Konohagakure.
Hokage Building.
Hiruzen was having an animated discussion with the leaders of the Iburi and Tsuchigumo clans.
At the side, Orochimaru chimed in from time to time, and the atmosphere appeared quite harmonious.
The Iburi and Tsuchigumo clans were both native shinobi clans within the Land of Fire.
However, when Konohagakure was first founded, they chose not to join and instead remained independent, maintaining a wait-and-see attitude toward the nation–village system…
As time went on, due to longstanding structural issues such as Konohagakure's financial shortages and the limited share of missions, even when these clans wished to join, they faced considerable resistance, and the matter was left shelved.
With the passage of time, both clans developed problems that they were unable to resolve on their own…
Similar to the Kurama Clan, they developed conditions akin to a "bloodline illness."
The ability of the Iburi Clan is to turn their bodies into smoke.
Not only can they evade most physical attacks, but they can also transform into smoke and enter another person's body, to a certain extent controlling the target's body and carrying out internal destruction.
The problem, however, is that the Iburi Clan's bloodline inheritance has become unstable. Most clan members cannot properly control this ability, and when they encounter strong winds while in smoke form, they disperse and die.
The secret technique inherited by the Tsuchigumo Clan is called "Fury."
Its mechanism is to guide "natural energy," gathering it within a certain range and condensing it into a formation that detonates after a delay.
However, this secret technique requires manual guidance and is extremely dangerous.
As a result, their population has sharply declined. Fewer and fewer clan members are able to master this secret technique, and while the Tsuchigumo Clan hopes to resolve this problem, they also wish to improve the technique…
But secret techniques are not so easily improved, so in the past these two clans conducted private transactions with Orochimaru.
Now, under Hiruzen's rule, Konohagakure requires matters to be as standardized and institutionalized as possible.
The cooperation with the Iburi and Tsuchigumo clans has also been treated as a future pilot program for the "Konohagakure Green Card."
Orochimaru slowly spoke: "Sensei, the problem of the Iburi Clan is something we can resolve on our side…"
"The cell stabilization technology developed by Hiruko is highly suited to their situation."
"As for the Tsuchigumo Clan's natural energy technique…" At this point, Orochimaru pondered for a moment: "I heard that Jiraiya has recently been training in senjutsu. Mount Myōboku should have a solution."
At this point, Orochimaru's expression grew slightly heavy.
His dream is to master all ninjutsu in the world, and naturally that includes senjutsu.
But the threshold for practicing senjutsu is like the Flying Thunder God Technique's requirement for spatial perception.
There is no real logic behind it…
Saying you can do it means you can do it; saying you can't means you can't—
"Don't you want to give it a try?" Hiruzen said with a smile.
"Senjutsu is one of the First Hokage's signature moves. To those who understand, it's even more emblematic than Wood Release…"
Orochimaru let out a chuckle. "The inheritance rules at Ryūchi Cave are far too crude…"
Simply put, the White Snake Sage bit Orochimaru once and didn't care whether he lived or died.
If he mastered it, he mastered it. If he didn't, then so be it.
"I've heard Mount Myōboku's teaching is more systematic…"
"I searched through a vast number of records and found an interesting group… it should be helpful for studying senjutsu…"
"I have a lot of work on my hands right now, and I haven't had the chance to go talk with them yet."
"Once that matter is dealt with, I'll go and see it through," Orochimaru said meaningfully.
What Orochimaru meant was the iron-fisted crackdown on Kusagakure.
And the group he mentioned was located near the Land of Waterfall, extremely hidden and closed off.
It was only because Orochimaru had read far too many records that he found traces that this group still existed in the world. It was said that they were naturally able to absorb natural energy, but with the side effect of berserking.
That was why they hid deep in the mountains, unheard of by the world.
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully.
As for senjutsu, it wasn't that he had never paid attention to it—long ago, he had even tried it.
Unfortunately, he had no talent in that regard.
The monkey clan he had signed a contract with no longer had any monkeys capable of mastering natural energy…
But they did have relevant records.
They recorded that there had once been a monkey cloaked in lava, possessing tremendous strength, able to inhale and exhale formless energy to heal its wounds, and even after dying, able to revive between heaven and earth.
It sounded pretty plausible.
But when he thought it over carefully, it sounded very much like Iwagakure's Four-Tails…
Could it be that the monkey clan had some connection with the Four-Tails?
"A group related to natural energy?"
Hiruzen nodded. "This needs to be handled as a priority. Report to me in real time."
