"Never thought the school would actually thrive under your leadership."
Orochimaru opened with a jab—it was their usual routine.
Though Kawaki often acted like a lazybones who delegated everything, Orochimaru knew without his involvement, the school wouldn't have reached such heights.
"You'd be surprised how much you don't know."
Kawaki leaned back at his desk, sipping tea casually, completely unfazed by Orochimaru's remarks.
"You know what? I've gotta admit, those new recruits from the Advanced Class are actually top-notch."
Jiraiya highly praised students from the Advanced Class. Those who had undergone systematic training adapted quickly.
They needed almost no prep time before being deployed on missions, significantly reducing his workload.
"That's for sure. I poured a lot of effort into them."
At the compliment, Kawaki couldn't help but feel proud. That's Konoha's Huangpu Military Academy.
Both in terms of faculty and financial investment, he had spared no expense.
"I'll believe it when I see it. What about your Medical Team? Got any standout talents?"
The students assigned to Orochimaru's side were clearly less impressive—in his eyes, merely average.
In fact, these weren't just random picks—they were already carefully selected. Becoming a Medical Ninja was inherently difficult, and Orochimaru's standards were extremely high.
It would take a lot more work for the Medical Team to impress him.
"If they're good or not, can't you go check yourself?"
"When did you ever bother coming to give a lecture when we asked?"
Now Kawaki was getting heated—always easy to ask for help, never easy to get it.
Either "the lab's too busy" or "family matters," the excuses just kept coming. Now suddenly criticizing the students' quality?
Just how many outstanding Medical Ninjas could you even count in Konoha?
Even Advisor Nemu practically lives with them full-time now.
"How is this my fault?"
"I genuinely have been busy, okay?"
Orochimaru's tone softened. Even Tsunade had made time to give lectures. He realized he wasn't exactly on solid ground here.
"Not my fault then whose? You're the head of the Medical Division."
"These kids from the Medical Team will be your subordinates eventually. If you don't care, who else will?"
Once Orochimaru weakened, Kawaki naturally pressed harder.
He shot up from his seat, like he might drag Orochimaru there right then.
"Alright, alright, I'll make time later."
Kawaki's scolding gave Orochimaru a headache. It was just giving a lecture after all—shouldn't be that big of a deal.
"There, that wasn't so bad. My words weren't wasted after all."
Kawaki wore an expression of triumph as he sat back down smugly.
"The Advanced Class has indeed succeeded. The ones assigned to our department are already handling major responsibilities."
Fugaku finally spoke, offering clear positive feedback.
"Now do you hear that? That's the result."
"The Medical Team's only shortcoming is its teaching staff."
"With your vast medical expertise, refusing to teach feels like a complete waste."
Fresh off getting Orochimaru to commit, Kawaki immediately switched to flattery.
His blatant flattery was almost endearing.
"Just shut up, listening to you talk gives me a headache."
Orochimaru shot him an annoyed glare. Like you haven't already made your point.
"A short-tempered guy."
Kawaki pointed at Orochimaru with a look of disgust before turning to Pakura with a smile.
"Pakura, have you been bored at home all these years?"
"Won't you consider finding a job?"
Kawaki's sudden question left Pakura momentarily stunned.
She had long grown used to the life of a housewife and had no intention of becoming a ninja again.
"Do what?"
"You already exploited me. Now you're trying to rope my wife into this too?"
Before Pakura could respond, Orochimaru cut in.
His gaze was full of suspicion—he suspected that Kawaki had ulterior motives.
"Don't speak like that."
"I just think it's a waste for someone with Pakura's talents to stay cooped up at home. How about teaching in the combat class?"
"Just like my sister-in-law—she occasionally comes in to teach and guide the younger generation. It's pretty great."
Kawaki was truly going all out for his Advanced Class, even going so far as to forcibly recruit instructors wherever he could find them.
"That's it?"
Orochimaru's eyes remained filled with distrust, though in truth, he couldn't bear to see Pakura pout even a little.
"That's it. What else did you expect?"
Kawaki scratched his nose—did he really seem that shady?
"It's not up to me. She decides for herself."
Seeing that Kawaki seemed sincere, Orochimaru finally relaxed a bit.
He knew Pakura had grown tired of fighting and bloodshed; if Kawaki wanted her to join Konoha's ninja ranks, he would refuse outright.
"Would I be suitable?"
At the thought of one day guiding Aoi Tsukigami and Ginji again, Pakura was already warming up to the idea.
"What's not suitable? You're the Medical Division Director's wife—a proper Medical Division Director's wife."
Kawaki understood Pakura's concerns. She was still worried about her past identity.
"They'd be honored to learn from you."
Although Jiraiya hadn't fought alongside Pakura directly, he knew well that as former Acting Kazekage, her strength was unquestionable.
"Exactly. Hope you'll take extra care of my two boys."
Dai had no doubt whatsoever that Hidetada would eventually enter the Advanced Class.
His younger son wasn't particularly gifted either, but his diligence rivaled even Gai's.
"Alright then... I agree."
She couldn't refuse such warm encouragement, so Pakura readily accepted the offer.
"Just don't skimp on the salary."
Orochimaru casually remarked to Kawaki.
"Don't worry, it won't be short."
The Ninja Academy had deeper pockets now, so naturally Kawaki wouldn't look down on such a small expense.
"This chapter hasn't ended yet!"
[Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade] – Please add to your bookmarks!
The five continued chatting for several more hours before registration finally concluded.
Knock knock knock~
Someone rapped gently on the office door of the principal.
"Come in."
He straightened up and cleared his throat.
They'd been chatting so enthusiastically his throat felt scratchy.
"Lord Kawaki, the opening ceremony is about to begin. It's time for you to make your entrance."
It was indeed Hidetada Onoda who entered—With so many big names in one room, most people wouldn't dare interrupt.
"Thank you for your hard work today."
"I'll be right there."
Although Kawaki often played pranks on Hidetada, he always treated him respectfully in ordinary times.
"Okay then. I'll head there first."
Hidetada Onoda smiled at the group and turned to leave after finishing his words.
"Go take a look—it's open for public viewing."
Kawaki stood up, straightened his clothes slightly, and tweaked his hairstyle a bit.
There was no point hiding his narcissism in front of old friends.
"You're good—looks sharp on you."
Jiraiya stepped out first, begrudgingly admitting Kawaki had bested him in the looks department.
No wonder Tsunade fell for this kid back then—he didn't lose fairly.
"Ain't that something—still thinking you're some young heartthrob despite your age?"
Orochimaru practically wore disgust on his face. Holding Pakura's hand, the two exited one after another.
It bugged him that Kawaki was pushing forty—why was he still so obsessed with his looks?
"I do what I want. What's it to you?"
"Yeah, right. Dai."
Orochimaru had already vanished, so Kawaki turned to Dai instead.
"Yeah yeah, I'm off too."
Dai brushed him off with a quick reply and vanished within seconds.
...
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade — Please bookmark this site: (m.