Chapter 212: The Altered Tide of Battle, Preparations for Edo Hashirama and Various Arrangements
Konoha.
Scientific Research Department.
"The Kazekage and Rasa's understanding of Magnet Style truly has some substance..."
Orochimaru examined the intelligence scroll in his hand, nodding slightly as he discussed it with Hiruko:
"Sunagakure's method of cultivating Magnet Style is highly systematic. Evolving step-by-step from the Second Kazekage's sand manipulation jutsu, they turned it into a kekkei genkai that can be mastered through post-natal training..."
"And there are multiple variants within it. Fugaku specifically wrote from the frontlines asking me to figure it out. This should be enough for him to properly develop his unique Magnet Style."
"Other Konoha shinobi with the appropriate aptitude can also attempt to master it."
After the Third Kazekage and Rasa were defeated and captured, Hanzo and Sakumo sent them to Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had issued directives regarding this.
For these two individuals, they were far more useful alive than dead, because they themselves were already crippled.
Aside from their symbolic status as the Kazekage and the Kazekage's disciple, the intelligence and raw material within their minds held value for Konoha. Under the Intelligence Department's intensive interrogation, everything was easily copied out...
They even found out that Rasa had fathered Gaara specifically to curry favor with the Kazekage...
"The harmless treatment has also been properly implemented now; I didn't even need to design it deliberately."
Hiruko nodded:
"After the salamander venom was further processed by you and Tsunade, its combination with chakra not only made it more virulent, but also granted it far greater resistance to high-temperature environments."
"In practical combat environments, the combination of the salamander swarm and the Second Hokage's Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags yields spectacular results."
"However, further optimization is going to be extremely difficult, such as building resistance to highly acidic or alkaline environments..."
Although the Third Kazekage and Rasa were still alive, the massive residual salamander venom had deeply eroded their chakra pathways and physical bodies. To extract their intelligence, Orochimaru and Hiruko had administered detoxification treatments.
But the chakra levels and physical condition of the two had already plummeted several tiers, making them inferior even to ordinary Jonin.
When the hardware can't keep up, no amount of experience matters.
Orochimaru waved his hand:
"Making the salamander venom resistant to high temperatures is already sufficient. Even summoning beast species are divided into tiers of superiority. There's no need to tilt resources further to research how Hanzo can bypass highly acidic or alkaline environments."
"The focus now needs to be shifted to researching Lord Hashirama, as well as the development of the Dragon Vein sector."
"The teacher entrusted us with the management of the scientific research resources, so we must maximize their utility. Otherwise, we would be betraying his trust and cultivation..."
Hiruko nodded thoughtfully.
This wasn't just an issue of resources. In his view, Orochimaru was also considering his own path to becoming Hokage...
If Hanzo were to be strengthened even further, even though the Research Department had backups regarding his venom, considering Hanzo's mastery of Tobirama's Water Style series...
While the Third Hokage was in office, there was naturally nothing to worry about; he could easily suppress him.
But what about the day Orochimaru took over?
After all, these two had a fascinating shared history, having been bestowed the title of the "Sannin"...
"The Dragon Vein is indeed interesting..."
"Massive amounts of chakra, almost akin to a living organism, are hidden beneath Rouran. It's a natural, high-quality resource... Furthermore, according to the Third Kazekage's memories, there are legends in the Land of Wind suggesting it is connected to space-time."
Hiruko cleverly changed the subject.
"We definitely need to research it. The village's next key sectors must focus on three areas: the 'Dragon Vein,' 'Natural Energy and Curse Marks,' and 'Hashirama's Cells.'"
"The teacher and I have already communicated. We will toss Rasa and the Third Kazekage back to Sunagakure and the Land of Wind to deal with, letting them torment these two sinners themselves."
"Chiyo's grandson, 'Sasori,' is a smart young man; Sakumo was full of praise for him..."
"We'll take Sunagakure's Rouran region and their gold reserves as the lion's share. We don't need to bother with the rest of the wretched people and barren land. As long as they hand over their puppet jutsu and mission quota, it will be considered a perfect success."
Orochimaru said with a light chuckle.
If they had executed Rasa and the Third Kazekage in Konoha, the shinobi within Sunagakure who supported them could, to some extent, use their deaths to rally under the banner of "dying for the Land of Wind."
The dead cannot defend themselves.
And death would automatically erase the majority of their faults in the minds of the Suna shinobi.
The logic behind this was somewhat akin to Danzo's current self-destructive tendencies.
