Reason Is a Good Thing

"Arrogant!" Mitokado Homura couldn't take it anymore and shouted.

This was the first time anyone had dared to speak so disrespectfully in such a setting. Even the former Uchiha Clan had to swallow their pride and bear it when facing higher-ups.

Could a mere Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast be more troublesome than the unruly Uchiha clan?

The problem is, it is indeed more complicated.

He glanced at Mitokado Homura, frowned in displeasure, and coughed.

"So what? If you're unhappy with me, Advisor, you can complain to the Hokage's Office after the meeting. As the head of the Uzumaki Clan, I will handle it properly."

He's the one who acted like a thug, and now he's the one who wants to reason with people.

"You!" Mitokado Homura was speechless for a moment. He was so shameless, just like the Fifth Hokage.

"What clan leader? Just because you're the clan leader?" Utatane Koharu expressed her dissatisfaction, while the other junior executives in the conference room didn't dare to utter a sound.

When gods clash, it's best to observe from the sidelines and not act recklessly or foolishly. After all, the Fifth Hokage remained silent, but his gaze occasionally swept over the group.

The feeling was terrifying, like being watched by a supreme god, making them tremble with fear.

"A clan leader who's all alone?" Naruto shifted his position to make himself more comfortable in the soft chair and asked.

"Your tone makes me uncomfortable, as if I'm some kind of oddball sitting here. But I'm sure you're not comfortable with it either, after all, how can you tolerate an unknown nobody spouting nonsense here?"

"Even now you're still putting on airs, acting all high and mighty. I'm also one of the higher-ups now, the patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan. You think I'm insignificant, just the patriarch of one person? Do you only acknowledge me when I take action and clash with you?"

Utatane Koharu, didn't speak. Her cloudy eyes just stared at him, radiating coldness.

Naruto always kept in mind a sentence Tsunade once said, "Status is never gained through prestige, but through force."

He also knew that Tsunade had done her best to help him obtain the necessary approval from the higher-ups. Now that he didn't have the Nine-Tails, he had to show his true abilities to solidify his position among the leaders.

The higher-ups wanted a Jinchuriki in name only, exploiting him in the name of Konohagakure. In essence, they still regarded him as a bonus for the Nine-Tails.

Compared to the Nine-Tails, the name Naruto Uzumaki was worthless; the higher-ups didn't even give him a second glance.

By bestowing upon them a fictitious title of high-ranking official, they were essentially throwing out a piece of candy in exchange for the Jinchuriki's obedience. In their eyes, this was probably a worthwhile deal.

But no one expected that Naruto was no longer the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

All the compromises made by the higher-ups were based on the premise that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Now that all those premises have disappeared, the higher-ups are unlikely to give him a friendly welcome.

Naruto's choice to self-destruct at this juncture was unwise. But if he were to endure it now, Tsunade's advice would have been wasted.

What are they anyway? Of course, there are powerful figures like Danzo at the top.

However, this is a world dominated by power. The advisors, concerned about their reputation, disdained to personally serve the village, and Danzo was unlikely to lose his temper and reason.

In front of these old foxes, he had to show his talent to secure his position. Tsunade got him a ticket to the higher echelons, but she didn't say he could only be a figurehead.

If the key to Naruto's previous qualification to enter this meeting room was Nine-Tails), then now, what allows his value to be realized is his own power.

The power that transcends the Tailed Beast is merely the tip of the iceberg of his total power.

In the conference room.

Most of the unfamiliar junior executives instinctively stood up, but Naruto and the four top executives remained calmly seated. Tsunade's gaze wasn't on him; it passed through him and swept over the group of junior executives.

Today's meeting was a routine meeting, and most of the Hokage's direct subordinates and high-ranking officials did not show up.

All eyes turned to the four leaders of Konohagakure.

The atmosphere was somber and oppressive. Each of the lower-ranking officials looked at Naruto with eyes filled with fear and apprehension, unsure of the situation. He'd lost his Tailed Beast, yet he could still use its power?

Has it already turned into a monster? Has it fused?

"Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Just as tensions were about to rise, several rounds of applause slowly broke the silence, the sound coming from the Hokage Position. Neither Danzo nor his two advisors showed any intention of speaking; to interrupt in an argument would be beneath their dignity.

Arguing with Tsunade is fine, even arguing with other high-ranking members is acceptable, but arguing with a junior is a losing proposition. It doesn't matter how tense the situation gets, because that kid is Tsunade's person, Tsunade will mediate.

That's right, Tsunade will make a move.

Judging that it was about time, she stood up and clapped a few times in a mocking manner. The woman was very good at acting; with a forced smile, she said...

Naruto ignored her expression, staring into her eyes and detecting a hint of displeasure. His heart sank; he knew he was doomed after the meeting.

"Konohagakure needs the strength of the new generation, so let's put the Nine-Tails issue aside for now. Since one of our leaders Naruto Uzumaki, has the ability to take on this responsibility, it's a good thing for the village."

