Inside a meeting hall in the Country of Hot Springs.
Representatives from the Countries of Hot Springs and Frost were deep in a heated debate with Hiroki Hyuga.
"Looks like the five big nations are really cramping the smaller ones' style. But if you think differently, aren't those smaller nations actually surrounding the major powers?"
"As long as we control all these regions, any movement by the five great nations will require our approval."
"We can definitely expand even further outward."
"Look here."
"That direction won't work. The Country of Rice Fields is Orochimaru's territory. The Country of Iron has numerous samurai with strong martial virtues. The Country of Waterfalls possesses national strength ranking among the top in the entire ninja world, while the Country of Grass is also problematic—let alone the Country of Rain…"
"All of these areas are difficult to handle and could easily expose us."
"Not every country is as manageable as the Countries of Frost and Hot Springs. These two countries have suffered misfortunes due to being sandwiched between the constantly warring Lands of Fire and Lightning, suffering severe population loss."
"Orochimaru?" Hiroki Hyuga expressed surprise.
"Orochimaru bribed the daimyo of the Country of Rice Fields. Most areas of that nation have become his experimental grounds."
"I see," Hiroki Hyuga nodded.
He suddenly recalled—the original plan involved Orochimaru implementing his Konoha destruction strategy by building Otogakure Village within the Country of Rice Fields.
Later, his plan failed and the secrets of Otogakure Village were exposed. Eventually, this hidden village was destroyed by a team of Konoha ninja sent specifically for that purpose.
Throughout the entire process, the daimyo of the Country of Rice Fields didn't utter a single protest.
Although Orochimaru was powerful, he remained just a rogue ninja—he couldn't openly establish a ninja village or commit acts that would be utterly unacceptable to the civilian world. If he did, endless waves of ninjas would hunt him down relentlessly.
Regarding this "bribery" method, Hiroki Hyuga felt doubtful.
"What about expanding overseas then..."
"Overseas… The Sea Country? The Land of Waves? The Snow Country?"
Outside the meeting hall, Tsunade, serving as head of security, looked on with a strange expression because inside, except for Hiroki Hyuga—who was a normal human—all the others were White Zetsu in disguise.
Sighing softly, Tsunade shook her head, choosing not to dwell further upon such bizarre matters.
She walked over to a spot, summoned Katsuyu, and asked them to take her to Shikkotsu Forest.
Back in Shikkotsu Forest, the Slug Sage remained as calm as ever.
"Tsunade, have you tried using your Wood Release techniques yet?"
"When compared with Great Grandfather (Hashirama), my Wood Release feels like a willow bending in the wind—delicate and powerless," Tsunade replied with a wry smile.
"After all, someone like Hashirama Senju comes along once in a lifetime."
Clearly, the Slug Sage deeply acknowledged Hashirama's power.
"Slug Sage, may I learn Sage Mode?" After pondering briefly, Tsunade made her request.
"You really want to learn it?"
"Yes," Tsunade nodded firmly.
"The first step—and also the most difficult—is sensing natural energy and resonating with it. The Gamabunta Clan specially produces frog oil (a substance used to aid in natural energy control) to help beginners through this stage."
"There's no such thing here in Shikkotsu Forest—we rely purely on personal enlightenment. Since you've awakened Wood Release abilities, you've already taken half a step forward."
"As long as you're willing to learn, I will naturally teach you wholeheartedly. It so happens that the Wet Bone Forest is overly desolate; your presence here can add some vitality and also help alleviate my boredom."
Katsuyu Sage spoke in a gentle tone.
"Sorry, Katsuyu Sage. I'm afraid I can't stay here for long," Tsunade replied with an apologetic voice carrying slight guilt.
She always felt as though she were deceiving an elder who truly cared for the younger generation.
Although the Sage Arts were exactly what she needed now, she couldn't understand why Kaguya and Hiroki Hyuga wanted her to learn it.
In her understanding, those two people were definitely the kind who wouldn't do anything without benefit.
"That's okay. I'll always be here. You can come whenever you wish to study," Katsuyu Sage said amicably.
Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief.
Not long afterward, merchants were astonished to discover:
The import and export tariffs between the Country of Hot Springs and the Country of Frost had dropped to zero.
Moreover, tax rates across both countries had been standardized.
Using identification documents from Frost country allowed purchasing houses, land, etc., in Hot Springs country, and vice versa.
Prices of all goods had been unified.
Given all these developments, if it weren't for each country still being ruled by its own daimyo, many would have believed they had already merged into one.
These "huddling together for warmth" policies stirred up enthusiasm among many, inspiring thoughts of investing or seeking fortunes in the lands of Hot Springs and Frost.
However, considering these countries' awkward position squeezed between Fire and Lightning nations, combined with internal instability, many decided to wait and watch, realizing that inadequate ability could easily cost lives.
Subsequently, both the Country of Hot Springs and the Country of Frost announced that Hidden Hot Spring Village and Frost ninja village would no longer participate in the various nations' joint ninja exams.
Most ninja paid little attention to this.
After all, they were merely obscure places. If they didn't want to come, who really cared?
Some members of the Hot Spring ninja and what remained of the Frost shinobi felt uneasy.
Eventually, though, they still received various supplies and funds transported from the capital.
Only, the courier responsible for transportation seemed to enjoy being overly meticulous with words, constantly emphasizing these items were intended for "village construction" rather than specifically for "ninja village construction."
Before departing, the envoy from the capital delivered the daimyo's orders to the Hot Spring ninja: promptly eliminate the Cult of the Evil God cultists who were running rampant across the land.
Several months passed quickly when Hiroki Hyuga received news that White Zetsu had been promoted to [Chunin].
The village's internal [Chunin Exams] couldn't compare with the multinational joint chunin exams, giving candidates minimal preparation time.
[Chunin Exams]: From written tests to survival drills, ending with one-on-one duels, the entire process lasted just fifteen days.
Those sustaining serious injuries mid-process essentially lost chances to continue further examinations.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi handed prepared chunin vests to Uchiha Itachi and White Zetsu standing before him.
"Congratulations."
Uchiha Itachi calmly accepted his vest.
White Zetsu hesitated briefly before reaching out to take his.
His expression looked somewhat sour.
He originally planned on slacking off completely, never expecting Konoha Genin to be so weak. With just a few light smacks, their pressure points got blocked, letting him win effortlessly.
He just wondered whether Hiroki Hyuga would find this result satisfactory.
Next to them, Hana Inuzuka sighed while waiting for the two. "You both passed. So now I'm the only one left?"
"Just keep pushing," Itachi Uchiha said with calm encouragement.
"Yeah, sure," White Zetsu Hyuga replied offhandedly.
Hana gave him a skeptical glance. She felt he had been slacking off a lot lately.
Hiruzen Sarutobi observed the expressions of the three. He wasn't surprised that Itachi Uchiha passed the Chunin Exams, but Hiroki Hyuga's swift promotion still caught him off guard—he even felt that Hiroki's victory came too easily.
Yet judging from Itachi Uchiha and Hana Inuzuka's expressions, neither seemed at all shocked by this result.
After bowing, the three turned and headed toward the door.
From behind them, Hiruzen Sarutobi called out, "Itachi Uchiha, stay behind."
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