"You're right. Not worth my time. Let's get back to the forbidden teique discussion."

  Tsunade had absolutely no iion of giving them any face.

  She patted Kyoichi on the shoulder.

  Sis just wiped the floor with these fools. Now it's your turn.

  Kyoichi stood up and said, "Forbidden Teique obviously shouldn't be widely distributed, but i cases, there shouldn't be an issue—especially for jutsu with minimal drawbacks, like the Breathing Activation Teique."

  "You must have a more advanced version of your breathing teique, don't you?" Danzo asked.

  "Oh? You were worried about lifespan loss with the weaker version, and now you're not afraid anymore?"

  Tsunade sneered.

  She khese people too well!

  Their so-called opposition was just a way to force cessions, steering the proposal in their favor.

  At least, that was exactly how Danzo operated.

  Hiruzen rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache ing on. First, it was those two advisors, then Tsunade.

  This meeting was being a disaster.

  He was already sidering postponing the discussion, but…

  The others clearly had no sutention.

  Kyoichi couldn't be bothered to eain Danzo's question. He simply ignored him and tinued, "Both the Breathing Activation Teique and the first two gates of the Eight Gates fall into the category of low-risk jutsu. In critical moments, they save lives."

  "The Eight Gates are a different matter. How difficult is the Breathing Activation Teique?" Orochimaru asked after some thought.

  When it came to forbidden teique, his knowledge far surpassed Kyoichi’s.

  With such minor drawbacks, was it even worth discussing?

  "About A-rank difficulty. Plus, it has no chakra prerequisites—most Jōnin should be able to learn it."

  "That’s quite impressive. It could absolutely be a lifesaving teique."

  Orochimaru nodded.

  A jutsu that was easy to learn, with minor drawbacks and major battlefield utility? This wasn't a forbidden teique—it was a gift!

  And he uood Kyoichi’s reasoning—otlefield, a teique that could grant a surge of strength at a critical moment might mean the differeween life ah.

  "What about the Eight Gates?" Hiruzen asked.

  "The First Gate allows for plete trol over one's power. The Sed Gate forcefully extracts body energy to restore stamina—it’s essentially a survival tool."

  Kyoichi expined.

  Hiruzen already khis. He had reviewed the details of the Eight Gates and the Breathing Activation Teique. He was simply asking for the be of Koharu and Homura.

  Because, holy, Tsunade was being way too aggressive.

  Feeling everyone’s eyes on her, Koharu scowled but still spoke up, "I still believe we should not make any hasty decisions."

  She couldn't afford to say nothing, even in front of Tsunade!

  "How did my great-uncle mao teach you two such brilliant minds?! Under your 'wise leadership,' Konoha’s strength has soared to unpreted heights! Why, ba the day, Sunagakure wouldn’t have dared dream of beied by us."

  Tsunade "praised" them with a bright smile.

  Except…

  Her words nearly made Koharu and Homura cough up blood.

  It all sounded positive, but somehow, every word stung!

  Sunagakure wouldn’t have beeed?

  Well, yes, because back then, they wouldn’t have even dared to attack Konoha!

  "I believe it’s the Third Hokage who has weakened Konoha. If we had the esteemed advis Konoha, we’d never be the target of multiple great nations."

  Kyoichi added with a chuckle.

  Hiruzen eechless.

  Arguing was ohing, but why drag him into it?!

  And also…

  Was this really a pliment?

  Hiruze a migraine ing on.

  These two together were truly impossible to deal with.

  "You little brat—you, you!"

  Homura was so furious his breathing turic.

  Kyoichi’s words seemed respectful, but they were actually a ruthless jab—

  If you two were in charge, Konoha would be reduced to just aruggling nation.

  "These two teiques are indeed valuable. I approve of lifting their restris. However, Konoha should receive a more plete version."

  Danzo said coolly.

  "Danzo-sama, Konoha has nht to take others' secret teiques. Whether it’s my Breathing Teique or Master Duy’s Eight Gates, that principle applies. I proposed liftiris because I want tthen Konoha."

  "But that’s not a bargaining chip. I could just as easily not promote them—it wouldn’t affect me in the slightest. Or… are you assuming I care about Konoha more than myself?"

  Kyoiarrowed his eyes, log onto Danzo without a hint of fear.

  With his current strength, he had no reason to be afraid of this old schemer.

  "I mean no such thing. Root is posed of Konoha’s most resilient shinobi. Everything we do is for Konoha."

  Danzo frowned.

  This brat was difficult!

  His words were sharp, his position unwavering, and he stantly aligned himself with Hiruzen while painting Danzo’s fa as the enemy.

  If this went on, he wouldn't gain anything—he’d only end up with a political mess.

  "For Konoha? You think you represent Konoha?"

  Tsunade grinned mogly.

  This old snake…

  Always droning on about Konoha, but everyone knew what he was really after.

  "Everything Root does is for Konoha." Danzo said coldly.

  "I hear Root’s training is brutal—that each batch suffers heavy casualties, and those who survive are stripped of their emotions. If you’re so capable, why not implement full-body ditioning from childhood? Train every ninja to use the Eight Gates!"

  "A force of shinobi all capable of opening the Eight Gates—sure, they wouldn't match Lord Hashirama, but they’d crush every other vilge! If you make that happen, you have the Eight Gates."

  Kyoichi shrugged.

  "Good point!"

  Tsunade chimed in seamlessly.

  At first ghey were mog Danzo, but iy, they were calling out Koharu and Homura—if they were so ed about shinobi well-being, why had they turned a blio Root’s casualties all these years?

  Hypocrisy at its fi.

  Orochimaru chuckled.

  A vilge full of Eight Gates users…

  Kyoichi sure had wild ideas.

  But if it could be done, su army would be terrifying beyond measure.

  Danzo’s face darkened.

  And then…

  BAM!

  Hiruzen smmed the table so hard that it shattered.

  "Enough! This discussion is over. We all want Konoha to thrive—there's o attack each other!"

  Hiruzen barked. Theuro Koharu, Homura, and Danzo.

  "Danzo, I had already decided on the forbidden jutsu restris before this meeting. I wasn't seeking your opinions. You leave."

  "…Hiruzen, even you—"

  Koharu was stunned.

  Hiruzen’s words were far too direct, leaving her momentarily speechless.

  "Hiruzen! Forbidden Teique shouldn’t be unsealed so lightly!" Homura protested.

  Kyoichi, watg from the side, had to resist ughing.

  Danzo had hoped to gain something.

  Instead…

  He got nothing but humiliation.

  And as for these two advisors?

  Tobirama-sensei must have seriously misjudged their potential.

  "I believe that, as Hokage, I still have some authority, don’t I?"

  Hiruzen’s tone was firm.

  Retly, he had been refleg—he realized he had been too servative in some areas. Now, with Konoha fag its toughest challenges, it was time for a.

  The Eight Gates and the Breathing Activation Teique had to be given to the Jōnin.

  Survival came before lifespan s.

  "Hiruzen, that’s not what we meant…"

  Homura hesitated.

  He couldn't uand why Hiruzen was being so unyielding this time.

  Even ag like he was ready to cut ties over it.

  "Regarding forbidden teique, I will decide what is allowed, what is not, and what is subject to research. If I find out any of you are secretly vioting this directive—whether you are my old friend or my student—I will show no mercy."

  Gcell