I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 216 When interests differ, the same person may make diametrically opposed decisions.

"Tatsuma is looking for me? Let him come up."

The next day, in the Hokage's office, listening to Shikamaru's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed a puzzled expression.

After all, as an Anbu member and a bodyguard of the Hokage, Tatsuma didn't need to report to him at all; he could just come to the Hokage's office. Why would he suddenly make a last-minute appointment?

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's puzzled expression, Shikaku suggested, "Third Hokage, Tatsuma might not be here to see you in the capacity of his official post."

The fact that Tatsuma is an Anbu member is a secret to most people, but for Nara Shikato, who is a staff member of the Hokage and goes in and out of the Hokage's office several times a day, it is no big deal.

Reminded by Lu Yuan, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly realized and said, "Then let him come up quickly."

"Okay, I'll go get him."

Lu Yuan then left the Hokage's office and soon brought Tatsuma, who was walking with a limp, to the Hokage's office. He did not go in, but gestured for Tatsuma to go in alone.

Thank you.

Chenma thanked him first, and only after seeing Lu Yuan turn to leave did he knock on the door of the Hokage's office.

"Come in."

Inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke. He had heard Tatsuma's footsteps, one light and one heavy, and was wondering what was going on when he saw Tatsuma open the door and walk in.

Watching his gait and posture, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. Only after Tatsuma closed the office door did he ask, "Is it not going well? It's okay, this is a three- to five-year plan, there's no need to rush."

Tatsuma shook his head and said, "It's not that things didn't go smoothly; on the contrary, it went so smoothly that it surprised me."

"and you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to several of Tatsuma's wounds. Although there was clothing between them, as a powerful and outstanding ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi could guess where Tatsuma was injured based on his observation.

Chenma's face fell as he said, "Some unexpected things happened afterward, but things still went smoothly."

Recalling the beating Tsunade gave him after they finished their business yesterday, Tatsuma couldn't help but shudder. That Tsunade was truly ruthless.

Only because he was a medical ninja did he choose to fight in places where he couldn't be killed. Otherwise, Tatsuma felt that he could have predicted his own death yesterday.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also thought about his disciple's temperament, but Tatsuma was able to successfully persuade Tsunade, even though he was beaten up afterwards, which was enough to show how strong Tatsuma was.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi was still curious and asked, "Since things are going smoothly, what brings you here today?"

"It's like this, although the teacher has agreed, there are still conditions. And he doesn't want to come to see you, saying he's afraid of killing his teacher, so he asked me to come."

Tatsuma's tone lacked the seriousness and respect he usually displayed when acting as the Hokage's bodyguard, which made Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat uncomfortable. However, he guessed that Tatsuma was now representing Tsunade, so he understood.

Whether or not Tsunade can kill her master is another matter, but it would be best for me to avoid seeing her recently, so as not to damage the relationship between master and disciple.

"Cough cough."

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed twice, sat up straight, pointed to the seat opposite him, indicating that Tatsuma should sit down, and began to fill his cigarette, deep in thought.

In recent months, Hiruzen Sarutobi has significantly reduced his daily smoking, because Tatsuma, or rather Yasha, always finds a reasonable way to interrupt or dissuade him from smoking.

However, Tatsuma himself couldn't stop Hiruzen Sarutobi from smoking, so he could only helplessly watch Hiruzen smoke.

After finishing a whole pipe of cigarettes, Hiruzen Sarutobi had also planned out his bottom line. Although his initial plan was to use the establishment of a new medical ninja training system in exchange for Tsunade's consent to the Wood Release ninja plan.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that this was unlikely, since he had already promised Tsunade that a new medical ninja training system would be established, and it could only be used as leverage.

To truly get Tsunade to agree, concessions are necessary; the only question is how much Tsunade actually wants.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tatsuma and said, "Tatsuma, you should know that the village is being rebuilt after the war, and it's not just the village; many towns in the Land of Fire are also undergoing post-war reconstruction."

Therefore, neither the prefecture nor the village could afford to contribute much money.

The so-called post-war reconstruction is nothing more than a reshuffling and redistribution of interests. Moreover, this time the war did not spread within the Land of Fire. There were many small riots in various places, but none of them constituted a true "reconstruction" project.

Furthermore, in Konoha Village, when the ownership of the grounds was redistributed, a bidding process was used, and the demolition and reconstruction were projects undertaken by each clan independently, unrelated to the village.

Therefore, using post-war reconstruction as an excuse for not having money is pure nonsense, and Tatsuma doesn't believe a word of it.

However, he wouldn't expose him. Besides the fact that there was no need to offend Hiruzen Sarutobi, the most important reason was that he wasn't there for the money at all.

Tatsuma smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course, the teacher is aware of the village's difficulties. It's impossible for him to make such an excessive request during the post-war reconstruction and development period, thus hindering the village's progress."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked somewhat uncertainly, "You didn't come for the money?"