But sending these two cripples back alive meant that new, rising factions within Sunagakure, like Sasori's—provided their brains were functioning properly—would step over these two to ascend to power, negating all their previous decisions targeting Konoha.
To fundamentally differentiate themselves from the failed Kazekage and Rasa, they would need to offer sincere reparations to Konoha, thereby altering Sunagakure's internal propaganda narrative from its very foundational logic.
Whether a living person or a dead person is more useful requires analyzing the specific circumstances.
The same applied to whether killing a person or destroying their spirit was more terrifying.
Sasori's emergence and his bizarre stance had made Konoha's handling of Sunagakure significantly easier, allowing them to extract their essence without expending too much effort.
Hiruko nodded.
This was exactly why he had never thought about competing with Orochimaru for the top spot in the Scientific Research Department...
Being the boss required not only the ability to fight but also a brain.
There were simply too many aspects to consider.
It wasn't as pure as scientific research...
"You also need to help me shoulder part of the burden."
Orochimaru said with a smile, "Now that the situation on the frontlines has reversed, Sasori, Chiyo, and the Daimyo of the Land of Wind have already submitted their surrender documents."
"I will represent the teacher to negotiate with them, swiftly accepting their war reparations, technological achievements, and taking over the Rouran region."
"Iwagakure and Kumogakure have also retreated within their own borders. However, because the Third Raikage and Onoki are present, even though their Jinchuriki are heavily wounded, they still possess strategic defensive value and are continuing to resist."
"The teacher's intention is to leverage this transition from defense to offense. While we hold the initiative to dictate the boundaries and intensity of the war, we will send Konoha's various corps and squads into Iwagakure and Kumogakure territory to temper themselves."
Controllable wars of attrition were a classic military strategy; there were already mature examples of this back when the Eastern Han dynasty dealt with the Xiongnu, securing maximum strategic gains at minimum cost.
"It's not good for us to always stay cooped up in the Research Department. We still need to make an appearance on the battlefield. This will also help us understand the needs of frontline shinobi, allowing us to further adjust our research direction..."
"Ultimately, all the projects in the Research Department are meant for the shinobi in the village. Projects that don't meet their needs must be adjusted promptly. Detaching ourselves from reality will inevitably lead to problems sooner or later."
Orochimaru added, "These are the teacher's words."
"Lord Hokage's words are always so profound!" Hiruko said from the bottom of his heart.
Seeing Hiruko's reaction, Orochimaru chuckled, unable to help but think:
"No wonder the teacher likes to play the role of the inheritor of the First Hokage's, the Second Hokage's, and even Madara's will..."
"This trick is incredibly useful!"
Raising a grand banner and borrowing authority was a necessary step to experience when building consensus.
"I'll give you a heads-up."
"This time, as the village transitions from defense to offense, the casualty rates of the shinobi and logistical metrics will be heavily scrutinized. You absolutely must not greedily advance for merit; you must thoroughly understand the strategic significance behind this."
Orochimaru said meaningfully.
Hiruko thought for a moment and nodded. "I understand. I will specifically arrange for elite young shinobi like Asuma and Guy to experience the battlefield."
"Give newly promoted Jonin and Tokubetsu Jonin opportunities to temper their command and war experience."
Orochimaru nodded:
"It's good that you understand this."
"With the war having reached this point, the village has practically already won. Sunagakure's technology and Rouran, along with the Land of Water and Kirigakure, are enough for us to digest for a few years."
"Now, it's just about swallowing Iwagakure and Kumogakure. We don't have enough shinobi and bureaucrats to govern them anyway, so we'll just slowly grind them down until they're exhausted, and then have them obediently cough up their core resources."
Without establishing cultural, institutional, and various other forms of consensus, the cost of ruling a new region would be ten times higher than domestic costs.
Recklessly swallowing them would only plunge Konoha into the internal friction of indigestion.
It would look good on the surface, but the substance would be lost.
"Following the teacher's plans, we can't go wrong..."
"After a while, the teacher will completely rebuild the Land of Water. Kirigakure shinobi will be integrated into Konoha's formations to fight alongside us. This is also key to helping them build an identification with Konoha and facilitating subsequent cooperation."
"You need to pay close attention to this point as well."
Orochimaru shook his head with a sigh: "I heard that some Kirigakure shinobi are already calling the teacher 'Lord First Mizukage', and the Daimyo of the Land of Water is showing strong intentions to cut ties with Byakuren."
