The Anbu ninja wearing the sheep mask was slightly startled, but immediately followed Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The two arrived on the rooftop, and only then did Sarutobi Hiruzen speak: "What is your impression of Nojuro Ryun?"
Uzuki Yūgao's shoulders trembled slightly, then she calmly said: "Talented, sincere, hardworking, serious—and very popular with girls."
The last half of the sentence surprised Sarutobi Hiruzen, but he quickly nodded, acknowledging the conclusion.
He had indeed noticed that there were many girls around Nojuro Ryun, and even Yūhi Kurenai had acknowledged him.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen paid attention to Nojuro Ryun, it wasn't to the extent of focusing on his private life; the only one who enjoyed that treatment was Uzumaki Naruto.
Now, considering Nojuro Ryun's previous words, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only sigh, thinking that if only Ryun would use this kind of drive to improve his strength!
"Since you have a good impression of him, I'm going to give you a long-term mission next. Ensure that he is no longer harassed by petty individuals, and to that end, you may become friends with him."
Uzuki Yūgao wanted to say something more, but Sarutobi Hiruzen said decisively: "It's settled. As for Hayate, I will explain it to him."
Having said that, Sarutobi Hiruzen extended his hand toward Uzuki Yūgao.
Uzuki Yūgao dared not hesitate. She removed her mask and handed it to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
This meant that from then on, she would leave the Anbu and live as an ordinary ninja.
As for Gekkō Hayate, although they could still communicate as before, they should avoid contact.
Because she knew Gekkō Hayate's identity, she could not have overly close dealings with Hayate, a direct subordinate Anbu member of the Hokage.
This was one of the confidentiality rules Anbu members had to learn.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was also well aware of such rules, yet he still did this.
This meant he seemed intent on cutting off the connection between Uzuki Yūgao and Gekkō Hayate, this pair of Anbu childhood friends. The deeper implication was something Uzuki Yūgao dared not think about too much.
"Yūgao, your personality is too gentle; you weren't really suited for work in the Anbu."
"The core of the mission I'm giving you this time is protection. These are troubled times, and I think you understand Ryun's importance."
"You don't need to feel pressured, and I won't force you to do anything you're unwilling to do. Once Ryun has developed a relatively deep emotional bond with some Konoha ninja, your mission will be considered complete."
"Understood?"
Uzuki Yūgao nodded and said, "Hokage-sama, I guarantee I will complete the mission."
"Mm, go get some rest."
After Uzuki Yūgao left, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward the shadows.
Danzo's cane tapped against the hospital rooftop floor, the thumping sound unceremoniously piercing through the entire hospital, seemingly expressing Danzo's displeasure.
"Sarutobi, you should hand that guy over to me. You know, in the past, our research on Wood Release failed, and he would be the best candidate."
"I will have Yamato teach him, and then make him Konoha's next Senju Hashirama. Besides, he claims to be a descendant of the Senju clan; that's also something you'd be happy to see, isn't it?"
In the past, Sarutobi Hiruzen might have agreed to Danzo's plan.
But now, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew he had to keep Danzo away from Ryun.
Ryun was already connected to the Hyūga and Yamanaka clans, had good relations with disciples of other clans, and coupled with his current suspected Senju bloodline and his declared admiration for the First Hokage...
Sarutobi Hiruzen estimated that some people who still remembered the Senju would soon try to befriend Ryun.
If Ryun actually aspired to be a ninja, Sarutobi Hiruzen might even have to worry about his power expanding too quickly.
Upon careful thought, the current situation was actually quite good.
He didn't need to worry about Ryun causing too much trouble, and it also allowed the various clans of Konoha to have a new point of balanced interests.
The only thing to worry about was Danzo's obsession with Wood Release; he might secretly try to lay hands on Ryun.
"Danzo, the Senju clan has already spread its branches and leaves within Konoha. Ryun will be no different."
"While a reemergence of Senju Hashirama would certainly be a good thing, several or even a dozen Yamatos can also make Konoha great again."
"Put away your petty schemes. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting. As long as I live one more day, I will not allow you to use the village's people for human experiments."
