After Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu returned to a quiet room inside the Hokage Tower, all three fell into silence. Even as Hiruzen's pipe quickly filled the room with smoke, Koharu forgot to nag him about it like she usually would.
They had dread of recreating in Konoha the kind of Wood Release that could suppress the entire ninja world like the First Hokage's. For that goal, they hadn't hesitated to carry out human experints. In the end, after losing several batches of volunteers without success, they had no choice but to shut down the cruel project due to the mounting deaths.
Only Danzō and Orochimaru refused to comply, secretly continuing the experints in private. By sheer accident, they managed to produce a single successful case. After discovering it, Danzō hid it away like a treasure.
Once Hiruzen found out, he imdiately pulled that person into the Hokage faction.
A Wood Release user absolutely could not be allowed to fall under Danzō's dark ideology.
Even if Yamato's Wood Release was worlds apart from what he had envisioned, he was still young—there was room for growth.
But today, they had witnessed sothing entirely different.
Soone had truly displayed the style of the First Hokage's Wood Release.
Higashino Makoto had, through inhuman talent, forcibly fused Wood Release on his own.
What experints? What transplantations? What Senju bloodline?
None of it was needed.
The old n could only think: they had lived long lives and seen countless things—but this? This, they had never seen before.
After a long silence, Koharu sighed.
"I never thought that in my lifeti, I'd see Wood Release ninjutsu comparable in power to the First Hokage's—and self-trained at that.
That really gave a scare. Tell … does that child Makoto truly have no Senju bloodline?"
Hiruzen replied, "No. I had that investigated long ago. Makoto simply had an abnormal physique since childhood, with an enormous amount of chakra."
"Things like that occasionally happen in the ninja world—nothing strange about it. Or perhaps, further back in his ancestry, the Higashino family married a woman from the Senju clan who had married out. After all, we know the Senju weren't like the Hyūga—they were quite open about marriages."
"But none of that matters. What matters is that Makoto is a Konoha ninja. His parents, his teammates, his friends—all of them are here. That's enough."
Koharu continued, "I didn't expect him to have even mastered Sage Mode—and he resembles the First Hokage so much. I never heard of him training at any of the three great sage regions."
Hiruzen shot her a glance. "The First Hokage didn't either. According to Tobirama-sensei, back then the First simply heard about natural energy and completed the training in less than two days."
"Makoto is part of Minato's bodyguard unit. It's normal for him to know about natural energy and senjutsu. Perhaps people like them possess sothing we simply can't understand."
"To ordinary ninja, natural energy is extrely dangerous. To them… it might be no different from ordinary chakra."
Homura nodded. "Hiruzen is right. Given Makoto's talent in ninjutsu since childhood, it's not surprising he can do this."
"Don't forget—according to Kumomi-jōnin, he only took ten days to learn Ice Release."
"Which ans he now possesses both Wood Release and Ice Release—two kekkei genkai. What we should be thinking about now is how to ensure these bloodlines can be stably inherited within Konoha, instead of disappearing like Wood Release did after the First Hokage died."
Koharu chuckled. "That's simple. Fortunately, Makoto isn't a girl. Won can only give birth once a year, but n don't have that limitation. If he's willing, once he cos of age, we can—"
Hiruzen imdiately cut her off. "That's enough. What nonsense are you talking about? That's not how Konoha does things. What is this, selective breeding?"
Koharu shot back, "Am I not thinking for Konoha's sake? The First Hokage had only one child. Tobirama didn't even have any. Their grandchildren's generation only has Tsunade and Nawaki."
"And what happened? Not a single one inherited Wood Release. If Makoto doesn't leave behind more descendants, how can we ensure his bloodline is passed on?"
Homura frowned. "That's not appropriate. This isn't ancient tis. Monogamy is the norm now. If we follow your idea, it would damage Konoha's social order."
Koharu looked at them with disdain. "Isn't this exactly the kind of thing n dream about? Besides, when they're adults, if the girls don't mind, that little Makoto might even enjoy it. n, after all… heh."
As she spoke, she was actually thinking of a young clan mber nad Utatane Mai. Ever since that girl had seen Makoto on the eastern battlefield, she had been unusually concerned about him.
She had even begged Koharu to transfer her to the hospital, assigning her under Higashino gumi. Such thoughts were obvious to soone of Koharu's experience.
Homura imdiately put on a serious face, declaring that he wasn't that kind of man—unlike "that monkey" and his perverted disciple Jiraiya.
Hiruzen sighed. "Let the young people handle such matters themselves. We shouldn't interfere unnecessarily.
"As for … I think it's ti to step down. After all, Minato is the current Hokage. I can't keep acting as a stand-in forever—it will cause problems."
Homura nodded. "I have no objections."
Though he still wanted to contribute to Konoha, he could see the situation clearly. The middle and younger generations all supported Minato—including Makoto.
If they continued to hold on, things wouldn't end well for them.
Koharu said, "Hiruzen, since you've made your decision, tell us your plan."
Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe.
"At present, Kirigakure in the southeast is no longer a concern. As for Kumogakure in the north, intelligence suggests that anti-war sentint is growing. It likely won't be long before they sign a peace agreent with us.
Once they withdraw, Kirigakure won't dare face Konoha alone. Only then can this war truly be considered over."
"I've decided that once the situation with Kumogakure is resolved, I will retire for real. And this ti, I will not interfere in the village's affairs in any way. Do you understand?"
Homura: "Understood."
Koharu hesitated. "Hiruzen… should we call Danzō over to discuss this together?"
Hiruzen's expression turned serious. "Koharu, it seems you still don't understand. You and Homura, given your responsibilities, can stay on for a few more years to support Minato."
"Now that we have Makoto, even if the Uchiha make any dangerous moves, they won't be able to threaten Konoha."
"If Minato wants to resolve the Uchiha issue in his own way, let him."
"The ones who truly need to retire completely… are and Danzō."
Homura frowned. "Hiruzen, we all know Danzō. This is practically asking for his life. Do you really think he'll listen? I'm afraid this could cause trouble."
Koharu asked, "Homura, you don't think Danzō would actually rebel, do you?"
Homura replied bluntly, "Hard to say."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "Sigh… I hope he can accept it. Given Minato's personality, even if he uncovers sothing while taking over Root, he likely won't pursue it too harshly."
"But if Danzō refuses to see the situation clearly and insists on chasing that impossible dream…"
"Then no one will be able to save him."
After all, they had been classmates and comrades for many years. Koharu couldn't help but feel a trace of reluctance.
"Are we really going to abandon him like this… after everything?"
Hiruzen said quietly: "Everything… is for Konoha's stability and prosperity."
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