"That's right, it's not worth my time. Let's move on to the issue of forbidden techniques."
Tsunade cut straight to the point, her tone leaving no room for argument.
After she finished, she casually clapped Jingyi on the shoulder.
"I cleared the room for you, kid. Now it's your turn."
Jingyi stood up, his expression calm. "Naturally, forbidden techniques can't be widely promoted. But in special cases, under voluntary conditions, and if the risk is manageable, certain techniques might be considered like the Breathing Activation Technique, which focuses on stimulating the body's cells for temporary boosts."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Your breathing technique... does it have a higher-level application?"
Tsunade sneered coldly. "Oh? Weren't you just worrying about the strain on the body? Now suddenly you're interested?"
She knew Danzo and the advisors too well. They often objected to force negotiations in their favor, not out of genuine concern.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, rubbed his temples in frustration. Between the squabbling of his advisors, Danzo's scheming, and now Tsunade's bluntness, today's council was testing his patience.
He was about to suggest postponing the matter.
But the others had no such intentions.
Jingyi didn't bother entertaining Danzo's question directly. "Techniques like Breathing Activation and the opening of the First and Second Gates of the Eight Gates Formation are both classified as high-level but relatively safe in the hands of experienced jōnin. Their main purpose is life preservation."
"Eight Gates Formation is no trivial matter, boy. How does your breathing technique compare to the difficulty of mastering the First Gate?"
Orochimaru interjected, his curiosity piqued.
Despite his morbid interest in forbidden techniques, he valued efficiency over recklessness.
Jingyi answered calmly. "About A-rank difficulty, but with minimal chakra strain. Most jōnin can learn it after specialized training."
Orochimaru nodded. "Interesting. For a battlefield support technique, it's acceptable."
Hiruzen glanced toward Koharu and Homura, who sat stiffly.
He already knew the data on both techniques but allowed them to raise their token objections.
Koharu, with a forced calm, spoke. "We... still advise caution. It's too soon to decide."
Tsunade's smile was as sharp as a kunai. "Ah, such wisdom from the students of my grandfather. Under your guidance, Konoha's strength surely reached unmatched heights, didn't it? After all, Sunagakure never dared challenge us so openly in the past."
Her sarcasm landed hard.
Sunagakure rarely initiated conflict directly before, not because of Koharu and Homura, but because Konoha's strength and deterrence were clear during the First and Second Shinobi Wars under Tobirama and Hiruzen.
Jingyi chuckled, adding fuel to the fire. "If the two advisors were fully in charge, Konoha might have long since been on war with the other great villages... or worse."
Even Hiruzen sighed internally. These two...
"You impudent brat!" Homura snapped, his composure faltering.
Jingyi's tone remained relaxed, but his words were like needles. "If you're truly so concerned for Konoha's safety, why not allow all ninja to master the Eight Gates and Breathing Activation from childhood? Imagine an army of warriors capable of opening the First Gate..."
Tsunade joined in mockingly. "Brilliant idea, Danzo. Your root trainees could surely handle it. Oh wait... don't they already suffer extreme casualty rates? What's a little more 'sacrifice' for the village?"
Orochimaru laughed darkly at the notion. An entire army of Eight Gates users... terrifying but entirely unrealistic.
Danzo's face twisted. The situation was slipping out of his hands.
BANG!
Hiruzen slammed the table, cracking it.
"Enough! This isn't productive. All of you are working for Konoha, yet you tear each other apart. I've decided the ban on the First Two Gates and Breathing Activation Technique will be lifted under strict regulations for jōnin only. This is not up for debate."
Koharu was stunned. "Hiruzen, you can't"
"I can, and I will," Hiruzen cut her off sharply. His tone allowed no argument. "From now on, the Hokage Office will oversee the regulation of forbidden techniques. Any unauthorized research, no matter who does it, will be punished. Old friend or not."
Silence filled the room.
Jingyi smirked quietly.
This time, the old man showed some backbone.