Kurenai Yūhi Leads the Team Back to the Village

"Fourth Hokage?"

Yūske stared at Kurenai Yūhi in utter shock. He had once considered becoming Hokage himself, but it was far too early to discuss such things. Besides, the Third Hokage had only taken office a few years ago.

"Captain, setting aside the Hokage position, I've only just become a jonin. Teacher Hiruzen is still in his prime, and even if I had such ambitions, Lord Sakumo, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and the others are ahead of me. They're more qualified than I am."

"Hmph." Kurenai Yūhi snorted softly.

"Sakumo's personality isn't suited to being Hokage. No one would want someone with a one-track mind sitting in that position. As for Tsunade and Jiraiya, they have no interest in it. Perhaps only Orochimaru has such ambitions."

"What matters most to me right now is improving my strength. Although I subdued Shūji, that was only because he underestimated me. If he understood my Kekkei Genkai, I might not have been able to defeat him."

Yūske smiled bitterly. He had a fairly clear understanding of his own strength. Hatake Sakumo might not have reached his teacher's level, but he was still not someone Yūske could match at present. As for Jiraiya and the others, he had never truly fought them, so there was no way to compare.

"Yūske, you need to understand that becoming Hokage doesn't necessarily require illustrious military achievements. Popular support, the recommendation of the current Hokage, and the daimyo's advice—these are all important factors," Kurenai Yūhi said earnestly.

After seeing Yūske's strength and cunning, Kurenai Yūhi had begun making plans. If Yūske wanted to become Hokage, he would support him with all his strength.

He knew clearly that he had absolutely no chance of sitting in that position himself. Yet he longed to raise his own standing, to seek a brighter future for the village. Therefore, he could only gamble everything and place all his hopes on Yūske.

Although Yūske's strength was not especially formidable within the village yet, one must not forget that he had only just turned nineteen, and his Kekkei Genkai had only recently awakened. He still had far more potential waiting to be unearthed. Thus, Kurenai Yūhi eagerly hoped that Yūske could grow stronger as quickly as possible.

Seeing that neither man could convince the other, Uchiha En and the others, still shocked inwardly, put aside their stray thoughts and began urging them to make peace.

"The food's getting cold. Let's eat first and discuss it after the meal."

"Once you become Hokage and gather the village's resources, your strength will grow even greater. I hope you'll take my words to heart, Yūske."

After saying that, Kurenai Yūhi lowered his head and focused on eating.

Yūske, meanwhile, furrowed his brow and fell into deep thought. Seeing this, no one disturbed him.

Before long, Yūske's tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed, as though he had reached a decision.

After the meal, it was about time for Shinku and the others to set out. Yūske followed Shinku at the front of the group, slowly moving away from the camp amid everyone's farewells.

"This is far enough, Yūske."

After walking for a while, Kurenai Yūhi turned sideways to look at Yūske. "Although you still have to remain here as the Patrol Squad Leader, I must remind you that war is cruel. Take good care of yourself and come back alive."

He then patted Yūske heavily on the shoulder before turning to the jonin. "If you have anything you want to say to Yūske, say it now. Everyone else, come with me first!"

With that, Kurenai Yūhi led the others onward, leaving behind only several jonin and Might Duy.

"Yūske, I can't speak for my clan, but if you want to become Hokage, I will support you with all my strength!"

Inuzuka Shiro was the first to state her position. She thought highly of Yūske and trusted Kurenai Yūhi's judgment.

"Me too. If you become Hokage, I'm willing to become the blade in your hand and serve you."

Uchiha En knew well the relationship between his clan and the village. If there were a Hokage who was on good terms with him and held no hostility toward the clan, perhaps it could improve the relationship between the clan and the village, even allowing the clan to fully integrate into the village.

"I'm willing." Hyuga Reon looked at Yūske seriously, showing that she had no objections. Although she was only a member of the branch family, her father was the Branch Family First Elder and held real authority.

"Me too." Gekko Yoru drew his blade and made his oath.

Yūske was deeply moved by their words. His gaze became even more resolute as he nodded firmly.

At that moment, only Might Duy had yet to speak. He seemed hesitant to say something, silently watching everyone.

"Let's go meet up with the captain first. Might Duy, remember to catch up."

Having stated their positions and finished speaking, Uchiha En and the others went on ahead, leaving Yūske and Might Duy space to be alone.

"Safe travels!" Yūske waved them goodbye.

"Might Duy, what's wrong?" Noticing that something was off with him, Yūske asked with concern.

Might Duy hesitated for a while before finally taking a scroll from his clothes. He said to Yūske, "I'm insignificant, so even if I said I supported you, it wouldn't carry much weight. This is a ninjutsu called the Eight Inner Gates. The specific training methods are all written in the scroll, so I won't explain them in detail. I hope it can help you on your path to becoming Hokage."

Yūske did not immediately take the scroll. Instead, he asked, "If you give this to me, will your father agree?"

"My father agreed. It's just that using this ninjutsu harms the body, which is why I hesitated over whether to give it to you."

Might Duy explained with a serious expression, "Unless it is absolutely necessary, never use it lightly. Especially after training to the Seventh Gate and Eighth Gate, it will burn your life away!"

"Alright!" Yūske solemnly accepted the scroll and promised Might Duy, "Thank you, Might Duy! I'll definitely use it with caution."

Before Might Duy could respond, Yūske continued, "If I become Hokage someday, would you be willing to become one of my Shadow Guard?"

"It would be my honor!" Tears streamed down Might Duy's face. Other than his father, only Yūske had acknowledged and trusted him. He silently swore that he would never disappoint Yūske's expectations.

With everything said, Might Duy bid Yūske farewell.

"Safe travels!"