"I understand, Sensei!" Orochimaru nodded.
The way the Iburi and Tsuchigumo clans were handled would also serve as a template for dealing with that tribe.
They would set a basic tone—then if similar problems arose in the future, they would be easier to handle.
And as for asking Mount Myōboku for help…
Hiruzen had originally had mixed feelings about them.
On the one hand, the toads of Mount Myōboku had indeed shed blood for Konohagakure. During the Second Shinobi World War, they had rendered distinguished service and killed quite a few enemies.
But the mission they required Jiraiya to carry out was indeed far too illusory.
To search for the Child of Prophecy, and even claim that he would be Jiraiya's disciple…
Although Jiraiya had already been doing his best—carrying out missions for Konohagakure while searching at the same time—it had still affected his energy as the Hokage's disciple and as a shinobi of Konohagakure.
It was just that, in essence, there was no ill intent. And on top of that, Mount Myōboku had indeed contributed.
In the past, Hiruzen had only offered a few criticisms and had not forcibly stopped it.
Perhaps because of this, Mount Myōboku had been the most proactive in providing materials for the Sage Region Pills.
After Konohagakure reciprocated with some supplies as a courtesy, the toads would even send back some interesting items in return.
It could be considered an active display of a cooperative and friendly attitude.
And as long as they did not touch upon the core inheritance of Mount Myōboku's senjutsu, but merely helped the Tsuchigumo Clan modify their original secret technique…
Hiruzen believed this matter would be easy to discuss.
Of course, it would be best to wait until Konohagakure made some progress on its side, and then speak with Mount Myōboku with greater initiative.
When the time came, Hiruzen intended to go personally, to take a look at this so-called "Sage Region"…
"It would also be good to ask Shikkotsu Forest. I heard from Tsunade that although the Slug Sage has a tranquil temperament, she is quite enthusiastic…"
Hiruzen spoke of an anecdote he had heard in childhood; he did not know whether it was true: "It is said that the First Hokage once accidentally wandered into Shikkotsu Forest, and the Slug Sage wanted to teach him senjutsu…"
"But the First Hokage learned it as soon as he stepped inside. He burst into laughter and turned to leave, and it was only because the Slug Sage forcibly gave him the summoning contract that, in the end, Tsunade was the one who signed it."
As Orochimaru listened, his eyebrows twitched repeatedly.
Although the Sage Regions are rich in natural energy, the idea of mastering it immediately upon entering…
It was simply too fantastical!
It had to be false!
As Orochimaru and Hiruzen chatted like this, the leader of the Iburi Clan could not help but feel a surge of reverence in his heart.
He had originally thought their problem was a difficult one…
Yet Konohagakure already had a solution!
The leader of the Tsuchigumo Clan felt even more so.
Natural energy, which was extremely mysterious in the shinobi world, was apparently not rare in Konohagakure.
They spoke casually of the Three Sage Regions and of the First Hokage mastering it upon entering…
Truly, every word they spoke revealed the depth and stature of the foremost hidden village in the shinobi world!
The leader of the Tsuchigumo Clan could not help but laugh awkwardly.
He had originally wanted to raise his own price slightly, but seeing this, he would be grateful simply to reach cooperation!
Not only could they solve the problem, they did not seem to be in particular need of them either…
"Gentlemen, my apologies…"
"As we were talking, we ended up discussing the First Hokage. The topic drifted," Hiruzen said with a smile.
"No matter, no matter!" The leaders of the two clans waved their hands repeatedly.
"As for cooperation between the two clans and Konohagakure, this is what I have in mind…"
Hiruzen spoke: "Konohagakure today still has advantages over other hidden villages in terms of welfare and treatment. But that is what the shinobi have earned by shedding blood for Konohagakure."
At the appropriate moment, Orochimaru handed the two leaders detailed policy forms.
A moment later, the expressions of both leaders became extremely complicated.
They even felt like cursing the leaders of previous generations. What had they been thinking back then?
Why hadn't they joined Konohagakure…
Wasn't this simply delaying matters for their descendants!
"So you must understand that directly joining Konohagakure would cause some controversy…"
The two leaders nodded repeatedly.
Receiving such generous benefits without having paid a blood price instead made them feel uneasy.
"But after all, we are all shinobi of the Land of Fire. Eight hundred years ago, we might have been one family…"
Hiruzen's tone was very cordial: "So if you wish to join Konohagakure, the village will still do its best to give you an opportunity."
