After returning home, Gisei pulled out a map and began studying it carefully.
He immediately ruled out the Five Great Nations and focused on the smaller countries, looking for any suitable candidates. Since he wanted to take his clansmen away, he naturally had to be responsible for their future.
However, after scanning the entire map, Gisei became worried.
It wasn't that there were no suitable countries; on the contrary, there were too many.
In the entire ninja world, aside from the Five Great Nations, there were more than thirty small countries. This number was much higher compared to the Naruto world in his memories. He estimated that quite a few of them would disappear in the future Great Ninja Wars.
Among them, there were over ten countries without a ninja village. These became the main focus of his attention.
After observing for a good while, he put away the map and began to ponder his next move.
Taking his clansmen away right now was unrealistic. Not having experienced pain and suffering, they were still immersed in the beautiful dream of peace.
Only when that dream was shattered and they were forced to face reality would they be willing to leave with him.
And before that, what he needed to do was numb the higher-ups of Konoha and extract as much nourishment from the village as possible.
He definitely had to participate in the Second Great Ninja War.
When the time came, he would do his best to collect dirt on Danzo and use it as evidence to persuade his clansmen.
Then there was the issue of "dead people" on the battlefield.
Nominally, he was the clan leader, but in reality, his control over the clansmen wasn't deep; he relied more on their lingering affection for his family. Previously, he thought this was fine, but now he realized he had to gather the clansmen scattered across various units.
This would not only facilitate management but, more importantly, allow him to identify the double-crossers and send them to their deaths.
Thinking of this, Gisei revealed a bitter smile.
Actually, there weren't really any double-crossers; after all, the biggest traitor was himself.
Over these few years of frequent contact with his clansmen, he could clearly feel that many of them didn't place much importance on the concept of the clan anymore. Especially the younger generation—they might respect him, but in their hearts, they probably already considered themselves purely Konoha ninjas.
Humans are a species with strong assimilation capabilities. Especially when facing a brainwashing genjutsu as buggy as the "Will of Fire," they simply had no resistance.
Gisei sighed.
How could a selfish guy like him come up with the idea of saving his clan? It was too unlike him.
He threw down the map, walked to the lounge chair in the courtyard, and sat down.
The warm sunlight shone on him as he lit a cigarette. After finishing it, he casually flicked the butt onto the ground, covered his face with his hands, and sighed heavily.
...
The next day, an Anbu member notified Gisei that the Third Hokage was looking for him.
When he arrived at the Hokage's office, the Third—whose dignity seemed to grow by the day—was busy scolding Jiraiya. Orochimaru and Tsunade stood off to the side, looking resentful.
Over the past few years, the Sannin's reputation had been steadily rising in Konoha, and now they had all been promoted to Jonin.
Since the days of the underground training grounds, Gisei hadn't actively met with them. Or rather, he didn't like these three and always subconsciously kept his distance.
Seeing Gisei enter wearing his butterfly mask, the Third stopped scolding Jiraiya.
"Lord Hokage, did you have something to discuss with me?"
Seeing an Anbu member walk in, Jiraiya tactfully moved to stand with Orochimaru and Tsunade. Because of the mask, they didn't recognize Gisei. Furthermore, they likely didn't know he was in the Anbu at all.
The Third wouldn't have actively informed them, either.
"Take off the mask. Orochimaru and the others are quite familiar with you, too."
Hearing this, Orochimaru and the others became curious about the identity of this Anbu member and turned their gazes toward him.
When Gisei removed the mask, all three revealed expressions of surprise.
"Long time no see, Gisei-kun," Orochimaru said smoothly. "I thought you had already died."
Gisei raised an eyebrow, glanced at Orochimaru, and ignored him completely.
"Tch, truly as cold as ever," Tsunade muttered, her face full of indignation.
Seeing Gisei's cold attitude, the Third's brow furrowed slightly.
"Gisei, you've been in the Anbu for five years now. Do you have any thoughts of withdrawing?"
When Gisei arrived, he had actually already guessed why the Third was looking for him.
"I am indeed a bit tired."
"Is that so? Then after you withdraw from the Anbu, which department do you want to work in?"
Gisei hadn't really thought about this yet, so he hesitated and asked, "Which department does Lord Hokage wish for me to join?"
"I want you to be a Jonin instructor. Are you willing?"
The Third took out three files and handed them over.
Gisei opened them and looked; they were the files of three fresh graduates. One of them was quite familiar—it was one of his clansmen.
Gisei was silent for a moment, then handed the files back.
"Lord Hokage, let's forget it. I'll just continue working at the hospital."
The Third was stunned, a look of incomprehension in his eyes. These three children were specially selected by him. He thought Gisei would definitely agree, but he was rejected without hesitation.
"You... alright, I understand. It just so happens that the head of the Medical Corps has left his post. You already have a nominal position there, so go be the captain."
Medical Corps Captain?
Before Gisei could process this, Tsunade stood up and roared, "Teacher, I disagree!"
Gisei couldn't figure out what act this was.
He did indeed have a nominal position in the Medical Corps. The Third had previously told him to visit the hospital more often when he didn't have missions, but he basically never went. He was busy; where would he find the time to treat people? So he knew nothing about the current state of the Medical Corps.
"Tsunade, Gisei's medical skills definitely exceed your imagination. He has saved many lives in the Anbu. In terms of qualifications, he is much better than you."
Hearing the Third's words, Gisei understood.
This guy Tsunade wanted to be the Medical Corps Captain?
He didn't know how Tsunade's current medical skills were, but he had absolute confidence in his own.
"I understand, Lord Hokage. I will go to the Medical Corps to take up the post tomorrow."
With that, Gisei turned and left.
After the door of the Hokage's office closed, Tsunade continued her impotent rage. "Do you know how annoying that guy is? And I don't believe his medical skills are higher than mine!"
The look on the Third's face became unpleasant.
"Tsunade, don't be so willful. Regarding Gisei's medical ninjutsu, let alone you, even in the entire village, there is no one who can compare with him."
Orochimaru became interested. "Oh? I've never heard that before. How is his strength now?"
"A few days ago, he fought with Hanzo the Salamander."
"Hanzo of the Rain Village?" Jiraiya asked in surprise. "Does that guy really have that kind of strength now?"
The Third nodded, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache. "That is only the strength he displayed. Sakumo said he definitely still has things hidden."
"Hidden strength? Why would he do that?" Tsunade asked.
A playful look flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. He remembered that chance encounter at the Memorial Stone.
"I don't know. In short, don't get into conflicts with him. Tsunade, if you don't want to work under him, then withdraw from the Medical Corps."
A vein popped on Tsunade's forehead. She wasn't someone who admitted defeat so easily.