Young Master, Please Become Hokage

To be fair, Ino Yamanaka was quite skilled at pacifying children.

She embellished what she had personally witnessed, weaving it into a passionate story to tell Crimson Lotus.

Crimson Lotus was just a kind and simple child; what could she possibly understand?

She was instantly captivated and bewildered by the evil older sister's tale.

By the time she finished listening to the story of "Young Master Akira Sarutobi shining with justice and angrily beating the evil Twelve Guardian Shinobi female ninja"… she walked over and immediately knelt before Akira Sarutobi.

"Your kindness is too great to repay… I can only serve you like an ox or horse… no, by serving my Young Master can I repay this debt of vengeance…"

Ino Yamanaka sighed, a look of relief on her face as she spoke.

Akira Sarutobi shot Ino Yamanaka a glare, then looked at Crimson Lotus, "You know Fire Style, what else?"

"?"

Crimson Lotus looked up, somewhat bewildered.

Besides Fire Style… nothing else.

"..."

Akira Sarutobi fell silent.

Just as the atmosphere became incredibly awkward… Akira Sarutobi spoke again.

"My goal… is to become Hokage, to change Konoha, to change this Shinobi World… simply put…"

Akira Sarutobi's gaze was intense, revealing an unimaginable brilliance.

"I want to make this world a better place, so tragedies like your parents being killed by villains no longer happen… will you help me achieve that future?"

"Lord… I will!" Crimson Lotus nodded firmly, willing to strive for that beautiful future.

Sometimes, overly flowery words are unnecessary; one only needs to treat others with sincerity and clearly state their thoughts and goals.

Akira Sarutobi: "Very good… starting today, you are my companion."

After Ino Yamanaka sent someone to give Crimson Lotus a bath, a meal, and new clothes, she returned to the main hall.

"Young Master, aren't you going to let her join Konoha?"

"..."

Akira Sarutobi shook his head, not planning to let Crimson Lotus enter the village for now.

Later, when the time is right, he would arrange a Konoha Ninja identity for her, but not now.

"Konoha is a place that devours people without spitting out bones… if a child like her goes in, there won't even be scraps left…"

Even a powerful individual like Kagami Uchiha was schemed against by Konoha High Command, let alone an outsider child?

Crimson Lotus, not being a native, would most likely be recruited by Danzō into Root like Kabuto, and then head down a dark path.

Therefore…

"Let her grow here."

The local yakuza could serve as a base and a place of refuge, allowing Crimson Lotus to grow slowly.

During this time, if he had free time, he would also periodically guide her training.

"Alright, I'm going to take a bath and rest…"

Akira Sarutobi stood up, his mind on Crimson Lotus's abilities.

"She only knows Fire Style now…"

Crimson Lotus, in the original story, possessed the "Crystal Style" Kekkei Genkai.

Crystal Style is a fusion of Fire Style and Earth Style.

"I'm looking forward to it…"

Akira Sarutobi thought.

He eagerly anticipated the day Crimson Lotus grew up and fused to create Crystal Style.

Her talent wasn't just being one of Orochimaru's chosen vessels for reincarnation.

Being able to manually fuse Crystal Style… that was her greatest value.

During this period, Crimson Lotus could grow gradually and slowly help him manage the transportation company here, and eventually… become his representative, or even, ostensibly… the boss of this transportation company.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Planting the Seed of Hope for Ruri Hyuga

In the evening, Ruri returned.

She didn't seem to have bought anything, likely just spending some time outside, perhaps just enjoying the sea breeze.

Who?

As she entered the room, she saw Crimson Lotus sitting cross-legged on a chair, diligently refining Chakra.

The unfamiliar face made Ruri blink.

"Ruri, let me introduce you..."

Ino Yamanaka walked over with a dish, starting to explain the situation.

"Lady Ruri..." Crimson Lotus greeted timidly, but the latter remained silent.

"Crimson Lotus, don't mind her. Ruri's just like this. Her past is even more tragic than yours..." Ino Yamanaka waved her hand.

