It can be said...
Chiro's joining greatly accelerated the technological development of the Land of Whirlpools.
For example, cars, walkie-talkies, and the mobile phones currently under development...
The breakthroughs in these technologies largely relied on Chiro's assistance. Just the puppet technology alone solved the long-standing problem in the Land of Whirlpools: "How to Attach Chakra to Glass."
So...
Chiro truly contributed immense effort and achieved great merits!
If not for the consideration that his mother was still in Sunagakure, Uzumaki Jun would have awarded Chiro several more honors to elevate the status of scientists in the Land of Whirlpools.
After all...
When glass could be infused with chakra, not only would they no longer need to import natural crystals, saving a huge sum of money, but chakra-infused glass could also be applied in many future fields.
For example...
Televisions, computers, photography equipment...
Previously, he had been using photography equipment exchanged from the system from the original world. Perhaps in a few years, they could start using chakra-based photography equipment.
Awarding Chiro the highest scientific honor would not be an exaggeration at all.
But...
"Let's give it to Hiruko later." Uzumaki Jun sighed and muttered, "Otherwise, if we keep relying on Chiro working in secret, how can we elevate the status of scientific technology?"
Chiro was indifferent to fame and fortune, and as the daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, there was nothing he could do about it!
If pushed too hard, what if he committed suicide for the sake of his mother and child?
Wouldn't the Land of Whirlpools suffer a huge loss?
Therefore, they must bring Sasori to the Land of Whirlpools!
Otherwise...
Unless the couple gave Sasori a younger brother or sister, Chiro and Hiroshi would never truly integrate into the Land of Whirlpools, because...
They still had family in Sunagakure.
"To let a lonely child feel the warmth of family." Uzumaki Jun narrowed his eyes, a faint smile curling on his lips. "I've really gone to great lengths!"
He truly was...
A kind-hearted daimyo!
...
"Achoo, achoo." Black Zetsu sneezed, frowned, and said, "Strange, can I even catch a cold?"
Having lived for over a thousand years, why had he been sneezing so frequently these past few years?
This...
Was not ninja-like!
"Maybe it's just pollen irritating your nose." White Zetsu pointed at the jar in his hand and said, "When do you plan to bring Lord Madara back?"
Because the organization was running low on funds, he and his clones had started collecting pollen to sell. Surprisingly...
Sales were quite good.
Most areas of the organization had been planted with flowers.
Black Zetsu frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "In a few days."
"Let's see if we can find a safe time."
"I don't want to get caught by that brat again."
Every time, he was forced to do dirty work without pay, which was utterly demotivating!
Moreover...
That unfilial son Hagoromo's chakra had been wandering the ninja world, keeping watch over everything.
If he were exposed, it would be dangerous.
In the end, he would definitely be sealed away.
"Fine." White Zetsu nodded and pointed at a pile of jars beside him. "The pollen is ready to be sold."
"Winter is coming in a few days."
"We should prepare winter supplies, or else people might die, and that would be troublesome."
"It's fine." Black Zetsu said indifferently. "Just tell them they were summoned by Mother."
"They'll be happy."
After all, they were all just trash who would eventually become White Zetsu. Losing one or two didn't matter.
In the end, Mother probably wouldn't need so many White Zetsu anyway.
...
Konoha.
"Jiraiya..." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of smoke and looked at Danzo in front of him, frowning. "Do you know where he went?"
"No." Danzo shook his head. "The Anbu following him were all shaken off."
So...
Even his own teacher didn't know, so how could Danzo, the Darkness of the Shinobi, know?
After the incident with the Nine-Tails jinchūriki...
The reputation Danzo had painstakingly built was completely ruined!
"I see... Sigh!" Hiruzen sighed wearily, stood up with his hands behind his back, and said, "Don't bother looking for him."
He sighed helplessly in his heart.
Tsunade had developed hemophobia. After returning to Konoha, she stayed in the Senju compound and rarely came out.
Hiruzen knew...
If Tsunade couldn't overcome this, her ninja career would end here.
As for Orochimaru...
No one knew what he was doing after returning to the village.
He had been acting mysteriously.
So...
"Everyone has changed!" Hiruzen lamented.
Although they had all grown during this war, it was...
A bit too much.
Who would protect Konoha in the future?
Their generation would eventually retire. If there were no worthy successors, what would become of Konoha's future?
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns bright. The flames will continue to illuminate the village, allowing new leaves to sprout.
The future...
Belonged to the younger generation.
If Konoha couldn't produce a capable and responsible shinobi...
Who would inherit the title of Hokage?
"By the way." Danzo looked at Hiruzen and frowned. "What should we do about Sakumo's situation?"
Hatake Sakumo...
The White Fang of Konoha, renowned during the Second Shinobi World War. But during a mission, he abandoned the task to save his comrades.
Now, for some reason...
The entire village was condemning and blaming him.
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "The whole village is criticizing him now."
He had originally planned to take action, since...
Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru were currently the most likely candidates for Hokage!
But...
Before he could act, the news somehow spread.
He had no idea who leaked it.
Danzo...
Hadn't even heard about it!
...
Land of Whirlpools.
Jiraiya didn't know what to say now.
In the end...
The toad still didn't get its shots or certification.
But he still paid the money, and even extra, because...
When Gamahiro tied him up and threw him out before disappearing with a "poof"...
Jiraiya rubbed his kidneys, forced an awkward smile, and summoned Gamabunta...
The result...
Was predictable.
The Land of Whirlpools had been blacklisted as the least welcoming nation for toads, and Jiraiya was told not to summon them unless absolutely necessary.
They...
Were toads from Mount Myōboku!
Why would they need vaccines for rabies or anything else?
Now Jiraiya could only walk hunched over, having paid all his money to the hospital as compensation for intentionally damaging public property—three times the original cost!
Trying to explain that it was the toad's fault and not his didn't work.
Sigh...!
"This is so unfair!" Jiraiya tilted his head at a 45-degree angle, wearing a weary expression, muttering to himself. "Why didn't Tsunade tell me the Land of Whirlpools was so expensive?"
All his years of salary, bonuses, and war dividends were gone.
And...
Apart from injuries, he got nothing in return.
Jiraiya sighed and walked out of the hospital helplessly. He decided...
Not to ride toads in the Land of Whirlpools anymore.
Though not riding a toad didn't suit his identity as the Toad Sage, a sage without money was just a poor man!
So...
He needed to find a way to earn some money first.
And also study the laws of the Land of Whirlpools.
He didn't want to be fined again.
Just then...
"Police uncle, it's him!" A red-haired kid, followed by a man in the Land of Whirlpools' police uniform and a blue-haired girl, pointed at Jiraiya. "He cheated a child!"
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