Chapter 85: The Coming Storm and the Rise of the Sannin

Hokage's Office – Konohagakure

BANG!

The doors to the Hokage's office burst open—again—kicked wide with practiced ease.

"Seriously?" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, not even bothering to look up from the paperwork. "Tsunade, must you kick the door every single time?"

Tsunade strolled in casually, arms folded, unfazed by the Third Hokage's annoyance. "Hmph, what's the big deal? You've got the budget for repairs. Besides, it's habit—and habits become second nature."

Hiruzen's eye twitched. "That's not a justification. And guess what? I'm deducting it from your next mission payment."

"Fine," Tsunade said with a shrug. "Wasn't going to spend it anyway."

The Hokage rubbed his temples. Why did I ever take these three as students? Jiraiya always climbs through the window, Orochimaru's off experimenting with poisons and immortality, and Tsunade... well, this.

He sighed heavily. "What do you want this time? Aren't you supposed to be preparing for deployment?"

"I'll head to the front later," Tsunade replied, crossing her arms. "Right now, I have something more important to discuss."

"Oh?" Hiruzen arched a brow. "And that would be?"

"I'm requesting early graduation for my students—Uchiha Gin, Uzumaki Kushina, Uchiha Mikoto, and Namikaze Minato," she said. "And I'll personally train them in the interim. They're ready."

Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "That's not the plan. The Academy schedule—"

"—will be irrelevant once the war breaks out for real," Tsunade interrupted firmly. "You know how this works, old man. Once conflict escalates, the village will have no choice but to push students onto the battlefield. Why not give them time now to adapt? Train them properly, so they're not thrown into chaos unprepared."

"You're assuming war is inevitable," Hiruzen argued. "A full-scale conflict may not come. If we defeat Amegakure quickly—"

"You don't even believe that," Tsunade snapped. "You hope it ends quickly, but look around! The other major villages have recovered and grown stronger. They're hungry—for resources, missions, influence. How long before they make their move?"

Hiruzen fell silent. He couldn't deny the truth in her words.

"You're already moving elite squads to the borders," Tsunade continued. "You know what's coming. So let me do this. Let me prepare them now, while we still have time. Two months. That's all I ask."

The Hokage leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing in thought. Finally, he spoke. "Two months. Then both you and Orochimaru report to the frontlines."

"Deal," Tsunade said instantly. "That's more than enough time for them to stand on their own feet."

Hiruzen sighed and waved her off. "Fine. I'll issue the orders later."

Tsunade turned to leave, then paused to glance at the damaged door. "Oh, and someone might want to call maintenance."

As she disappeared, Hiruzen scowled at the remains of the upper door panel. "ANBU! Get someone to fix this…"

Elsewhere in Konoha – Orochimaru's Lab

Tsunade found Orochimaru and Jiraiya together, poring over scrolls and sealed containers.

"Yo! Orochimaru! Jiraiya!" Tsunade called out.

"Tsunade?" Orochimaru blinked, genuinely surprised. "You don't just drop in. Something wrong?"

"I've arranged early graduation for our top students," she said. "I'll take Gin, Kushina, Mikoto, and Minato under my wing. You'll take Nawaki and a few other promising Uzumaki and Uchiha children. Two months of training before we hit the front."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "You've already decided this?"

"Yup," she grinned. "Got Hiruzen to agree too. You'll handle the rest, right?"

"Fine," Orochimaru muttered. "But they'll have to pass my tests. I don't just accept students."

"You'll find them more than qualified," Tsunade smirked. "Hikari and my grandmother trained them. With the Teach's help, they've all undergone spiritual contracts and enhanced cultivation. Even the weakest have become prodigies."

"Oh?" Orochimaru's interest visibly piqued. "The Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha… forming a union? Fascinating. What would the Second Hokage say if he saw this alliance?"

"Not his business," Tsunade said coldly. "Besides, Grandma could slap him through a wall. And Hikari? She once humiliated him before she got stronger."

Orochimaru chuckled, dark amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "So much untapped power. I must admit—those nutrient pills from the Teach have proven… incredible."

"You used them?" Tsunade asked, surprised.

"I extracted the essence of several weaker pills and merged them," Orochimaru explained. "The result? My physique, vitality, and chakra capacity surged. I reached Kage-level last year."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "That explains your sudden breakthrough. Clever. But those pills are difficult to replicate—you won't find their key ingredient here."

"Sadly true," Orochimaru admitted. "Still, it's remarkable. Even the weakened versions are ten times more potent than standard supplements. If I could understand their inner alchemy..."

He glanced at Tsunade, hoping she might offer a full-strength sample. But she only smirked.

"I won't give you the 100% version," she said plainly. "Ask Gin. Form a contract. Then, you'll have access to far more than just pills."

Orochimaru's eyes glimmered with thought. "Hmm. Tempting."

Meanwhile, Jiraiya—who had been silently stewing—suddenly blurted out, "Wait, you reached Kage-level? And you too, Tsunade? Why didn't anyone tell me?! I thought I was ahead!"

Orochimaru rolled his eyes. "You didn't notice? We broke through a year ago. Tsunade even earlier."

"WHAT?!" Jiraiya's jaw dropped. "That's it! I swear, I'll reach it soon. With my Sage Mode, I'm this close!"

"You're still last," Orochimaru deadpanned.

"YOU'RE last!" Jiraiya snapped back. "You and your whole creepy snake family!"

The three Sannin stood there bickering, just like old times.

But beneath the jokes and jabs, the tension of war loomed like a gathering storm.

The new generation would soon rise… trained by legends. And with them, the fate of the ninja world would begin to shift.

End of Chapter 85