Yet at this moment, he could not feel even the slightest bit of happiness.
There was only three-tenths reluctance, and seven-tenths jealousy.
He was jealous of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He could die in battle under the name of Hokage, protecting the village.
"I propose that Jiraiya become the Fifth Generation."
Mitokado Homura spoke up, changing the subject.
He dispelled the sorrowful atmosphere in the meeting room.
"Jiraiya won't do."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "He won't agree to a request like that.
"However, Tsunade should have no problem with it.
"I propose that we find Tsunade."
"Tsunade..."
The three of them fell silent.
Danzo actually wanted to argue and then take the position for himself.
But at that moment, he suddenly felt that he could not bring himself to say it.
So he could only sigh.
He slowly said, "Tsunade can do it.
"But how do we find her?
"How do we persuade her?"
The four of them fell silent at the same time.
Ever since that incident, Tsunade had left Konoha.
Her whereabouts had been unknown ever since.
Finding her would be very difficult.
"You can use an indirect approach."
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly spoke. "Have Jiraiya become Hokage first.
"Use his status as one of the remaining Three Ninja as the reason. Only he can win everyone's support.
"At the same time, the Daimyo has agreed.
"He will definitely refuse, and then suggest that Tsunade take the position.
"That way, we can find Tsunade."
"You really are full of schemes."
Danzo curled his lips and muttered.
"I'll leave these matters to you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and walked to the window.
Watching the Hokage Rock in the distance, he said helplessly, "I don't have much time left.
"During this period, I'm going to spend some time with my family.7
"And take a look at the village."1
"Alright."2
The three of them nodded together.5
Then they slowly stood up and prepared to handle the matters at hand.7
"Danzo, don't forget what you promised me."6
"Hmph~"3
Danzo snorted coldly, then said nothing and left directly.6
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not mind.8
He simply stood there quietly, gazing at the scenery outside the window.
His eyes were slightly narrowed, a pipe between his lips.
Facing the sunlight, he wore a faint smile.
"Wherever leaves dance, fire will burn.
"The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout."
The news that Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had been seriously wounded, exhausted his life force, and was about to die quickly spread by word of mouth.
It soon spread throughout the entire village.
For a time, an atmosphere of sorrow filled every corner of the village.
However.
Bai Hao's Bookstore was exceptionally lively.
Ever since Hinata Hyuga had displayed her overwhelming power.
Bai Hao had become famous as well.
Everyone was intensely curious.
They wanted to know exactly how Bai Hao had made Hinata so powerful and given her an amount of Chakra far beyond that of ordinary people.
Thus.
Many people came to the bookstore under the pretense of buying books.
They probed for information in various ways.
For example:
Kakashi: "Yo! Bai Hao, do you have a collector's edition of Make-Out Paradise?"
Bai Hao: "No."
Kakashi: "What a shame~
"I originally wanted to buy a collectible edition~
"I've looked through so many bookstores and couldn't find one.
"Now I've lost my motivation to train.
"I wonder when my Chakra reserves will improve..."
Bai Hao: "Oh."
Kakashi: "..."
For example:
Jiraiya: "Hahaha~ Kid, do you have Make-Out Paradise here?"
Bai Hao: "No."
Jiraiya: "How can a book this good not be stocked here?"
Bai Hao: "I don't stock 18+ novels."
Jiraiya: "Don't say that in front of the original author~
"Hahaha~
"Since you run a bookstore, you must have read plenty of books, right?
"Would you like to discuss them with me?
"I'm a famous author, you know!"
Bai Hao: "I'm not yet eighteen.
"The women's bathhouse is over there. Have a good day."
Jiraiya: "..."
For example:
One night, Kumogakure jonin Yumichika Saburo sneaked into Bai Hao's Bookstore.
"Hmph~
"Konoha is nothing special after all.
"They actually let such an important person live alone."
Yumichika Saburo sneered. "If this were in our Kumogakure, he would definitely be protected by layers of guards!
"But no matter.
"Bai Hao-kun, I've come to rescue you!"
With that.
He made his way toward Bai Hao's bedroom.
However, before he could take a few steps, he was completely vaporized and erased from existence.
Although Bai Hao's Bookstore was lively.
It did not have much impact on Bai Hao's life.
Every day, he lived like a salted fish.
From time to time, he would train Team 7 a little.
His days were quite leisurely and carefree.
After hearing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to die.
He was rather depressed for a while.
"The power of fate really is formidable~
"How many times have I pulled him back from the brink?
"And yet he still has to die.
"Sigh~
"Still.
"If I pull him back one more time, could I make a huge profit?"
Bai Hao fell into deep thought.
Izumi Uchiha and Karin were about to return.
Moreover, they were bringing back two new prospective members.
Together with Rin in his attic.
He now had five core subordinates.
Every one of them possessed Kage Level strength.
"It's time to make a big move."
Bai Hao decided to pull Hiruzen Sarutobi back from the brink.
Not only that.
Before you continue