Young Master, Please Become Hokage

Akira Sarutobi's expression was cold, his tone resolute.

A soul-stirring aura rose from Akira Sarutobi.

It was the decisiveness of someone who meant what they said.

As long as he wasn't dead, he would definitely do what he said!

Ringo Ameyuri froze for a second, moved by Akira Sarutobi's determination: "This kid... he's serious... he really means what he says..."

Just then, a series of light footsteps sounded nearby.

"Huh?! Retreat!"

Ringo Ameyuri kicked Shirakumo Hayama away.

He immediately rolled towards them.

Ino Yamanaka quickly went to catch him, but "coincidentally" missed by a hair's breadth, making Shirakumo Hayama fall flat on his face.

Ino Yamanaka: "Oh dear~! My arm is injured... I forgot..."

Shirakumo Hayama: "Ugh..."

With the arrival of reinforcements led by Utatane Koharu, the Mist Ninja quickly retreated.

"Heh heh..."

Just before leaping into the jungle, Ringo Ameyuri turned around, meeting Akira Sarutobi's gaze, leaving an image etched into his eyes.

The gifted girl from the Mist Village smiled: "Akira Sarutobi... I'll remember you!"

Akira Sarutobi also stared at Ringo Ameyuri.

At that moment, the System notification popped up...

[Will of Fire System!]

[New... "Will of Fire Weapon": Ringo Ameyuri!]

[Side Quest Objective: Infuse Ringo Ameyuri with the Will of Fire!]

[Side Quest Reward: Possibility of learning "Ice Release: Bloodline Limit"...]

Akira Sarutobi: "Ice Release?!"

Chapter 14: Let's Take Him Home

Looking at the System's prompt before him, Akira Sarutobi fell into thought.

"Although Ringo Ameyuri is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and proficient in at least two Chakra natures, she shouldn't have any connection to the Ice Release Bloodline Limit..."

In the Shinobi World, ninjutsu, besides Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Yin, and Yang, also had something called Bloodline Limits.

Bloodline Limits were further divided into two types.

One was like the Hyuga and Uchiha clans' mutated organs... Byakugan, Sharingan, and the like.

The other was obtained through the fusion of elemental affinities, such as "Wind + Fire = Scorch Release," "Wind + Earth = Magnet Release," and so on.

As for Ice Release...

It was a fusion of Wind and Water natures.

Logically, it should be the exclusive Bloodline Limit of the Snow Clan of the Mist Village.

There were also ninjas in the distant Land of Snow who could use Ice Release, but that was due to the climate and not considered true Ice Release.

"Interesting..."

Pulling his thoughts back, Akira Sarutobi heard Utatane Koharu's shout.

"Quick, chase her! Capture her!"

Ringo Ameyuri's previous lightning strike was indeed magnificent and swift, but it had a significant flaw.

Once activated, the sound and sight of thunder on flat ground could be heard and seen for miles.

Under the bright midday sun, using a technique that defied normal weather patterns naturally alerted Utatane Koharu and the others.

Anyone with a bit of common sense could recognize it as an attack unleashed by the Lightning Blade, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

It was a signature move, too conspicuous to ignore.

If they could use this mission to cripple one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, it would be a huge gain no matter what.

Utatane Koharu was the most hot-tempered among the four high-ranking ninja.

Just as in the original story, when Itachi reported the Uchiha's revolutionary plans, Utatane Koharu was the first to clamor for the annihilation of the Uchiha. Therefore, leading people to pursue was normal and reasonable.

However, since Ringo Ameyuri was a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and her movement speed ranked second, only surpassed by the user of another blade, the "Longsword: Nuibari," ordinary pursuit teams would naturally be unable to catch up to her.

A rumbling explosion echoed through the dense forest.

Immediately after, widespread thunder startled all the birds in the woods.

The pursuit team was forced to retreat, or... be directly hit and killed on the spot.

After a chaotic scramble, Ringo Ameyuri covered her comrade and departed gracefully.

The Mist ninja were naturally adept swimmers, making diving and breathing underwater as simple as breathing air.

Surrounded by the sea on all sides and with numerous inland lakes and rivers, once they submerged, they became impossible to find.

Utatane Koharu was quite exasperated.

Watching them escape right before her eyes, and it was a junior several times younger than her, she was indeed furious.

"How is Shirakumo Hayama?"

Akira Sarutobi returned and began to assess Shirakumo Hayama's condition.

After being threatened by him, that woman ultimately chose to kick Shirakumo Hayama away rather than kill him.

