In the Hokage Building, Nagasawa sat in his office, contemplating how to restructure the Training Division. With time passing and the squad maturing, it no longer needed his personal guidance to grow.

So he began considering whether it was time to reorganize the squad’s structure and leadership.

While the Training Division was no longer officially part of the Anbu, the connection hadn’t been fully severed. After all, the squad had been created with close ties to the Anbu, and it still trained future Anbu members. A clean separation was unrealistic for now.

But despite this special status, its internal hierarchy was still oddly simplistic, just squad leaders and a commander. There wasn’t even a vice commander.

That was because Nagasawa hadn’t thought much about it in the early days, there simply weren’t many people then. Later, his overwhelming influence kept everything running smoothly, and nobody questioned it.

Still, Nagasawa now felt that things couldn’t remain this way forever. It was a proper department now and should be structured like one.

He considered adding additional squads beneath the existing ones. Originally, there were only three squads because only three people had mastered Rokushiki (Six Styles) and could teach it.

But things were different now. Aside from Kakashi and the current leaders, there were also veteran trainees who had studied the Six Styles for years and knew it as well as, or even better than, those who first taught it.

"Maybe I can even add a role like ’Secret Technique Advisor’... No, forget it. Secret techniques are too troublesome," Nagasawa mused.

What he really needed to think about was, if he stepped down as commander, who should replace him?

At present, the squad had four leaders, all of whom could be valid candidates.

Kakashi, Shiozumi, and Inuzuka Midori had joined Anbu with Nagasawa at the same time. They were his original crew, disciples, in a sense. They’d completed many S-rank missions together and were the first to take command roles in the Training Division, teaching the Six Styles. If nothing else, they’d worked hard.

Shisui, though not part of the original team, had been sent by the Third Hokage at the time the Training Division was founded. He was essentially a founding member. He’d helped Nagasawa manage operations, became a model member, and even played a key role in easing tensions between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. Once he mastered the Six Styles, he became the leader of the fourth squad and began instructing others.

In other words, Shisui’s contributions were substantial. Just because he wasn’t in the original Anbu squad didn’t mean he didn’t earn his place.

Nagasawa admired Shisui. He treated him no differently than Kakashi and the others. He even intended to pass Kyouka Suigetsu to him someday.

Since seniority wouldn’t settle the matter, Nagasawa began considering other qualities, like personality and leadership style.

He ruled out Inuzuka Midori first, if she became commander, he feared the Training Division would take on an entirely chaotic tone. A monthly "top performer punishment system"? He shook his head. Surely not that absurd... but still, he didn’t want to risk it.

Besides, if she got the job, even laid-back Kakashi might show up at his office asking, "Why her?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

That left Kakashi, Shiozumi, and Shisui. Any of them would do well.

Shiozumi had keen observational skills, worked carefully, and communicated well.

Kakashi, though always eager to clock out on the dot, was conscientious and handled his responsibilities with care.

Shisui was passionate and diligent, if made commander, Nagasawa believed he’d work nonstop, true 007 style.

After weighing things, Nagasawa decided to remove Shiozumi from consideration. While he was a top-tier Nara Clan shinobi with excellent qualities, he slightly lagged behind Kakashi and Shisui, who weren’t just skilled, they were monsters.

Shiozumi wasn’t lacking. Anywhere else, he’d be a top pick. But against those two? It was just unfair to compare.

As for Kakashi vs. Shisui, Nagasawa truly couldn’t decide.

"Sometimes, having too many excellent subordinates is a real headache," he sighed, a comment that could infuriate the Tsuchikage.

Kakashi, in the original timeline, became the Sixth Hokage. His capability was unquestionable.

Shisui, who died young in the canon story, was mostly a memory. But here, Nagasawa had truly gotten to know the real Uchiha Shisui, a young shinobi who loved the village and his clan, powerful yet humble, grateful, and eager to learn even when struggling.

Sometimes, when he saw the admiration in Shisui’s eyes, Nagasawa felt like a legendary figure. That a prodigy like Shisui would look up to him, it was humbling.

As he pondered his successor, the door suddenly knocked.

Before Nagasawa could say "come in", BANG, the door flew open.