"Of course not."

Tatsuma spoke righteously, and Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, feeling that things were getting worse. Money would be easier to solve the problem, and not even asking for money seemed out of character for his disciple.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't elaborate, but instead asked, "What are Tsunade's thoughts? The village will do its best to accommodate them."

"Yes, the teacher's thoughts are also very simple. After all, this matter concerns the disposal of the First Generation's remains. Although I am the First Generation's granddaughter, I still dare not make decisions on my own."

After Tatsuma finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi's doubts deepened. Tsunade wasn't exactly known for her intelligence. However, he waited for Tatsuma to continue, and Tatsuma didn't delay, but continued:

"There is one person who has absolute authority over the disposal of the First Lord's remains."

"Mito-sama?" 』

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of Mito Uzumaki. As Hashirama Senju's wife, Mito Uzumaki certainly had authority, but it wasn't absolute, was it? Besides, this matter shouldn't be interfered with by Mito Uzumaki. Tsunade might not understand this, but surely Tatsuma and Mito Uzumaki understood it?

"Oh? Even Tsunade can't control her, then who is more qualified?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, and Tatsuma nodded, looking at a wall in the Hokage's office where three framed photos were hanging. Tatsuma then said, "Let the First Hokage decide personally, so that there will be no other opinions."

"Tatsuma, don't make jokes like that. The First Hokage has been gone for decades. How can we make a decision?"

"Didn't the Second Hokage develop a forbidden technique called Impure World Reincarnation? Shouldn't that allow the First Hokage's soul to return from the Pure Land to the mortal world for judgment?"

Tatsuma maintained his smile, but Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened. He said, "Disturbing the peace of the dead violates the principles of life and death. I will not allow such a thing to happen."

"Does your teacher have any other thoughts? Using the Impure World Reincarnation technique to summon the First Hokage is something I absolutely cannot agree to, especially since no one knows the Impure World Reincarnation technique nowadays."

"Indeed, the Impure World Reincarnation technique is too profound. Not to mention that no one can learn it, even if someone were to learn it now, it would probably take many years to master, which would jeopardize the village's future plans."

To Hiruzen Sarutobi's surprise, Tatsuma nodded and continued, "I also persuaded you, sir, and gave you an alternative plan."

As Lu Xun once said, "Human nature always prefers compromise and moderation. For example, if you say that this room is too dark and we need to open a window here, everyone will definitely not agree. But if you advocate tearing down the roof, they will compromise and agree to open a window."

Tatsuma knew that the village would not agree to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique. After all, if they were willing to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique, there would be no need to train new Wood Release ninjas.

However, the village would never agree to Tsunade's request for a status similar to that of Mito Uzumaki. Therefore, it is necessary to take the initiative to make concessions and show the village sincerity.

Tell me in detail.

As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Tatsuma expectantly.

Tatsuma also put away his smile and said, "Although the matter of recreating the Wood Release ninja was Mito's work during her lifetime, it was for Mito's funeral arrangements."

For the Senju clan, Grandma Mito was not only the former matriarch, but also a monument that ensured the village remembered everything the Senju clan had devoted themselves to over the decades. If Grandma Mito were to pass away, the Senju clan's past would likely be gradually forgotten.

"I don't want profit, I want fame!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened as he looked at Tatsuma before him. He finally understood that this entire plan, this style, was probably not Tsunade's wish at all; it was all Tatsuma's way of securing rights for her.

But suddenly, the gloom, dissatisfaction, and faint surprise on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face vanished, replaced by a smile.

This kid, when he was my bodyguard, he devised strategies for me and dared to "sabotage" Tsunade's interests for the sake of the village. And as Tsunade's disciple, he was willing to steal credit for the village's plans for his teacher's sake. Truly...

Previously, when Tatsuma disregarded his master-disciple relationship with Tsunade without hesitation in his plan to rebuild the Wood Release ninjas, Hiruzen Sarutobi was worried that this kid might obsessively step into darkness for the sake of the village.

But now it seems that perhaps from that day on, he had already identified his teacher as his target, and for the past few months he had just been waiting for the right opportunity.

If anyone else had done this, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have been furious, but it was Tatsuma who did it.

How can this be called being two-faced?! This is called fulfilling one's duties in one's position! As a Hokage's bodyguard, it's right to share the Hokage's burdens! As a disciple, it's right to fight for the rights that one's teacher deserves!

Besides, aren't Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade, and Tatsuma Sakamoto all part of a community of shared interests?

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt a pang of heartache, because this good child was about to be pushed into darkness by his own hands for his own benefit.

"No! It seems I must also leave this brat a way out!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was already planning how to make Tatsuma Orochimaru's assistant and participate in the research on recreating Wood Release ninjas, so that he could still have a way out.

(End of this chapter)