Chapter 87: Strategic Deployment; The Future of Research
Konoha. The Central Research Institute.
With the influx of capital and the consolidation of resources, Konoha's research division had become a massive, official institution. Its security classification had been bumped to the highest level.
Following his visit to Mito Uzumaki—carrying two crates of high-grade milk as a "grandson's tribute"—Hiruzen had officially relocated the laboratory to a secure site just outside the Uzumaki estate.
It was a masterstroke of security. Whenever the old Matriarch went for her morning walk, her Mind's Eye of the Kagura acted as a village-scale super-radar. Her passive ability to sense malice made the lab practically invisible to spies.
Unlike Tobirama, who had hidden his research in shame, Hiruzen was perfectly transparent with Mito.
"I have zero interest in forbidden jutsus for their own sake, Lady Mito," he had told her bluntly. "If it weren't for the village's survival, I wouldn't touch a test tube. It's exhausting work!"
Mito had been charmed by his honesty. She could see the tangible results of his reign. Hiruzen had converted research into gold, and that gold was now flowing into the pockets of the people. Mito herself had received her first "Elder's Stipend" and a "Spouse's Pension" for Lord Hashirama—calculated at the same standard as any other veteran family.
The atmosphere in the village was electric. People felt secure, fed, and valued. Mito, who was currently raising young Yamato, had been following the Academy news. Between the "Nutritional Logistics" programs and the upcoming "Minato vs. The Brotherhood" event, the Academy felt more like a grand festival than a school.
"Hiruzen," Mito had said before he left, "you are Tobirama's student, but your spirit is closer to Hashirama's. Keep that warmth. Your Master was a great Hokage, but... well, just keep doing what you're doing. You have my full support."
Hiruzen had merely offered a polite smile. He couldn't exactly tell her he was planning to turn Tobirama into a "Nuclear-Powered Research Machine" and an Uchiha Peace Ambassador.
Inside the Lab.
Hiruzen walked through the pristine, white-tiled corridors wearing a sterile coat. Behind him followed Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Hiruko.
"Security is our primary concern," Hiruzen said, gesturing to the heavy blast doors. "Turning research into combat power costs Konoha a fortune in manpower and material. We cannot allow foreign powers to pick our fruit. Ensure the protocols are absolute."
Orochimaru and Tsunade walked with the relaxed posture of family. Hiruko, however, was as stiff as a board.
He followed half a step behind Hiruzen, his face a mask of intense focus. He held a leather-bound notebook, his pen scribbling furiously.
"The Lord Hokage is correct! We will double the sensor rotations and cross-check every inventory log!" Hiruko vowed, his voice thick with sincerity. "And thank you, sir, for arranging the consultation with Lady Mito. Having her insight on the sealing arrays has cut our projected development time in half."
Orochimaru and Tsunade shared a brief, meaningful look. They didn't look down on Hiruko; rather, they felt a pang of realization. Their "normal" was something others could only dream of. For the Sannin, stopping by Hiruzen's house for a meal or getting a "red envelope" from Biwako was just a Tuesday. For Hiruko, being acknowledged by the Kage was a life-altering event.
"You're the ones doing the heavy lifting. I'm just the logistics guy," Hiruzen said with a chuckle. He glanced sideways at Hiruko's notebook.
Is the kid just doodling to look busy? Arata wondered.
He caught a glimpse of the page. Hiruko had transcribed Hiruzen's previous speech verbatim, complete with a flow-chart of the strategic goals.
Hiruzen cleared his throat. Even a seasoned politician could be moved by that level of "Fanboy" dedication.
"Hiruko, if you ever lack resources, come to me directly," Hiruzen said, patting the man on the shoulder. "If we can fix a problem immediately, we will. If not, we'll brainstorm a solution together."
"Don't bottle it up. I know how grueling R&D can be. You look like you've lost weight from the stress. Come by my house for dinner next week—I'll have my wife cook you something hearty to get your strength back."
Hiruko took a deep breath, his face flushing with a mix of shock and pride. The "Hokage's Personal Care," as Hizashi had described it, felt like drinking aged wine.
"I would be honored, Lord Hokage! I... I have a large appetite, I'm afraid. I might eat three whole bowls!"
"I'll tell her to prepare ten!" Hiruzen laughed.
Tsunade and Orochimaru smirked. Watching the "hooked" Hiruko was like watching a fish happily jump into a boat.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Hiruzen said, his tone shifting to professional leadership.
"First: The Medical Corps Initiative. Tsunade, we are green-lighting the squad-level triage training. Now that the stipends have lowered the financial pressure on the Jonin, they'll have the time and motivation to volunteer for your seminars."
