A steady voice rang out from outside the window, and everyone turned to look as a burly man with white hair entered the meeting room through the window.
" Lord Jiraiya, aren't you?"
"I'm not talking about myself, of course, but another one of the Sannin. If she were to become the Fifth Hokage, she would surely be able to regain the trust of the Konoha and lower-ranking ninjas in the higher-ups."
Jiraiya spoke loudly, but his gaze was fixed on Uchiha Huayue, who sat calmly in the main seat, as if facing a formidable enemy.
The heads of the prominent families of Konoha present looked at each other, bewildered.
If that person were to become the Fifth Hokage, he would be impeccable in terms of both legitimacy and reputation.
The problem now is, do those sitting in the main seats really allow them a second choice?
The group exchanged glances, but Nara Shikaku lost in thought, and his eyes involuntarily turned to look at them.
"The other one of the three? Orochimaru- sensei's former comrade-in-arms... that medical expert?"
A slight smile appeared on the face beneath the mask, as if someone had thought of something interesting, and an unexpected answer was given.
"That's good. With war approaching, the Konoha Medical Squad urgently needs a medical expert to lead the medical ninjas in completing their mission. So, the task of inviting her back to Konoha is entrusted to you, Jiraiya."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Nara Shikaku froze on the spot, and many heads of prestigious families were even more dumbfounded.
After spending so many years gathering evidence of the crimes committed by Danzo and the Orochimaru, and with the Hokage position within reach, is he now about to relinquish his rule over Konoha with a single word?!
Is Uchiha Huayue really so selfless?
He only acts for the safety of Konoha, and as the outside world claims, he is not interested in holding great power.
Jiraiya and realized that Naruto, whom he had met earlier, was dressed in a style that was too similar to his own, and even their temperaments were almost identical.
Jiraiya's thoughts raced, Jiraiya nodded in agreement before making his own request.
"This time, I'm taking Uzumaki Naruto with me."
Before Huayue could speak, the two Hokage Advisor standing nearby stood up and shook their heads in refusal without even thinking.
"Impossible. The Nine-Tailed Fox is already being targeted by the leader of the Akatsuki. Once they gather all Nine Tailed Beasts, it will be a terrifying disaster for the world."
"Or have you still not changed your mind, Jiraiya...?"
Mitokado Homura solemnly refused, Utatane Koharu seized the opportunity to add her own words.
"We have plenty of suitable candidates here. How about we send two elite squad leaders from the Anbu to accompany you?"
"I think this is a pretty good suggestion, Naruto..."
Squeak!
The door was pushed open, Naruto walked in, ignoring the wary and complicated looks in the eyes of others, and nodded slightly.
" Teacher Huayue, you were looking for me?"
"This is my Kunai. It is engraved with the Flying Thunder God's mark. Even the Tailed Beast Bomb cannot destroy it. Take it with you."
Upon hearing this, the two Hokage Advisor exchanged a glance, their expressions complex and helpless.
It's unbelievable that Uchiha Huayue has such a high level of control over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Next, I'll need your help to go and ask Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, to bring the other Sannin back to Konoha to serve as the Fifth Hokage."
Naruto, and a storm raged in his heart. Without thinking, he retorted.
"What are you saying? Shouldn't the position of Hokage be held by someone recognized by everyone? Who in Konoha is more suitable than our teacher, who twice saved Konoha from disaster!"
Naruto glanced around instinctively, his expression unfriendly and his tone icy.
"Or is it that there are still remnants of Danzo's Danzo remaining in Konoha that haven't been eliminated...?"
"No, it's just that I don't want to be distracted by the Hokage's affairs. Although that Sannin has some personality issues, his medical ninja skills are unmatched."
"This is your first S-rank Mission. Have a safe trip and be careful."
Upon hearing this, Naruto sighed silently, knowing that everything had been settled, and could only silently accept the Kunai.
" Jiraiya, I'm entrusting Naruto to you. I hope you can make the wisest choice at the crucial moment."
These enigmatic words reached Jiraiya's ears, and the figure in the main seat vanished instantly. Naruto, seemingly already accustomed to Huayue's unpredictable appearances, put his Kunai into his ninja tool pouch.
"Really, since the teacher said so, I'll go with you, you Pervy Sage."
As the meeting ended, Nara Shikaku gazed into the distance. Many mischievous children were drawing and writing on the Hokage Rock, while Danzo's Kage Rock was already covered in colorful drawings.
"To eliminate the respect of the Konoha for the Kage in this way—what a deep scheme! He could have presented this evidence much earlier and maintained the Hokage's authority over the people..."
His mind was a complete mess. No matter how hard Nara Shikaku thought about it, he still couldn't figure out Huayue's purpose.
This feeling is like a master of all martial arts, seemingly invincible, yet utterly powerless when facing a drunken madman.
No matter how carefully you follow the established patterns to defend, the opponent's punches are unpredictable. How do you break through such an unpredictable attack?!
Now, the only option is to remain unchanged and wait for the inevitable to unfold. With the Allied Shinobi Forces' date fast approaching, Konoha, as the leader of the alliance, hasn't even decided on Hokage candidate yet—this is truly...
Konoha, main gate.
Jiraiya glanced back at Naruto, Naruto remained silent, and the two left Konoha.
"You finally got to leave the village, don't you have any feelings about it?"
Seeing Jiraiya, Jiraiya made a sarcastic remark.
"Thoughts? I don't have any thoughts. Compared to the village, the only difference is the scenery. People's lives are probably more miserable."
"The world will never have true peace until the effects and hatred caused by war are eliminated."
Naruto was walking ahead, said this without turning his head, as if he had witnessed it all firsthand.
"How can young people have such a gloomy view of the future? There are still many bright things in the world, like the girl we're going to find now, she's a real beauty!"
Jiraiya chuckled, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.
Because of the special circumstances of Jinchūriki, they perceive the darkness of human nature too early, which is not a good thing for children.
"Stop nagging, Pervy Sage. Hurry up and finish this mission. I need to go back to train. I can't let Sasuke surpass me."
With a calm and indifferent gaze, recalling the Susanoo that looked down upon all directions in the sky, Naruto didn't say it on the surface, but he had already made up his mind to make Kurama truly cooperate with him.
"What? A kid this age isn't even at the stage where he's interested in women yet. How boring..."
Jiraiya shook his head, and the two figures gradually disappeared at the end of the street.
On the other hand, it's the Akatsuki's stronghold.
Killer B's body fell to the ground, Nagato's eyes remaining indifferent.
Behind it, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path slowly opened its eighth eye, its immense chakra comparable to that of a small planet.