Chapter 79: Instead of Looking for Tsunade… It's Better to Look for Hyuga Shigeru!

"In the future, unless there is an excellent opportunity, don't mention the release of Danzo again. Every time you mention it, you'll irritate Tsunade further. By the way, if you want to handle things, you don't always need to go through Akamichi or Tsunade."

Finally, the Third Hokage reminded the two of them.

"Stop being reckless. Otherwise, it will only make things harder for everyone."

"But why?" one of them asked.

Tsunade held the authority, and Akamichi was positioned as the Hokage's assistant. If not them, then who else should they approach?

The Third Hokage's expression grew complicated.

"For official matters, follow protocol. For private matters… see Hyuga Shigeru."

Soon, a brief meeting was held at the Hokage Office.

Given Tsunade's capability, the Third Hokage proposed transferring Anbu to her management. After gaining control of Anbu, Tsunade also delegated all other medical departments—except for the pharmaceutical division—to the oversight of Koharu.

When the Third Hokage announced the news, everyone in the room was stunned.

The importance of the pharmaceutical division was self-evident. Regardless of how well the other departments performed, if the pharmaceutical division failed, it could bring everything to a halt.

And Anbu? That was a department traditionally managed solely by the Hokage. Now, it was entirely handed over to Tsunade.

Hiss…

Tsunade-hime's power and influence in the village were growing at an unprecedented rate.

Among the group, only Akamichi maintained his composure. Rather than being surprised, he seemed pleased.

Fortunately, Anbu was handed directly to Tsunade instead of being placed under his jurisdiction. If it had been given to him, Akamichi knew he would have faced immense pressure.

Now, with Tsunade overseeing Anbu and Akamichi continuing his role as a leisurely assistant, he was quite content.

The shift in the village's power dynamics quickly reached Hyuga Shigeru.

When Shigeru learned that the Third Hokage had even relinquished control of the escort team, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Money really is a wonderful thing. Even the Hokage has to worry about it. He's terrified that Tsunade will demand more funds."

Otherwise, the Third Hokage wouldn't have handed over Anbu so willingly, let alone the Hokage escort team.

---

"Something amusing happened?"

Orochimaru had come by to deliver puppets. After placing two sealed scrolls on the table, he poured himself a glass of water.

"Haha, something quite entertaining happened in the village," Shigeru replied with a smile, handing Orochimaru an information scroll while storing the sealed scrolls Orochimaru had brought.

Not bad. With this batch, the number of puppets in his possession had exceeded 1,500.

Once these puppets were unleashed, the sight would be absolutely jaw-dropping.

Orochimaru was truly a reliable partner.

"Hmm," Orochimaru murmured as he scanned the scroll. "The old man actually handed Tsunade control over the entire Anbu?"

As he continued reading, his expression became increasingly bemused. When he reached the part about the Third Hokage avoiding Tsunade to dodge financial demands, he finally burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, now that's rich."

"It's pretty entertaining," Shigeru agreed with a smirk. "With the war escalating, money is needed everywhere, and the village's finances aren't looking great. If Tsunade demands funds, our Hokage-sama is bound to panic."

If it were anyone else, the Third Hokage could just brush them off. But Tsunade? Her demands for funds were always justified.

She could easily point out how much the village had profited from her pharmaceutical contributions. She hadn't asked for much before, but now that she wanted funds, they had to comply.

No one could fault her for that.

The Third Hokage was the one at fault here.

After laughing for a while, Orochimaru set the scroll down and looked at Shigeru.

"Shigeru, our collaboration might have to pause for now. The situation on the battlefield in the Land of Rain is unstable, and the old man has requested that I head there to command operations."

Orochimaru was skilled in battlefield strategy. However, at this stage, he was still not fully recognized by the upper echelons. His role would be limited to leading smaller operations while overall strategy remained under veteran Nara Luxin's command.

"Understood."

Shigeru didn't press the matter. The village's orders had to take precedence. Orochimaru could no longer spend his days quietly in the morgue making puppets.

Besides, with over 1,500 puppets already completed, Shigeru had enough for now.

---

As more reinforcements arrived, the camp at the Land of Rain grew livelier—though chaos came with the crowds.

Managing the camp's order left Nara Luxin visibly stressed, his hair thinning from the effort.

When three familiar figures sat down at his table to eat, Shigeru narrowed his eyes.

"Are you here to freeload again?"

The sight of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Hatake Sakumo eating voraciously stirred a mix of irritation and amusement in Shigeru.

Nara Luxin had extended him the privilege of preparing special meals. Yet, as soon as his food was ready, these three showed up like bandits.

Orochimaru calmly sipped his drink, Jiraiya sheepishly apologized but continued eating enthusiastically, while Hatake Sakumo looked slightly uncomfortable as he wasn't as familiar with Shigeru.

"The team heads into battle tomorrow," Orochimaru explained with a faint smirk, "and Jiraiya suggested we come here for a good meal. Conveniently, you happened to be cooking."

"Ahem!"

Jiraiya nearly choked on a piece of meat, glaring at Orochimaru for selling him out so casually.

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