"Since our population is still recovering, we will prioritize Medical Scrolls over training full-time medics. Universal utility is the goal."
Tsunade nodded. "I agree, Sensei. Training a combat-medic to my level takes years. But teaching a Jonin how to use a 'Nawaki-Pattern' scroll takes a week. I'm already scaling up the production of the blanks."
With the one-billion-Ryo R&D injection, Tsunade had been buying up every high-grade scroll on the market to use as "consumables" for her experiments.
"Second: The Hashirama Cell Project."
"We must learn from the mistakes of the past. No rushing. The standard is Controllability."
"Understand this: by reducing the potency of the cells, the users will likely never manifest the Wood Style. We accept this. Our goal isn't to create a dozen Hashiramas; it's to increase the baseline vitality and chakra capacity of the entire Leaf. That alone is of infinite strategic value."
Hiruzen was firm on this. A Wood Style user who turns into a tree mid-battle is a disaster. A Jonin with double the chakra and a twenty-year longer lifespan is a superpower.
"I'm currently using Uchiha DNA to 'dampen' the cell's parasitic growth," Orochimaru reported, his snake-like eyes narrowing. "We're seeing early signs of stabilization in the test cultures. The sealing formulas are reacting well, though we need more data."
"If only we had more Uchiha tissue samples..."
Tsunade shot Orochimaru a warning glare. "Are you getting 'cravings' again, Snake?"
Orochimaru waved it off. "Relax. I'm talking about legitimate medical procurement, not back-alley kidnappings."
"Don't worry about that. I'll handle the Uchiha," Hiruzen said calmly. "How long until your current samples are exhausted?"
"At the current test-rate? About eighteen months," Orochimaru estimated.
"Good." Hiruzen nodded. In eighteen months, a 'certain person' will have unified the Uchiha. We'll have all the volunteers we need.
Orochimaru watched Hiruzen with fascination. How does he plan to get the Uchiha to volunteer their blood? He had no idea, but looking at Hiruzen's confident posture, he knew the "Old Man" already had the contract signed in his head.
"Reducing cellular volatility is the first step," Hiruzen continued. "Once that's done, we apply the same 'Dampening' logic to the Limb Regeneration project. We suppress the chakra interference of the graft to allow the cells to form limbs for our veterans. Even if the new arm has suppressed chakra flow, a working limb is better than a prosthetic."
"Small breakthroughs lead to total dominance. And remember—don't worry about the cost. Burning money and resources without immediate results is the reality of science. I will be your shield against the 'Bean-Counters.'"
Orochimaru's smirk widened. The "Bean-Counter" he was referring to was obviously Danzo. To have the Hokage's explicit permission to ignore the Anbu Commander's nagging was a luxury Orochimaru intended to enjoy.
"We walk slowly, but we walk steadily," Hiruzen concluded. "The profits from the Sage Pills and the upcoming Cosmetics line are being earmarked for this lab. We hold the lead. We won't lose it by being impulsive."
"Understood, Sensei!" the trio said in unison.
"Lord Hokage," Hiruko added, raising his hand. "Regarding the Earth Grudge Fear material you provided... can we expect a steady supply?"
"The internal structure of those threads is fascinating. It's the key to the 'Chakra-Bridge' for the limb reattachment surgeries. But we're burning through the initial batch for calibration."
Hiruko was slightly nervous. S-rank materials like Kakuzu's threads were supposed to be one-of-a-kind. Asking for "bulk delivery" sounded insane.
"I don't want you to think I'm being greedy, sir! If we can't get more, I have a backup theory—"
"Relax, Hiruko," Hiruzen smiled, heading for the door. "I told you: you worry about the science, I worry about the logistics."
"Expect a shipment of fresh, high-vitality threads within the quarter. I've already secured the vendor."
Hiruko, Tsunade, and Orochimaru all stared at Hiruzen's back as he waved and walked out.
Secure the vendor? For an S-rank immortal heart-thief?
"Lord Hiruzen is... a truly terrifying man," Hiruko whispered. "I understand why Hizashi worships him now."
"Alright, enough staring. Back to work," Orochimaru laughed.
"In a few days, we're going to the Academy to see Minato's 'Audit.' Let's finish the project drafts tonight so we can actually enjoy the show."
Hiruko nodded, his mind drifting to the Academy. Maybe I should look for a student of my own... a legacy...
Orochimaru saw the look and smiled. The "Research Faction" was growing. And under Hiruzen's sun, the Leaf was finally starting to burn white-hot.
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