Although Hiruko was still young and perhaps lacked some seasoned experience, the growth of his scientific prowess was undeniable.
The village high-ranking officials began to value him more than ever. They believed that with his talent, the day Hiruko finally deciphered the First Hokage's Wood Style and truly applied it to shinobi was not far off. Most people waited with bated breath, eager for the power of Wood Style to become their own.
Danzo, in particular, kept a constant eye on Hiruko. Watching him stroll around leisurely filled Danzo's heart with a mix of anticipation and agonizing thirst. When Danzo saw Hiruko wandering through dessert shops with the Uchiha brat instead of focusing on training or Wood Style research, he wanted nothing more than to lock Hiruko in a dark room and force him to work day and night.
At this critical juncture, the young heir of the Uchiha clan being in close contact with Hiruko—Konoha's "goose that laid golden eggs"—immediately triggered a high-level alert. The Great Clans of Konoha were well aware of the "Life Formula No. 1" Hiruko had developed; they worried whether Uchiha Fugaku was beginning to harbor "thoughts he shouldn't have."
The Uchiha were already prideful and difficult to tame—a volatile element within Konoha. If they were to gain the power of Wood Style on top of their own, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Hiruko picked up a soft, tender piece of mousse cake, took a light bite, and then continued, "The Uchiha clan, you say?"
"Hehe... the Uchiha members I'm familiar with are few and far between. My data sample is too small to draw an objective conclusion. Besides, in my view, a clan and an individual are two entirely different things. So, Minato, I cannot answer your question."
In his past life, Hiruko had always loathed regional stereotyping. Every place had its good and bad people; how could everyone from one region be a villain, or everyone be a saint? It simply didn't exist. Beyond genetics, a person's character is shaped by their environment.
Take the Ninja World, for instance. It didn't have much, but it certainly had plenty of "perverts"—even a foreigner like Hiruko had been assimilated into one.
"Senior Hiruko is absolutely right. A family cannot be simply conflated with an individual," Minato Namikaze said after a moment of deep thought.
Images of his student, Obito Uchiha, the rising star Shisui of the Body Flicker, and his friend Uchiha Fugaku flashed through his mind. These three were unique individuals within the clan, linked by one common trait: kindness.
Minato asked tentatively, "Then, Senior Hiruko, what is your opinion on Itachi Uchiha? Would you be interested in taking him as a disciple?"
His tone was gentle and his smile warm, worlds apart from the dark-minded older generation. As the Fourth Hokage, he had his own vision. He believed that given enough time, he could bring everything under control and revitalize Konoha. Unlike Danzo and the others, who treated the Uchiha like enemies to be guarded against or persecuted, Minato held no prejudice.
On the contrary, he leaned toward drawing the Uchiha in, making them a true part of the village—its nourishment rather than its outcast. He understood that isolation and pressure only harmed Konoha's interests. The Uchiha were powerful; if they could be perfectly integrated, it would be for the best.
Therefore, he didn't mind Itachi being close to Hiruko. Instead, he wanted to use this as an opportunity to tighten that bond, turning Itachi and Hiruko into a bridge between the clan and the village.
Hiruko's ties to the Hokage faction were intimate, and his inventions benefited many civilian ninja. Minato believed that through Hiruko, he could better communicate with and understand the Uchiha, promoting harmony and development.
Beyond Tsunade, Hiruko was arguably one of Konoha's strongest medical ninja and a top-tier master of the craft. Had he not disliked the limelight so much, he would have likely stepped into the true upper echelons of Konoha's power long ago. But Hiruko didn't crave authority; he preferred tinkering in his lab.
"An apprentice?"
Hiruko shook his head. "No, I don't have any interest in that for the time being."
"Itachi is certainly brilliant—mature, quick-witted, and a first-rate combat talent. But that doesn't mean he would excel in scientific research. Still, he's young and impressionable. Everything remains to be seen."
Minato nodded, understanding Hiruko's stance. A man of Hiruko's status—on par with the Third Hokage—wouldn't take a disciple lightly; it was a test for the student as much as the master.
"Forgive my intrusion, Senior Hiruko, but how far has your research into Wood Style progressed?" Minato continued.
Personally, he was somewhat repulsed by the idea of using Hashirama's cells on humans to achieve Wood Style, knowing it required sacrificing a vast number of experimental subjects. However, this was a matter of concern for the high command and even the retired previous Hokage. Minato felt compelled to ask on their behalf, as he still relied on the older generation's support while he settled into his new role.
Hiruko glanced at Minato and spoke slowly, "Mastering Wood Style isn't difficult. What's difficult is replicating the extraordinary power of the First Hokage."
"Wood Style is powerful because of Hashirama's own unfathomable strength. If an ordinary person uses it, it isn't nearly as formidable as you imagine—certainly not enough to casually thrash Tailed Beasts or pacify a chaotic world."
Hiruko chuckled and added, "If you want to see Wood Style now, I can show you."
As he spoke, Hiruko's foot lightly tapped the ground. Suddenly, the laboratory floor cracked, and a vine-like arm burst from the fissure, instantly coiling around Minato's thigh.
Minato lunged to break free, and the vine shattered immediately.
Hiruko wore a faint smile. "See? That's Wood Style. But for people at our level, it's far too weak. It has no practical use."
Minato stood stunned, staring at the remnants of the vine at his feet. His pupils contracted. Wood Style... the ultimate power of the Senju clan that once dominated the ninja world.
Even he couldn't help but feel a stir of excitement. But most importantly... did Hiruko have "thoughts he shouldn't have"? And what should Minato do next?