"They're certainly quick to seize an opportunity..." Hiruko said with a smile.
"But isn't that to be expected? Compared to Kirigakure, whose direction has been muddled since its founding, the Will of Fire and Konoha's systems are simply far superior."
"Although the 'Blood Mist Village' created by the Third Mizukage was utterly atrocious, it must be said that, objectively speaking, his actions over these past few years have helped the village significantly lower the cost of absorbing Kirigakure and the Land of Water."
"If the Third Raikage and Onoki had done the same, the village might actually be able to digest those two major nations right now."
Orochimaru also started laughing, shaking his head:
"Someone like Mizutori, who, as the Mizukage, blew up his own village... Forget about the decades since the establishment of the one-village-one-nation system; even if you look back centuries in the shinobi world, you'd be hard-pressed to find more than a handful of clan leaders who engaged in similar behavior."
"This is a point worthy of our deep analysis."
"The teacher said that this is a moral decline caused by radicalization. Using this as a classic case study to interpret and analyze through the lens of the Will of Fire would, in my opinion, make for an excellent research project."
"So-called scientific research shouldn't always be confined to ninjutsu. The psychological and spiritual state of the shinobi, as well as deepening the village's institutional construction, are also very important aspects."
Orochimaru spoke with great earnestness.
The longer he stayed by Hiruzen Sarutobi's side, the more he observed and learned from his teacher, the more Orochimaru came to realize this.
Ninjutsu, kekkei genkai, secret techniques, scientific research, and even Tailed Beasts...
Ultimately, they all require individual "people" as carriers.
Understanding "people" and the structure of the village is the most important duty of a Hokage. Only by achieving this can one truly claim to possess "Hokage-style thinking."
Hiruko let out a sigh.
The gap in vision and caliber between him and Orochimaru was clearly evident here. He could only say that Orochimaru was truly worthy of being the disciple the Lord Hokage had raised since childhood!
His every movement, every word, and every action already carried a hint of the Lord Hokage's shadow...
"By the way, how do you think Sasori will handle the Kazekage and Rasa?"
Hiruko wondered aloud.
"How else can he handle them? By avoiding combat so actively on the battlefield, while Sunagakure got battered so badly by Hanzo, Sakumo, and Nagato, he's already making a very clear break from the decisions of the Third Kazekage and Rasa."
"Right now, both the actual results and the internal public opinion in the village are on Sasori and Chiyo's side."
"Furthermore, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind has been at odds with the Kazekage for a long time; the two sides have constantly been in conflict."
Orochimaru said casually:
"If I were Sasori, upon returning, I'd hold a general assembly and force the Kazekage to step down himself. As for Rasa, I'd keep him around to pan for gold in the desert every day until he works himself to death. Then, once everything is set in stone, I'd finish off the Third Kazekage and claim he committed suicide."
"I heard Sunagakure possesses a special puppet kinjutsu. I've read Sasori's file, and I can see a bit of my past self in that kid..."
"If the Third Kazekage's current body were turned into a puppet, it would actually be much stronger than he is now. This would also benefit Sasori in consolidating his own rule."
Hiruko nodded silently. "Let's hope Sasori is a smart man!"
Regarding the matter of the puppet kinjutsu, neither Orochimaru nor Hiruko leveled any moral condemnation against Sasori.
Because as researchers of the "Tobirama Faction," such things truly didn't matter...
It was worth mentioning that after Tobirama utilized the absurdly overpowered combination of Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags and Edo Tensei, Danzo had actually made an unexpected move.
It was somewhat reminiscent of Hiruzen Sarutobi claiming authorship of the "Living Corpse Reincarnation."
Danzo publicly declared that the deployment was his doing and had nothing to do with anyone else.
While it looked like he was stealing military merit, he was actually solidly taking the fall for his disciple. After all, the combination of those two jutsu carried a stench of Tobirama that was simply too pungent...
If word got out, it would be detrimental to his beloved disciple Ao's future reputation...
Danzo was still counting on Ao becoming Hokage after his death, inheriting Hiruzen's fireside chat program, and telling the shinobi a few "heartwarming little stories of the Shinobi of Darkness" on his behalf!
It could only be said that on this particular point, Danzo and Tobirama were cut from the same cloth.
They both relied on their beloved disciples to whitewash their reputations...
"You and I also need to immediately take charge of the pension and logistics matters."
