I, Konoha’s Sage of Life-Chapter 394: He’s Still Alive, Why Build a Statue?

Chapter 394: Chapter 394: He’s Still Alive, Why Build a Statue?
Kyoichi kept a shadow clone stationed in the research division—mainly to watch over the replica God Tree and the Gedo Statue.
Now that clone served perfectly as the overseer for the Iburi clan’s nearby testing site.
With Orochimaru overseeing one side and his own clone watching the other...
And the experiments being conducted inside a sealed cavern where creating a windless environment was trivial—
Frankly speaking, the Iburi clan would have a hard time dying even if they tried.
So really...
The only thing to prevent was their own impulse to self-sabotage.
As long as they followed the steps carefully and slowly established a stable core—using that core to anchor and control their smoke—the rest would fall into place.
Konoha had just absorbed two more clans, and territorial expansion was needed.
The daimyō fully approved, and land was allocated without hesitation.
That was the benefit of establishing the Guardians, after all.
Without Konoha helping build the Guardian Ninja, the daimyō would never have been this cooperative.
Of course...
While the Guardians had their own independent personnel, most members still came from Konoha.
Especially the Flying Thunder Formation Squad—that was impossible to replicate outside Konoha.
As a result, the daimyō relied heavily on that squad.
They were stationed right beside the daimyō’s residence.
If an enemy attacked, the Guardians would escort the daimyō next door, and the Flying Thunder Formation would instantly teleport him to Konoha.
That level of safety was unbeatable.
As for the Security Division...
Near the capital, its duties were jointly shared by the Guardians and Konoha’s own forces—a result of political negotiation that enabled Konoha’s rapid development.
Give some, gain some.
But overall, Konoha’s rise was undeniable.
Its income, strength, and infrastructure had all surpassed previous eras by miles—roads inside the village were interconnected, and the external railway was nearing completion...
Soon, missions to the borders or the capital wouldn’t require wasting days on travel.
Kyoichi didn’t think scientific ninja tools were "amazing."
But—
A ninja village that completely avoided science would never advance.
Leaving the Iburi clan, Kyoichi saw the Third Hokage waiting ahead.
The Third was now in his fifties, but he didn’t look old at all—in fact, he looked better than he had years ago after stepping down.
Clear-eyed, energetic.
Seeing Kyoichi, he waved him over.
Not because of politeness.
But because he suspected that if he didn’t wave, Kyoichi might bolt immediately.
Just like that pair of siblings.
The Third took a long drag on his pipe, sighing internally.
"Kyoichi."
"Lord Third."
"You’ve been quite busy lately. Every day in the research division... You’ve left the entire Anbu to Minato, and even submitted a resignation..."
He paused for a moment and finally sighed.
"You’re planning to leave Konoha, aren’t you?"
"Truly worthy of your reputation, Lord Third."
Kyoichi smiled lightly.
The Third’s eye twitched. He waved his pipe.
"Don’t tease me. What are you really thinking? I was hoping you’d become Fifth Hokage—yet now you want to leave?"
"The shinobi world is vast. I want to see it. And more importantly, the crisis isn’t truly over. I want to travel and look for answers."
Kyoichi didn’t hide anything.
The Third sighed softly.
If he couldn’t convince Jiraiya, how could he possibly convince someone like Kyoichi—who had even stronger personal convictions?
The moment he heard the news, he knew he couldn’t stop him.
Still—
He wanted to try.
The Third walked forward.
"If you leave, Tsunade probably won’t stay Hokage either. You two... sigh. But it’s true—Tsunade only returned because of you and the two of you have done so much for the village!"
To be honest...
The Third really wanted Kyoichi’s face carved on the Hokage Rock.
Konoha’s current prosperity was largely thanks to him.
But since he wasn’t Hokage, carving his face there would break tradition.
So he had shelved the idea.
But after much deliberation, he said:
"I’ll commission a statue of you."
"I’m still alive. What’s the point of carving a statue? If you really want one... put it at the Academy. I think I made more contributions to the Academy’s reforms than anywhere else."
Kyoichi stretched.
The Third was silent—exasperated but helpless.
To him, placing Kyoichi only at the Academy was far too little, but Kyoichi seemed utterly uninterested in that kind of honor.
He only cared about practical, real things.
Still, the Third had wanted to open up this discussion.
Now that Kyoichi had said it himself, the burden in his heart felt lighter.
He already knew most of what Kyoichi intended.
So—
There was no sense asking unnecessary questions.
For example...
The next Hokage.
It was obvious—
Namikaze Minato.
Minato was already Anbu Commander, and his reputation was high—
just not as high as Kyoichi’s or Tsunade’s.
Another year or so in leadership, and there would be no issue.
And the clans...
They definitely wouldn’t oppose him.
Minato was strong—
but only as one person.
Kyoichi and Tsunade were much harder to deal with:
one was strong enough to fight the entire shinobi world, and the other was the granddaughter of the First Hokage and current leader of the Senju.
Way harder to push around.
The Third’s concern lay here.
"Minato... I worry he won’t be able to keep those clans in line. Everything you’ve built could fall apart."
"We’ll support him. Besides, Minato isn’t alone—he has the Uzumaki behind him. Anyone who thinks he’s an easy target should think twice."
Kyoichi snorted.
The most troublesome clan was Uchiha, but even they had changed.
The pro-Konoha faction within the clan—led by Inahori and Shisui—was gaining influence year by year.
Sooner or later, Fugaku would be forced to relinquish authority.
With both the Uchiha and Hyūga on board, who else dare oppose?
Any small moves would be like ants trying to halt a carriage.
"And if they really insist on causing trouble—fine, let them make a mess while Tsunade and I are away. When I return, I’ll wipe out every last petty schemer."
"Uh..."
Aggressive... but very Kyoichi.
The Third sighed inwardly and nodded slightly.
The Iburi clan was secured, the Hōki clan was handled through Orochimaru, and the remaining arrangements were few.
But Kyoichi wasn’t leaving yet.
No matter what—
He would at least wait for Naruto to be born.
He wanted to witness the reincarnation of Asura and Indra before setting off.
And...
Minato needed time.
If he became Hokage too suddenly, the Third’s fear might come true—
And Homura and Koharu might crawl back into power.
Now that would be aneurysm-inducing.
Back in the village, Kyoichi drew from his memories of his previous life, continuing to refine Konoha’s educational system.
He planned to finish everything before leaving.
It would take time and mental energy.
But with Madara dead and Black Zetsu sealed...
Time was exactly what he had plenty of.