In his past life, when watching the anime, Yamanaka Shinno had actually found Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado quite annoying.
At times, he even felt they were nothing more than Danzō's lapdogs.
But after living in this world for over a decade, he had gradually overturned his previous impression of them.
These two were, in fact, some of the rare genuinely good people among Konoha's higher-ups.
Homura Mitokado was a righteous man with his own set of principles. Though overly cautious and prone to questioning everything out of fear that something might go wrong, leading to the impression that he wanted to interfere in everything, the truth was—he only ever advised, never interfered directly. That was simply what a high-ranking advisor was supposed to do.
Koharu Utatane, as a student of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had collectivist ideals ingrained in her very bones.
Rigid, stern, and often sharp-tongued, but she genuinely prioritized the village above all else.
She was the first to suggest wiping out the Uchiha when they posed a threat to Konoha. Yet, when Danzō opposed Hiruzen Sarutobi's return as Hokage, she was the one who turned around and questioned Danzō's absence during the Nine-Tails' attack.
For these two to have lived into an era where they were deemed "obsolete" yet still retain their positions as Konoha's senior advisors—it wasn't just because they had once been Tobirama's students.
The reason so many people disliked them was simply that they hadn't mindlessly sided with the protagonist.
Early Naruto had been all about "bonds" and "ninja way," constantly disregarding Konoha's shinobi regulations.
If he wanted to chase after Sasuke, no one could stop him. If he wanted to seek out Orochimaru, no amount of persuasion would work.
But at the end of the day, Konoha was a military organization. If someone was that unruly and undisciplined, how could Koharu and Homura possibly side with him?
And let's not forget—when Naruto grew up, he completely changed his attitude toward them. From then on, he treated them with nothing but respect.
It wasn't because the two of them had changed.
It was because Naruto had finally realized that rules were essential. To protect Konoha, you first had to uphold its order. If everyone did as they pleased, the village would fall apart.
As for Tsunade...
There's a saying: "Don't advise others to be kind unless you've suffered as they have." And even if you have suffered the same, you may not have endured it as well.
Tsunade had no parents from an early age. Her only family members were her granduncle, her father, her grandmother Mito, and her younger brother Nawaki.
Her father died young, defending Konoha in battle, leaving her fatherless before she had the chance to grow up.
A few years later, her other granduncle sacrificed himself for Konoha while signing an alliance treaty.
Her younger brother swore to become Hokage to protect Konoha—and was dead not long after.
Then she finally found someone who could comfort her, someone who promised to become Hokage and protect Konoha—only for him to die on a mission right before her eyes.
Just when she returned to Konoha seeking solace, her grandmother, who had devoted her life to protecting Hashirama's legacy, passed away while transferring a tailed beast.
Tsunade's life was basically a tragic novel in the world of shinobi.
Shinno put himself in her shoes and couldn't help but shudder.
If it were him... well, maybe he wouldn't outright hate Konoha, but he'd definitely develop an allergy to the words "protect Konoha."
Anyone who dared bring it up in front of him—he'd personally dig up their family records and tell them to go protect Konoha themselves.
So, regarding the friction between Tsunade and Koharu...
Shinno honestly wanted to tell Koharu: "I know you mean well for Konoha, but please, just let her go. Her family registry is down to one page."
...
The commotion in the hospital room didn't last long.
Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's well-practiced persuasion skills, Koharu, slightly embarrassed after her argument with Tsunade, quickly made her exit.
Homura, seeing that his presence was no longer needed, followed suit.
Before leaving, the two nodded politely at Shinno before turning away and exiting the hospital.
"Can we start now?"
Danzō, now that the unnecessary people were gone, urged impatiently.
He had reason to be anxious.
His subordinates in the Root had conducted extensive medical examinations but found nothing. Even Orochimaru had admitted he was powerless.
A monk from the Fire Temple named "Chujaku" had come a few days prior but was equally baffled.
Several Root members had even traveled to the Land of Demons to consult the priestess, only to receive the cryptic message: "Only the one who tied the knot can untie it."
Of course, Danzō knew that only the caster of the technique could remove it.
The problem was—who the hell cast it?
...
"Show me the test results."
Tsunade, unwilling to waste time, immediately got to work.
Aburame Tatsuma handed over a thick stack of medical reports, at least a finger's width thick.
Tsunade flipped through the pages quickly, her brows furrowing.
"Minor rejection reactions, natural cellular degradation due to aging, no abnormal chakra activity—your body is fine. This isn't a physical problem. I can't help."
She barely made it through a dozen pages before delivering her diagnosis.
"...You're not going to run further tests?"
Danzō was clearly struggling to accept the conclusion.
Shinno, standing near the door, glanced at Danzō's status screen and noticed something missing—his blue [Three-Tomoe Sharingan] entry had disappeared.
As expected.
Danzō had removed his Sharingan before daring to let Tsunade examine him.
"Danzō-sama, if your body is fine, more tests will yield the same result. If you want answers, I suggest consulting an expert in Yin Release."
Tsunade's gaze drifted toward Shinno at the doorway.
Inside the room, both Hiruzen and Danzō instinctively followed her gaze.
Danzō's face darkened further.
Hiruzen, seeing this, had no choice but to call Shinno inside.
"Shinno, you should have some idea about Danzō's condition."
"Tsunade-sama mentioned it briefly."
Shinno internally cursed Tsunade for throwing him under the bus. He had only come to laugh at Danzō and maybe mess with him a bit, not get dragged into this!
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen wasn't bothered by Tsunade's bluntness. If the issue wasn't physical, the only logical explanation was something related to Yin Release—and the Yamanaka Clan were experts in that field. Shinno, in particular, was a standout among them, skilled not just in clan techniques but also in genjutsu.
"Hokage-sama, Yin Release techniques still require chakra to function. As for Danzō-sama's situation..."
Shinno put on a thoughtful expression, hesitating just enough to make them curious.
"Just say it."
"I once studied forbidden seals and read about some ancient techniques—Shinigami that seal souls, creatures that devour memories, and beings that manipulate darkness..."
Shinno expertly diverted the blame elsewhere.
As expected, both Hiruzen and Danzō frowned. Those were forces far beyond a shinobi's control.
"Ahem... But of course, there is a possible solution."
Shinno smirked.
Danzō's dark expression brightened ever so slightly.
"Since Danzō-sama keeps getting attacked in the head, why not master a technique like the Hydrification Jutsu? That way, even if his head explodes, he can regenerate."
Silence.
Both Hiruzen and Danzō stared at him blankly.
Hydrification Jutsu? Without Hōzuki Clan blood, who the hell could learn that?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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