"So, a Genin has a permanent Space-Time Jutsu around themselves?" Homura said with disbelief. "How?" He demanded to know.
The Third puffed from his pipe. "Shikamaru Nara may be a simple Genin on paper, but his intelligence nothing to be scoffed at, nor his determination. Tell a regular person that Space-Time Jutsu is impossible and they will believe you. Tell a Genius like Shikamaru, Minato, and Orochimaru that it is impossible, and they will investigate to find out for themselves."
Homura nodded slightly. "I see."
The Third laughed. "No, you don't. Shikamaru Nara's technique doesn't even qualify as a Jutsu. No chakra is being used to maintain the technique, and it is subconsciously active. Even sleeping, Shikamaru was able to repel the paralytic gas that they put into the room. A barrier that is on 24/7, with little to no visible detriments in long term use."
"Shikamaru Nara is already more than capable of becoming the Hokage in strength, if not yet in experience. Nor in aptitude: Shikamaru has stated multiple times that Naruko is his pick for the position."
Homura looked unnerved. "The Jinch, the Uzumaki?" Homura immediately corrected himself at the Third's narrowed dark gaze.
The Third nodded. "Indeed. Naruko Uzumaki has passed the first month of treatment. It seems that all she needed was some support and a listening ear from someone her age. Something I'm very grateful to Shikamaru Nara for doing for her."
"She's been reinstated to return to going on missions with Team 7 under Kakashi Hatake, and has likewise fully moved in with the Nara Clan while the second stage of treatment with the Akimichi Clan takes place."
Homura nodded slowly. "Were they able to find her records?" He asked cautiously.
Hiruzen's eyes darkened. "No. Naruko has not been seen by any physician since the age of 3. The rest of the medical record was falsified. Kabuto Yakushi has fully volunteered himself as her primary physician as well as indicating he wishes to have... words with those who falsified her records and spread the rumors about how doctors were "vampires who drained people of blood, injected horrifying things into them, and butchered people like they are meat at the market"."
Homura's face turned green. The Third smiled coldly.
"I, of course, fully granted his request. I will have my ANBU escort you to meet him after this meeting, seeing as one of the sources of those rumors was you, Homura."
Homura's mouth opened silently, his protests dying before he could open his mouth.
"I've also informed Kabuto to please pass along a message to Orochimaru that he, sorry, she was more than welcome to return to Konoha as evidence has been obtained that while she had been experimenting on civilians and shinobi of Konoha, it had been under the orders and permission of Danzo. Something I had not learned about until recently."
Homura hung his head as an ANBU appeared with a wolf mask next to him, taking Homura away from the Third's sight for the last time.
"Kami, it felt so good to finally throw the book at the man. It's not against Danzo, but baby steps, Hiruzen, baby steps." He chuckled darkly.
While he still wouldn't trust Orochimaru, she had given up her humanity, at the very least he could use her here as a deterrent, a weapon to be aimed at another village if they crossed the line.
Calling me on my bluff after I find out about how my granddaughter contemplated suicide is not how to keep your village alive and stable, Raikage-dono. I'm in a very bad mood, and I think some teacher-student bonding time on experimenting/torturing the Lightning shinobi and civilian population would go a long way to make me feel better.
I wonder if Orochimaru has a middle ground for aches and joint pain? I'd prefer to stay as myself for a little while longer, but if it improves my health and combat capabilities by ripping those younger muscles and joints off of a few dozen shinobi that may or may not go missing, well, I'm sure the Raikage could understand wanting to stay fit.
The Third chuckled darkly. As the Hokage he couldn't condone experiments on his own people and citizens. It sent a bad message, and it messed with Konoha's PR as the 'good guys of the shinobi world'.
Other civilians and shinobi outside of Konoha?
Well, as long as no one's around to complain about it, it's still fair game.
Hiruzen hummed as he drank from his cup of tea. Naruko's therapy is going well, Kakashi Hatake is actually showing up on time and even apologized to him for how he had been acting in his grief and pain, Shikamaru Nara is an up and coming S-rank monster that could give Hashirama and Tobirama-sensei a run for their money, and Hiruzen even got to finish his paperwork early!
Today, is an amazing day. Hiruzen smiled as he looked over the village at a nondescript building at the edge of the village.
It almost felt like he could hear their screams and begs for mercy. Today was definitely a good day.