"The Iburi Clan and the Tsuchigumo Clan will be stationed at this location."
Hiruzen pointed to a forest in the northeastern part of Konohagakure.
It was approximately one hundred kilometers beyond the patrol units' radius, facing toward the Land of Lightning.
"The forest can significantly reduce wind force, and the village will allocate funds to help you construct wind-resistant homes."
"Your mission will be to form a defensive line using your smoke abilities and monitor enemy movements for Konohagakure."
"If a gale arises that the forest cannot block, the Tsuchigumo Clan can also lend the Iburi Clan a hand."
"You will be incorporated into the 'Konohagakure Reserve Forces.' The village will help you obtain missions sufficient to sustain your livelihood, but an additional ten percent retention will be required…"
"The village will evaluate you for a period of one year. During this time, you will not enjoy benefits."
"After one year, you will receive forty percent of the various benefits granted to Konohagakure shinobi."
"After three years, those with outstanding performance may enter Konohagakure proper and be incorporated into the formal ranks."
Hiruzen said with a smile.
After positions such as the patrol units and industrial shinobi—fully funded by Konohagakure—were established, and before the population had increased, Konohagakure naturally lacked some shinobi to carry out missions.
Moreover, as ties between Konohagakure and the Land of Fire grew increasingly close, the number of commissions had also grown.
For a time, Konohagakure shinobi were in short supply, and there was a need for someone to take on some lower-level missions.
At the side, Orochimaru's heart stirred. Sensei had indeed prepared a draft in advance.
He spoke with such natural fluency, as if he had experienced similar development before…
In order to wash away his stigma, sensei had truly put in effort!
In this way, the Iburi and Tsuchigumo clans instead became one of his achievements!
He could not help but feel amused at Danzō's foolishness…
Sensei cares for him so deeply…
So what gave him the confidence to think he could compete with him for the position of Hokage?
That foolish bandage on his forehead?!
"Hokage-sama, your terms are far too generous…" the leader of the Iburi Clan said hurriedly.
"There are missions to carry out, houses to live in, even trade caravans, and our problems can be resolved…"
"The key is that there are also Konohagakure's benefits, and later we can even become full members!"
"From this day forward, the Iburi Clan will heed Hokage-sama's orders. Whatever you command us to do, we will do!"
"If there is even the slightest disloyalty, we are willing to accept any punishment from you!"
The leader of the Tsuchigumo Clan felt secretly displeased. He was simply slow with words and had let the other seize the initiative.
But he could not think of anything new to say at the moment and could only declare loudly: "The Tsuchigumo Clan is the same!"
Hiruzen nodded.
"Then, gentlemen… please remember: Konohagakure treats its own with the warmth of fire, but toward traitors and enemies, it is never soft-hearted."
"I sincerely hope that you will all become full members as soon as possible."
"Now turn around and once again recite your oath before the two previous Hokage."
The leaders of the Tsuchigumo and Iburi clans turned around, facing the portraits on the office wall.
They were Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
Upon seeing the two of them, the leaders of the clans more deeply understood what Hiruzen had meant…
Judging by their reputations in the shinobi world, one had indeed been gentle, and the other ruthless.
They represented the dual nature passed down through Konohagakure…
After the ceremony, Hiruzen rose and, smiling, tied two forehead protectors onto the leaders of the two clans: "Then, welcome to the great family of the Will of Fire!"
Unrestrained joy filled the eyes of the two leaders.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
By first granting the two leaders the status of Konohagakure shinobi, he bound their interests deeply to the village…
Management costs would be reduced considerably, and it would also establish a model for their clans.
In a certain sense, it would also ensure that the clans were no longer a single monolithic bloc—each individual would instead take joining Konohagakure as a goal.
"Since you're here, don't rush off."
"In a few days, there will be an interesting advanced class at the Ninja Academy. Quite a few people will go to cheer on the children. Come and take a look together…" Hiruzen said with a smile.
The leaders of the Iburi and Tsuchigumo clans quickly nodded in agreement.
Yet inwardly, they felt somewhat puzzled.
What could possibly be worth seeing among children at the Ninja Academy?
At most, it would be a bit of rudimentary ninjutsu. Could they really produce anything substantial?
If someone could perform the Three Basic Techniques, that would probably already count as an outstanding student…
Out of respect for Hiruzen, the two leaders did not voice their thoughts…
Compared to flowers raised in a greenhouse, wild grass that grows tenaciously should be the stronger one…
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