"Haha, we're eating, so stop saying such lewd things."
Come on, Ah Hong, right? Have a pork chop.
And you, Asuma, is there any mission you'd like to do lately?
"Since your Pops is quite sensible, I'll give you some preferential treatment."
Gawain chuckled and placed a pork chop on Hong's plate. Asuma, who had thought he had won just a second ago, was now incredibly embarrassed and annoyed.
As for the Kurenai Yuhi.
She couldn't help but take a breath, then her cheeks flushed. The slave turned her head away from the pork chop and instead slightly tucked her long hair behind her ear.
Upon seeing Gawain's actions from afar, Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno both screamed.
Then, the two of them simultaneously picked up a pork chop.
"Come on, Sasuke, have some pork cutlet!"
"Here you go, Sakura Haruno, have a pork chop!"
Not to be outdone, Naruto also put a piece on Sakura Haruno's plate.
Seeing the children's actions, Kakashi Hatake couldn't help but narrow his eyes. Before he knew it, his mask was already on his mouth.
As for noodles...
Well, roughly the time it took Gawain to walk into the ramen shop and talk to Asuma, Kakashi Hatake had already finished the noodles in front of him.
He really didn't want the children to see his face...
At the same time, Asuma angrily picked up a mouthful of noodles with his chopsticks.
"You're going too far! Why should I let you take care of me? How come my dad doesn't know what's good for him anymore!"
I never imagined that the new Hokage's assistant would be someone like you. This is truly... the world is going to the dogs!
Why would the old man choose you? What special skills do you have? Is it just your shamelessness?
Damn it, I can't take it anymore!
At this point, Asuma stood up.
It's one thing for you to look down on my dad, but you actually dared to serve Hong food right in front of me!
I can't take it anymore! I can't take it anymore!
Asuma gently tapped the table.
"How about we take a stroll around the training grounds? Let me see what the Hokage's support skills are like!"
"Ah, he's panicking, he's panicking~."
Seeing Asuma getting increasingly excited, Gawain chuckled and took a bite of noodles.
Gawain wasn't particularly fond of the taste of Japanese ramen, but he was certainly skilled at Teuchi, so this one tasted pretty good.
After slurping a mouthful, Gawain put down his chopsticks and raised his right hand instead.
"There will be plenty of opportunities to have a fight later. Let's just have a simple chat today."
Don't be aggressive, although even if you were, I wouldn't bother arguing with you.
In short, the so-called Hokage's assistant is nothing precious to me, and even the Hokage position itself is not necessarily that valuable.
However, I will accept the position of the next Hokage regardless.
It's not that I want to become Hokage, it's just that the position makes it easier for me to do things.
As for whether I'm good enough or not, that's not something you can decide, so just focus on eating.
After telling the most important elite Jonin of Konoha Village that he would accept the Hokage position, Gawain silently ate his noodles while Kurenai Yuhi looked on in shock.
At the table nearby, Shikamaru Nara rubbed his forehead in frustration after hearing Gawain's words.
The next Hokage seems quite arrogant; with that kind of personality, being his secretary would probably be exhausting.
But there's nothing they can do, no matter how tired they are. That's what the Nara Clan does. If they can't become the next Hokage's secretary, the Nara Clan, and even the Ino–Shika–Chō, will decline along with them.
So, how do we deal with such a powerful next Hokage?
It seems the Nara Clan, along with the Yamanaka Clan and Akimichi Clan, will have to lie low and continue their work as their Pops had suggested, treating the First and Second Hokage the same way.
Looking at it this way, Pops really saw things clearly; he truly is my Pops.
Even before he could fully investigate the situation, his Pops had already planned out hundreds of moves for the family.
Aside from Shikamaru Nara, the other children weren't thinking about anything so profound.
Ino Yamanaka opened her mouth in surprise, while Choji Akimichi loosened his grip on his chopsticks in shock.
Is he going to become Hokage?
After the Third Hokage served as Hokage for so long, is the village finally going to have a Fifth Hokage?
Wait, the fourth generation...
Anyway, there's going to be a new Naruto!
Is this the person standing in front of me?
Putting aside their shock, Naruto Sasuke, and Sakura Haruno weren't particularly surprised by Gawain's words.
For the past two days, the Hokage and his assistants have all been working in Gawain's courtyard, and even Master Gawain is completely subservient to him.
