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Early morning in Konoha, the shinobi academy's training ground was temporarily repurposed.
The open space, usually filled with children's laughter, was now packed with people.
Clan heads of various clans, elders who had retired to the background, and young shinobi who had emerged from the Genius Cultivation Program.
They stood in clan order, clearly delineated and silent.
At the front of the crowd, Hiruzen Sarutobi wore simple clothes. His pipe remained unlit.
Beside him, Minato Namikaze wore his Hokage robe.
His clear blue eyes were as serene as the sky, and a warm, sunny smile graced his face.
He stepped forward. His gaze swept over the young faces before him, and he said, "Everyone!"
His voice, amplified by chakra, reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Today, we gather here to witness a new step towards the Land of Fire's prosperity!"
"The daimyo, concerned for us shinobi, has established a special Genius Cultivation Program to nurture Konoha's next generation of pillars, and has personally allocated a massive sum of funds!"
He paused, then turned slightly and continued, "Next, I invite the special envoy from the daimyo manor's Department of Internal Affairs to read the daimyo's decree and distribute the funds!"
All eyes turned in unison to a middle-aged man dressed in the official robes of the daimyo manor.
He did not rush forward until Minato finished speaking.
Behind him were two rows of heavily armored samurai.
Behind the samurai were over a dozen large, heavy wooden chests.
The chests were locked, but many below craned their necks. Their throats bobbed with anticipation.
The Department of Internal Affairs official cleared his throat. His chin was slightly raised as he looked down at the field.
"By order of the daimyo!"
Everyone in the audience instinctively stood straighter.
"Effective immediately, the Land of Fire's Special Genius Cultivation Program is officially launched!"
"All those selected are pillars of the Land of Fire and shall be treated as vital national assets!"
"The daimyo has decreed that, to ensure the unimpeded growth of these geniuses, special funds are approved and will be distributed according to their talent rank!"
"Now, the names will be read!"
"Uchiha Shisui, rank A-plus, monthly stipend of three million ryo!"
"Anko Mitarashi, rank A, monthly stipend of two million ryo!"
"Might Guy, rank A, monthly stipend of two million ryo!"
"..."
One name after another was called out.
One young shinobi after another walked onto the high platform under the envious gazes of the crowd.
When the money chests, filled with brand new banknotes, were handed to them, almost all the young people's arms trembled.
That was not just the weight of money.
It was also a ladder to instant success in the future!
One civilian shinobi, flushed with excitement, knelt directly on the ground and kowtowed heavily towards the capital.
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama!"
That bow was like a signal.
All the young shinobi who had received funds spontaneously knelt down.
Waves of gratitude, like a mountain roar and sea surge, echoed over the training ground.
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched this scene. He finally put his pipe in his mouth and lit it.
The smoke he exhaled obscured his lonely face.
Minato Namikaze sighed deeply. He felt both happy for these youths and worried for the village's future.
He wondered if such a change was correct.
"Sensei, have you accepted your fate?"
A soft, effeminate voice, tinged with mockery, echoed faintly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not turn around. He knew who it was.
Orochimaru.
His most brilliant student, who had appeared behind him at some point. A playful smile crossed his pale face.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring.
"You finally decided to leave your laboratory?"
"Hehe..." Orochimaru chuckled softly. His long tongue licked his lips. A look of morbid excitement crossed his face. "Such a magnificent spectacle, wouldn't it be a pity not to witness it firsthand?"
He looked at the young shinobi who were so grateful to the daimyo. His tone was mocking.
"Look at them. Such pure eyes, such sincere gratitude."
"The Konoha you protected your entire life, the Will of Fire you preached your entire life, in the end, are worth less than this gold."
"Sensei, don't you think... it's pathetic?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer. He merely took a deep drag from his pipe.
"Hehehe!"
Orochimaru chuckled mockingly. His gaze shifted from Hiruzen Sarutobi's back and returned to the mountain of money on the high platform.
The mocking smile on his face gradually vanished, replaced by irritation.
Ever since Danzo was eliminated, his biggest source of funding had dried up.
