Special Mission

"Naraku, you are right, but it was my oversight. It is now mid-November of the fiftieth year of Konoha, and I plan to summon the Hokage candidates to the Capital City of the Land of Fire in early December."

"By listening to the Daimyo's opinion, a Hokage will be selected in the end. In the fifty-first year of Konoha, a new Hokage will surely lead the Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained expressionless, showing no anger at Naraku's words, as if he had already arranged everything for the Hokage.

"Please forgive me, Third Hokage. I am merely concerned about the future of Konoha and have no intention of disrespecting you. Konoha truly needs a new Hokage."

Compared to the Third Hokage's expressionless and icy demeanor, Naraku possessed a gentle face and spoke softly and gently, like a spring breeze.

"Konoha needs more ninjas like you who worry and care about Konoha. You're not the first person to urge and inquire about this."

Villagers and ninjas have been reporting this matter at my residence every day, so you need not be alarmed. As the former Hokage, I have already made preparations."

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the pipe on the table, took two puffs, and replied to Naraku's words in a soft voice.

The anger that rose in his heart when urged by Naraku subsided in the smoke. Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been in charge of Konoha for many years, was not swayed by joy or anger.

"Third Hokage, it is truly fortunate that Konoha is under your command. However, Third Hokage, the compensation for the Uchiha who died in the Ninja War has not yet been fully distributed."

As the head of the clan, Naraku has been repeatedly urged by his clansmen. I implore the Third Hokage Elder to expedite the matter of providing relief!

"Naraku, don't rush the matter of the compensation. Many compensations in Konoha are being distributed slowly. I guarantee that they will all be in place within a year."

Konoha is currently facing financial difficulties, and you are also a candidate for Hokage. Don't you understand Konoha's current predicament? Please be more understanding!

The Third Hokage had a somewhat solemn expression, but their words were polite, making it difficult to criticize the elder too much.

"Okay, I understand."

Naraku. Naraku was fully aware of Konoha's predicament Naraku how to resolve it, but he didn't want to give the credit to the Third Hokage.

"Yes, the Military Police Force have worked hard. Naraku, you must lead the Military Police Force to contribute more to Konoha."

However, the Military Police Force only need to manage the village itself. As for the refugee camps and orphanages outside the village, Naraku, you don't need to worry about them; the Anbu will take care of them."

Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't forgotten Danzo's instructions. At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen also sensed that the Uchiha were indeed becoming increasingly audacious, and he secretly decided to have Danzo's Root suppress the Uchiha.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, Naraku his leave."

Naraku nodded, offering no rebuttal to the Third Hokage's words, and turned to leave.

"That Sarutobi Hiruzen really is protecting Shimura Danzō's bullying the orphanage. Arrange for a company to guard the orphanage tonight. Send Ruofeng this time, but... never mind, I'll go myself and see what tricks Danzo has up his sleeve."

Naraku had his own opinion. He believed that if refugee camps and orphanages were attacked, the villagers of Konoha wouldn't understand the authority of the Security Department or the Anbu.

As the Security Department is responsible for guarding and protecting the area. If the orphanage outside the village's high walls is attacked, the reputation of the Police Force will inevitably be damaged.

It's absolutely impossible to expect the Third Hokage and the Anbu to take responsibility. If something happens at the orphanage or refugee camp outside the village, the villagers will only criticize the Security Department.

Therefore, Naraku cannot abandon the matter of the orphanage Yakushi Nonō, and besides, Naraku has promised Yakushi Nonō that Nonō doesn't need to worry.

Giving up halfway is not Naraku's style.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Naraku's departing figure, his usually serious expression turned somewhat gloomy.

"Ghost Fox, summon Tsunade."

Sarutobi Hiruzen troubled by the relationship between Uchiha Nara and Tsunade. He wanted the Sannin to leave a legacy in Konoha.

Aside from Jiraiya's disciple Namikaze Minato, neither Tsunade nor Orochimaru left any legacy, and their other circumstances caused the Third Hokage considerable headaches.

Orochimaru was obsessed with researching Ninjutsu. Without the Third Hokage's guidance in the Root, he became even more engrossed in Ninjutsu research. He promised to take over the power, but when he started researching Ninjutsu, he forgot most of it.

Sarutobi Hiruzen began to have some doubts about Orochimaru's obsession Ninjutsu and research into Ninjutsu; conventional Ninjutsu would never make someone so obsessed.

"Orochimaru must be researching forbidden techniques. Danzo's Wood Release ninjas might be Orochimaru's doing."

No one knows a disciple better than his teacher. The Third Hokage understood Orochimaru well and recognized Orochimaru talent. The research on Wood Release initiated by the Third Hokage also placed Orochimaru in an important position within the Wood Release.

However, because the Wood Release research was too cruel, the Third Hokage eventually completely banned the Wood Release experiments. As for Orochimaru, who had experience in Wood Release Root, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not think of anyone else besides Orochimaru who could produce Wood Release ninja.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had a clear understanding of the emotionless tools within the Root; those people could never develop Wood Release ninjutsu.

Bang! Bang!

"Come in."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed Tsunade's arrival and spoke too politely to his disciple. As a teacher, he should maintain a certain air of authority.

"Old man, what's the mission this time?"

Tsunade was somewhat puzzled by her teacher Sarutobi Hiruzen's summoning. Since the rise to fame of the Sannin, they were mostly summoned only when assigned a mission, and rarely at other times.

I occasionally seek advice or professional guidance, but such occasions are few and far between.

"Tsunade, I have a task for you. Perhaps only you can help me."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the mature Tsunade and said with a very serious expression.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted Tsunade to leave behind her bloodline and legacy, but Tsunade chose Uchiha Nara instead. In this situation, it would be better not to leave behind the bloodline and legacy at all.

"What mission?"

Tsunade looked at her serious-faced teacher, and some questions flashed through her mind. She had never seen the Third Hokage so serious before, even on the most dangerous missions.

"Before issuing this mission, I'd like to know, have you and Uchiha Nara become lovers?"

Tsunade was somewhat caught off guard by the Third Hokage's question. Despite her serious expression and the question posed, Tsunade showed no shyness in front of her teacher, instead smiling and softly replying:

"Yes, teacher, I didn't expect you to care about these things."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly, feeling uncertain whether Tsunade would agree to his mission.

However, Tsunade and Naraku weren't close enough for her to carry out this task. Thinking of this, the Third Hokage's expression grew even more solemn, and he said earnestly with a stern face:

"Tsunade, the mission I'm issuing is to kill Uchiha Nara. Can you do it?"

After explaining the mission, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared intently at Tsunade with a serious expression, observing the details.

Tsunade widened upon hearing this.