Chapter 69: Hiruzen Sarutobi
"That is indeed the case…"
Minamikawa Yuu spoke quietly and let out a long sigh. "Lord Tobirama likely saw this coming, which is why he started preparing early."
Tobirama was a sharp man.
As Hokage, it was impossible for him not to anticipate the storms that could rise in the ninja world. Preparing in advance was only natural.
Whether it was approving Yuu's proposal to establish the Medical Department ahead of time or moving other pieces into place, it all pointed to the same conclusion.
Preparation for what was coming.
The Uchiha clan head fell silent, seeming to sink into thought.
"You've been clever since you were a child. I won't waste words."
After a long pause, he looked up at Minamikawa Yuu again. "If you need anything, tell me."
"Never forget, we are of the same clan."
"Yes, I understand."
Yuu smiled. "I'll keep that in mind, and I won't forget your teachings, Clan Head."
Of course he would not forget the Uchiha.
He still needed the Uchiha's strength if he wanted to compete for the Hokage seat. He had been born into the clan, and as long as he managed things properly, the clan would be his most reliable backing.
There was no reason to loosen his grip on that.
After speaking a little longer, he turned and left.
In the days that followed, he threw himself into building the Medical Department.
It was a complicated task, essentially constructing a full medical system from the ground up. Beyond forming a Medical Squad, there was the daily operation of Konoha Hospital to consider as well.
Most importantly, he had to establish a training system for medical ninja. Only then could Konoha produce enough personnel to avoid a permanent talent shortage.
That was also the hardest part.
Konoha had not been founded for long. There were not many medical ninja in the village to begin with. Forget running an entire system, even finding enough instructors was difficult.
In the end, Yuu had no choice but to step in himself.
He opened medical tutoring classes, specifically training civilian shinobi and preparing them to become instructors for medical ninjutsu.
During that process, he stumbled into a few unexpected surprises.
Tsunade often showed up to join the fun.
Even though she was still young, she was genuinely interested in medical ninjutsu and frequently attended the lectures. Her learning speed was frightening. Among the entire training group, she was always near the very top.
Her talent for medical ninjutsu was beyond question, even greater than Minamikawa Yuu's.
To be honest, Yuu's own medical level was outstanding, but much of it came from time and from having access to a complete system earlier than most people.
Even so, when it came to learning new techniques, his speed still could not match Tsunade's.
Fortunately, his foundation was solid, and Tsunade was still young. For now, he could still stay ahead without losing face.
"The Yin Seal, huh… This technique doesn't really help me as it is."
Inside the Medical Squad, Minamikawa Yuu held a scroll and let his thoughts shift.
Establishing the Medical Department brought him many benefits.
Besides gaining authority as a department head and building influence, the biggest advantage was access. Free access to high level medical ninjutsu scrolls.
Konoha might not have many medical ninja, but it did have a fair number of recorded medical techniques.
Most of those techniques were stored within the Hokage's exclusive Scroll of Seals. Ordinary people had no right to even look at them.
But now that Yuu headed the Medical Department, he naturally had the qualifications.
He could choose from many top tier medical techniques and learn them.
Among them, the Mystical Palm Technique was an excellent option. By using chakra to stimulate cells, it could accelerate recovery across the body.
Even for Yuu, it would be very useful.
However, there was another technique that attracted him even more.
The Yin Seal.
It was a special technique that overlapped between sealing arts and medical ninjutsu, capable of storing chakra within the body in normal times and releasing it when needed. It could store chakra, slow aging, and maintain a youthful state for long periods.
In the future, Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Technique and Creation Rebirth would both be built on the Yin Seal as a foundation.
Yuu valued it less for those surface effects and more for its potential to be modified.
As the Daimyo of the Land of Ancestors, he carried a whole set of chakra application and storage technologies developed there. If he obtained the Yin Seal, he could use it as a framework and evolve it into a technique that belonged to him alone.
And the idea of storing chakra within his body also appealed to him deeply.
After thinking it through, he made his choice.
"The Yin Seal?"
Tobirama nodded after hearing it. "A good choice."
