"Nagato's injuries are quite unique," Shinho explained. "Ordinary medical-nin can't help him. Only Orochimaru has the expertise."
"Orochimaru?" Konan's brows furrowed. "Can he really be trusted?"
Orochimaru had once attacked Nagato.
Although he had failed miserably, Konan still harbored no goodwill toward him.
"He won't dare make any reckless moves," Shinho replied with a smile, "Orochimaru values his life above all else."
Konan hesitated for a few seconds before reluctantly agreeing.
After she left, Shinho picked up the document on his desk again.
It was from the Land of Fire's Metropolis Project, outlining the progress of the construction.
Shinho skimmed over it without paying much mind.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Speaking of construction, it was time to prioritize the development of the Land of Fire's capital city.
According to his vision, he wanted to build a city powered by Tailed Beast Chakra.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Shinho decided to talk to Isobu, the Three-Tails.
Out of the nine Tailed Beasts, only Isobu was without a jinchūriki at the moment, making it ideal for a test run.
As for the other Tailed Beasts, he would need to figure out how to extract them without harming their hosts.
Shinho thought of Utakata, the Six-Tails jinchūriki from Kirigakure.
In the original story, Utakata fled the village because he believed his master wanted to kill him.
However, it was later revealed that his master had discovered a way to extract a Tailed Beast without killing the host.
Shinho wasn't sure if this was true.
But Kirigakure undoubtedly had relevant research.
Once the war started, it would be the perfect opportunity to obtain those records.
Shinho stood up, bit his thumb, and performed the Reverse Summoning Technique.
In the blink of an eye, he arrived in Shikkotsu Forest.
"Shinho-sama!"Nearby, several of Lady Katsuyu's clones greeted him.
"It's been a while, Lady Katsuyu," Shinho said as his eyes swept across the countless slugs of varying sizes.
He looked up and spotted the massive figure of Isobu, the Three-Tails in the distance.
"Are you here to see Isobu?" Katsuyu's gentle voice carried a hint of disappointment.
She had hoped she would get to accompany him on a trip outside.
"Yes," Shinho replied as he made his way toward Isobu.
"So, it's you," Isobu rumbled, noticing Shinho.
Its voice was deep and resonant, making the air ripple with invisible waves.
"Do you desire freedom, Isobu?" Shinho asked directly.
"Freedom?" Isobu let out a cold snort, "You humans are cunning. Do you think I'd believe you?"
Ever since the ninja villages found the way to make jinchūriki's, every time Isobu outlived a jinchūriki, it wasn't long before a new host would be chosen.
Freedom?
Such a thing didn't exist for a Tailed Beast.
"Why wouldn't you believe me?" Shinho countered, "If I wanted to seal you inside another shinobi, I wouldn't have waited until now."
Isobu was momentarily stunned.
That statement... wasn't wrong.
It had genuinely thought it would be sealed again.
Yet, after days in Shikkotsu Forest, no one had bothered it.
"You'd let me leave just like that?" Isobu asked warily.
"On one condition, or rather, an exchange," Shinho said with a smile.
"I knew humans couldn't be so generous," Isobu muttered, its disdain evident.
"It's nothing too difficult," Shinho assured him, "All I need is for you to release a specific amount of chakra at regular intervals."
"Isn't that just another jinchūriki arrangement?" Isobu's expression suggested he wasn't buying it.
"This time, there's no jinchūriki involved," Shinho clarified. "When you're not releasing chakra, you'll be completely free to go wherever you want in the shinobi world."
"Really?" Isobu's large eyes widened.
"What reason would I have to lie to you?" Shinho reminded him, "Don't forget—you're currently a prisoner of Konoha."
"...Fine! I agree it wouldn't be worse than being inside a stinking human!" Isobu declared after a moment's thought.
"Excellent." Shinho nodded in satisfaction, "The deal is done."
"Where do I send the chakra?" Isobu asked eagerly, "Chakra is the one thing I'll never run out of."
"I don't need just ordinary chakra," Shinho replied, shaking his head, "I need chakra infused with the five elements, wind, fire, lightning, water, and earth."
"I can only use Water Release though," Isobu admitted instinctively.
"You can learn to use the others," Shinho said, a faint smile forming on his face.
"..."
Isobu hesitated before grumbling, "Fine."
Tailed Beasts were essentially pure chakra constructs.
Their chakra, like that of shinobi, was naturally neutral and could undergo elemental changes to perform different techniques.
Isobu, having lived in water environments for so long, was particularly adept at Water Release.
It was similar to Shukaku, the One-Tail, who excelled at Wind Release due to its desert habitat.
But if Isobu could master Water Release, there was no reason it couldn't learn the other elements as well.
Shinho's initial plan was for Isobu to master Lightning Release.
That way, it could act as a massive power generator capable of powering an entire city.
However, upon further thought, Shinho realized that the other elements could also be put to good use.
For example, with Earth Release, Isobu could easily construct an entire highway in mere moments.
It was practically nuclear-level energy efficiency.
With a casual wave of his hand, Shinho summoned several scrolls, which scattered across the ground.
