At the end of February, as the weather warmed up, more and more caravans came to Konoha, and the number of commissioned tasks also began to increase gradually.
The Ninja Clans are all working hard to expand their businesses, and with the Third Hokage completely relinquishing power, Tsunade's workload is increasing.
Inside the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen was puffing on his pipe in his office when he noticed Tsunade glancing at him sideways. He had no choice but to put it down temporarily. "Balancing the internal interests of the village is the most important thing for the next few years."
"I support many aspects of that peace agreement. For Konoha, it's even more important to pay attention to the upward mobility of ordinary people."
"It's only a matter of time before the Kumogakure Village withdraws. You'll be succeeding as the Fourth Hokage in the second half of the year, so try to be less reckless when making decisions."
"You can keep Xiu by your side. Although he's only 13 years old, he already has the mindset of Hokage, which perfectly complements your personality."
Tsunade was about to retort as usual, but her heart skipped a beat when she heard the rest of the sentence. Realizing that her teacher was just giving a routine suggestion, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, " Old Man, isn't this a bit too early?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, oblivious to the odd tone in Tsunade's voice, chuckled and replied, pipe in hand, "Isn't Xiu handling more than half of the medical department's work?"
"I understand your patience, but the way you annotate many documents is clearly not your style."
"It's getting late. At 13, you're just the right age to be a squad leader in the Anbu. Keeping you around to handle documents and protect you is perfectly fine."
"To be able to easily kill the Mizukage is not something an ordinary ninja can do. Xiu's strength has probably completely surpassed yours."
The Tsunade of spending all her time with Shu Furukawa after taking over the position inexplicably reminded Tsunade of Shizune's expectations. A fleeting feeling of guilt crossed her mind, but she still lowered her head and agreed, "I'll do as you say this time, Sensei!"
"And don't underestimate me. My strength is completely different from before. Defeating the two I used to be can be no problem for me."
As she spoke, Tsunade clenched her fair fist, noticed her skin seemed to be glowing, and then fell silent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't take these words seriously. After all, Tsunade only looked younger, and a ninja's strength would stagnate after a certain age. "If we arrange it this way, no one in the Jonin Division will object."
"I've received numerous requests; many people want Xiu to continue leading the team. In some aspects, even Orochimaru can't compare to Xiu."
The ninjas who wanted to rack up some more credit at the end of the war were all hoping to go on an attack with Lord Xiu. If they didn't do it now, they would never have another chance!
Tsunade gave a casual reply, but the thought of working and living more closely with her disciple in just a few months filled her with complex emotions, "I must make this clear tonight."
After finishing her work for the day, Tsunade returned to the courtyard after dark. Seeing the light in the room, a sense of anticipation began to surge within her.
Enjoying the exquisite and delicious dinner, the corners of Tsunade's mouth rose as she heard the clone of Osamu Furukawa who was serving the food keep complaining.
"Well, Teacher Sarutobi suggested that I transfer you to my side after I take office."
"It's not Anbu work; it mainly helps me handle some routine tasks."
As Tsunade ate the tender chicken, she adopted a posture that suggested everything her teacher had suggested. Without hesitation, Shu Furukawa straightened up and solemnly replied, "I will do my best to help you, teacher."
Seeing her disciple's earnest expression, Tsunade put her troubling question out of her mind once again.
Instinctively sharing her work-related frustrations and receiving comfort and advice from her disciple, Tsunade's appetite returned, and she devoured all the food before exclaiming contentedly, "This kind of life is wonderful!"
Late at night, after completing her daily Strength of a Hundred Seal training, Tsunade, as usual, leaned limply on Shu Furukawa's shoulder. She was completely used to the arm on her shoulder.
"I'm really not a good teacher; I'll have to trouble you with everything afterward."
"It's just some trivial paperwork; the future of the village will depend on you, teacher."
"Teacher, you don't need to be so polite. This is all I should do."
Hearing Shu Furukawa's sincere statement, Tsunade looked up at her profile. Earlier that day, she had thought she shouldn't do this, but now she lowered her head again, burying her face in her shoulder. Remembering Shizune's expectation, she reassured herself, "I'll talk to Osamu about these things after I've settled into my Hokage duties..."
As the war drew to a close, Konoha began preparations for the transfer of power, and the Konoha Ninja eagerly awaited the arrival of the Fourth Hokage.
The Land of Rain, Small Nations dependent on Konoha, has no expectations. No matter who succeeds as the Fourth Hokage, it will not change the status quo of Amegakure.
The scarcity of missions made life even more difficult for the Amegakure.
In the gloomy weather, the metal tower standing in the center of the village looked gray and gloomy. Konan leaned on the railing and looked out over the village, a look of exhaustion on her face. "After clearing out Hanzo's remnants, there are even fewer missions to be made. Nagato, did we make a mistake?"
