me for an enemy!"
"Sasuke's awake!" Sakura and Ino, who were washing fruit in the bathroom, shoved and jostled each other as they rushed out.
Because Sasuke was in the hospital room, and Naruto—whose clothes, hairstyle, and face had all become more handsome, and whose strength had increased dramatically—was also there, Ino, who was also recovering at the hospital, was there too. These past two days, she had neglected Shikamaru and Choji on the other side, often coming over to see the handsome guys. A quiet, sleeping beauty like Sasuke, and a devoted prince like Naruto, intently writing and not causing a fuss, standing guard beside him. To be honest, Ino really enjoyed imagining these two characters.
As for why Naruto was the prince? Well, it's because when Ino was rescued, Naruto's back was tall and imposing, so reassuring!
"Sasuke, and Naruto, I'll peel some freshly washed apples for you!"
"Apples aren't that great. Cherries that I soaked in salt water are much better!"
Faced with the two enthusiastic individuals, Naruto immediately grinned foolishly and accepted them all. Sasuke, on the other hand, glared at Naruto and snorted disdainfully.
"Hmph, you idiot!"
After cursing, he lay back down, turning his back to the others.
Kakashi put away his book, walked over, patted Naruto on the shoulder, and pointed to the door.
"Naruto, someone's looking for you outside."
"Someone's looking for me?" Naruto looked in the direction Kakashi was pointing and immediately saw Jiraiya, his injuries fully healed, waving enthusiastically.
"Hey~~~ It's the Perverted Sage."
Naruto quickly turned his head away with a look of disgust, pretending not to see him. He still remembered the day before yesterday, after he used the Sexy Jutsu. Jiraiya, while saying "Don't come any closer!", was covered in blood and leeringly trying to hug him. It was truly perverted enough to leave Naruto with psychological trauma. To be honest, Naruto now has PTSD from the Sexy Jutsu.
"Lord Jiraiya must have something to tell you. Don't worry, I'm here." Kakashi quietly placed his hand on the novel Naruto had finished writing, subtly moving it towards himself.
Naruto thought for a moment, then awkwardly prepared to leave. After all, Jiraiya was the person his father had entrusted to look after him.
"Okay."
Naruto stood up, ready to leave with the novel, but found he couldn't lift it. He looked at Kakashi in confusion.
Kakashi coughed awkwardly twice. "Ahem… I'll put it here and check for typos. You'll be back soon anyway."
Naruto: "..."
"Then Kakashi, remember to buy it next time! Don't get my work for free!"
Looking at the big words "The Tale of the White Zetsu Maiden" on the cover, Kakashi was already itching to get his hands on it. He immediately waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Alright, alright, I know. I'll definitely buy ten copies of this collector's edition later. You should go now!"
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