Therefore, the three of them had become accustomed to Gawain becoming the next Hokage.
As for Asuma...
Suddenly, Kakashi Hatake raised his hand and grabbed Asuma's wrist.
Kakashi Hatake forcefully pulled Asuma was gradually becoming enraged, to sit on a stool. He glanced at Gawain and then spoke earnestly to Asuma.
"Asuma, calm down."
The person in front of you is someone who defeated me and the Third Hokage in an instant!
Even with the combined efforts of the Third Generation Lord, we were defeated in an instant!
Most importantly, the Hokage's specialty in assisting Gawain was the First Hokage's Wood Release ninjutsu!
That's a Wood Release ninjutsu that Yamato compare to!!!
At this point, Kakashi Hatake looked at Gawain with a deep gaze and continued.
"Am I right, Gawain!"
"So, Wood Release does indeed have a different meaning in Konoha. You're right, Kakashi Hatake."
Gawain nodded, then picked up a mouthful of noodles with his chopsticks and continued speaking to Asuma.
"See? The Hokage position isn't something I pitifully pursued on my own."
Instead, it was a job that three pitifully begged me to take on, by three old men Hiruzen, Koharu, and En.
And although I haven't appeared in the Shinobi World in the past, my strength is much more real than my past experiences suggest, isn't it?
Don't worry, I'm not a tyrant, and I won't do anything like what happened in the Blood Mist.
I think that I will officially become Hokage in a few months at the earliest, and one to two years at the latest.
During this time, you can gradually get to know me. Apart from occasionally making some mischievous jokes about Miss Yuhi in front of you, there's nothing else about me that you should dislike.
"You're already despicable enough just for this one thing!"
Asuma replied dejectedly. He knew what kind of person Kakashi Hatake was; Kakashi Hatake wouldn't speak carelessly.
Therefore, I'm afraid I wouldn't last a single move against Gawain.
But where did these inexplicably powerful Wood Release users come from???
Does Tsunade have an illegitimate child?
Judging from this, Gawain looks to be only in his early twenties, which is quite possible!
In that instant, Asuma felt he had found the answer!
This must be Tsunade's illegitimate child!
It must be!
Asuma, seemingly holding back, fell silent.
After all, it was just a few words exchanged with a beautiful woman; nothing actually happened.
I'll endure it!
At this point, Asuma fell silent and instead ate frantically, his face filled with resentment.
Seeing his teacher in such a state in the distance, Shikamaru Nara helplessly covered his forehead.
Teacher, why are you arguing with the next Hokage over a woman?
Besides, she's not even your woman. Sister Hong never said she wanted to be with you, right?
So, women really are troublesome things.
Why...
With a sigh, the children around finished their food in small portions and, led by Gawain, went out to play again.
Konoha still has many places worth visiting, and Gawain even promised to take them to the movies that night. Koyuki Kazahana is super popular right now, and Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is a huge hit in every village's movie theater.
Most kids these days are shouting about the righteous rainbow chakra.
After Gawain leisurely left, Hong, whose face had been flushed red from Gawain's earlier antics, whispered to Asuma.
"Uh, well... Gawain doesn't seem too difficult to get along with."
Although he spoke bluntly, he hadn't done anything wrong.
But Gawain is very young. Does Hatake know more about Gawain? Could you tell me about him?
I'm really curious about this Wood Release master who descended from the sky and was chosen by the Third Hokage as the successor to the next Hokage as soon as he arrived in Konoha. It's simply amazing.
Could he be the illegitimate son of the first or second generation master?
Also, why do Naruto and Sasuke call him grandpa?
Surely Gawain isn't the son of Minato Namikaze's parents and the Uchiha clan?
Isn't Naruto's father Minato Namikaze- senpai?
The former clan chief Fugaku Uchiha, and...
"Stop talking."
Kakashi Hatake gave Kurenai a deep look and interrupted her.
"Let's not delve too deeply into Gawain's past. All we need to know is that he has become the best choice in the eyes of the three generations of adults!"
At least for now, he doesn't seem to have any intention of starting a war, and that's enough, isn't it...?
As for the future, let's talk about that later.
"How can we let this go so easily!"
Asuma, standing nearby, didn't quite agree with Kakashi Hatake's words.
