Chapter 3

The Hokage's building in Konoha.

"Orochimaru."

Tsunade greeted Orochimaru with her right hand while holding Haruki with her left.

Orochimaru nodded expressionlessly in response.

"So early, it's not like you."

Haruki, sitting between the two, casually asked while quickly scanning the crowd in the hall.

Most of the village's Jonin were present, making it noisy and crowded.

"Hehe, just giving the teacher some face."

Orochimaru's tone was as indifferent as always, his snake eyes glinting coldly.

Haruki sighed; the death of Nawaki not only affected Tsunade but also Orochimaru.

His focus gradually shifted away from Konoha, towards the pursuit of Eternal Life.

Otherwise, between him and Minato Namikaze, it was uncertain who would become the Fourth Hokage.

But the current Orochimaru was far from the madness of his defection period.

A significant reason was Haruki's subtle influence.

After a while, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived.

He wore a ceremonial robe, held a smoking pipe, and his chin still had black whiskers.

He was in his prime, exuding the majesty of Hokage with every word and action.

The hall suddenly quieted down, followed by respectful voices.

"Lord Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly.

Neither aloof nor overly familiar.

After a few pleasantries, the meeting officially began.

The first discussion was about compensations and inheritances for fallen ninjas.

According to tradition, everything was left to their families or friends, especially orphaned children, who were supported until graduating from the ninja school.

Hearing this, Haruki couldn't help but glance at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

You sly old fox.

Naruto Uzumaki living on instant noodles and expired milk because his parents were poor?

What a joke.

Even one-tenth of the rewards from Minato Namikaze's missions would have spared Naruto such a miserable life.

If not for his protagonist halo, he would have turned dark long ago.

Some Naruto fans even believed he was under Kotoamatsukami.

Rules, to a schemer like Hiruzen Sarutobi, were just tools to achieve his goals.

Two more issues were discussed, one was the ongoing local wars, and the other was Konoha's post-war reconstruction and development.

"If anyone has any other suggestions, please speak up."

After two hours, Hiruzen Sarutobi casually said.

Having assigned most tasks, he was ready to adjourn the meeting.

"Lord Hokage, I have a suggestion."

Haruki stood up, smiling harmlessly.

"Haruki, go ahead."

Hiruzen Sarutobi also smiled, he appreciated Haruki.

Originally an orphan, his sunny disposition and actions during the war were admirable, fearlessly appearing on the deadliest frontlines, saving many ninjas.

Being Tsunade's boyfriend, he also respected Hiruzen.

His embodiment of the Will of Fire was perfect.

Haruki controlled a scroll with chakra, placing it before each Jonin representative.

"It's about changes to the ninja school, all details are in the scroll, please have a look."

"I didn't expect you to come prepared."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, intrigued, opened the scroll. The first sentence made him pause.

"When the youth are strong, the village is strong; when the youth are wise, the village is wise; when the youth are rich, the village is rich."

He repeated it several times, finding it profound.

The content suggested a Konoha version of compulsory education.

Dividing the ninja school into elementary and middle school, with elementary maintaining six years, teaching basic knowledge, and middle school three years, teaching advanced ninjutsu based on chakra attributes.

Normal graduation would be around fifteen years old.

Considering reality, Haruki didn't extend it to eighteen.

In addition, a research institute was established in the school to study new types of ninjutsu and ninja tools.

This had been Konoha's ongoing effort, advancing to scientific ninja tools by Boruto's era.

Finally, two theory courses, history and politics, were proposed.

Of course, I can't say it so bluntly.

It should be "Konoha Hokage Character Guide" and "The Great Inheritance of the Will of Fire".

Ninja school lacked these subjects and didn't emphasize theory.

In the original Chunin Exams, most candidates showcased unique talents instead of answering written tests seriously.

Konoha seemingly encouraged cheating.

Haruki aimed to correct the so-called Will of Fire.

"Where leaves dance, the fire burns. The shadow of the fire will shine on the village, and new leaves will sprout."

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura's actions twisted its meaning.

It had become distorted.

Considering the Flower Nation's education, the Will of Fire was empty.

Lacking specific ideology and plans.

The original's Uchiha Itachi was the most typical, acting like someone brainwashed by a cult.

Haruki intended to use these courses to spread ideas to the younger generation.

Short-term effects might be minimal.

But in ten or twenty years, Hiruzen Sarutobi would understand what kind of monster he had unleashed.

This was the Flower Nation's dragon-slaying technique.

Of course, this was just the first step.

Judging by Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, it seemed promising.

....

He looked at Haruki with relief.

Such a good child.

Not only inheriting the Will of Fire but also remembering his teachings, now even writing a book for his words.

"I disagree!"

The silent hall was suddenly filled with a sullen voice.

Haruki looked at Danzo Shimura.

No surprise.

He always scorned the Will of Fire, solely aiming for the Hokage position by any means.

If Haruki's approach was followed, the Hokage's prestige would soar.

Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted but remained silent, wanting to see how Haruki would handle Danzo's challenge.

"The war just ended, we've lost many key ninjas. If they don't graduate soon, we can't replenish the genin ranks, and we lack enough chunin and jonin to teach at the school."

Danzo Shimura implied treating genin as cannon fodder.

But Haruki anticipated his objection.

"Lord Danzo is correct."

He first agreed, then shifted, "But I have two minor suggestions. Now that the war is over and the situation is stabilizing, we should encourage the villagers to have more children. If they cannot afford it, they can apply to be supported by Konoha. In addition, we should recruit wandering ninjas caused by the war to increase the number of available people in a short period of time."

Danzo Shimura sneered: "Naïve, the first suggestion are fine, but wandering ninjas could be infiltrated easily."

"I trust Lord Danzo's Root. With Root's abilities, we can definitely dig out the details of the wandering ninjas. We can tell at a glance whether they are undercover agents or not."

Danzo Shimura was stunned.

He didn't expect Haruki to give up the initiative.

Thinking deeper, under the guise of recruiting wandering ninjas, he could do some shady things.

Seeing Danzo's hesitation, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew he was swayed.

Given Root's increasing audacity, he said, "This should be managed by both Anbu and Root."

Danzo Shimura frowned but stayed silent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, thinking of Haruki's significant contributions and need in medical support, decided, since he was interested in the ninja school, let him have his way.

"You will serve as the vice-principal of the ninja school."