Orochimaru's expression turned serious:
"Condolences to the families and the disbursement of funds must be strictly implemented. Anyone who dares to tamper with this or harbor ill intentions, regardless of their identity or background, must be dealt with severely!"
"The teacher specifically emphasized that if anyone dares to 'eat heartily in the rear while the frontlines starve,' they will be sent straight to meet the Sage of Six Paths to repent in the Pure Land."
"Businesses that proactively supported the village during this war—such as 'Ichiraku Ramen' voluntarily donating funds and providing free meals to frontline shinobi—must be tangibly recognized."
"Pennants and plaques must be delivered, designating them as 'Outstanding Merchants of the Will of Fire.' They should receive certain tax exemptions, and the village must prioritize these merchants for future cultural and sports collaborations."
Hiruko sighed with admiration:
"Lord Hokage truly thinks of everything!"
"In reality, the Konoha shinobi aren't lacking that one bowl of ramen. What's important is that upon returning to the village from frontline combat, they can feel the unsparing support of their own people through these small gestures. This emotional value is incredibly important."
"On a grander scale, it can be called the manifestation of the Will of Fire!"
After spending so much time with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruko also slowly came to realize something: shinobi generally had psychological issues...
They were a group of people severely lacking in love and care.
The high-pressure environment of the shinobi world often led to personality defects, and the Will of Fire was the best specific cure to mend this spiritual void.
Of course, Hiruko didn't think he had any issues himself; he just hadn't met the Lord Hokage earlier...
"It's not easy for anyone. Although it's for the village's long-term interests, as long as there is war, casualties are inevitable. If the pension issues aren't handled properly, it will damage the teacher's authority..."
"That Uchiha kid on Minato's team named Obito also died in battle. It's quite a pity."
Orochimaru shook his head.
Due to Obito's enthusiasm and positive work attitude, coupled with the Uchiha's newly elevated status as part of the Hokage faction, he had a good reputation among the elderly at the village entrance, making him quite well-known in the village.
The elderly frequently praised him, boasting about this enthusiastic young man to the various Konoha Committee Members, to the point where even Orochimaru had a relatively deep impression of Obito.
Orochimaru had even specifically observed Obito twice because of this, and was slightly surprised to find...
Although Obito was an Uchiha clansman, the boy gave Orochimaru an indescribable sense of déjà vu, reminding him of his former disciple, Nawaki.
But what Orochimaru couldn't comprehend was, why did this kid also step on an explosive tag?
Explosive tags really were the ultimate counter to hot-blooded idiots, weren't they?!
"It is a great pity..."
Hiruko sighed:
"We need to enhance young shinobi's vigilance against explosive tags! However, I've read Obito's intelligence file; he fell victim to Iwagakure's specially crafted concealed explosive tags and Explosion Style creations. You can only say he had bad luck..."
"I will make sure to look after his grandmother."
"We've collected enough Explosion Style material during this war. Our village will possess it in the future as well."
"But, did you notice the experiences of his two teammates? The kid from Sakumo's family, and that medical ninja Tsunade looks after..."
"Lady Mito is extremely angry right now, you know..." Hiruko's expression was subtle.
After Kakashi and Rin Nohara awoke, thanks to Ashina Uzumaki's sealing therapy, their injuries had essentially healed on their own. They rushed back to the command center to report the incident.
Because of this, when Konoha pushed back against the Iwagakure frontline, relying on the intelligence brought back by Obito, Kakashi, and Rin, they bypassed a massive number of traps, making a highly tangible contribution.
But the seals on their bodies were very conspicuous...
After multiple rounds of investigation, it was confirmed that Kakashi and Rin had no enemy contingencies planted on them, but the seals were incredibly difficult to undo.
It wasn't until Orochimaru and Hiruko brought them to Mito, who personally intervened, that they were finally unsealed.
What was revealed after unsealing was even more shocking, displaying an extremely bizarre diagram...
At the time, Mito had laughed—a laugh born of pure fury!
Tobirama, do you know you've played a bit too big this time?
Don't let me catch you. If I catch you, I'll definitely bring the Nine-Tails and slap you across the face with it!
Hiding in the shadows to act as the mastermind of the shinobi world, serving as a controllable external conflict to stimulate Konoha's development—Mito, as a Warring States era shinobi, could understand all of that.
Such things were commonplace in her era...
But how the hell could you use Edo Tensei on my father?!
Did you even ask for the family member's opinion?!
