Reviewing the Gains

"So, she didn't come." Hiruzen exhaled, the weight of Tsunade's decision settling over him.

He had expected it. Stubborn as ever.

She had returned when the war was at its peak, saving lives that would have otherwise been lost. But the moment the battles ended, she was gone again, not coming back to the village she once called home.

Jiraiya ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

"Tried guilt-tripping her," he admitted. "Didn't work. Failed miserably, actually."

Hiruzen let out another sigh, rubbing his temples.

"Of course it didn't."

Hiruzen had no doubt Jiraiya had done everything he could to convince her. But Tsunade was set in her ways. Once she made up her mind, there was little anyone could do to change it.

Jiraiya, clearly wanting to shift the conversation, asked, "So, when's the ceremony?"

Hiruzen understood what he meant. Minato's official appointment as Hokage. His own retirement.

"Next week," Hiruzen answered. "I'll be heading to the Daimyō soon to get his approval."

He was still reviewing documents, making sure everything was in order before handing over the office. No room for mistakes, not when both Konoha's and his future depended on a smooth transition.

"Hmm." Jiraiya nodded with a grin. "And Danzo?"

Hiruzen sighed. He knew exactly what Jiraiya was thinking. "Don't worry about him." He shook his head. "He can't do anything. And even if he tries… aren't we here?"

"Well…" Jiraiya scratched his cheek, looking a little sheepish.

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Since the war's over… I figured I'd take a long break."

Hiruzen sighed. "So you're leaving the village too."

Jiraiya laughed, waving a hand. "Don't worry, old man. You know how to find me. And besides, Orochimaru's still around. You won't be alone."

Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "He's with Danzo right now."

Jiraiya's grin faded. "This…" He trailed off, his mind racing through the possibilities.

Orochimaru and Danzo? That was a combination that didn't sit right.

But why?

Orochimaru wasn't the type to align himself with someone like Danzo unless there was something worth gaining.

Jiraiya frowned, crossing his arms. "What are they up to?"

"Who knows?" Hiruzen exhaled another puff of smoke, pretending indifference, though he already had a good idea.

A brief silence stretched between them before Jiraiya finally spoke. "I still don't think Orochimaru would do anything to harm the village." His voice held uncertainty but also hope.

Hiruzen gave a slow nod. "I hope so too."

Meanwhile, Orochimaru couldn't care less about their concerns. He had something far more interesting to focus on. His system.

A month had passed, so it was time to check his new cards.

Teleportation (Mob Psycho 100)

Serpent Punishing Stick (Emperor's Domination)

Theo Anders' Powers (Worm)

Life Fruit (Soul Land)

Jacob Gavin Jr. (Marvel)

Doppelgeist

Rumi Usagiyama (MHA)

Heart of the Ocean (Titanic)

Doracakes (Doraemon)

Will of the Bound (Taimanin)

First up, teleportation.

"Ryo Shimazaki's ability? Nice." Shimazaki had always been his favourite from Mob Psycho 100.

But it wasn't the full template, just the teleportation itself. Meaning he still needed chakra to activate it. How far, how fast, and how much weight he could handle all depended on his chakra reserves and control.

"Not ideal, but still solid."

Next was an item, the Serpent Punishing Stick.

A rod that didn't kill but inflicted pure, agonizing pain.

Orochimaru smirked. "Oh yeah, I can have some fun with this."

Then came a new ability, Theo Anders' power from Worm.

Now this was interesting. One of the most underrated but insanely dangerous world's power.

Theo could sink his limbs into a surface and create massive versions of them at a distance, as long as the material was the same.

"So if I shove my hand into the ground, a giant version of it pops up somewhere else? Yeah, that's gonna be useful."

Even better, he could sense materials around him just by touching something similar.

"So if my hand's in a stone wall, I can feel every connected stone around me? Yeah, this one's a keeper."

Then came the Life Fruit from Douluo Dalu.

A single berry could sustain a person for ten days.

"Handy. Let's see if I can grow it here."

Next up, Jacob Gavin Jr., or Courier from Marvel. A mutant with self-genetic manipulation.

The guy could change his gender at will. But that wasn't the interesting part.

"If I remember right, this ability is what made Mister Sinister so damn dangerous."

And now, it was his.

He could control his own cells, prevent any foreign invasion in his body, and most importantly, no one could use his DNA for anything.

No cloning, no stolen bloodline tricks.

"Perfect."

Then came a cloning ability. But this wasn't some cheap Shadow Clone knockoff. This was Doppelgeist.

A technique that let him create a single sentient duplicate using his own biological material hair, blood, bone, whatever.

Unlike traditional clones, this one was fully self-aware, shared his mindset and knowledge, and knew it was temporary.

The best part? Total control.

The clone had 30% of his power, but before creating it, he could customise its abilities. Set power limits. Predefine its skills. Basically, he could tweak it however he wanted within that 30% cap.

It was also loyal. Absolutely, unshakably loyal. No betrayal, no funny business.

A psychic link kept them connected, letting him give commands from anywhere, as long as they were in the same dimension. And if he wanted, he could take direct control of the clone like a puppet.

It didn't bleed when injured. It healed automatically, but every regeneration shortened its lifespan. Left alone, it would naturally expire after five months. If it was destroyed in battle, it just turned to dust, leaving no biological trace.

And if he ever wanted to end it early, a single thought and it was gone.

"Only after it disappears can I make a new one."

Useful. Very useful.