Inside the Hokage’s office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk.
Unlike usual, he was not busy reviewing documents.
Instead, he rested one hand against his forehead and fell into deep thought.
His fingers tapped against the desk.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The sound came at a steady rhythm.
In his mind, the scene from earlier kept replaying.
Just a short while ago, he had summoned back one of the medical-nin he had planted inside the Medical Department and questioned him in detail about the process of Nohara Haruto treating Might Duy.
Even now, that subordinate’s answer still echoed in his ears.
“Lord Hokage, Lord Haruto’s current medical skill… I cannot say for certain exactly what level it has reached.
But there is one thing I can confirm.
His ability is definitely stronger than Lady Tsunade’s back then!
I can guarantee that with Might Duy’s injuries at the time, even if Lady Tsunade had been present, she would not have been able to save him!”
Stronger than Tsunade.
Thinking of that, Hiruzen’s pupils could not help contracting sharply.
He forced down the shock on his face, but waves still rose uncontrollably in his heart.
Tsunade was his disciple.
She was born into the Senju Clan and was the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
Naturally, Hiruzen understood better than anyone just how far her medical ninjutsu had reached.
During the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade’s outstanding performance had made her famous throughout all Five Great Nations.
Everyone knew her name.
And yet now, Nohara Haruto’s medical ninjutsu had already surpassed Tsunade’s?
Hiruzen still remembered what had happened two years ago.
Back then, Haruto had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy.
He had come to the Hokage’s office alone and, with firm eyes, requested permission to join the Medical Department.
Looking back now, agreeing to let him enter the Medical Department had truly been a wise decision.
Hiruzen had never expected that in just two short years, Haruto’s medical skill would surpass Tsunade’s.
He really was an exceptionally rare genius medical-nin.
Hiruzen’s gaze gradually darkened.
This only strengthened his resolve to make Nohara Haruto the Head of the Medical Department.
After Tsunade left, Konoha’s overall medical standards had dropped sharply.
More importantly, the Medical Department had lost its pillar—someone who could control the situation and command the entire department.
Because of that, the position of Medical Department Head had remained vacant all this time.
There had simply been no suitable candidate to replace her.
But now, Hiruzen finally felt that a suitable candidate had appeared.
At that moment, there was a knock on the office door.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The sudden knock pulled Sarutobi Hiruzen out of his thoughts.
With a creak, the door opened.
Nohara Haruto stepped in from behind it.
He was still dressed in a spotless white trench coat.
His long brown hair fell loosely behind him.
Although he was only fourteen, he had grown quickly.
His figure was tall and straight, and as he walked, he carried an indescribably calm aura.
It made it impossible for anyone to treat him as an ordinary child.
“You were looking for me?”
Nohara Haruto stopped in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
“You’re finally willing to come see me, Haruto.”
There was not much expression on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face.
As Hokage, his thoughts were not so easily read.
As expected, he’s a troublesome old man…
Nohara Haruto felt his mood sink.
His interest faded almost immediately, and he gave a casual, indifferent hum.
“In recent years, one thing has happened after another.
White Fang’s suicide.
Tsunade leaving the village.
So many incidents have shaken Konoha.
Even several of the small neighboring countries under our influence have been facing repeated unrest.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen wore his white Hokage robe and held a pipe in his mouth.
His voice carried a convincing weight, enough to make others feel the many burdens he bore as Hokage.
“I know you have always been unwilling to accept my appointment and become Head of the Medical Department.
Even so…”
He raised his eyes and looked carefully at Nohara Haruto before continuing.
“Haruto, I have thought it over.
Right now, there is no one more suitable than you to take the position of Medical Department Head.”
“You hold extremely high authority within the Medical Department.
Every medical-nin there is convinced by your medical skill.”
“If you agree to take the position at this time, it will play a crucial role in stabilizing the emotions of Konoha’s people and in supporting the village’s peaceful development in the future.”
“Only you have the ability to shoulder this responsibility.”
“Only you are the most suitable choice.”
Nohara Haruto had already mentally prepared himself for Sarutobi Hiruzen’s speech, so he did not show much surprise.
Because not a single word of it moved him.
White Fang’s suicide.
Tsunade leaving the village.
As Hokage of Konoha, don’t you know exactly why those things happened?
And what do those things have to do with me?
Why should my promotion be used to calm public sentiment?
Isn’t that something you, the Hokage, should be worrying about?
Nohara Haruto silently complained in his heart, but he did not say any of it aloud.
Since he had already decided to come see Sarutobi Hiruzen, naturally, he had not come just to waste time saying useless things.
He had long expected Hiruzen’s intention to make him Head of the Medical Department and use him for the village.
But he did not answer directly.
He still remembered the method Nara Shikaku had taught him.
Negotiation was not like a Go match or a battlefield.
It was not suitable for a quick, decisive victory.
Delaying.
Dragging things out.
Keeping the other party waiting.
Those were the effective methods for gaining the greatest benefit in a negotiation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Nohara Haruto’s calm, silent attitude.
In his heart, he could not help thinking that Haruto truly deserved to be called a genius medical-nin capable of bringing medical ninjutsu to a miraculous level in such a short time.
Even at such a young age, he could still remain so composed when facing a choice like this.
Making him the Medical Department Head was indeed the best possible option.
Naturally, Sarutobi Hiruzen became even less willing to let such a suitable candidate slip away.
“Well, Haruto?”
Seeing that he had not answered for a long time, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally could not help speaking again.
“If you have any requests, as long as they do not violate the village’s principles, I will grant you the greatest possible authority.”