Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

"Don't lay a hand on the children in the village!"

"Furthermore, given the mistakes you have made recently, funding and personnel selection will be subject to corresponding restrictions."

Looking at Danzo who had calmed down, the Third Hokage gave him his final punishment without hesitation.

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

Danzo clenched his fists tightly. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi scolded him again and made him lose face in front of Minato Namikaze, it would still make him more resentful than this punishment.

He has given everything to Konoha, even his own clan has been completely exploited by him.

This ruthless weakening of his power is what he cannot accept.

"Hmph, Danzo, I am the Hokage!" The Third Hokage's voice was deep yet full of authority.

"Hmph!" Danzo snorted coldly, then, with a gust of wind, he suddenly flung open the door to the Hokage's office and strode away.

Orochimaru and Hiruko slowly emerged from behind the screen.

"Orochimaru and Hiruko, you two should have no objections to this punishment, right?" Watching Danzo's departing figure, the Third Hokage rubbed his forehead wearily once again.

"I have no objection, Hokage-sama," Hiruko said casually with a smile.

As long as Danzo doesn't die, I still need Danzo to live.

However, he didn't want to be driven out of Konoha, so going into the open was inevitable.

If one wants to change this damned ninja world, one naturally needs sufficient power to radiate from Konoha to the rest of the ninja world.

"The funds cut from the Root will be given to you two to manage. Danzo, one of the three clans (Ino-Shika-Cho), has no right to interfere. You can discuss and select some suitable personnel." The Third Hokage kept his promise.

Hiruzen Sarutobi went to great lengths to win over Hiruko, someone who could improve the village's overall strength.

Orochimaru narrowed his long, serpentine eyes and met the gaze of his teacher.

"This is not what you promised last night." After a moment, Orochimaru licked his lips and said with some dissatisfaction.

He has always been dissatisfied with the funding, feeling that the amount allocated this time was still too small.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his cigarette, sighed, and said, "You know how much manpower and money it takes to create a new department."

"Although the village's economic situation has improved a lot, it's not yet at the point where we can spend money recklessly."

Keep in mind that this was only after the Third Shinobi World War.

Besides, even if I were the Hokage, if I wanted to establish a completely new department, I would still need to convene a vote.

"Tsunade's medical department wasn't established overnight; it was the result of a slow process of compromise," the Third Hokage said, shaking his head with a sigh.

"But as it turns out, the establishment of the medical department was indeed the right thing to do, and Tsunade's suggestion back then was also completely correct."

"Frankly speaking, your delays are pointless and of no benefit to the village," Orochimaru retorted bluntly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately lit his pipe again, then tapped it lightly on the table and said, "At least you have to let me and everyone else see the value of this department."

The research department, in accordance with the requirements you made, spends far more money and human resources than the medical department.

I really can't figure out what it means to the village.

"Moreover, Hiruko can support scientific research entirely on his own."

Hiruko immediately stood up and retorted, "Third Hokage, while I can certainly develop things on my own, without suitable people to cooperate with me, the development progress will be very slow."

If we possess sufficient technology, we can completely overwhelm other countries with overwhelming force; this is the most important point.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "I understand that too, but other families still need to see real benefits before they can act."

The Third Hokage was somewhat speechless about his disciple and Hiruko. The village's finances were in a complete mess, and as the Hokage, he was in a difficult position.

The medical department has only been established for a few years, and the investment has not yet been recouped. Now, another major money-guzzler is about to be added. It's true that you don't know the cost of living until you're in charge.

"However, Lord Hokage, this does not conform to our agreement." Orochimaru's eyes had narrowed into slits.

The Third Hokage glanced at Minato Namikaze beside him and asked with a smile, "What do you think?"

"A research department is still very necessary!" Minato Namikaze said earnestly.

"Mr. Hiruko's contributions in the last war are evident to all!" he added.

Hiruko also smiled at Minato Namikaze.

As a young man, Minato Namikaze is clearly very supportive of innovation in new technologies.

The third-generation elder nodded and said, "How about this, I authorize the two of you to establish this department, and you are also allowed to recruit people independently. I can also provide some of the initial start-up capital."

However, if you cannot produce sufficient results in the future, the financial burden will be borne by the two of you.

Do you two agree with this solution?

After pondering for a moment, the Third Hokage offered a compromise.

The group exchanged glances, smiled, and nodded in agreement.

The so-called art of politics is compromise.

Three days after the conversation ended.

Konoha Orphanage.

The orphanage director, Yakushi Nono, was looking at Orochimaru, who had come to visit, with some nervousness.

Some time ago, Danzo informed her that he would send her to Hiruko to serve him in a while, and of course, she would also have the duty of monitoring Hiruko.

So during this time, she worked hard to settle things at the orphanage, somewhat afraid that Hiruko would not let her leave.

After all, in the ninja world, women's status isn't particularly high, and many women give up their ninja identity after marriage to focus on raising children.

She has been busy these past few days settling the aftermath of the orphanage's affairs.

As someone skilled at gathering intelligence, she knew better than anyone how terrifying and troublesome this pale-skinned man was.

Yakushi Nonou said with a gentle smile, "Lord Orochimaru, everything here is simple, and there's nothing we can offer you."

She then handed her a glass of warm water.

Nono has a gentle face that makes people feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze. She has a special quality that makes her approachable and easily gains the trust of others.

Therefore, this woman was also Danzo's trump card, and the walking shrine maiden daimyo was quite famous in the ninja world.

Orochimaru nodded and said, "I know. I came here today simply to invite you to join the research department founded by Hiruko."

"?"

"When did a new department appear in the village? Orochimaru, what exactly are you trying to do?" Yakushi Nonou looked at Orochimaru with a wary expression.