What Does Being Hokage Have to Do with It? Doesn't the Hokage Need Emotional Comfort Too?

"Roshi was attacked by the Akatsuki and severely wounded. Before he died, he happened to encounter our Konoha ninja, which saved his life."

Naruto was spouting nonsense. "Before Roshi lost consciousness, he asked us to inform the Hidden Rock Village to protect the Five-Tails jinchuriki and beware of the Akatsuki."

"Hmph." Tsuchikage Onoki stroked his aching lower back and spoke bluntly.

"Since when did Konoha change its ways? Going so far for a rogue ninja? You must be up to no good."

Naruto was not angry at all. Instead, he almost wanted to laugh.

Go ahead, old man Tsuchikage. The more you say, the more likely Han will leave the Hidden Rock Village for good.

"Lord Hokage suggested that the Hidden Rock Village send several capable Jonin to protect the Five-Tails jinchuriki."

"No need. That would be a complete waste of manpower."

"Lord Tsuchikage, aren't you afraid the Five-Tails jinchuriki will be ambushed by the Akatsuki?"

"Akatsuki? Where did this organization come from? I had never heard of it before. Not long ago, the Raikage came to see me and mentioned the Akatsuki as well."

Tsuchikage Onoki's eyes gleamed. "The Raikage also said the Akatsuki was founded by Danzo Shimura of Konoha."

"That's right." Naruto grinned. "So Lord Tsuchikage must not let his guard down. If you get careless, you might lose your life."

Naruto's tone was dripping with mockery.

"What did you say?!" Tsuchikage Onoki became extremely agitated, and when he got agitated, it was easy for him to strain his old back.

"Ah! My back!"

Naruto looked around and discovered that every ninja standing beside Onoki belonged to the Onoki Clan.

After thinking it over, Naruto finally understood the Hidden Rock Village's most serious flaw.

The Hidden Rock Village practiced blatant nepotism! The Onoki Clan controlled nearly every