He looked up to see who dared barge into his office without permission.

Immediately, a certain impressive presence filled the doorway. Nagasawa knew exactly who it was.

Tsunade.

Ah, that explains it.

Not only did she barge into his assistant Hokage office, but back when the Third Hokage was in charge, she used to walk right into the Hokage’s office without even knocking.

By comparison, at least she knocked this time. That was respect.

"Ahem. Do you need something, Lady Tsunade?" Nagasawa coughed lightly, adjusting his gaze quickly.

"What else? Medical Division stuff," she said, dropping a thick file onto his desk. "You remember that survey we did on specialist students? I organized the results, brought them here since you’re always too busy to stop by."

He ignored the jab, picked up the file, and scanned through it.

He really was that busy, he’d been splitting himself using Shadow Clones just to function. With a new template, he was busy researching Reaper abilities, experimenting with chakra-spirit fusion, and teaching Kakashi and others spiritual power.

Plus, his many titles kept him overloaded.

But that was fine. With new power systems came more work. Increasing strength and prosperity was worth it.

Better to be exhausted now than helpless later.

Flipping through the report, he found the feedback... underwhelming. Most teams said the specialist medics were no different from regular genin. Many thought they were even spoiled, teachers often gave them easier tasks.

"Seems like the rookie genin aren’t fond of the medics," Nagasawa commented.

"I was surprised too," Tsunade frowned. "I thought they’d be popular."

"My guess? Chūnin and up, and those with battlefield experience, probably rate them very highly," he said.

"Exactly. Except for new genin, even the squad leaders really value the medics," Tsunade agreed.

This survey covered a wide range of Konoha’s ninja, including even civilians. Since Konoha citizens often interacted with ninja, they had basic awareness of how things worked.

Sure enough, aside from new genin, the rest offered very positive evaluations.

It was a simple reason, rookie genin hadn’t seen combat or injury yet. They were stuck on D-rank missions like pulling weeds or catching cats, no injuries, no need for medics.

But the medics still got special treatment, which annoyed others. "We’re all fresh genin, why do they get perks?"

Chūnin, by contrast, had already fought real battles and understood how vital it was to have a medic nearby.

As for war veterans, they knew too well how many lives were lost due to delayed treatment.

Even though Konoha had more medics than any other Great Nation, it was still not enough.

"Let those rookie genin visit Konoha Hospital," Nagasawa suggested. "Let them see firsthand what medical ninja really do."

"Good idea. I’ll arrange it," Tsunade nodded.

They chatted a while longer, mostly off-topic.

"Jiraiya’s off having fun again. Makes me want to disappear for a few years too," Tsunade grumbled.

"Don’t even think about it," Nagasawa smiled wearily. "A week off is fine, but if you vanish for years, I can’t answer to the Medical Division."

He’d only just heard Jiraiya had left the village, but it made sense. After the Chūnin Exams and Five Kage Summit, his presence lingered longer than usual. But he still had his mission, to find the "Child of Prophecy."

Nagasawa respected him. Flawed, yes, but a true hero.

"You say that now. But wouldn’t you just come drag me back again like last time?" Tsunade smirked.

Nagasawa scratched his head, he had, in fact, fought her once just to bring her back. He hadn’t thought she’d still remember.

Women hold grudges, huh?

He grinned. "You’re joking, Lady Tsunade. Everyone knows I never force people, especially not you."

"Really?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe... probably... possibly," Nagasawa said with a warm smile.

"Sounds like a lie," she folded her arms.

Nagasawa laughed, saying nothing.

Truthfully, if Tsunade really ran away again, he probably wouldn’t drag her back. He might ask once, if she said no, that’d be it.

The last time was different, he needed her to ensure Kushina’s survival.

Now, while her leadership was key, Konoha could continue without her. If the village pushed her away, and not even Nagasawa could convince her to stay, what would be the point?

They weren’t enemies. Why go that far?

Besides, it hadn’t come to that. For now, Tsunade still seemed to enjoy her role. After all, this was her grandfather’s village, and building up medical ninjutsu was always her personal dream.

Back then, the village lacked the resources. Now, with Nagasawa backing her, things were different.

As for her teasing? It was probably just to see how Nagasawa would react.