Hokage building, conference room.
A group of people sat around a circular conference table, and everyone's expression was more or less grim.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The new members of the advisory team are Koharu and Mito Monobu.
The root elder Shimura Danzo.
In addition to these four people, there are also ninja leaders who can participate in decision-making, such as Hinata Hizashi, the leader of the Hyuga clan, Nara Shikaku, the leader of the Nara clan. Even among the very few jounin, they are the elites with real power in Konoha.
"Let's all share our opinions on how we should handle this matter..."
The first person to speak was the Third Hokage Hiruzen. He was holding a simple talisman in his hand. A warm power was constantly conveyed from the talisman. This kind of warm chakra was Yang with healing power. Attribute Chakra.
However, because the outline of the talisman paper was too rough, the Yang chakra was leaking out bit by bit and could not be preserved for a long time.
But even so, it can't resist the light deep in everyone's eyes.
Because everyone here knows that this seemingly simple talisman paper, once thrown into the commercial market of the ninja world, can cause an uproar and Konoha's power will become more stable.
Even the strategic level can be further improved to greatly reduce the sacrifice rate of Konoha ninjas.
At the same time, it is also an opportunity for each ninja clan to make huge profits.
This kind of opportunity is something that no political group represented by the Ninja clan is willing to miss.
This is why Hiruzen didn't want to hide it after Kakashi reported the medical talisman.
Because I can’t hide it.
With the power and resources he has at his disposal, it is simply impossible to swallow up the medical talisman for himself.
And if this kind of thing is concealed, it will only make the relationship between many ninjas and the Hokage begin to diverge, making the political environment within Konoha even worse.
Rather than doing something thankless, Hiruzen hopes to attract more power through this matter and pave the way for the next five generations of Hokage.
"This matter is of great importance. This little girl named Haruno Sakura should be protected by specialized personnel and all channels that may leak information should be blocked."
Xiaochun, the member of the advisory group, spoke out his suggestions.
"So, who's going to be in charge of this?"
Hiruzen asked.
Xiaochun went to bed and did not respond.
Although she wanted to say that this matter could be handled by the advisory group as a neutral representative, it would be too ugly in appearance.
Moreover, so many ninja forces are also watching, and just how to distribute the benefits is enough to give them a headache.
"I have a different opinion on this."
A voice sounded, attracting everyone's attention.
Everyone's eyes vaguely swept towards the location of the Hyuga clan, and the person speaking was none other than Hinata Hizashi, the head of the Hyuga clan.
Not to mention the strength of the elite jounin themselves, the power of the blood successor ninja clan is more intimidating than the pure secret art ninja clan in all aspects.
Hiruzen didn't respond, but his eyes were already signaling Hiruzen to continue.
Rizu was not polite. Under the gaze of everyone, he said in a calm tone: "We have already seen the medical talisman. Although the value has not been determined yet, once it is made into a finished product, I think it will not disappoint. So. , the only question is...does this little girl named Haruno Sakura have the ability to perfect this medical charm?"
Hizu's words also resonated with Nara Shikaku. He took a deep breath and said: "Yes, I agree with the Hizu clan leader. At present, we are not sure whether Haruno Sakura has the ability to further improve the medical talisman. We have seen that the current medical charms are crude and crude, and there is no way to pass the test of the market, let alone make profits from them. On the contrary, we have to inject research funds into this and mobilize a large number of medical ninjas and those who are good at sealing techniques. Ninja."
In fact, Lu Jiu also had his own considerations on this matter.
He said this just to divert the attention of the others.
Because the specific benefits of the medical talisman have not yet been determined, it would be too much nonsense to divide them here.
Although Shikaku is not a businessman, his family is also rich in medicinal materials, and he also understands some business concepts.
The prospects for medical talismans are indeed broad, but they are only prospects after all.
As long as it is not confirmed to become a fact, you can only invest in the early stage and wait for time to test.
Just like the so-called genius, an immature genius is just a genius, and a grown-up genius is the truly powerful person who is respected by others.
"As for capital injection, there should be some reserve funds for this year."
Mito Menyan said.
"It was deliberately stored for emergencies and should never be used unless there is an emergency."
Hiruzen rejected the suggestion.
Although the Daming Prefecture has provided great support to Konoha in recent years, there is still an upper limit on development funds.
As long as the threat of the Demon Country is not lifted, Konoha's general direction will still be to develop its military power, rather than shifting its development center and investing its energy in the medical industry.
Because even Hiruzen is not sure how long it will take for the medical talisman to be available.
Is it one year, three years, or ten years.
