Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

Leaf.

The sun was shining brightly on the street.

Tsunade stood at the street corner, looking at this familiar yet unfamiliar village.

Ever since I met Jiraiya.

She then took Shizune and returned directly to Konoha.

But the Konoha before her was no longer the dilapidated and decaying village she remembered.

The road is wide and flat, with shops lining both sides.

The gloom on the villagers' faces was completely swept away, replaced by genuine smiles.

Several children dressed in ninja school uniforms ran past.

They were even holding kunai in their hands, excitedly discussing the hand seals for some kind of C-rank ninjutsu.

This would have been absolutely impossible before.

Because it has never been an easy thing for ordinary people to come into contact with ninjutsu.

Jingyin stood to the side, holding her pet pig Tun Tun, her face full of amazement.

She pointed to the newly built, massive training ground in the distance.

"Lady Tsunade, look over there."

"That's a newly built public training area for the village; even the facilities are brand new."

Tsunade's brows were furrowed, and her chest rose and fell slightly.

Konoha has indeed changed.

It became unprecedentedly prosperous and unprecedentedly powerful.

But this also means that Chiba has more confidence to push for war.

The shadow of war seemed to hang only over the other four ninja villages.

Inside Konoha, however, there was a fervent fighting spirit.

Tsunade walked to a roadside stall.

She casually bought a skewer of three-colored meatballs and took a bite.

The sweet taste spread throughout her mouth.

Even prices are much cheaper than before.

How did that brat Chiba manage to turn Konoha into this?

The image of that boy appeared in her mind.

Back in Tanzaku Street, he needed his own protection.

now.

He has grown into a towering tree, enough to provide shade and even control the entire Leaf Village.

Tsunade swallowed the dumpling in her mouth and threw away the bamboo skewer.

"Let's go, mute."

"Let's go see our Fifth Hokage."

……

Hokage Building.

Tsunade didn't have the Anbu announce her arrival; she simply pushed open the office door.

Behind the large desk, Chiba was looking down and flipping through documents.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing him in a golden glow.

I heard a noise.

Chiba slowly raised her head.

"Teacher, you're back."

Chiba's tone was casual.

There was absolutely no sense of overwhelming pressure that he displayed when facing other high-ranking officials.

Tsunade strode to the table.

He slammed both hands heavily on the table.

The wooden tabletop made a dull thud.

"You brat, what exactly are you trying to do!"

Tsunade questioned sharply, her gaze fixed intently on Chiba's eyes.

Chiba put down the documents in his hand and leaned back in his chair.

"Didn't Jiraiya tell you that?"

"To unify the ninja world and establish true peace."

Tsunade gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

"Peace?"

Can peace bought with war truly be considered peace?

Chiba laughed, his laughter revealing undisguised disdain.

"Otherwise what?"

"Relying on mutual understanding?"

"That was Jiraiya's idea, utterly foolish."

Chiba stood up and walked to the window.

He looked down at the bustling streets of Konoha.

"With the five great ninja villages locked in a power struggle, the war will never end."

"Only by consolidating all power in one place and breaking down those tedious barriers can we achieve this."

"Only then can this terrible era be truly ended."

Tsunade watched Chiba's retreating figure.

The kid who used to follow her around learning ninjutsu is now someone she can no longer understand.

His ambition was so great that he wanted to devour the entire world.

"Are you really sure?"

Tsunade's voice softened, tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"I thought the teacher would advise me to give up."

Chiba turned around, looked at his cheap teacher, and made a joke with a smile.

Tsunade snorted coldly and glared at him.

"Can I persuade them?"

"I've been teaching you for over a year, don't I know your temperament?"

"You little rascal, once you've made up your mind, not even ten oxen could pull you back."

Chiba shrugged and walked back to his desk.

"Thank you for your understanding, teacher."

Tsunade remained silent for a moment, and the atmosphere fell into a brief silence.

In her mind, the image of her portly uncle—the daimyo of the Land of Fire—flashed through her mind.

"What about the nobles of the past?"

"What are you planning to do with them?"

Tsunade asked the question that had been troubling her most deepest concern.

Chiba's eyes flickered slightly, and he saw through her thoughts.

"Is the teacher asking about the name of the Land of Fire?"

Tsunade did not deny it, and met his gaze calmly.

"He is, after all, my uncle."

Chiba sat back down in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound echoed in the quiet office, making Tsunade feel irritated.

"As long as they know what's good for them."

"If they voluntarily relinquish power, I will naturally give them a way out."

"Isn't it nice to be a wealthy old man and enjoy your retirement?"

Chiba's tone was flat.

But the unwavering conviction in his words made Tsunade understand that this was Chiba's bottom line.

Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders slumping.

At least, Chiba didn't intend to wipe them out completely.

"it is good."

"I will do my best to help you."

Tsunade made a decision quickly.

Since we cannot stop the war.

Then let's use her medical ninjutsu to help reduce casualties in the ninja world.

That was the only thing she could do.

Shortly after Tsunade left.

There was another knock on the office door.

Orochimaru pushed open the door and walked in.

His pale face held a sickly excitement.

A fanatical light gleamed in those golden, vertical pupils, which resembled those of a venomous snake.

"Lord Hokage."

Orochimaru bowed slightly, his attitude impeccable.

Chiba opened another document.

"How's the Impure World Reincarnation research going?"

Orochimaru licked his lips, his voice hoarse.

"I have lived up to your expectations."

"The technique has been significantly improved, eliminating the hidden dangers left by the Second Hokage."

"Currently, we can utilize 80% of the deceased's strength."

A look of satisfaction flashed in Chiba's eyes.

Eighty percent.

enough.

The original Edo Tensei could only unleash a small portion of its power, making it rather useless.

But now, as long as there are suitable offerings.

This reanimated army will definitely be a nightmare for the entire ninja world.

"Well done."

Chiba was generous with his praise.

Orochimaru straightened up, his gaze intense.

"It would be my honor to receive your approval."

"but……"

Orochimaru lowered his voice and looked at Chiba tentatively.

"To cast a spell of this scale, a large number of living human sacrifices are required."

"Where are you planning to get so much material?"

Chiba glanced at him, her gaze cold.

Orochimaru paused, then quickly lowered his head.

"You don't need to worry about that."

"You just need to prepare the procedure."

"In the upcoming war, I will show the entire ninja world a huge surprise."

Chiba's voice was filled with absolute confidence.

Orochimaru's body trembled slightly.

That was a tremor caused by extreme excitement.

He loves Konoha right now.

There was none of Danzo's sinister schemes hidden in the sewers.

Everything is out in the open.

Chiba provided him with unimaginable funding and a completely free research environment.

Even proud clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga were willing to cooperate with him for blood tests.

This research environment is simply paradise.

"Don't worry."

"The Impure World Reincarnation technique is ready to be used in actual combat at any time."

Orochimaru assured him in a hoarse voice.

Chiba nodded and waved.

"Go and prepare."