Just as Tsunade was about to leave, Ren emerged from the lab, casually rubbing his stiff neck. Seeing her there, he blinked in surprise. "Tsunade-sama? What brings you here?"
Tsunade's face lit up, and she beckoned him over. "You're just in time! Come with me to see the old man. We have things to discuss." Without giving him a chance to object, she grabbed his arm and began dragging him toward the Hokage building.
"Come back early~!" Hikari called out from the doorway, her voice trailing after them.
On the way, Ren learned the full story from Tsunade. "Researching Wood Style, huh? That's actually going to be quite difficult," he admitted, looking thoughtful.
"I'm not actually asking you to solve it," Tsunade explained. "I just need a reason to stonewall Elder Danzo. I refuse to see people dying just to act as test subjects for Nawaki's cells. By the way, what have you been doing this past year? You're buried in that lab all day, yet I haven't seen any 'useful' results."
"What do you mean 'no results'? My results are very impressive, thank you!" Ren immediately perked up, speaking with righteous indignation. "In this past year, I've developed several antitoxins that are absolute game-changers on the battlefield!"
"Oh? And where are they?"
"I gave them to Minato to hand over to the Third," Ren said, staring at her in disbelief. He couldn't believe she didn't know. Over the last year, he'd let a few "crumbs" fall from his research—mostly high-fatality, fast-spreading viruses he'd adapted from the Zombie Brother world using chakra. He'd passed them to Minato to give to Hiruzen for use in the war effort. If he hadn't, the Third would have likely raided his lab months ago to see what he was actually up to.
Tsunade paused, stunned. She truly hadn't heard a word about this. "Well, that's actually good news. It gives the Third even more reason to leave Nawaki in our hands!" she laughed.
"Does Tsunade-sama actually intend to research Wood Style?"
"Emmm... for now, it's a secret!" Tsunade turned back, giving Ren a playful wink and a mysterious smile. Ren was left scratching his head, unable to figure out what she was plotting.
When they arrived at the Hokage's office, they were surprised to find Nawaki already there. "Master! You've finally emerged!" Nawaki cheered, running over to Ren.
Ren gave him a nod and turned his focus to the Third Hokage. The old man sat behind his desk, enveloped in a cloud of pipe smoke. He smiled at the trio. "I understand why you're here. Don't worry, I will turn Danzo down. Feel free to pursue the projects you want."
The Third had always been lenient with his pupils; otherwise, Jiraiya would have been struck from the ninja rolls long ago. Seeing Tsunade drag Ren along, he understood her resolve: she was determined to keep Danzo away from human experimentation. If a lab was to be restarted, she wanted it under her own thumb.
Hiruzen didn't mind. Letting Tsunade run a lab was better than letting her rot in gambling dens. Besides, with Ren involved, the Third felt somewhat at ease. Even if they didn't make progress on Wood Style, Ren's track record for biological warfare was already yielding results. The viruses Ren provided had been deployed on the Iwagakure front, drastically reducing the pressure on Konoha. Now, the Leaf's forces just had to wait for the Stone ninjas to succumb. It allowed Hiruzen to taste the same "low-effort" joy Sunagakure used to enjoy with their poisons.
Tsunade grinned. "Then I'll be establishing my own research department! Old man, don't forget to keep the funding flowing!"
"Hohoho! I know, I know."
Leaving the building, Ren folded his arms behind his head. "I feel like I was just there for set dressing. There was no real need for me to come along."
"Master, Master! Do you think I can join the lab as a researcher?" Nawaki asked with stars in his eyes.
"No."
The cold refusal hit Nawaki like a blizzard in the dead of winter, instantly making him wilt like a frost-bitten eggplant.
"Sigh, my poor brother..." Tsunade shook her head, though she agreed with Ren. Nawaki just wasn't the intellectual type; he was too thick-headed.
The three parted ways at the intersection. Ren wanted to go home and catch up on sleep, so he declined Nawaki's invitation to train. After seeing Nawaki home, Tsunade didn't linger either; she went straight to the Konoha Hospital, recruited a few talented medical ninjas, and officially founded the Konoha Research Institute. By the end of the afternoon, all the paperwork had been pushed through.
A day later, Ren woke up in Hikari's arms. At the breakfast table, he asked, "Has anything happened while I was out?"
"Emmm... does Iwagakure surrendering to Konoha count?"
"Of course it counts!"
"Also, Tsunade's Research Institute is finished. She said if you need a space, just go over and pick a room for yourself."
Ren headed out to check the place. Along the way, he muttered to himself, "As expected—as long as Nawaki doesn't die, the Sannin won't fall into depression. They'll always find something big to do!"
The Institute was located on the northern outskirts, about two kilometers from the village center. Ren made the trip quickly, seeing a three-story building that resembled a hospital. Tsunade stood at the entrance, nodding with satisfaction.
"Tsunade-sama, reporting for duty!" Ren called out as he landed.
Tsunade turned and threw an arm around Ren's shoulders, pulling him close. "Ren! This is where we work from now on! If you need any equipment, just put in a request. Your big sister will get you whatever you want!"
Ren struggled to pull his head out from the "softness" of her chest, looking embarrassed. "Understood, Tsunade-sama. I'm going in to check the rooms now." He fled inside as fast as he could.
Tsunade laughed as she watched him run. "That kid... is he actually shy? Hahaha!"
While Tsunade wasn't yet at her peak "proportions" from the future, she was already far beyond the average. Ren felt like his entire head had been submerged; it was a sensation neither Hikari nor Konan could give him yet. It was... intense.
But Hikari and Konan will catch up eventually! Ren thought.
As for "collecting" Tsunade? Ren hadn't considered it yet. Faced with a mature "big sister" type like her, anything he said would likely be met with teasing or lighthearted bullying. Aside from the occasional "accidental" perk, it felt like an uphill battle.
Then again... those perks aren't bad at all.