"Is that Uchiha Hayato?"
The Jonin whispered among themselves, their gazes unanimously falling on the boy sitting beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.
They already knew the purpose of the meeting, but when they actually saw the child, they couldn't hide their shock.
"Even Orochimaru and Jiraiya didn't get this close to the Hokage at such a young age."
Someone sighed softly, while another murmured, "Konoha Village has probably only ever given such favoritism to Tsunade."
Nara Shikaku thought of his own child, a hint of worry flashing in his heart.
Although Shikaku was quick-witted, his current lazy demeanor was exactly like his, and he wondered when he would become more reliable.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the center, his Hokage robe draped majestically over the sides of his chair.
His gaze swept across the room, and he announced calmly and authoritatively, "The meeting will now begin."
"Shikaku, please report on the progress of the instant communicator's development."
"Yes!" Nara Shikaku responded, holding up the intelligence report, his voice clear.
"The instant communicator is a device that allows four people to conduct video calls simultaneously.
It will be prioritized for Anbu and Jonin squad members.
Its maximum transmission distance is…"
He looked up at everyone: "Unknown. If not strongly interfered with by Chakra, I judge that it can function normally in any corner of the Ninja World."
He passed the intelligence report to the other members for them to review one by one.
For a moment, whispers filled the room.
The Jonin understood the value of intelligence and knew that this device would completely revolutionize traditional communication methods.
Carrier pigeons would become a thing of the past.
"So that's… Uchiha Hayato?"
Orochimaru stood in the corner, looking at the upright Uchiha Hayato, the gold in his eyes growing brighter.
Jiraiya lowered his head in silence, looking troubled.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't pause, turning to look at Uchiha Hayato beside him, his tone gentle and expectant: "Hayato, it's your turn to introduce it."
Hayato nodded, his childish but firm voice echoing throughout the hall: "Everyone, the instant communicator is a product I summoned from another world."
Silence filled the hall, and he continued: "In that other world, there is a type of creature called 'Pokémon' that can live, fight, and even assist humans in their work.
For example, this bottle of milk, which can restore Chakra, is produced by a Pokémon named 'Miltank'."
Uchiha Hayato took out a ball of silvery silk from his backpack: "This is silk spun by a 'Caterpie'.
It's extremely tough, and using it to make defensive gear can significantly improve its quality."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took over the topic, his tone steady: "Starting today, Pokémon will become an important strategic resource for Konoha.
No one is allowed to harm them.
Hayato and I will jointly establish the 'Pokemon Trading Company', and everyone in the village will have the opportunity to participate."
The meeting entered the phase of profit distribution and inter-clan negotiations.
Hayato seized the opportunity to withdraw, thinking to himself: "Let the Hokage handle these complex disputes.
I just need to let everyone know my value; the rest is none of my business."
After all, he had already made his proposal; the remaining haggling would be handled by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He wasn't the Hokage, so it wasn't his place to resolve such matters.
He just needed to show his face and let everyone know his importance.
Uchiha Hayato got up and left.
Just as he reached the door, a cold, alluring voice sounded from behind him: "Hayato-kun, Sensei truly can't stop praising you."
Hayato looked up, meeting a pair of golden snake-like eyes.
Orochimaru stood silently, his pale complexion making him appear even more eerie, a meaningful smile playing on the corner of his lips: "Do you have time to chat?
I'm very interested in your Pokémon."
Hayato was momentarily dazed.
The current Orochimaru wasn't yet the mad scientist.
The person standing before him was the young Orochimaru, currently the most promising candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
His long, sharp eyes, combined with his paper-pale complexion, gave him a unique, eerie beauty.
Uchiha Hayato shivered inwardly.
Although he hadn't yet changed, Orochimaru's values were already somewhat distorted from the start.
He needed to find a way to get along with him safely.
"Excuse me, Orochimaru, but I also have something to discuss with this kid."
Jiraiya put on his signature smile, casually pushed Orochimaru aside, and stood in front of Uchiha Hayato.
"Hayato, you should know that I…"
"Move, move!"
Before Uchiha Hayato could react, he was grabbed by a warm hand.
Accompanied by a waft of fragrant scent, he was already pulled out.
He looked closely and saw that the person standing in front of him was clearly Tsunade Hime of Konoha.
Uchiha Hayato was a little surprised.
Even if he had displayed the ability to summon Pokémon, these three didn't need to be more eager than the last, did they?
However… it really made him a little curious.
Hayato subconsciously looked up, his gaze unexpectedly colliding with a towering peak.
He paused, then immediately forced his eyes away, pretending to be nonchalant as he spoke:
"Lady Tsunade, what do you need me for?"
Tsunade felt a slight annoyance.
This brat had actually stared at her chest for a few seconds just now; he shouldn't think she hadn't noticed!
But with a favor to ask, Tsunade naturally wouldn't bother with such trivial matters.
Sorry, Nawaki, you'll have to rely on yourself for revenge.
She smiled, her tone softening a bit:
"Hayato, you're about the same age as Nawaki, so just call me Tsunade-nee.
Tsunade-nee has something she'd like to ask for your help with."
Uchiha Hayato's expression was strange.
Besides Uchiha Mikoto, another person was calling herself his older sister.
Are all you Konoha people like this?
He spoke hesitantly:
"Tsunade-nee, you're not… trying to borrow money, are you?"
Tsunade's mouth slightly opened, a little caught off guard.
She had indeed lost all the reward money she had just earned at the casino recently.
Had this become common knowledge?
Actually, she had already found out that Hayato had received a million ryo from Hiruzen-sensei and was preparing to establish some kind of trading company.
Since the child's future was destined to be prosperous, borrowing some money from him wouldn't be a problem.
Anyway, an enemy's money should be used against the enemy!
Thinking this, she spoke with righteous indignation:
"That's right! Lend me some money, and I'll pay you back when I win it all back."
He guessed right.
This gambling-addicted Tsunade Hime was already so "outstanding" since childhood.
What was even more terrifying was that she was a big sucker who always lost when she gambled.
As expected, she came to him to borrow money again this time.
You're borrowing money from a child; does your conscience not hurt?
Thinking this, he looked at Tsunade with a complex gaze, his tone helpless:
"Tsunade-nee, how much do you want to borrow? And when will you pay it back?"
Tsunade was startled, then a little embarrassed.
Although she had no intention of paying it back, being asked so directly by Hayato still made her feel a bit awkward.
However, she quickly comforted herself: Why should I pay back money I borrowed with my own hands?
She lifted her head, pretending to be nonchalant: "Don't worry, I'll pay you back once I win back everything I've lost."
At worst, she could teach him some Ninjutsu.
He should know that she was a disciple of the Hokage; how many people wished for this opportunity but couldn't get it?
Tsunade lifted her pale neck, her arms crossed, making the curve of her chest even more distinct.
"Before that, I can teach you a few Ninjutsu, you know.
Anything I know, you can learn."
"Wait a minute, Tsunade."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru walked out, the two who usually didn't get along now standing side by side, a rare sight.
"We also have something to discuss with Hayato."