Since Naraku didn't want to continue serving as the leader of the barrier division, Tsunade had no particular objections to accommodate his request.
There were numerous positions throughout Konoha Village that would be perfectly suitable for someone of his capabilities, and Tsunade had actually been considering adjusting the leadership positions of various departments within the village anyway.
However, before Tsunade could present any of her ideas, Naraku spoke up again with another surprising announcement. "By the way, I'll also be resigning from my position as Director of the Medical Department."
"What?"
Tsunade was completely stunned by this unexpected declaration.
Why would he want to do that?
What could have possibly happened?
Why was he suddenly applying to resign from the position of Medical Affairs Director?
Everyone throughout Konoha Village was well aware of Shihouin Naraku's extraordinary contributions to the Medical Department, and absolutely no one was more qualified or suitable for the position of Medical Director than he was.
Even after Tsunade had returned to the village, she had never entertained any intention of making changes to the medical department's leadership. Compared to Naraku's comprehensive abilities, she was more like a purely technical medical ninja.
This certainly wasn't the case with Naraku. Not only did he possess exceptional medical ninjutsu skills, but he also demonstrated remarkably effective management capabilities. The rapid development and success of Konoha's medical institutions served as clear proof of his administrative talents.
"What exactly are you trying to accomplish? This joke isn't funny at all!"
Tsunade stared at Naraku with obvious suspicion, genuinely unable to understand what his true motivations might be.
Shihouin Naraku rolled his eyes and stated his position very clearly: "I'm not joking about this. It's completely serious - I genuinely want to resign from the Director position of the Medical Department!"
"Absolutely not!"
Upon realizing that Naraku was indeed not joking about his resignation request, Tsunade rejected his application without even a moment's hesitation.
"Um..."
Although Naraku had anticipated that Tsunade wouldn't easily agree to his resignation, he hadn't expected his teacher to be quite so decisive and immediate in her refusal.
"Actually, the situation is like this..." Naraku recognized that he needed to provide a thorough explanation. "With the successful establishment of the medical emergency response teams, Konoha's medical facilities and infrastructure are already extremely comprehensive and well-developed."
"As long as operations continue according to our established plans, even if I resign from the ministerial position, it won't have any significant negative impact on overall performance."
"Furthermore, now represents the optimal time for me to step away from this role!"
"Whether Konoha's medical institution can successfully develop a healthy self-sustaining operational cycle depends entirely on its future performance. After all, I can't remain as Director of the Medical Department indefinitely!"
Naraku's arguments seemed logically sound and reasonable, but Tsunade still felt considerable hesitation about accepting them. After all, the medical department involved substantial financial interests and political considerations. If any major problems occurred during the transition, that definitely wouldn't be an outcome she wanted to experience.
"What you're saying does make logical sense, but my answer is still no!"
"Until I formally agree to your request, you are absolutely forbidden from mentioning resignation again without my explicit permission."
"Alright, alright..." Naraku raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Since Sensei feels so strongly about this, what else can I possibly say?"
"However, I still want to emphasize that the remarkable success of Konoha's medical institution isn't solely due to my individual efforts, but rather represents the collective result of countless medical ninja working tirelessly together!"
With that final statement, Naraku turned and departed from the Hokage's office.
Obviously, his words had made some impact on Tsunade's thinking. Although she didn't agree to Naraku's resignation application immediately, she began seriously considering the possibility.
In reality, if the situation truly was as Naraku had described, his resignation from the ministerial position might not necessarily be a negative development. If any serious crisis arose, Naraku could always be reinstated to the position whenever necessary.
When viewed from that perspective, the potential risks didn't seem particularly significant.
However, Tsunade didn't intend to make such an important decision hastily. Instead, she planned to conduct a thorough investigation of the Medical Department's current operations. If Naraku's assessment proved accurate, then she would seriously consider accepting his resignation application.
A Brief Respite
Now that the immediate business had concluded, Naraku found himself with considerable free time after resigning from his position as leader of the barrier division.
Just as he had argued, the medical institutions were indeed operating extremely well at present, and there was genuinely no need for Director Naraku to be constantly busy with administrative duties. This situation served as compelling evidence supporting his position.
When there was nothing particularly urgent demanding attention, time always seemed to pass remarkably quickly.
Shihouin Naraku decided to grant himself a well-deserved three-day vacation as a reward for his recent hard work and dedication.
Even though most of the barrier team's actual work had been completed by his capable subordinates, he had still made significant contributions to the project's success. At the very least, he had personally completed the complex and dangerous task of burying the barrier talismans in their precise locations.