He did not hesitate. He directly handed the technique's scroll to Yuu.
After receiving it, Yuu was about to leave, but Tobirama called out again.
"How has Tsunade been doing lately?"
"Very well," Yuu replied. "Lady Tsunade's talent in medical ninjutsu is outstanding. She's the most remarkable student I've ever seen."
"If given enough time, she might become the greatest medical ninja in the entire ninja world."
"Is that so?"
A smile appeared on Tobirama's face. "Good."
Then he looked at Yuu and asked another question.
"What about my proposal from some time ago?"
Not long ago, Tobirama had made a suggestion.
He wanted Yuu to become his disciple, specifically as a student under Hiruzen.
The political intent was obvious.
Hiruzen had not been publicly announced as the successor yet, but among Tobirama's disciples, he was already the most likely next Hokage.
Placing Kei under Hiruzen carried several meanings.
First, it made Kei a bridge, a representative of the Uchiha who would support Hiruzen in the future. It would help Hiruzen and also soothe the Uchiha.
It was the same reason Tobirama had once taken Kagami as his student. The method differed, but the goal and effect were similar.
Second, Tobirama planned to place Tsunade under Hiruzen as well.
If both the Uchiha and the Senju stood behind Hiruzen, then Hiruzen's future ascension would be legitimate and unshakable.
Beyond that, there was another layer.
Tobirama was also cultivating Kei, granting him the status of a Hokage's disciple so he would be qualified to inherit the position someday.
After years of observation, Tobirama was satisfied.
This child was not only a genius, but also carried an uncommon steadiness and capability.
Someone like that was naturally an excellent Hokage candidate.
And if an Uchiha became Hokage, the clan would have a real chance to integrate fully into Konoha, just like the Senju had done.
Tobirama understood the Uchiha too well.
He understood their temperament, and he understood their grievance.
Since the Uchiha wanted a Hokage from their ranks, he would give them a path.
Kei was outstanding, and Kei was Uchiha.
If Kei became Hokage, the rift between the Uchiha and the village would likely be resolved at its root.
"Alright."
Kei only considered it briefly before nodding.
He understood Tobirama's intent, and he had no reason to refuse.
Seeing Kei agree, Tobirama said nothing more and simply dismissed him.
The next day, at a training ground, Hiruzen and Kei officially met.
It was not their first encounter.
They had crossed paths many times before, and their temperaments were fairly compatible. This conversation flowed easily, without strain.
"Haha, is that so?"
Hiruzen was in his prime, standing at the peak of his life. He laughed openly. "So that girl Tsunade actually has a side like that."
"Teacher, do you know Tsunade?" Kei asked with a smile.
"I've seen her many times," Hiruzen replied, still smiling. "She's a troublesome kid. It's rare that you can keep her in check, Kei kun."
As Tobirama's disciple, he had interacted with Tsunade plenty. He knew her personality well, which was why he was curious about how Kei managed to get along with her.
"She's not a bad person," Kei said. "Her hobbies are just a little… unusual."
"But people have their quirks."
He looked at Hiruzen as if hinting at something. "Wouldn't you agree, Teacher Hiruzen?"
"Ahahaha… yes. Indeed."
Hiruzen met Kei's gaze and suddenly looked a little awkward, as though he had remembered something he would rather not explain.
As the future master of the so called Three Prohibitions, Hiruzen himself could hardly claim spotless innocence.
The Telescope Technique was something his future self would use more than once or twice.
Because of that, he could not help feeling guilty under Kei's calm stare.
Overall, Kei and Hiruzen got along extremely well.
Hiruzen, in his prime, was approachable. His character was steady, and unlike Tobirama, he did not carry that icy severity. He could speak to anyone, and he made people feel heard.
That charisma was exactly why he could rise above other candidates and become the undisputed successor.
The two developed a quiet understanding as they talked.
Of course, small interruptions still happened.
In the quiet classroom, Tsunade's childish voice rang out sharply.
"You old pervert! Don't corrupt Kei kun!"
TL: While the MC is reincarnated in this era, I will refer to him as Kei. Once he returns to his main body, I will switch back to Yuu.
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