Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

If Orochimaru and Hiruko were to both defect from Konoha at the same time, it would definitely deal a heavy blow to the village.

After all, Hiruko brought too much wealth and benefits to Konoha.

Hiruzen is currently a highly sought-after figure in Konoha, and his talent has brought financial benefits to the village.

Furthermore, through reforms to the ninja world, the development of prosthetic bodies, and the enhancement of medicines, Konoha's strength was greatly increased.

Although Hiruko himself was not flamboyant and was always engrossed in various research experiments, he would be a top figure no matter where he was placed.

Even the Hidden Cloud Village sent spies, promising to offer Hiruko all the beauties of the Land of Lightning in hopes of winning him over.

However, Hiruko would never agree to such a condition.

He is determined to destroy Kumogakure in this lifetime and avenge what happened back then.

However, the more important Hiruko was, the more uneasy the Konoha leadership became.

After all, Orochimaru had already served as a cautionary tale. He possessed Kage-level strength but remained outside of Konoha, seemingly planning to leave.

This situation has made Konoha's leadership more cautious about Hiruko.

These elderly people were extremely wary of this tech geek, Hiruko, who was obsessed with research.

They were well aware that the greater the contributions Hiruko made to Konoha, the greater the loss he would cause if he defected.

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and said with a smile, "Hiruko is a good kid. Although he and Orochimaru are close friends, they will never go down the same path."

"And he also likes Tsunade very much. The two of them will become the foundation of Konoha!"

The four old men nodded seriously.

When his old friends mentioned Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi's once most proud disciple, it truly caused him a pang of pain.

He was reflecting on whether it was his fault that Orochimaru had gone astray, causing Orochimaru to become increasingly indifferent to human relationships.

His cold personality may have been caused by those extreme human experiments.

However, what Mitokado Homura said was also an undeniable fact.

Moreover, the decision to observe and even personally monitor Hiruko was made jointly by their high-ranking officials.

To put it bluntly, they still didn't quite trust Hiruko.

If it weren't for Hiruko's past collaboration with Minato in saving Konoha from crisis, and the fact that his enhancement drugs provided significant assistance to those less advanced ninja clans...

They became even more wary of the Biluhu Association.

However, Minato's strong support for Hiryu was also a major reason for their consideration.

Although Minato is young, since he is the Hokage, he should still be given the respect he deserves.

The Life-Generating Potion No. 3 developed by Hiruko is not just an ordinary enhancement potion, but a potion that can activate precious bloodline limits.

The Life-Saving Wood Release Potion No. 3 doesn't just give young Jonin a high probability of obtaining Wood Release.

and......

Chapter 42 Underwear

Those ninjas who were injected with the Wood Release serum No. 3 not only awakened Wood Release themselves, but their descendants also had a certain chance of producing powerful individuals with Wood Release bloodline limits.

This precious bloodline limit symbolizes immense political value.

This caused some high-ranking officials to feel a little worried, but at the same time they also saw the possibility that Konoha would become stronger as a result.

With Minato's endorsement, everyone who could purchase the Wood Release: Life Potion No. 3 had undergone Minato's rigorous screening.

These elderly people shouldn't interfere recklessly; at most, they can only grumble a little.

Otherwise, it would be a blatant violation of the current Hokage's decision, which would have a negative impact on Konoha.

Apart from Danzo, the Third Hokage and the other old men, including his advisors, were essentially on Minato's side.

Although they certainly had some selfish motives, they were all unwavering in their commitment to the prosperity of Konoha.

"Hmph, Hiruko is so close to the Uchiha clan, who knows what he's really thinking."

Danzo said somewhat displeasedly, "Can't he see the Uchiha clan's wolfish ambitions? That guy is so naive!!"

Danzo had absolutely no goodwill towards the Uchiha clan.

While there may have been some dealings between Hiruko and the Uchiha clan, this does not mean that Hiruko became a member of the Uchiha clan.

Danzo has recently had relatively close contact with Hiruko.

However, as long as Hiruko doesn't put his dog leash on, he won't trust Hiruko at all.

Moreover, this kid actually went behind my back and, together with Minato, directly handed over the Wood Release blood-stained potion to Kushina.

In Danzo's view, Hiruko was a blatant betrayer of him.

"Alright, let's not talk about these trivial things."

Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted, "Minato and Hiruko's contributions to Konoha are real, and the Uchiha clan hasn't done anything outrageous yet."