Ruri: "..."

Soon, Akira Sarutobi walked out from the adjacent bedroom.

After a good rest, Akira Sarutobi was once again full of vigor. "Ruri, you're here... Thank you for your hard work these past few days."

"..."

Ruri Hyuga nodded slightly. Crimson Lotus was very curious about the expressionless girl.

"Dinner's ready~~~."

As Ino Yamanaka brought out the last dish, the gathering officially began.

At the dinner table.

Akira Sarutobi instructed Crimson Lotus on her future arrangements.

These matters were also recorded on a scroll to prevent her from forgetting.

The first ninjutsu Akira Sarutobi taught her was the B-Rank Shadow Clone.

Crimson Lotus was indeed young and didn't have much chakra, but it was still possible for her to create a Shadow Clone at her age.

One Shadow Clone could double one's life efficiency; it was the most powerful cultivation cheat.

The key was... ordinary ninja could adapt to it; it didn't require a special bloodline.

The only requirement was B-Rank learning aptitude.

This was because Shadow Clone was a B-Rank ninjutsu.

Given Crimson Lotus's talent in the original work, which allowed her to fuse "Crystal Style," learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which required only one hand seal, wouldn't be difficult.

"Sir, please don't worry, I will work hard to complete every requirement."

Looking at Crimson Lotus's earnest young face, Akira Sarutobi felt comforted.

In the original work.

Crimson Lotus was captured by Orochimaru, aided and abetted evil, and became a true tool.

But she was inherently a kind person.

Now, he had given her the right belonging and the right environment.

Her life had been completely changed from this moment on.

"..."

His gaze shifted, and Akira Sarutobi looked at Ruri, who was silently standing nearby.

The gloomy, expressionless girl seemed unchanged from the past.

[Inject Will of Fire into Ruri Hyuga]

[Current Progress: 1%]

Ultimately... something had changed.

Akira Sarutobi's eyes lit up.

Perhaps... it was because of his series of actions here, even unintentionally avenging Crimson Lotus and settling her.

That's why a slight change had quietly occurred in Ruri Hyuga's heart.

Even if it was only [1%], Akira Sarutobi believed that one day, she would be able to smile and ultimately change her fate.

There were too many injustices in this world.

So what?

One step at a time, he would eventually... spread the true Will of Fire throughout the entire Shinobi World!

Late at night at the dock, lights flickered, and waves crashed.

The ship's hold was filled with cargo.

Of course, the boxes were just boxes; they contained no real goods.

Akira Sarutobi had no intention of actually trading with Kirigakure in the first place.

"Young Master Ryo, that's the situation..."

Nonō stood at the bow of the ship, adjusted her glasses, and explained the situation to Akira Sarutobi.

There were no signs of Kirigakure ninja activity in the Land of Waves currently, so they shouldn't know about the changes in the port town.

The hunting operation... could proceed.

"Lord Danzō said... this will be Young Master Ryo's first mission after joining the Anbu..."

Nonō said seriously.

This meant Akira Sarutobi had officially become a member of the Anbu.

"Very good... then let's depart."

Soon, the female ninja of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi emerged from the ship's cabin.

She raised her head, gazing at everyone with an arrogant demeanor.

The familiar face caused the Root ninja to tense up involuntarily.

Until "she" suddenly let out a laugh: "How was it, Young Master, was my imitation good enough..."

The former enemy was now controlled by Ino Yamanaka, who had used the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique, Mind Transfer Jutsu, to transfer her consciousness into this body. This allowed her to perfectly mimic anyone, making it impossible for anyone to spot a flaw.

Hearing this laughter, everyone finally relaxed.

Nonō's eyes flickered, and she couldn't help but marvel at how convenient the Yamanaka Clan's mental secret techniques were.

With just one jutsu, she could complete espionage work that others couldn't.

As expected of... Mr. Inoichi's cousin.

"Then... let's move!"

Akira Sarutobi waved his hand, and the sailors immediately hoisted the sails, setting course out to sea.

The stars filled the sky, and the waves swayed.