Others might not have recognized the sealing jutsu on Kakashi and Rin Nohara, but once unsealed, the structure of the "Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration" and the specific sealing techniques employed immediately confirmed to Mito that it was the handiwork of her father, Ashina Uzumaki.
Within the Uzumaki Clan, to a powerhouse like Mito, the details of a sealing jutsu were identical to an ID card.
It was nearly impossible to fake!
And from the logic of using Edo Tensei on Ashina Uzumaki, Mito also felt it perfectly aligned with her brother-in-law's style...
First, he was strong enough. As an enforcer, he could further influence the tide of the shinobi world's battles.
Second, his beloved disciple Hiruzen Sarutobi was cultivating the Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration. Regarding this blind spot in Tobirama's knowledge, it was naturally fitting for a teacher to summon an "expert" from the Pure Land to offer some guidance...
Mito became increasingly certain of Tobirama's identity.
If it wasn't that little bastard, how could he know Konoha so intimately?
Consequently, the long-dormant wrath of Mito sparked an astonishing demand presented to Orochimaru and Hiruko!
Using Tailed Beast chakra and mass-cloned Hashirama cells as a foundation, they were to create a vessel that replicated Hashirama's peak strength in life as closely as possible, and pour all their efforts into refining the Edo Tensei jutsu!
Mito had a faint premonition.
Since Ashina Uzumaki had been summoned via Edo Tensei, it meant Tobirama had gone mad. There was no way only one Warring States powerhouse had fallen victim to his jutsu. It was highly likely that the former Kage of every village had been gathered together!
Tobirama was perfectly capable of doing something so horrifying!
While Mito believed Tobirama's actions were ultimately for Konoha's benefit, as a washed-up Hokage already detached from the village's system, his desire for control seemed slightly excessive...
Things couldn't always go according to his rhythm!
You want to use Edo Tensei?
Then I'll use Edo Tensei too!
Mito dared to wager that Tobirama wouldn't dare use Edo Tensei on Hashirama, because he was simply too difficult to control...
But it was different for Konoha. Hashirama would just laugh heartily and stroll through the village every day...
When Hiruko brought up this issue, both his and Orochimaru's expressions became highly nuanced.
It was the single most sensitive topic among Konoha's current higher-ups!
Even given their status, it was a topic best left entirely untouched...
The kind that even Hiruzen Sarutobi refused to acknowledge or face!
Lord Second Hokage was still alive, and had established a bizarre, mysterious organization.
Orochimaru coughed heavily:
"This matter, it's hard to say. We juniors shouldn't meddle in the affairs of the previous generations!"
"Since Lady Mito wishes to see Lord Hashirama again, we must do our utmost to fulfill her request. I see that the Three-Tails, Six-Tails, and Nine-Tails are all willing to contribute to reviving the First Lord..."
"We have plenty of the First Lord's cells on hand. Mount Myoboku has expressed great willingness to assist with Natural Energy, and Lady Mito is currently refining the Edo Tensei jutsu. This matter isn't difficult on a technical level."
"But many things aren't just about the technical level, you know..."
Hiruko shivered slightly.
The older generation of shinobi were simply too authoritative; they never held back when it came to throwing down.
Over there, it's Edo Tensei on Ashina Uzumaki, and potentially the powerhouses and former Kage of every village...
And over here, they're preparing to whip out the God of Shinobi!
The proxy war hadn't even truly begun, yet the intensity and smell of gunpowder were already outrageously thick, making the highly serious Third Great Ninja War look like child's play...
"To be honest, Lady Mito is genuinely terrifying when she's angry..."
"The angry words she spoke that day didn't seem fake to me: 'Worst comes to worst, I'll sink the shinobi world and rebuild Konoha.' It made my heart pound wildly. I mean, honestly, Lord Tobirama really pushed her too far..."
Hiruko said, lowering his voice.
"Alright, alright. Whether it's the structure of the sealing jutsu or the matter of letting the First Lord tour Konoha, I've already reported it to the teacher. The teacher merely approved it with a 'Permitted'..."
Orochimaru emphasized the nature of the situation: "This isn't using Edo Tensei on the First Lord for the sake of the war. It's purely to let the Konoha shinobi see Lord Hashirama one more time..."
"You know the teacher has very deep feelings for that person, which is why he has delayed acknowledging it for so long."
"This matter must be kept strictly confidential from everyone else. It cannot be escalated; otherwise, the teacher will lose face, and the consequences will be extremely dangerous..." Orochimaru said meaningfully, "You saw how angry Lady Mito was. If the teacher were to lose his temper, perhaps he really would 'sink the shinobi world'."