The formation of a technology and the affirmation of the market are far from being solved by a few words.
Time, talent, money, and equipment all require a huge investment.
Today's Konoha not only lacks military power, but also lacks technical talents.
In addition, the industrial reserves must also keep up, so the establishment of a special research project on medical talismans will once again hollow out Konoha's heritage.
Hiruzen needed to weigh the pros and cons of these.
The most important thing is that Haruno Sakura is Kakashi's student, and what Kakashi reported to him is very detailed. The medical charm is just a product accidentally invented by Haruno Sakura. Whether Haruno Sakura can continue to further improve the flaws of the medical charm and make it a finished product, as Hizu and Shikaku said, is full of uncertainty.
In order to attach great importance to the enhancement of military strength, Konoha's development funds are already tight. It has to invest Konoha's capital in a twelve-year-old girl. Success is good, but if it fails... it is not a joke. Konoha's development will most likely be temporarily stalled for this.
The current international situation is a critical moment where time is racing against time. Every step taken may cause a huge gap in national strength, putting Konoha into an unfavorable situation.
Even if you want to take a chance on Haruno Sakura, you need to carefully consider how much money to invest, and you cannot put all your hopes on a twelve-year-old genin.
"If this is the case, the clan leaders can allocate some funds from their own family industries. This is also for the future of the village. Afterwards, based on the funds provided by each family, the annual resource allocation will be tilted accordingly. .”
Xiaochun said after turning to bed.
But her eyes were focused on Rizu.
As a ninja clan with the same long history as Uchiha and Senju, even if some ninjas in the family split away, their strength would only be damaged, but the family's heritage would still remain.
Especially the family industry controlled by the Hyuga clan, the wealth accumulated by the family, even the alliance of ninja clans such as Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi may not be able to match it in terms of wealth.
This is the essential difference between the blood successor family and the general ninja clan.
Although the Hyuga clan is relatively low-key in Konoha now, in many cases, there is no way to ignore the extremely crucial vote of the Hyuga clan.
"Sorry, I can't place trust in the abilities of a girl who is only twelve years old. If Tsunade-sama is responsible for this project, I believe that my tribe and I will agree, but we have to place such hope on a little girl. It would be too risky.”
Rizu did not continue speaking, but closed his eyes, the meaning being self-evident.
If the huge funds of the Hyuga clan were to be used to gamble on a twelve-year-old girl, even the Hyuga clan would not agree to this.
"But she was the first to make the medical talisman, and her idea is crucial. We cannot deny this. Besides, we can set up another dedicated project team to work on both sides at the same time."
Xiaochun went to bed and continued.
"Then it will be divided into two project teams, and the Hyuga clan's funds can only be allocated to the second specialized project team. In short, every share of the Hyuga clan's funds is hard-earned. Now the village is in short supply of materials in all aspects. It’s better to develop in a safe way.”
Striving for stability in everything is in line with the Hyuga clan's governing strategy.
The Hyuga clan was betting on Haruno Sakura to make a medical talisman, which was just a flash of inspiration and could not achieve anything later.
Because product research is full of uncertainties.
Although Haruno Sakura's uncertainty may lead to the medical charm being released in advance, it is more likely that it will disappear from everyone later.
The risks involved are too great, and the current international environment is extremely tense. Not only the village, but also the Hyuga clan that relies on the existence of Ninja Village must take protective measures and use every fund wisely.
After hearing Rizu's views, the patriarchs of each family also remained silent, and no one spoke up to express their views.
They are also thinking about the gains and losses.
The creator of the product is hard to ignore anyway, because genius’s ideas are always different. Often a wonderful idea can solve a problem that has troubled others for a long time.
But after listening to Nizu's words, they are now a little unsure whether Haruno Sakura has this potential.
Because the Hyuga clan is so cautious, they, whose clan power is even weaker, should naturally be more cautious and not place bets at will.
Of course, making friends with a genius may bring benefits to the family, but if this 'genius' is adulterated, it may also cause the family to suffer huge losses.
"In that case, continue to pay attention to the genin named Haruno Sakura for a while, and then start thinking about how to arrange her. Let's see if her ability is worth our investment." Mito Kadoen said, then turned to look at Hiruzen and asked : "In this case, there will be no problem for the time being, Hiruzen?"
After turning to bed, Koharu seemed to want to say something else, but Mito Kadoyan slightly shook his head at her.
The advisory group is a member of the higher-ups, but compared to the Hokage and the Roots, the real power in their hands is not enough to issue orders to the ninja clan.