"These scrolls contain techniques for elemental nature transformation," Shinho said, looking at Isobu. "Once you've mastered them, our deal will officially take effect."
"Human, remember your promise!" Isobu's voice boomed.
"I will," Shinho assured him.
With a small wave, he teleported back to the Hokage's Office.
…
Time slowly passed.
Before long, dusk settled over the village.
Just like the previous day, Shizune and Konan knocked on the door to remind Shinho that it was time to leave work.
The three of them exited the Hokage Building.
Once they arrived at the Senju Clan's old estate, Konan quickly bid farewell and rushed off to find Nagato.
She was eager to deliver the good news about his upcoming treatment.
"What time did you arrive at the Hokage's office this afternoon?" Shinho asked as he watched Shizune change her shoes.
She bent over, revealing an incredible curve and elasticity.
Shinho couldn't help but compare her to Tsunade.
Last night, he had certainly put this comparison to the test several times.
"Two in the afternoon," Shizune murmured, looking slightly embarrassed.
She had overslept, it was her first time doing so since becoming the Hokage's secretary.
"Tonight, can we..." Shizune hesitated, her face flushing as a thought crossed her mind.
"Of course," Shinho agreed readily, without missing a beat.
Shizune blinked.
"But you have to agree to one condition," Shinho whispered into her ear, "From now on, we sleep together every night."
Shizune froze for a moment, then shot him a glare.
"Absolutely not!" she huffed.
"Is that so?" Shinho's tone was laced playful menace, "In that case, you'd better brace yourself for tonight, there won't be anyone to help share the burden."
Shizune's face went pale, her body trembling slightly.
She was going to die at this rate!
"I... I agree..." Shizune finally relented, her expression shifting between resignation and helplessness.
This exhausting lifestyle wasn't something she could endure alone.
"Shizune-nee, you're the best."
Shinho stepped forward excitedly and pulled her into a hug, his hand naturally slipping beneath her blouse, brushing against her silky, milk-smooth skin.
Shizune's body went soft as she buried her face in his chest in embarrassment.
"Will you two never stop?"
Tsunade's irritated voice rang out at that moment.
Shizune jumped, startled.
She tried to wriggle free, but Shinho held her tight and wouldn't let go.
"Sensei, you're just in time," Shinho said seriously, extending his left hand toward her.
"You brat! Do you have a death wish?!" Tsunade's temper flared as she realized he intended to pull her into the embrace as well.
Shinho's lips twitched.
Women…
We've already done things far more intimate than this just last night!
He decided to drop it…for now.
"I'll make dinner."
Shinho released Shizune and headed to the kitchen.
"Shizune."
Tsunade's face turned stern as she addressed her apprentice.
"Treat that brat the way I treat gambling, don't go soft!"
"Understood..." Shizune muttered, staring at the floor.
Tsunade sighed.
Clearly, she wasn't listening.
Since Shinho was the one cooking, dinner was twice-cooked pork and mouthwatering chicken.
Despite how everything had unfolded the night before, the atmosphere at the dinner table was surprisingly calm.
Shinho mused silently.
Tsunade was the kind of person who moved on once something happened, no regrets, no second thoughts.
Shizune, on the other hand, simply went with the flow.
As night fell, Tsunade stood up, took a few steps, then suddenly stopped.
She turned to look at Shizune.
"You are not allowed in my room tonight!" Tsunade declared firmly.
One lapse in self-control was enough, she refused to make a fool of herself in front of Shizune every day.
What kind of dignity would she have left as a teacher if that happened?
Shizune opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately, she nodded in agreement.
Tsunade, reassured, returned to her room.
The sight of the black stockings lying next to her bed immediately stoked her anger.
She had only agreed to wear them because of Shinho's particular preferences.
And now...
That brat had dragged Shizune into their affairs and tricked her!
Tsunade made a decision, no black stockings tonight!
She sat at the edge of her bed with her arms crossed, prepared to give Shinho a piece of her mind.
Before long, the door opened.
Tsunade froze.
Shinho entered, carrying Shizune in his arms.
"You brat!" Tsunade shouted, annoyed.
But before she could get up, Shizune gently pushed her down.
The two women ended up tangled together.
Shinho's heart burned at the sight.
It was a warm, unforgettable night.
Bam!
Shinho was kicked clear across the room.
Tsunade's long leg remained raised high, her expression furious.
But she wasn't wearing anything.
That scene had no other effect than to be utterly alluring.
Shinho swallowed hard.
If it weren't for Nagato's treatment today, he might have tried for another round.
…
After breakfast, Shinho made his way to Department of Scientific Reasearch.
Konan and Nagato accompanied him.
Orochimaru was already waiting, he had received the notice the day before.
"Let's begin," Shinho said, glancing at Orochimaru.
He had come personally because he didn't fully trust the situation.
Although Orochimaru was bound by the Slavery Gu and was completely loyal to Shinho, that loyalty didn't extend to Nagato.
Shinho was worried that, if left unsupervised, Orochimaru might rekindle his fascination with the Rinnegan.