Of course, Akira Sarutobi didn't believe that someone who achieved fame at such a young age would be intimidated by him.

Everything... was merely a matter of weighing pros and cons.

This was also the norm for most ninja in this world.

"He's not in critical condition, just minor injuries... they just look scarier than they are..."

Ino Yamanaka quickly examined Shirakumo Hayama's injuries.

Although there were no serious issues, this assessment would likely mark the end of his participation here.

But it didn't matter; Shirakumo Hayama already possessed Jonin-level potential, and this assessment was merely a symbolic formality.

The true intention wasn't the assessment itself; Konoha High Command's real goal was to reclaim the Ruins of the Land of Whirlpools, putting on a good show for the citizens.

"Lady Koharu."

Akira Sarutobi walked over and began reporting the situation.

A short while later, eight bodies were dragged out from underground.

Shirakumo Hayama, Ruri Hyuga, and Ino Yamanaka each killed one.

The remaining five were all killed by Akira Sarutobi alone.

Witnessing the scene of mangled bodies and broken bones, everyone present marveled.

"To inflict such damage with pure Taijutsu... it truly is... only Young Master Ryo, from the Sarutobi Clan."

"As expected of the Lord Hokage's eldest son, a true son of a proud father..."

Praise and flattery filled the air.

Akira Sarutobi felt as if he were basking in a spring breeze, his expression neither joyful nor sad.

"Neither arrogant nor impatient, very good..." Utatane Koharu observed Akira Sarutobi's reaction, truly satisfied in her heart.

And just then.

Minato Namikaze, hearing the commotion, arrived with Kushina and the others.

After understanding the situation, Minato Namikaze also reported his own achievements.

Instant kill... eight people.

Two Mist ninja squads were dealt with in an instant.

"It was just a moment! I only saw a blur!"

"Golden light flashed repeatedly! The battle was over before I knew it!"

Two accompanying teammates described the situation with exaggerated expressions.

The moniker "Golden Flash" once again gained renown, and gasps of astonishment erupted from the crowd.

Watching everyone's shocked expressions and Minato Namikaze's gentle smile, Ino Yamanaka's eyes began to dart around.

Then, she stepped forward, cleared her throat, and said, "Lady Koharu, my Young Master also found the traps set by Senior Kukui Mokume and recovered the remains of Senior Dan Katō..."

"!"

Standing beside Utatane Koharu, a burly ninja with his hands behind his back, silent with narrow eyes, immediately widened his eyes upon hearing this.

And he was Utatane Koharu's most loyal subordinate, a senior who had acted alongside Tsunade and Dan Katō.

In fact, Utatane Koharu had come here with that very intention.

"You've done well..."

Kukui Mokume spoke, his voice deep and his will firm.

Tempered through countless trials, he had finally achieved valor.

As Kukui Mokume recounted the events, those present, whether they knew the details or not, learned the tragic secret of Dan Katō's death.

Of course, Kukui Mokume did not mention Tsunade's hemophobia and subsequent departure; that was classified.

"Princess Tsunade's lover..."

"Senior Kukui Mokume, one of the Sannin, set up a barrier trap..."

The crowd began to buzz with discussion.

Compared to breaking the barrier left by Kukui Mokume, the merit of retrieving Dan Katō's remains made Minato Namikaze's instant kill of eight people seem less significant.

"Lady Koharu."

Akira Sarutobi took out a scroll from his arms and solemnly handed it over.

"Senior Dan Katō's remains are within. Let us take him home..."

The sea breeze of the Land of Whirlpools brushed past the scene, and a sense of melancholy spread through the crowd.

Everyone present was a ninja who had experienced the Second Shinobi World War.

The great war had just ended, and much of the sorrow had not yet had time to dissipate.

Seeing the scene, everyone's expressions gradually became serious.

They all gazed at Akira Sarutobi, awaiting Utatane Koharu's response.

"..."

Utatane Koharu's expression was blank, but her thoughts churned within her mind.

Beside her, Minato Namikaze's smile slowly disappeared as he looked thoughtfully at Akira Sarutobi.

"Mm."

Finally, Utatane Koharu accepted the scroll and quickly put it away.

Chapter 15: A Heavy Blow, Correcting Childhood Sweethearts

Over the next week, the group patrolled the Land of Whirlpools.

After confirming that there were no traces of Kirigakure ninja left, they chose to return to the village.

During this interval, several Anbu squads came to take over the area, preparing for the final search.