Most of the research that required massive financial support had been put on hold.
Even worse, without Root's cover, he was almost unable to acquire experimental subjects.
Ten days ago, he risked infiltrating the Konoha prison and managed to get a few death row inmates out.
However, the security there was even tighter than before. Any slight disturbance would attract swarms of ANBU.
He almost got exposed yesterday.
As if sensing Orochimaru's anxiety and resentment, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly turned. He faced his student's pale face.
"Orochimaru, put away your thoughts."
"Times have changed."
"This is no longer an era where you can do as you please."
Orochimaru's smile grew even more sinister.
"Do as I please?"
"Sensei, don't you think this is truly the era where one can do as one pleases?"
"As long as... one can gain the favor of that lord."
His words made Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sink sharply.
There was no further conversation between the two.
After the ceremony ended and the crowd dispersed, the Department of Internal Affairs official slowly approached.
He walked directly to Minato Namikaze, bowing slightly.
His posture was humble, but his words were impeccable.
"Hokage-sama, the daimyo has another verbal decree that requires your personal supervision."
Minato politely said, "Please speak."
The official's tone was equally polite. "The daimyo says that all those selected for the Guardian Shinobi Twelve shall depart immediately for the capital to report, without delay."
"This matter, I shall trouble the Fourth Hokage to arrange."
Minato nodded. "I understand."
Just then, a lazy yet highly penetrating female voice rang out.
"What's all this commotion about?"
"Is it a funeral for the village? Quite the spectacle."
The voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire field's clamor.
Everyone turned to look in unison.
They saw a woman slowly approaching.
Her face showed the fatigue of a hangover. Her tall figure was draped in a loose green robe, but the baggy clothing could not completely conceal her ample curves beneath.
With each step, her proud chest swayed.
Her slender waist contrasted with her full hips.
As she walked, her round, shapely figure moved gracefully.
It was Tsunade!
One of the legendary Sannin, the First Hokage's granddaughter, the peak master of medical ninjutsu!
She had returned.
Her face showed no traces of age. She still looked like a woman in her prime twenties.
But her beautiful eyes held an unshakeable weariness.
A young girl followed behind her.
The girl wore a dark blue kimono, holding a small pig in her arms.
Her figure was still youthful, but her chest had already begun to develop.
Her black short hair framed her cheeks, accentuating her fair skin.
Her delicate face was filled with bewilderment and unease.
Her name was Shizune.
She curiously observed the scene before her, completely unaware of what was happening.
Why were the Third Hokage and Fourth Hokage both here?
Why was Orochimaru here as well?
The girl's naivety and innocence formed a stark contrast with the mature, charming, and powerful Tsunade in front of her.
"Tsunade..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew even more complex as he saw his other student.
Since the end of the Kannabi Bridge battle earlier in the year, there had been no more warfare in the western part of the Land of Fire.
This coincided with the internal strife in Kirigakure to the east.
Only the Land of Lightning refused to give up, still constantly provoking incidents along the border.
But the strategic advantage accumulated by the Land of Fire during the Third Shinobi World War meant that the Land of Lightning alone no longer posed a threat.
So Tsunade had left Konoha with Shizune to travel around.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Tsunade had issues with him, so he tacitly approved.
Seeing Tsunade return, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. He spoke in a sinister tone. "You actually decided to come back?"
Tsunade retorted unceremoniously, "Talk to me in that tone again, and see if I don't beat you up!"
Then, without even looking at Orochimaru, she walked directly to the Third Hokage, frowning.
"Old man, what happened to the village to make it like this?"
Her tone was aggressive, completely disregarding everyone else present.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a wry smile and shook his head. "We'll talk later."
The Department of Internal Affairs official had noticed Tsunade when she appeared.
Without lingering, his gaze returned to Minato Namikaze. A formal smile appeared on his face. "Hokage-sama, today's matters are concluded. I shall not tarry."
"Alright, thank you for your trouble, sir," Minato said politely. Then he gestured to Nara Shikaku. "Shikaku, please see him off for me."
The official bowed slightly again, then turned and left with his guard.
"I understand," Shikaku replied.