As the meeting progressed, the power structure once established by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was steadily being overturned and reshuffled.
Some were pleased. Others were not.
The massive shares of medicinal herbs, timber, and food service industries—once nearly monopolized by the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance—were now revoked.
Naturally, Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza were disappointed by the decision.
But at least their core authority within the village remained untouched, and their official positions had not changed.
The other clans, however, were secretly thrilled.
This change signaled an opportunity. With the Ino-Shika-Cho monopoly broken, the rest could finally extend their influence into those industries and claim a slice of the economic pie.
Unfortunately for them, everything was unfolding exactly as Uchiha Hikaru had anticipated.
Among all present, only three people—Uchiha Hikaru, Tsunade, and Shikaku Nara—could see the trap laid beneath the surface.
Those industries weren't being opened up for the benefit of other ninja clans.
The true reason behind Hikaru's decision was to stimulate the untapped potential of the civilian population in Konoha—unleashing their creativity and economic innovation.
His long-term goal was clear: to lead Konoha toward a future where it could surpass the other four great nations economically, not just militarily.
While the clan heads were still busy scheming over how to seize control of the newly vacated markets, the meeting quietly moved to the next item on the agenda.
Shizune massaged her sore wrist and spoke again.
"Next agenda item: the establishment of the Konoha Ninjutsu Academy."
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room turned tense.
Even Shikaku looked taken aback.
The expressions of the major clan leaders turned grim in unison.
Ninjutsu Academy?
Is he planning to analyze and dissect clan-specific techniques and kekkei genkai?
Would this mean the village would gain control over the secrets that made each family unique?
Everyone present understood that the strength of a ninja clan came from their secret techniques and inherited bloodlines—passed down through generations.
To give that up would be crossing a line none of them were willing to approach.
Seeing the shift in their expressions, Tsunade felt a blaze of rage rise in her chest.
This—this was exactly why she had left the village once before.
Whether it was Konoha or any of the other hidden villages, their structures were fundamentally the same: military institutions built to serve the daimyo, who funded them.
These villages, for all their culture and identity, were nothing more than powerful interest alliances—with the Kage as the one entrusted with dividing the spoils.
And the only way to maintain stability was to balance and restrain the power of the clans.
"Smack!"
Tsunade slammed her palm down onto the table, her voice tight with frustration.
"You were all so enthusiastic when it came to fighting for power and position just now!"
"But now that you're being offered something—even something that might reduce your clan's private advantage—you look like you've swallowed poison!"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Orochimaru, explain the purpose of the Ninjutsu Academy. I've already assigned it to you."
Her words made many of the clan heads lower their heads in shame.
No one dared speak in protest.
Earlier, they'd fought tooth and nail for status and profit, showing their ugliest sides. Now the Hokage was clearly angry—and no one wanted to be the first target of her wrath.
As the silence thickened, Orochimaru's lifeless expression lit up for the first time in the meeting.
The listlessness that clung to him evaporated.
He leaned forward, resting his hands on the edge of the table, and began to speak with growing fervor.
"The Ninjutsu Academy, as the name implies..."
"From this point forward, I will oversee the research and analysis of all existing ninjutsu and forbidden techniques within the village."
"To put it simply, this academy will carry on the innovative legacy of the Second Hokage."
"Many forget that a large part of Konoha's strength today comes from the Sealed Book he left behind."
"Within that scroll lie countless powerful jutsu—some even forbidden. Mastering just one can elevate a shinobi to the level of elite Jonin, or even a legend of the shinobi world."
At that, the clan heads began to see the picture more clearly.
Of course. The water-style scrolls left by Tobirama Senju were practically holy scripture to Konoha's Jonin.
For any shinobi with an affinity for water chakra, the first jutsu they'd exchange merit points for was always one of Tobirama's.
Even Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist—supposed masters of water-style—had once tried to steal them.
In past wars, there were absurd scenarios where Mist ninja found themselves completely overwhelmed by Konoha Jonin using water-style jutsu.
They'd spend precious seconds performing a dozen seals for the Water Dragon Jutsu—only to die mid-casting as a Konoha shinobi executed the same jutsu in just four hand signs.
Instant kill.
Some of the Mist shinobi died with open eyes, stunned not just by death—but by the sheer skill disparity.
Is this guy actually a water-style master? Are we the fake ones? Is Konoha the real Hidden Mist?
And when it came to forbidden jutsu—well, Orochimaru didn't need to elaborate. Everyone in the room understood what that meant.
Even a single forbidden technique, once mastered, could create a powerhouse.
Take Might Duy, for example. Once written off as an unremarkable Genin, he opened the Eight Gates and single-handedly destroyed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Four of the seven died.
The remaining three? They ran for their lives.
Biwa Juzo and Kurosuki Raiga survived—but both were left with lasting trauma.
The third, the wielder of Samehada, lost his mind entirely. He was so mentally shattered that his own subordinate—Kisame—ended up killing him.
Biwa Juzo? He abandoned the village altogether.
Why?
Because a no-name Konoha Genin kicked his sword in half.
One kick. That's all it took.
Do you understand what kind of monsters Konoha raises?
Since then, every time he saw a Konoha shinobi, Juzo remembered that moment—his weapon snapping like a twig.
He used to say, "My broadsword isn't bad either."
Now? "I don't want it to break again!!!"
As for Kurosuki Raiga—no one knows what happened to him. He just vanished.
But rumors say there's a man out there now, wandering aimlessly with long green hair, holding funerals for imaginary corpses.
He threatens villagers to attend funerals that never happened. Delusional. Broken.
That's what became of Kurosuki Raiga.
Mentally destroyed.
And why hasn't anyone taken him out?
Because no one wastes time killing a washed-up Chunin with scrambled brains.
Just bad luck. Nothing more.
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Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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