Asuma couldn't help but speak up as soon as Kakashi Hatake finished speaking.
"That's the Hokage's position!"
Even though the old man has held the position for so long, the Hokage position should still be approached with utmost care!
Even if the old man is gone, Jiraiya Jiraiya-senpai and Tsunade- senpai!
Even if they don't do it, you're still here, Kakashi Hatake!
Why should you all make way for some random guy?!
Does knowing someone's background necessarily mean they're a good fit?
Or, does something being inexplicable necessarily mean it's inappropriate?
Before the first and second generations of adults established the village, who decided whether they were suitable for the position?
Or, to put it another way, was Madara Uchiha really unsuitable to be the Hokage?
Faced with Asuma Sarutobi's questioning, Kakashi Hatake continued coldly.
"Whether he is suitable or not will be determined by his behavior after he takes that position."
Whether Jiraiya- senpai, Tsunade- senpai, or even me.
Why do you say we're a good match?
At this point, Kakashi Hatake stood up, intending to insist on paying the bill.
But after asking Teuchi, he learned that their bill had already been charged to the Hokage's office...
Therefore, after settling the bill, Kakashi Hatake returned to their table.
After packing his things, Kakashi Hatake spoke one last time to Kurenai and Asuma, who were lost in thought.
"You have never witnessed Gawain's strength firsthand, so you will never have the understanding I have now."
You all don't understand, none of what I said before was the most important thing!
I understand the decision of the three generations of adults, and even believe that it is the best decision he could make at the moment.
Because, if we don't tie Gawain to Konoha's war machine...
So even if Gawain creates his own ninja village, that village will replace the position of Konoha Village in the entire Shinobi World that has existed for the past sixty years!
Gawain is not Hanzo, who is known as Hanzō of the Shinobi World. His strength far surpasses that of Hanzō, and I even think that only the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha have a chance to defeat him!
Whether the village is powerful or not...
Whether a village is powerful or not has never been determined by elite Jonin like us.
Ultimately, the only one who can truly determine the status of a village is the strongest person!
From this perspective...
Gawain is indeed the most suitable candidate!
After saying that, Kakashi Hatake left Ichiraku Ramen in silence, leaving Asuma and Kurenai staring at each other in bewilderment.
After a long silence, Asuma frowned.
"Is it really that powerful? It sounds like the legendary Sage of Six Paths has been reborn!"
If he's that strong, why have I never heard of him before?
Could it be that Kakashi Hatake and the old man were both scammed...?
"Asuma!"
Suddenly, Red couldn't help but interrupt Asuma, and said to Asuma seriously.
"We all know what kind of person Kakashi Hatake is, and I, at least, will definitely believe him."
Therefore, I support his decision. Moreover, I have even more faith in the Third Hokage, who led us to final victory in the Third Shinobi World War and ensured the village's continued growth!
In short, we are ninjas, and a ninja's responsibility is to complete our respective missions!
I'm planning to take my team of kids to training. It sounds like Gawain Master Gawain will also be taking Kakashi Hatake and your class to train together.
"It seems we can go together. I'll go back and find Hinata Hyuga, Kiba, and Shino Aburame now."
As soon as she finished speaking, Hong gently combed her long hair and then leisurely left Ichiraku Ramen.
Asuma was left alone in the ramen shop, remaining silent for a long time.
Why is the world changing so fast?
How come everything changed so much after just a few days away from the village?
Just as Asuma was racking his brains, some unusual sounds suddenly came from the village streets.
Attracted by the sound, Asuma left Ichiraku Ramen and headed towards its source.
From afar, Asuma was stunned; he had actually seen someone his partner would never have expected!
No one knows when, Jiraiya- sama actually ended his life wandering the Shinobi World and returned to Konoha Village for the first time ever!
What Asuma saw at that moment was Jiraiya, with a deep expression and two small old toads on his shoulders, confronting Jiraiya, who was Gawain a group of children.
Meanwhile, at the standoff location.
Looking at the exceptionally young, handsome, and charismatic Gawain before him, Jiraiya took a deep breath.
Then, Jiraiya turned his head and said to the toad on his shoulder.
"The Fukasaku, the Shima, is this... is this the legendary emperor from the ancient times that the Great Toad Sage specifically mentioned... who came from the legendary era to the present?"
He... he's still so young!