Therefore, taking some time to rest and recuperate was entirely reasonable and justified.
An Unexpected Encounter
Just as Naraku was yawning lazily and making his way toward the Medical Department building, he was intercepted halfway by Ōnoki's sudden appearance.
Observing that Ōnoki appeared somewhat listless and weary, Naraku estimated that the former Tsuchikage had probably attempted to approach him multiple times previously, but this was their first successful encounter.
"What can I do for you, Lord Tsuchikage?"
Naraku wasn't particularly surprised by Ōnoki's appearance. It was absolutely no exaggeration to say that he was the only person in all of Konoha Village who possessed the medical capabilities necessary to heal Kurotsuchi's completely severed right leg!
Therefore, Ōnoki had no realistic alternative but to approach him for assistance!
"Shihouin Naraku-sama..." Ōnoki approached Naraku directly, completely ignoring the few pedestrians present on the street around them. He bowed deeply in a formal gesture of apology. "I came here specifically to offer my sincere apologies. When we first encountered each other several days ago, Kurotsuchi's words were disrespectful and offensive toward you!"
"I am truly and deeply sorry!"
Shihouin Naraku observed as the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki abandoned his dignity as one of the strongest shinobi in the world, bending his short frame in a profound bow of respect. Naraku couldn't help but feel moved by the depth of Ōnoki's love and devotion to his granddaughter.
Naraku didn't immediately instruct Ōnoki to straighten up, but instead replied thoughtfully: "Lord Ōnoki, you're being far too concerned about this matter. Those were simply the complaints of a frightened young girl. There's absolutely no way I would take such words to heart or hold them against her."
As soon as he finished speaking, Naraku seemed to suddenly realize that Ōnoki was still maintaining his bowed position, and he quickly gestured for the older man to stand upright.
Ōnoki straightened his posture after hearing this reassurance, and began engaging in casual conversation as though he felt no embarrassment whatsoever about the formal apology he had just offered.
The two men walked together while chatting amicably, and after some time had passed, the atmosphere between them gradually became more relaxed and comfortable.
It was precisely at this moment that Ōnoki presented his request for Naraku to treat his granddaughter, along with his proposed terms of compensation.
The Proposal
"In addition to whatever monetary compensation Lord Naraku deems appropriate, Iwagakure is prepared to open our medicinal materials market to the Shihouin clan for completely unrestricted trade, and we guarantee that the Shihouin clan's business interests will be fully protected and supported."
What an extraordinary offer!
Just as the Akimichi clan operated restaurants throughout the village, the Yamanaka clan maintained flower shops, the Nara clan raised deer and sold their antlers, and various weapon specialists ran ninja tool establishments, all the major ninja families in Konoha Village maintained profitable side businesses. These enterprises helped support their large populations and provided the financial resources necessary to cultivate talented younger generations.
The Shihouin clan represented no exception to this pattern - they had established themselves as the largest distributor of medicinal herbs not only in Konoha Village but throughout the entire Fire Country!
Of course, without Shihouin Naraku's influence and protection, the Shihouin family would never have been able to maintain control over this extremely lucrative business that made countless other organizations envious and resentful.
However, although the various ninja families' business enterprises generally performed well financially, the most they could typically accomplish was establishing operations within Konoha Village or throughout the Land of Fire. They rarely managed to expand their influence and establish successful operations in other countries.
Even though the Shihouin clan possessed exceptional expertise and understanding of medicinal materials thanks to Naraku's guidance and knowledge, conducting international trade remained extremely difficult due to the deliberate economic boycotts implemented by various foreign nations.
After all, every country and every hidden village maintained their own domestic businesses and economic interests. It was completely unrealistic to expect them to abandon support for their own people and instead provide assistance to potential enemies.
But now, Ōnoki was stating that Iwagakure would completely abandon their policy of suppressing and restricting the Shihouin clan's business activities!
This development meant that the Shihouin clan's medicinal materials business would rapidly expand into Iwagakure's territory, significantly expanding their profit-generating channels and providing countless new opportunities for growth.
"Lord Ōnoki, this is no trivial matter."
Naraku looked at Ōnoki with a meaningful expression. Did the former Tsuchikage truly understand the full implications of what he was proposing?
Perhaps the Shihouin clan members who would be sent to operate in Iwagakure wouldn't function merely as merchants, but could potentially serve as intelligence gatherers, or they might be assigned secret missions, or perhaps they could be positioned to engage in sabotage operations...
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