Even for the smallest ninja clan, if the advisory group wants to instruct them to act, they need to think twice.
In the past, he went to the Hyuga clan to collect intelligence information about the Byakugan, and it was only under the name of the Third Hokage that he was able to run rampant among the Hyuga clan.
Otherwise, just relying on the power of the Hyuga clan, even if it is an advisory group, this family may not pay attention to the so-called request for instructions.
In the past few years, the relationship between the advisory group and the Hokage has become relatively indifferent. Naturally, the Hyuga clan does not attach as much importance to the advisory group as before.
The Hyuga clan's weakness in the village is only relative.
When the critical moment comes, no one dares to underestimate the heritage of this ancient family.
What's more, because there is another Hyuga clan in the Kingdom of Demons, the Hyuga clan in Konoha should protect and comfort them instead of forcing them.
"Then first mobilize some medical ninjas and ninjas who are proficient in sealing techniques, and inject funds from each ninja clan to set up a special research project team. For Haruno Sakura... I will let Kakashi see the effects. As for Haruno Sakura's personal The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans will be responsible for research funding assistance for the time being."
Hizu paused and made a decision.
◎
"What is the purpose of Hokage-sama's arrangement?"
In the courtyard of the Nara clan, Choza Akimichi and Haiichi Yamanaka were sitting in a quiet room, opposite Shikaku Nara. It seemed that both of them were a little confused about the meeting just now.
"What else can it be? To attract the talents of the new generation to serve the next Fifth Hokage. By the way, use the power of our three clans to provide protection for them and prevent some people from jumping over the wall. After all, investing in personal research does not require the three of us together. "
Nara Shikaku shook the tea cup in his hand boredly, showing a helpless smile.
"Shikaku, you mean Tsunade-sama..."
Haiyi's expression changed.
"Although the medical talisman is not even a semi-finished product, the benefits are visible. Even a person like me cannot maintain absolute calm. Now I am a real poor man."
Shikaku said half-jokingly.
Haiyi and Dingza knew that Shikaku was joking.
Shikaku is indeed short of money now. In order to develop Konoha, Shikaku can be said to have been working hard and putting in a lot of effort over the years.
Many areas in Konoha are in great need of investment and development.
Once the medical charm market is formed, from a long-term perspective, the advantages will definitely outweigh the disadvantages.
However, the current predicament of Konoha is not suitable for making a big show of saving military expenditures and injecting large sums of funds into the medical field.
To be precise, it was not Shikaku who was short of money, but the Leaf Village.
"Lord Hokage, are you so convinced that the little girl named Haruno Sakura will succeed?"
Dingzuo was a little skeptical.
"It's not a firm belief, it's just a test. Anyway, the three of us each pooled together some research funds, so it's not a big deal. And if the other party really relies on his own strength to provide a more complete idea for the completion of the medical talisman, That was not just the three of us, it was also an opportunity for Konoha to be reborn. Konoha... no, the national power of the Fire Country is no longer what it used to be. The future will ultimately need young people to lead it. I believe in young people once, so why not? ?”
Shikaku is quite satisfied with the current third generation Hokage. Although in terms of personality, he is still a bit indecisive, at least he does not rely too much on the power of the roots and advisory groups as before. He has begun to pay attention to the cultivation of the new generation and build a bridge of trust with the new generation.
But Shikaku also knew that it was too late for the Third Hokage to awaken.
Too much opportunity was wasted in the past, and Konoha also spent a lot of internal power due to various interests involved.
After that, the Uchiha clan disappeared, which caused heavy losses to Konoha, and its external deterrent power became worse every year.
There are even rumors in the world that the Uchiha clan in the Kingdom of Demons is the orthodox Uchiha. The Uchiha of Konoha are just a fake clan.
"Is that so? I thought it was the Hyuga clan that played a balancing role."
Haiyi was surprised.
"The balance of the Hyuga clan is indeed very important, but what really made Lord Hokage settle down was the elder Danzo who said nothing at the meeting. Otherwise, no matter how outstanding the talent is, as long as the root side disagrees, things will go wrong. It’s hard to be kind. After all, it’s easy to hide from an open gun, but hard to guard against a hidden one.”
Shikaku said meaningfully while drinking tea.
Haiyi and Ding Zuo both had serious expressions.
Roots!
At this time, the two of them noticed that in the meeting just now, Shimura Danzo, the leader of the root group, said nothing, and his presence was almost zero.
If Shikaku hadn't mentioned it at this time, they would have even ignored this person's existence.
"You're saying the Roots will take action next?"
