"For the Land of Fire's legacy to endure, and for its million innocent citizens, Naruto, Jiraiya and I now formally invite you to become the Land of Fire's new Daimyo!"
Hearing Tsunade's formal invitation, Naruto nodded and said seriously, "First, don't think I'm coveting the position of ruler of the Land of Fire."
At that, Naruto instinctively took Sasuke's hand. "Everything I've done has been to fulfill a promise to one person."
Sasuke's cold eyes instantly softened at those words.
Everyone present understood something then, and the girls all looked at Sasuke with envy.
The boys, meanwhile, sighed to themselves. No wonder Sasuke was so utterly devoted to Naruto.
"Naruto, now isn't the time for this. When we left the Land of Fire's Daimyo's Residence to come here, we'd already heard that clashes had broken out along the borders."
Tsunade looked at Naruto gravely. "Once they finish testing the waters, the other nations will invade the Land of Fire on some fabricated pretext."
"Tsunade is right. The situation is getting harder and harder to control."
Seeing that the two wanted him to leave immediately, Naruto thought for a moment. "There's no rush. It isn't time to go to the Land of Fire's Daimyo's Residence yet."
Tsunade and Jiraiya both froze.
"This is already an emergency! What are you waiting for?"
"Hmph. The Land of Fire is still relatively stable internally. Things haven't truly descended into chaos yet. If I went there now to take the Daimyo's place, I'm sure it would only make things worse."
Naruto looked at them. "People only willingly surrender their power when they're at their most desperate. I don't want to stabilize the Land of Fire only to have to deal with its local factions afterward."
The two paused at Naruto's words, seemingly realizing something.
"But..."