"Anyway, let the teacher focus on the reconstruction in the Land of Water for now; treat it as a way to relax. I heard the teacher mention he recently gained new insights in his cultivation."
"We've also gathered all the various Tailed Beast chakra the teacher needs here, except for the Seven-Tails of Takigakure. But now that the major frontlines have freed up their hands, we can just send a few Konoha Committee Members to go capture it with Kakuzu..."
"Iwagakure and Kumogakure don't have the time to care about Takigakure."
"Let the teacher cultivate properly! We need to do some work for the village too, otherwise how can we take over in the future?"
Hiruko nodded seriously.
Lord Hokage's protective feelings towards Lord Tobirama were known to everyone in Konoha, remaining unshaken even under Mito's pressure.
To this day, he had never acknowledged that the mysterious Warring States powerhouse was Tobirama...
Therefore, even if Edo Hashirama was needed as a contingency and trump card, it couldn't be linked to Lord Tobirama...
Hiruko did some mental calculations.
The distribution and supervision of pensions and condolences, using the changing battlefield situations for troop training, enhancing the Edo Tensei, kekkei genkai research...
Analyzing the case of the Third Mizukage, taking over the Rouran region and Sunagakure's puppet jutsu...
And after Nagato became the One-Tail Jinchuriki, arranging for him to make contact with the Nine-Tails Committee Member overseeing the Tailed Beasts, and ensuring proper coordination.
There were so many tasks...
But Hiruko wasn't complaining; he was organizing his workflow.
As a Konoha Committee Member, one doesn't fear having too much to do, but rather having nothing to do...
If you can't carry the burden, it's time to step aside and make room for someone else...
In Konoha, there were simply too many capable people. If he didn't do the work, there were plenty of other shinobi who would!
"The fact that Lord Hokage hasn't taken everything upon himself means he is giving us an opportunity..."
"I must do it well!"
Hiruko secretly resolved in his heart.
Orochimaru was thinking exactly the same thing.
He was going to become Hokage one day. Regardless of for how long, fulfilling this obsession was mandatory.
But as Konoha developed rapidly under Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands, the plate grew ever larger. As the number of powerhouses continuously increased, the interests and balance of the various factions also grew increasingly complex.
This was a happy kind of trouble.
The increase of entropy is irreversible; the expansion of an organization inevitably brings these problems.
But no matter what, it was absolutely a challenge for the new Hokage!
"Fortunately, the teacher gave me enough time to prepare..."
Orochimaru's eyes flashed.
He was only interested in things that posed a challenge!
This Konoha made Orochimaru feel on one hand that being Hokage would be too troublesome, but on the other hand, it made him deeply desire Hiruzen Sarutobi to personally place the Hokage hat upon his head...
Land of Water.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat cross-legged by the sea, the ocean breeze blowing against his body, carrying with it a dense moisture.
"Madara Uchiha actually used Edo Tensei on Ashina Uzumaki?"
"Looking at it this way, Lady Mito mistaking Madara for Tobirama-sensei is actually a good thing. She took the initiative to propose the idea of using Edo Tensei on Hashirama, which saves me from worrying about the legal justifications."
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was physically in the Land of Water, because Konoha's current communication system was highly advanced, utilizing various new ninja tools and aerial forces as relay stations, remotely controlling the various frontlines was relatively easy.
However, he was unwilling to do so, generally only setting the foundational framework and leaving his subordinates to execute the details.
Because people need to be tempered by tasks to grow.
Without personally experimenting, bearing responsibility, and even making mistakes, it is very difficult to mature into an independent, full-fledged shinobi.
"Hashirama..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered.
Hashirama Senju was a very unique shinobi.
Normally, Hiruzen Sarutobi actually wouldn't want to use Edo Tensei on him, because this individual's ideas could indeed be somewhat naive; without the assistance of Madara and Tobirama, he was far too idealistic.
Furthermore, he was hard to command.
If he voiced his opinion on many practical issues, Hiruzen Sarutobi would find it difficult to refute Hashirama out of respect for his status, though when push came to shove, the Lord Hokage certainly wouldn't back down.
But compared to Madara and Tobirama, Hiruzen Sarutobi was confident he could converse much better with Hashirama.
Because neither of them wanted to proactively start a war.
"I need to shift my perspective..."