"It is not our duty to harbor suspicions against the heroes of Konoha without cause!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glared fiercely at Danzo, forcing Danzo to lower his head like a guilty man confessing his sins.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, Danzo always dragged the Uchiha clan into things, completely ignoring the enormous efforts Minato made to improve relations with the Uchiha clan.

It's a good thing that there's a Hokage who doesn't reject the Uchiha clan and is recognized by this proud clan.

After Minato Namikaze steps down, the Uchiha clan may have already perfectly integrated into Konoha.

At that time, Konoha's strength will be greatly enhanced.

Moreover, Minato's efforts were not in vain.

Fugaku Uchiha's attitude towards Minato has changed from initial cautious investment to all-out effort.

The research department is currently operating well, and the Uchiha clan as a whole has become much more grounded and is no longer as arrogant and domineering as before.

At the same time, they also shared a large portion of the profits with other ninja clans and civilian ninjas, which was also Minato's explanation.

In addition, the Uchiha clan's work focus gradually shifted from the police force to the research department, resulting in a large-scale personnel relocation within the clan.

They were mostly scattered throughout most of the Land of Fire, helping to maintain traffic order.

They were finding it difficult to maintain order in the village, so they handed over many important guard positions to other ninja families.

Minato also involved the Hyuga clan and other clans, as well as commoner ninjas, in the work of the Uchiha clan.

This led to fewer and fewer frictions between the Uchiha clan and the ordinary villagers, and their relationship became more and more harmonious.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, the Uchiha clan's problems might be perfectly resolved in just a few years.

They might even become staunch supporters of the Hokage, like the Ino-Shika-Cho clan.

He would never allow Danzo to ruin this excellent situation.

Therefore, it should be emphasized again that Danzo, as a veteran from the Fourth Hokage era, only needs to show due respect to the new Hokage, Minato.

"Now that we old folks have retired, we should hand over the future to the younger generation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "We can offer some suggestions based on our rich experience to help Minato avoid some detours, but we should never interfere too much with his decision-making."

He looked at Danzo again, his tone firm: "Danzo, you must face reality. This is Minato's era, not yours or mine!"

"Stop trying to interfere in the affairs of the new Hokage!!!"

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"

"Hmph! Minato is the true Hokage!" The two parted on bad terms once again.

After returning from Hiruzen's place, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought a lot.

He increasingly felt that making Minato the Hokage was the right choice, and he looked forward to Minato creating a more glorious future for Konoha.

The morning sunlight gently fell on her face.

Tsunade frowned slightly, the dizziness from the hangover still lingering in her head, her throat dry as if it had been burned.

She instinctively threw off the covers, her bare feet stepping onto the cold floor, and staggered toward the door.

In the kitchen, a bowl of steaming rice porridge sat quietly on the table, as if it had anticipated her need.

She picked up the bowl, tilted her head back, and gulped it down; the gurgling sound in her throat was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

The warm millet porridge slid into my stomach, finally dispelling some of the discomfort.

She squinted, her gaze sweeping across the empty room—there was no familiar figure in sight.

A covered breakfast was laid out on the table, with a sticky note next to it.

She pursed her lips, picked up the note between her fingers, and read in someone's scribbled handwriting: "Going for morning exercise, remember to eat breakfast."

She gave a soft hum, casually crumpled the paper into a ball, but couldn't help smoothing out the wrinkles as she unfolded it.

Without the gaze of others, she simply let herself go.

After devouring breakfast in a flash, she strolled to the wardrobe, her fingertips lingering among the rows of clothes before finally picking out a large shirt.

Only then did he slowly find his personal clothing and towel.

Tsunade, who often visits Hiruko's house, naturally has her own bedroom there, along with her own clothes.

Humming a tuneless little tune, she walked towards the bathroom.

As I passed the master bedroom, I heard soft humming sounds coming from under the door.

She paused, listened intently for a moment, then shook her head and continued forward.

As an outsider, I have no right to interfere in the affairs of Hiruko.

I'm nobody to him!

The people of Konoha all say that she has a mental illness and can't stand the sight of blood, claiming she has hemophobia.

But in reality, she felt that Hiruko's mental illness might be far more serious and extreme than her own.

Although Hiruko always wore a gentle smile, once he revealed his chakra, he gave off an extremely cold feeling.

Even Orochimaru is only this level of coldness, but...