Beside him, the modified " Hanzo " had several short Black Rods on his nose and ears. Nagato was increasingly adept at manipulating this body. Hearing Konan's words, he calmly replied, "This is just a temporary disturbance. After eliminating Hanzo's remnants, many Amegakure will be even more supportive of the village's reforms."
" Konan, you don't need to worry about these things. Just focus on the village's development."
"Now that the slaughter has begun, I will not stop easily. Those who oppose me will only face one fate: in the end, only your voice will remain in Amegakure."
Konan nodded and stopped trying to persuade him. In fact, Nagato's personality had changed drastically and was completely different from his past self. Once he made up his mind, it was almost impossible to change it.
The spirit of Shu Furukawa, hidden within Konan's body, had been strengthened through slaughter. At this moment, with a slight thought, Konan quickly reacted. "There's unfamiliar Chakra. My shikigami sensed it."
As Shu Furukawa's spirit continuously mixed the [ Collection ] energy with the energy in Konan's body cells, and then used the Chakra- style paper together, his perception range could cover the entire Amegakure.
Hanzo stood still for a moment, then suddenly spoke up, "Very good, Konan, you've improved again. I didn't expect it to be Jiraiya- sensei. Now is not the time to meet him."
"I will never forget the pain that the Konoha Ninja brought us. Only when the other side feels the same pain can we sit together again."
Konan hesitated, a look of sadness crossing her face. She lowered her head and softly replied, " Nagato, does it have to be this way?"
"Since we've decided to use the Ten-Tails ' power to reshape the Shinobi World, then the Konoha Ninja are our enemies."
"They won't give us the Nine-Tails, nor will they care about the suffering and decline of the Land of Rain."
" Yahiko died because of their ambition, and one day, Konoha will also feel pain because of God's needs!"
After Nagato manipulated " Hanzo " to say these words, the original body inside the tower began to fluctuate abnormally, and soon a strong killing intent erupted from the puppet. "I'll have the Amegakure warn Jiraiya- sensei that this is not a place for him."
Konan stared blankly into space, and as she recalled her childhood experiences living with Jiraiya, the girl lowered her head in anguish.
Shu Furukawa's spirit easily sensed the relevant information. Instead of Obito, Jiraiya spoke first, "Is it an obsession with the Child of Prophecy?"
Jiraiya, who had just emerged from the Toad's mouth, carefully observed his surroundings Jiraiya noticed that most of the Amegakure looked hurried, and a look of curiosity involuntarily appeared on his face.
Using his Transformation Technique, Jiraiya successfully infiltrated the tavern controlled by the Konoha Ninja. Jiraiya he entered, he heard an argument between the two sides. " Hanzo has gone mad! Why can't we leave? We don't even have any decent missions. We just want to survive."
"This is the growing pain of reform! How can Amegakure escape its current predicament without purging the internal corrupt elements?"
"Yes, Hanzo's own relatives have been dealt with seriously. Under these circumstances, the Amegakure will be able to rise again in at most two years!"
The crowd was arguing fiercely, Jiraiya overheard most of it, frowned deeply. "The old man has awakened?"
"Or is someone pulling the strings behind the scenes?"
" Nagato, where are you now, the Child of Prophecy?"
Jiraiya a cup of sake, intending to ponder while drinking, but after only two sips, two Amegakure ninjas approached him. " Jiraiya, one of the Konoha Sannin of Konoha, you should leave the village as soon as possible."
"Lord Hanzo will not welcome you!"
All the ninjas in the tavern looked at the three of them. Jiraiya, didn't seem nervous. He chuckled twice and calmly responded.
"It seems I underestimated Hanzo; I didn't expect his control over the village to have reached this level."
"My purpose is simple: please take me to the burial site of the Akatsuki members. I only wish to offer a few bouquets of flowers for my students."
The Nagato Jonin hearing this, and after a long while, he finally replied, "In that case, please leave after your visit!"
"A traitor to the village doesn't deserve respect. Come with me. I hope you won't cause trouble."
As the three left the tavern and entered the street, a vortex suddenly appeared in a corner, Obito, possessed by White Zetsu, appeared in a blind spot of the building.
" Jiraiya here to investigate the Rinnegan?"
"Yes, he knew long ago that Nagato possessed the Rinnegan, but now it seems Nagato has no intention of meeting him."
White Zetsu responded in a low voice, and then quickly collided with the branches that sprouted from the ground. Obito immediately activated Hollowfication, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared.
In his private space, Obito was about to continue tracking Jiraiya White Zetsu received a message from its companion, suddenly chuckled and reminded him, " Nagato intends to make Konoha feel his pain; this seems to be your chance to win his trust."
"Are you planning to support his actions? To destroy the village you once loved so deeply."
Obito, realizing the crucial role of the Rinnegan, grew serious, his eyes darkening as if he could see the tragically murdered girl and his friend again in his crimson gaze. "I will subdue him."
"The destroyed village will be reborn in another world, and Lin will live there!"