Chapter 149: Good Morning, My Girlfriends
The Anbu ninja wearing the ram mask was taken aback for a moment, but immediately followed after Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The two of them arrived on the rooftop, and only then did Hiruzen speak. "What is your impression of Akiyama Makoto?"
Uzuki Yūgao's shoulders trembled slightly, but she replied calmly, "Talented, sincere, hardworking, serious—and very popular with girls."
The last half of her sentence surprised him a little, but he quickly nodded in agreement with her conclusion. He had indeed noticed that there were many girls around him, and that even Kurenai Yūhi had acknowledged him.
Although Hiruzen paid attention to him, it was not to the extent of monitoring his private life. The only one who enjoyed that kind of treatment was Uzumaki Naruto. Now, considering his previous words, Hiruzen could only sigh. If only he would use this drive to improve his strength!
"Since you have a good impression of him, I will give you a long-term mission. Ensure that he is no longer harassed by despicable people. To this end, you can become his friend."
Yūgao wanted to say something more, but Hiruzen said decisively, "It's settled. As for Hayate, I will explain it to him."
With that, Hiruzen held out his hand to her.
She did not dare to hesitate. She took off her own mask and handed it to him. This meant that from now on, she would be leaving the Anbu and living as an ordinary ninja. As for Hayate, although they could still interact normally, they would have to avoid close contact. Because she knew his identity, she could not be too close to a member of the Hokage's personal Anbu. This was one of the confidentiality rules that all Anbu members had to learn.
Hiruzen was also aware of this rule, but he did it anyway. This meant he seemed to intend to sever the connection between her and Hayate, these Anbu childhood sweethearts. The deep meaning behind this was something she did not dare to ponder too much.
"Yūgao, your personality is too gentle. You are not really suited to work in the Anbu."
"The core of the mission I am giving you this time is protection. This is a turbulent time, and I believe you also understand his importance."
"You don't need to feel any psychological pressure. I will not force you to do anything you don't want to do. When he has a relatively deep emotional foundation with a certain Konoha ninja, your mission will be over."
"Understand?"
Yūgao nodded. "Lord Hokage, I promise to complete the mission."
"Mm. Go and rest."
After she left, Hiruzen looked into the shadows.
Danzō's cane tapped against the hospital rooftop, the thumping sound echoing impolitely through the entire hospital, as if to display his dissatisfaction.
"Sarutobi, you should hand this guy over to me. You know that our past research on Wood Style failed. He would be the best seedling."
"I will have Yamato guide him and then make him the next Hashirama Senju of Konoha. It just so happens that he also claims to be a descendant of the Senju clan. This is also a scene you would be happy to see, is it not?"
In the past, Hiruzen might have agreed to Danzō's plan. But now, he knew he had to keep Danzō far away from him.
He was already involved with the Hyūga and Yamanaka clans, and was on good terms with the heirs of several other families. In addition, with his suspected Senju bloodline and his claim of admiring the First Hokage—Hiruzen estimated that it wouldn't be long before some of those who still remembered the Senju clan would try to befriend him.
It was only because he had no intention of becoming a ninja. Otherwise, Hiruzen might have had to worry about his influence expanding too quickly.
Thinking about it carefully, the current situation was actually quite good. He didn't have to worry about him causing too much trouble, and it also gave the various clans of Konoha a new point of balance. The only thing to worry about was Danzō's obsession with Wood Style. He might secretly try to make a move on him.
"Danzō, the Senju clan has already spread its branches and leaves throughout Konoha. Akiyama Makoto will be the same."
"The reappearance of one Hashirama Senju would certainly be a good thing, but several, or even a dozen, Yamatos can also make Konoha great again."
"Put away your little schemes. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting—as long as I'm alive for one more day, I will not allow you to conduct human experiments on the people of the village."
"Sarutobi, you are too hypocritical—"
"Danzō, I AM the Hokage!"
Danzō snorted coldly and walked away, the thumping of his cane making Makoto grin.
But his current expression was a grin because he had never thought he would have the chance to appreciate the daily flirting and squabbling of Hiruzen and Danzō up close. And the two of them probably wouldn't have many more chances to meet—he estimated that after Danzō returned, he would contact Orochimaru and have him be a little more ruthless with Hiruzen during the Chūnin Exams.
As for him, he had already finalized his plan to make Danzō disappear completely during the exams. Otherwise, after Hiruzen's death, this guy would definitely use him for experiments to perfect his own body. He was too lazy to argue with him anymore.
It was time to think about the next simulation.
He had successfully confessed to the four girls this time, gaining a full 20 simulation attempts. With this, he now had the attempts needed to strengthen them. Even if he used 5 enhancement chances on each of them, it would be worth it.
Next was the simulation plan.
He planned to conduct four "speedrun" simulations, just to allow the four girls' talents to grow quickly. After they had grown, he could then try to have heirs with all of them in another simulation, using the "wide net" method to hope for an evolution in his own talent.
So, in the next simulation, he would try his best not to cause trouble. Of course, this didn't mean he would do nothing.
His Advanced Yang and Yin chakra, Cell Activation, Wood Style, Natural Energy Adaptation, his two spiritual talents, and even his Space-Time Ninjutsu all required further detailed research. In reality, he certainly couldn't do this kind of thing for years on end, so he might as well just be a research-type talent in the next simulation. To this end, he would have to obtain enough money, and maybe even cooperate with Orochimaru. These were all things that had to be tested in a simulation to determine the method of success.
Finally, there was the order of the simulations for the girls.
Hinata would undoubtedly be last. The reason was still the problem of him needing to hide the Byakugan.
Tenten also didn't need to be first. He had already upgraded her talent once. She hadn't yet tapped into all of her potential.
It was the same with Anko. At her current age, if she wanted to improve her strength, a change in talent wouldn't have as much of an impact as learning a new ninjutsu system would.
Therefore, in the end, he had to choose between Ino and Sakura—and he would naturally choose Sakura.
Ino would still be fighting in the Ino-Shika-Chō combination for the short term, so an increase in her individual strength wouldn't have a major impact. But it was a different story for Sakura. Before the Chūnin Exams, she still had to go through the trial of the Land of Waves. Since she and he had already expressed their feelings for each other, he couldn't let her be the one to drag the team down. At the very least, he had to make her the "big sister" of Naruto and Sasuke. That was the only way to be worthy of his and Sakura's relationship.
That's right. If he didn't dote on his future wife, was he just going to wait for her to be bullied until she cried?
Having sorted all this out, he closed his eyes.
He certainly wouldn't be starting a simulation now. He would wait until he returned home and had a shadow clone guarding him.
This also allowed him to successfully discover Yūgao, who had changed into civilian clothes and returned to the hospital. There was a look of confusion about the future on her face. To be suddenly removed from the system and have to live alone from now on, it was impossible for her not to be confused. Especially since the Third Hokage was intentionally trying to bring her and Makoto closer, which left her at a complete loss. She hadn't forgotten the shock of their chakra exchange before, and she didn't know how to face him now. These problems would probably trouble her for a long time.
He quickly shifted his attention away from her. Although Yūgao had been an important participant in his initial growth, it seemed there was no longer a place for her by his side now.
The next day, after he completed the discharge procedures, the four girls surrounding him proved this point.
Looking at their unfriendly faces, he just smiled brightly, without a trace of shame or restraint.
"Good morning, my girlfriends."
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