"It's impossible to use Hashirama as an offensive weapon, but he is an absolute, undeniable deterrent."
"Still, I can't bring him out lightly. I need to wait for the right moment to go with the flow..."
Once Ashina Uzumaki's identity had been deduced.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was already certain that the mysterious powerhouse could be none other than Madara Uchiha.
Besides him, no one else had that kind of capability!
And the cultivation methods recorded on the Uchiha Sage Monument also made Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually realize that the Great Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan had definitely read it as well, and likely gained true enlightenment from it...
Otherwise, there was no way to explain his current bizarre space-time jutsu and the kinjutsu involving gravity and repulsion...
"Fortunately, I've managed to understand quite a bit myself..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at his palm.
During his time in the Land of Water, although Hiruzen Sarutobi was overhauling the security and systems here, overall, compared to his previous duties running Konoha, this was practically a vacation.
Having large blocks of time to dedicate to cultivation was a rare luxury for him. Of course, being able to do this was primarily because Hiruzen Sarutobi had promoted a large number of Konoha Committee Members and mid-level shinobi.
Not having to do everything personally was the institutional system feeding back into him.
This war, with Konoha blossoming across four fronts, had brought massive benefits to the village, and the feedback on his personal talents was also showing remarkable progress, constantly being realized during his cultivation.
First was the level of the Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration. Among the five elemental chakras, aside from "Fire" and "Water", "Lightning" and "Earth" had now also been fully cultivated.
He was only short the final "Wind" element before he could initially form a miniature five-element cycle.
Then there was Spirit Release.
The current Spirit Release had become even sharper, its release speed was faster, and he could easily launch it remotely relying on visual range; its analytical capabilities had also increased significantly.
Recently, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been contemplating a special jutsu...
Similar to his Boil Release and Lightning Style Chakra Modes, he wanted to construct an exclusive "Spirit Release Mode," coating his body in Spirit Release chakra.
Firstly, to further elevate his proficiency in Spirit Release, and secondly, to grant him an immunity effect against certain large-scale offensive ninjutsu.
Within the domain of the Spirit Release Chakra Mode, he would forge an absolute "Anti-Magic Zone"!
The reason he was doing this was that Hiruzen Sarutobi's physical stats were also currently rising.
It wasn't arrogance...
If both sides were banned from using chakra and forced to clash purely on raw stats, Hiruzen Sarutobi was confident in his abilities.
At this moment.
In the center of Hiruzen Sarutobi's body, using the "second heart" of the Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration as a core, an array resembling a palace was being constructed.
Using an enhanced version of the "Four Symbols Seal" as the main pillars and beams of the palace, the five elements and other seals acting as rivets, and composite chakra threads serving as lightweight supplementary materials, it formed a massive tempering pool.
Ripples constantly emanated from it, nourishing Hiruzen Sarutobi's body.
Being able to reach this step wasn't just due to the Lord Hokage's sweat; the schematics sent by Ashina Uzumaki and the methods on the Sage Monument had provided him with massive amounts of inspiration.
If he had been on his own, who knew how long it would have taken just to figure out the conceptual design...
This was a ninjutsu the shinobi world had never seen before.
"Now, every punch and palm strike I throw faintly carries a 'sealing' effect..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed rhythmically.
Aside from further integrating the arrays within his body, his next step was to follow the instructions on the Sage Monument and attempt to inject the chakra of all nine Tailed Beasts into his body as fuel...
To try and smelt it, fuse it, and engrave it within his body.
However, regarding this aspect, Hiruzen Sarutobi still didn't have a clue.
The instructions on the Sage Monument were ambiguous; it felt like this part had been casually added later by some amateur...
And Hiruzen Sarutobi's judgment was actually correct.
Black Zetsu only knew the broad strokes; when it came to concrete implementation, even it didn't understand the details...
But within Konoha, there actually was someone who knew these things...
"Lord Hokage!"
Kimimaro walked nimbly to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side, carrying a lavish breakfast:
"Please eat first. You've worked hard cultivating..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and looked at Kimimaro.
During his time in the Land of Water, Kimimaro had acted somewhat like his secretary, serving him very well.
And this was also Hiruzen Sarutobi intentionally trying to cultivate this sensible young man.
Hailing from Kirigakure's Kaguya Clan made Kimimaro highly suitable for the role of a spokesperson; both his bonds with Konoha and his personal qualities were sufficient.
It was just that his combat power was a bit lacking, making it hard for him to truly command the stage...