"Sarutobi, you're too hypocritical—"
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Danzo snorted coldly and left, tapping his cane on the floor. The thumping sounds made Ryun grin.
But Ryun's expression now was a grin because he hadn't expected to have the chance to closely enjoy the daily flirtatious banter between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo.
Moreover, the two probably wouldn't have many more chances to see each other. He estimated that after Danzo returned, he would contact Orochimaru and tell him to be even harsher on Sarutobi Hiruzen during the Chunin Exams.
As for Ryun, he had confirmed his plan to completely eliminate Danzo during the Chunin Exams.
Otherwise, after Sarutobi Hiruzen died, that guy would definitely use Ryun for experiments to perfect his own body.
Ryun couldn't be bothered to argue with him anymore.
It was better to think about the next simulation.
This time, Ryun had successfully confessed to four girls, gaining a full 20 simulation chances.
Now he had the simulation chances to strengthen them; even using 5 enhancement chances on each of them wouldn't be a loss.
Next was the simulation plan.
Ryun intended to conduct four quick simulations, solely to rapidly improve the talents of the four girls.
After they grew stronger, Ryun could then simulate in a way that allowed everyone to leave behind offspring, hoping through a wide-net approach for Ryun's own talent to evolve.
So, in the upcoming simulations, Ryun would try his best not to cause trouble. Of course, that didn't mean he would do nothing at all.
Currently, his Advanced Yang Release, Yin Release Chakra, Cellular Activation, Wood Release, Natural Energy Adaptation, two mental talents, and even his Space-Time Ninjutsu all needed further detailed study.
In reality, Ryun certainly couldn't spend years on such things, so he might as well be a research-oriented person in the following simulations.
For this, Ryun would also need to obtain enough money, and perhaps even cooperate with Orochimaru. These were all methods that needed to be tested through simulations to confirm their success.
Finally, there was the simulation order for the girls.
Hinata would undoubtedly be saved for last, the reason still being Ryun's need to hide the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai issue.
Tenten didn't need to be first either; Ryun had already upgraded her talent once, and she hadn't yet fully tapped into her potential.
The same applied to Anko; at her current age, to improve her strength, a change in talent wouldn't have much impact. Learning a new system of jutsu would be more practical.
Therefore, in the end, Ryun had to choose between Ino and Sakura. Naturally, he would choose Sakura.
In the short term, Ino still had to fight within the Ino-Shika-Cho formation; the improvement of her individual strength wouldn't have too much impact. But Sakura was different.
Before the Chunin Exams, Sakura still had to undergo the trial in the Land of Waves.
Since Sakura and Ryun had already confessed their feelings to each other, Ryun couldn't let her become the one holding the team back.
He had to make Sakura the big sister figure to Naruto and Sasuke, at the very least, to be worthy of his relationship with Sakura.
That's right, if you don't spoil your own future wife, are you just waiting for her to be bullied and end up crying?
Having sorted this out, Ryun closed his eyes.
He certainly wouldn't conduct a simulation now; he would wait until he got home and had a Shadow Clone guarding him before doing so.
This also allowed Ryun to successfully notice Uzuki Yūgao, who had changed into casual clothes and returned to the hospital. Her face still held confusion about the future.
Suddenly being pushed out of the system, having to live alone from now on, it was impossible for Uzuki Yūgao not to feel lost.
Especially since the Third Hokage seemed intent on bringing her closer to Ryun, which left her at a loss.
She still hadn't forgotten the shock of her chakra interaction with Ryun back then, and she didn't know how to face him.
These problems would probably trouble her for a long time.
Ryun, on the other hand, quickly shifted his attention and stopped sensing Uzuki Yūgao.
Although Uzuki Yūgao was an important participant in Ryun's starting journey, there no longer seemed to be a place for her by his side now.
The next day, after Ryun completed the discharge procedures, the four girls surrounding him proved this point even more.
Looking at the girls, each with an unfriendly expression, Ryun smiled radiantly, without a shred of shame or restraint, and said: "Good morning, my girlfriends."
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