Haiyi asked.
"Probably not. Elder Danzo is also focused on balance. Otherwise, he would not have sat there and said nothing at the meeting just now. Silence is supporting the Hokage-sama's proposal. At least in terms of selection, At the root, he is not unscrupulous. Is it worthy of being said to be the Darkness of Shinobi?"
Shikaku smiled slightly.
Danzo is a ninja without principles.
This is known to many Konoha jounin who are aware of the existence of roots.
But in many cases, Danzo's behavior is full of principles.
For example, a ninja who enters the root must meet certain conditions.
Otherwise, no matter how good a ninja is, his roots will not open the door for him.
And this kind of Danzo made Shikaku feel even more terrifying.
Because Danzo, who follows this principle of dealing with things, can no longer reveal any clues, and his power in Konoha has become more entrenched.
Compared to the advisory group whose positions are always wavering, Danzo's approach is undoubtedly much more mature and smart.
The roots are like a double-edged sword.
Externally in times of war, internally in times of peace.
"No matter what, the final decision-maker in the village is the Hokage."
Haiyi and Dingzuo comforted Shikaku like this.
Shikaku nodded, but the worry in his eyes didn't dissipate.
That's right, the final decision maker in the village can only be the Hokage.
But that's what he's afraid of.
——Danzo wants to seek the position of Hokage.
Danzo and the Third Hokage were ninjas of the same generation. With each other's age, it was no longer time for the Fifth Hokage to abdicate and fight for the position of the Sixth Hokage.
Then, if Danzo wants to become Hokage, he can only use some extraordinary means.
For example... a coup!
The armed forces possessed by Genbe have always been a mystery in Shikaku's eyes.
When the Anbu system was penetrated by foreign spies, only the roots allowed those foreign spies to return without success.
Shikaku shudders just thinking about such a radical group that covets the position of Hokage and has strong armed forces.
The fight for the position of the fifth Hokage may be the beginning of the next stage of internal strife in Konoha.
Shikaku must be on guard against this kind of thing, prepare for the worst, and not give Genji any opportunity to take advantage of it.
"Okay, you two go back first. I will discuss arrangements with Kakashi over Haruno Sakura. There is no need to let the boys at home deliberately come into contact or anything. For young people's affairs, just let it take its course. Too deliberate On the contrary, it will arouse the other party’s resentment.”
Compared to Haruno Sakura, Shikaku was more worried about root problems.
At least the current Haruno Sakura is just emerging, and whether it has higher cultivation value cannot be determined, and it will take some time to observe.
But the threat at the root is obvious.
◎
"Thank you, Kakashi. You did a great job on this."
In the dark woods, the old man showed a slightly gloomy face, which looked quite scary in the dark environment.
It was Danzo.
Behind him, there were two root jounin guards, Yamafaze and Aburame Takene.
There are also a large number of root ninjas scattered around, hiding in secret.
Kakashi noticed the root ninjas who were secretly looking at him, and didn't pay attention. He just replied as usual: "It's nothing, Danzo-sama, I'm just doing what I should do."
Danzo nodded slightly, and his slightly gloomy face softened slightly.
"The value of Haruno Sakura is up to you to judge. What she needs, try to satisfy her as much as possible. If the research materials and funds are not enough, some will be provided here at the root."
As a long-term collaborator with Orochimaru, Danzo knows the importance of talent.
Since Haruno Sakura can inadvertently develop something like a medical charm, it means that the opponent's talents are no longer limited to the level of ordinary ninjas.
Calling him a genius may be too much given the current situation, but if the other party continues to study the medical talismans, he may really be able to provide ideas that are different from others and speed up the completion of the medical talismans. Even if it is accelerated a little, the investment in the roots is meaningful.
"yes."
"As for security, let the Anbu take over for the time being. It is not convenient for me to intervene here. In addition, I have ordered Feng to upgrade your position level at the root to A level. I hope you will not disappoint me."
Danzo turned and left without waiting for Kakashi's response.
Yamafaze and Aburame Takene nodded slightly towards Kakashi, which seemed to agree with each other's position in the Roots, and their attitude seemed to be more friendly.
"Then, let's talk again when we have time, Kakashi. I hope you can be worthy of Danzo-sama's trust. When Danzo-sama succeeds Hokage in the future, you will still be the supreme commander of the ANBU."
After saying that, Shanfeng and Aburame took root and left with Danzo.
Kakashi stood still, watching Danzo and others leave.
Slowly, the soil at his feet bulged slightly, and a head made of clay emerged with a faint gaze.