"I'm quite pleased that Kakashi has taken on the responsibility of Anbu Captain at this age. I hope to see that happen."

Tsunade's every word revolved around the village's interests, constantly linking Kakashi and Naruto together. While talking about the village, her conversation inevitably turned to the Hokage's inner circle.

With a shrewd and concise stroke, she glossed over the conflict, subtly reinforcing Kakashi's presence. Tsunade abruptly ended the meeting with a wave of her hand.

The people left, and the meeting room became empty.

"Come here." Tsunade waved to Naruto, and all was quiet.

Unlike his earlier arrogance, Naruto obediently walked over. He didn't dare to look around and stood there obediently with his head down.

"How long have you been keeping this from me?"

"Not long, a few months or so." Naruto looked like an old man caught cheating by his wife, his face ashen.

Even if Tsunade had asked him about the Nine-Tails' whereabouts and the whole story, he wouldn't have been this nervous. But then she asked how long he'd been keeping it from her—that was it, it had escalated to a matter of principle.

"Not long? A few months isn't long?" Tsunade sat on the soft chair, her figure slender yet plump, her jade-like hands dangling on the table.

She tapped the table twice as she always did, and Naruto instantly straightened his back.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Tsunade's face was gloomy, and she seemed genuinely angry. Looking at the tall boy in front of her, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

"Well... I don't really know how the Nine-Tails just disappeared so suddenly," Naruto said somewhat awkwardly, as he couldn't very well tell everyone everything.

The Nine-Tails has indeed disappeared, and as for whether it's hiding inside a Fox-dog, I can simply pretend I don't know. Even if I accidentally give myself away, I can just pin the blame on the Nine-Tails.

He knew Tsunade didn't like beating around the bush, so he apologized honestly.

"I should have said it sooner, instead of waiting until now."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade frowned slightly, sinking into the soft chair. She wasn't entirely satisfied with Naruto's answer, but she suppressed her temper and spoke.

"Don't hide anything from me. If you think you can handle it, that's fine. But if you can't, don't force yourself to."

After saying this, Tsunade left without waiting for Naruto's reply, her high heels clicking crisply.

Suddenly, Naruto was the only one left in the large conference room. Thinking about Tsunade's words, he raised an eyebrow. This was a serious blunder; she was really getting emotional.

Fortunately, he didn't think too much about it and shamelessly continued doing what he was supposed to do.

He slapped the task application on the task acceptance screen and coughed before speaking.

"I want to get involved in this mission."

The head of the mission management department, a small old man, wore glasses as thick as the bottom of a beer bottle. He was so angry at Naruto's arrogant and domineering behavior that he almost had a stroke.

"This is a mission that starts tomorrow, it's against the rules," the old man said.

Naruto frowned, staring at the little old man dressed like Dubai Royal Family, and said with some dissatisfaction.

"Rules are made by people, so can't they be changed?"

"It can't be changed."

"Um?"

"No, I mean this rule was set by the Fifth Hokage." The old man had clearly attended the meeting earlier and was visibly apprehensive.

The Jinchuriki before them was no ordinary Jinchuriki; he could still use his power even without Tailed Beast, making him an existence that could not be directly beholden to.

It's not the high-ranking officials with mere power who are frightening; what's truly terrifying are those powerful individuals who stand at the top. Like the four pillars of Konohagakure, they look down upon everything.

Naruto now practically halfway into the ranks of the top four, but only halfway. His strength is there, but his reputation isn't. Unless he saves the whole world, becoming Hokage is out of the question.

Fortunately, his ambition was not to become Hokage, but only to enjoy flowers and play with legs.

To put it simply, his very existence is a tragedy; he is merely a symbol of justice. He is burdened with admirable qualities, but he is ultimately not the real Naruto, and these kind qualities weigh heavily on his heart, causing him immense resentment.

Tsunade wanted him to face the world positively. She wanted to bring him to a bustling, vibrant place, draw more people in, and connect him with Naruto.

The higher-ups wanted him to be devoid of independent thought, completely loyal to the village, sweep through all the major ninja villages, and become a formidable human weapon.

But what he envisioned was sweeping away the girls from all the major ninja villages and intimidating the married women of the Shinobi World. His ideals began to veer off course from there, making it impossible for Naruto to align with the higher-ups' philosophies.

Although it was just a joke, he genuinely had no intention of choosing a specific lifestyle. The path he took was almost entirely unexpected by everyone, even Tsunade.

He has his own way of living. If there's a hurdle he can't overcome, then he'll just add some more points to his Dark Blue skill!

"The Fifth Hokage established a rule that missions cannot be changed suddenly. If adjustments are absolutely necessary, they must be reviewed by her personally," the old man added somewhat guiltily.

"Wait here." Naruto said, grabbed the mission application form, and went to follow the proper procedures.