Deciding Where to Stay

Chapter 16: Deciding Whether to Stay [Requesting Recommendation Tickets]

Shikashin.

His full name is Shikashin Nara, the current head of the Nara Clan, as well as a Hokage advisor and an elite Jonin of Konoha!

The people behind him were his son, Shikaku Nara, and the sons of two friends: Choza Akimichi of the Akimichi Clan and Inoichi Yamanaka of the Yamanaka Clan!

The three had just graduated early from the Ninja Academy and started their missions as Konoha Genin.

Shikashin Nara, having just retreated from the Land of Rain as a strategist, had some free time to guide these three youngsters on missions that might be relatively dangerous for them, to gain experience.

Coincidentally, at this moment, a merchant caravan from the Land of Fire sent a letter.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Shikashin Nara and the three young clan members to carry out this mission.

He originally thought it wouldn't be a difficult mission, and indeed it wasn't dangerous.

After all, Kumogakure and Konoha were still good allies at this time.

Who would have known...

"When it comes to your work, Shikashin, I have absolutely no worries. It's just this... this little fellow..."

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi found it hard to articulate.

Hearing this, Shikashin Nara could only offer a helpless smile. With his status and wisdom, he naturally understood what this situation represented.

If things went poorly, the Third Shinobi World War could begin immediately after the Second Shinobi World War had just ended!

Thump--

The middle-aged man, who had been sitting silently by the side, waiting, propped himself up with his cane and stood.

He looked to be around the same age as Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, on his chin, there was a "cross" shaped scar.

Shimura Danzo!

One of the three advisors to the Hokage of Konohagakure, and also the leader of Konoha's Root. He was Hiruzen Sarutobi's best friend since childhood and also his greatest rival.

"Hiruzen, this child, what do you plan to do with him?!" Danzo's voice sounded somewhat low, but his spirit was strong.

Looking at the man who spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened.

It was precisely because of his friend that this matter had become even more complicated!

"What are your thoughts?" He subconsciously picked up the pipe on the table and took a deep puff.

He was not surprised when Hiruzen Sarutobi threw the question back at him.

Because, in his heart, he had already made a decision!

"His identity and origins are absolutely clean and without issue! Everyone on whom I've placed the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal has been investigated by Root!

So, hand him over to me! To Root!

I will return to you a Jinchūriki that you can completely control, a supreme weapon that can sweep across the entire battlefield!" Danzo said without hesitation, his voice grave.

His eyes, fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi, were filled with confidence.

This was a Jinchūriki who, after donning a Tailed Beast Cloak and unleashing a super-powerful attack, could still self-release the Tailed Beast transformation!

This was something that not even Konoha's former Jinchūriki, the wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, Mito Uzumaki, could necessarily do!

Of course, Mito Uzumaki wouldn't need to do so, as her Sealing Jutsu was formidable, and she herself was a Strong Person.

But this little fellow was an ordinary person with no Chakra at all!

What did that signify?

It signified that this child, who possessed the Two-Tails, had the potential to become a true weapon of war capable of controlling Tailed Beasts!

The reason Hiruzen Sarutobi was so conflicted was that they both coveted this aspect of the child!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't say it explicitly, Shimura Danzo, as an old friend, knew very well what he was thinking.

Since you have reservations, then let me handle this matter!

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

Indeed, the child's identity and origins were absolutely fine. Root had even investigated who his parents were.

The files of every spy abroad were recorded in Root's archives.

Honestly, he was also tempted, but this couldn't sway his judgment.

He slowly shook his head.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi silently reject his proposal, Danzo's eyes widened, "Then what are your thoughts?"

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, the other two advisors sitting nearby couldn't hold back.

"Now is not the time to discuss which department this child should belong to. What needs to be discussed now is whether we should keep him at all!

You all know Konoha's current situation. The battles in the Land of Rain have consumed too many of our resources, and countless comrades have fallen on the battlefield.

At this time, if Kumogakure, our ally, were to know that their Two-Tails is in our hands, what might happen? Hiruzen, you know very well, don't you?"

The speaker was the middle-aged man wearing glasses, Mitokado Homura!

"That's right, Hiruzen! We really can't start another war right now!

As our allies, Kumogakure must stand with us!" The last advisor, Utatane Koharu, also spoke.

Thump--

"Hmph, stop joking. Do you really think we have allies we can count on 100%?

During the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Lightning used us tying down the main forces of the Iwa Ninja in the Land of Rain as an opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Land of Earth!

They were just using us!

Besides, the Land of Lightning didn't win that war easily. They must be severely weakened now and have plenty of their own problems to deal with, so they definitely won't have time to bother with us!

Otherwise, they wouldn't dare to track a Jinchūriki with just a squad of Anbu Ninja!

I believe that even if they really know the Two-Tails is in our hands, they won't dare to attack us in a short period!

Besides, they might not even know!

As for after some time...

Heh heh!!

So I think this is worth a gamble!"

Would Konoha still cower before Kumogakure in some time?

Shimura Danzō's opinion was clearly opposed to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

It was now two against one, and the initiative returned to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Although he, the Hokage, would ultimately make the decision, he still had to give face to his advisors!

"Chomp—chomp—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't speak immediately, continuing to puff on his pipe.

After a brief silence, he stood up from his seat.

"Let's go, let's go see this little guy first.

Since he was able to suppress the rampaging Tailed Beast, he must have something special about him! We can see what kind of person he is."

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi say this, no one objected.

"Shikashin, you come too, but take these three kids back first," Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Shikashin Nara.

"Understood!"

With Shikashin Nara's intelligence, he naturally understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaning. Sending the three kids back was minor; the most important thing was to ensure they didn't leak any information.

However, these three children were from prominent Konoha clans, and they were all sons of their clan leaders. Furthermore, these three clans were staunch supporters of the Hokage faction, so he believed they would have no problem keeping a secret.

Although these three had only recently graduated, children from prominent families were destined to be sensible.

Led by Shikashin Nara, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and his three advisors, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu, arrived at Konoha's special medical building.

The security here was extremely tight; usually, only individuals of extreme importance to the village could receive treatment here.

Toneri was currently here.

The entire medical building, inside and out, was filled with Anbu Ninja!

Some were in plain sight, while others were hidden.

"Is this the child?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Toneri, who was lying on the bed with a frown.

Especially on his stomach, there was a special symbol, the sealing jutsu used to seal the Two-Tails!

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had some understanding of this sealing jutsu.

As if recalling some unpleasant memories, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was not very good.

"Is this little guy seriously injured? Is he still unconscious?" Shimura Danzō asked the medical ninja in charge nearby.

"Third Hokage-sama! Three advisors!" The medical ninja first called out respectfully, then continued, "This child is not unconscious due to injury. Although he looked very miserable when he was first brought in, with wounds all over his body and cracked skin.

But...

But his body's self-recovery ability is terrifying. His body has no problems now.

The only reason he remains asleep is that his consciousness fluctuations are weak, but he could wake up at any moment."

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others understood.

Their gazes focused on Toneri's abdomen.

I find Shimura Danzō's darkness to be undisputed, while Hiruzen Sarutobi's darkness is still somewhat controversial, mainly because the original author, Kishimoto, is just a manga artist and doesn't understand Naruto at all! (Manual wink)

Let me just say, Asuma's disciples are Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Kurenai's disciples are Yuuhi, Hyuga. You guys figure it out, you really figure it out.

Finally, it's time for the usual request for recommendation tickets. I'm begging! Press 1 if you want me to be adorable, press 2 if you want me to warm your bed. You can only press after submitting a recommendation ticket!