"Sit with me for a while, let's eat together..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, offering half to Kimimaro.
Kimimaro chuckled sheepishly, sat down, and began reporting on recent military and political affairs.
"Here in the Land of Water, because the officials dispatched from the Land of Fire are highly motivated and capable, the general framework has been initially established. Currently, security and the economy in most areas have stabilized."
"Regarding the roaming former Kirigakure shinobi, about two-thirds have been recruited back. As for the diehards supporting the Third Mizukage, I have already dealt with them."
"There is a very small minority of nobles and rogue ninja attempting to oppose you. A few days ago, I took Kisame, Mei Terumi, and the others to educate them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi blinked. "How did you educate them?"
"Educated them using Shikotsumyaku..." Kimimaro replied honestly.
The corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched.
Taking the bone club to the countryside, huh?
"Special circumstances make similar incidents hard to avoid. But once things have stabilized overall in the future, you absolutely must follow the rules when handling matters."
"Following the rules isn't cowardice; it's to stabilize the hearts of the people. You can't just resort to force to violently break deadlocks every time there's a problem. As an administrator, your every action will be imitated."
Hiruzen Sarutobi habitually picked up his smoking pipe, and Kimimaro hurriedly leaned over to light it for him.
"You must understand that we are actually the biggest beneficiaries of the system. Therefore, when you uphold the rules, you are upholding your own authority. Breaking established rules fundamentally damages your prestige."
"Even if you must use violence, you need to communicate with all parties before acting, smoothing out the legal and logical justifications..."
Kimimaro listened extremely seriously, scribbling notes rapidly.
"You brat, just remember it in your head..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and patted Kimimaro's head: "If you have questions, just ask me directly. How is your physical condition now? Is your kekkei genkai illness cured?"
"Much better, Lord Hokage..."
Kimimaro smiled good-naturedly.
But compared to when he was in front of the Third Mizukage, he truly was good-natured now.
On one hand, it was because he recognized the Will of Fire and Konoha, and viewed Hiruzen Sarutobi as an elder in his heart.
On the other hand, after witnessing Hiruzen Sarutobi's slow and methodical approach—using the legal authority of the Daimyo of the Land of Water and the "Holy Land Pills," along with bureaucrats infiltrating and controlling grassroots organizations...
Kimimaro achieved enlightenment.
No wonder Granduncle Tenzo was so well-behaved in Konoha...
"Lord Hokage, are you really not planning to accept the title of 'First Mizukage'? Everyone is looking forward to you establishing the New Kirigakure Village..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand:
"If you can dig up a previous Mizukage and have him publicly entrust Kirigakure to me in front of everyone, then this matter could be considered perfectly justified..."
Otherwise, such an act was akin to "self-appointment." Many Kirigakure shinobi would still act out of a sycophantic fear. Taking on an extra title would only draw unnecessary trouble without bringing any tangible benefits.
Kimimaro smiled awkwardly.
That was a bit beyond the Kaguya Clan's capabilities...
"The Three-Tails and Six-Tails are currently undergoing training in Konoha, and their aggression has decreased significantly. Do you have the confidence to become a Jinchuriki?"
"Tenzo also mentioned to me that he plans to requisition a pair of Byakugan for you to solve your kekkei genkai illness once and for all. Once the First Lord's cells are ready for deployment, you will be the first non-Konoha shinobi to receive a transplant."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously.
If you want people to work for you, you have to offer benefits...
Kimimaro's eyes lit up. Compared to the material rewards, what thrilled him more was the Hokage's trust in him!
"Lord Hokage, I have the confidence!"
"Please rest assured, I will definitely transform Kirigakure into Konoha's solid rear guard. However, please grant me one small request: I plan to support Mei Terumi as the Mizukage. I still want to return to work in Konoha in the future..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned. "You don't want to be Mizukage?"
"I really don't want to; I want to return to the village!" Kimimaro said earnestly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was left speechless.
This guy's desire to return to Konoha had truly permeated his brain...
And at this exact moment.
Kisame rushed over, his expression grave as he said: "Lord Hokage! We've captured traces of the rogue ninja Mizutori!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately stood up. "Let's go!"
Eliminating the Third Mizukage was the final step in integrating the Land of Water's territory.
But it was worth mentioning.
It wasn't just Kisame who had discovered Mizutori; Gengetsu Hozuki and Mu had been locked onto him for a long time...
The former Mizukage was already on his way!
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