Having secured the promise for the last item he desired, Shiro contentedly left the Four Violet Flames Formation.
"Sister Konan, it's done. Let Aoba, who's waiting outside the village, come in."
"Mizukage, Tsuchikage, just help clean up the area, that's all."
After giving his instructions, Shiro headed in the direction Gaara had broken through the barrier earlier.
He wondered if Gaara had already been successfully talked down by Naruto's "Talk no Jutsu."
On the rooftop.
Mei Terumī and Kurotsuchi had been watching the show for quite some time.
Although they stood conspicuously at the highest point, all the forces present tacitly fought their own battles, not disturbing their observation.
They didn't even get close.
Fearing that if they weren't careful, the two of them might directly help the other side start a fight.
Upon hearing Shiro's words, the two exchanged glances.
"Mizukage, I'll leave this to you. I just became Kage not long ago, and my strength is still a bit... In short, I'll take my leave first."
Kurotsuchi finished speaking and flew away using the Light-Weight Rock Technique.
Her words were half-true, half-false.
Kurotsuchi's current strength, and even her future strength, was quite a bit behind Mei Terumī's.
However, she wasn't running away because of her strength; she had heard what Shiro said to Konan, knew that Deidara was coming, and was preparing to join the fun and watch the show.
"Sigh, I'm the only one left. Abandoned and forsaken."
Mei Terumī sighed softly, casually formed a hand seal as a mere gesture, and the Water Release: Water Pillar she spewed from her mouth landed on the Konoha streets, the water surging and churning, washing away ninja after ninja.
As for whether Konoha ninja were also swept away, she couldn't be blamed.
Large-scale ninjutsu was indiscriminate; she had already held back by not using Lava Release or Boil Release.
"Excellent work, Mizukage! Go, go, go!"
The First Hokage, watching Mei Terumī's actions from inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, happily waved his arms, acting as a cheerleader from within.
"..."
Mei Terumī turned to look, and instantly a black line appeared on her face.
She was here, alone, working hard, spraying water, while a bunch of old men, perverts, and dead people were inside a large barrier, acting as spectators.
The Second Hokage sat on the ground, watching his elder brother flail his arms, feeling that Konoha's reputation had been completely ruined.
"You, Jiraiya, we're stuck inside, but you're outside watching the show instead of helping?"
The Second Hokage scolded Jiraiya.
He couldn't scold his elder brother, but he could scold him, right?
"Uh, Second Hokage, I've already sent Mount Myōboku toads to assist. I'm here to keep an eye on Orochimaru."
Jiraiya explained.
"Never mind, Monkey, come here, let's talk."
The Second Hokage had completely given up, deciding to give his disciple a few instructions, then not move again until the Impure World Reincarnation was released.
"Sensei."
Hiruzen Sarutobi obediently walked over.
"Monkey, there's no problem with you keeping your promises, but you should also know what a Hokage of Konoha should do."
"I understand, Sensei. Actually, some intelligence has already been brought back by a ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was referring to Kakashi.
"Oh? That's good. Monkey, you must find out if there really is an enemy as he claims, or if he fabricated such an enemy to achieve his own ambitions."
The Second Hokage's heart was very heavy now.
If what Shiro said was false, then an individual like Shiro as an enemy of Konoha would be too troublesome and terrifying.
If what Shiro said was true, then how terrifying must an enemy be to require Shiro himself to go to such great lengths?
"Sensei, I understand. Orochimaru was actually right about one thing: Konoha's wind has indeed stopped for a long time.
So, after this is over, I plan to pass on the position of Hokage to either Jiraiya or Tsunade, one of them."
As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, the Second Hokage glanced at Jiraiya outside: "Pass it to Tsunade."
One was in the pleasure district, the other in the gambling district.
He had already seen the one in the pleasure district; he hadn't seen the one in the gambling district, so there was at least a little hope.
"Right, right, Second Hokage is right! Old man, if you want to step down as Hokage, definitely don't give it to me!"
Jiraiya heard their conversation and quickly chimed in, agreeing with the Second Hokage.
Are you kidding? He didn't want to go from writing "pitter-patter" every day to writing "read and noted."
The only temptation of inheriting the Hokage position for him was Hiruzen Sarutobi's crystal ball and the Telescope Technique, which he could use for peeping.
If he had known Konoha wasn't in much danger, he wouldn't have come back.
"However, Sarutobi, if Tsunade shows no signs of returning this time, then still pass it to this Jiraiya."
The Second Hokage's words took a turn.
"Ah?"
Jiraiya didn't immediately react to the sudden change of heart.
"Mhm."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded solemnly.
If Tsunade showed no signs of returning, it meant she had changed and no longer cared about Konoha. Such a person absolutely could not be allowed to become Hokage.
—
In the forest.
Naruto was fiercely battling the fully Tailed Beast-transformed Gaara, or rather, the young Shukaku.
Sakura was tending to Sasuke, who had run out of chakra after using two Chidori.
Temari was observing the battle from a tree branch hidden in the shadows.
The battle was currently at its most intense.
Naruto used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and charged towards Gaara.
The Shadow Clones were constantly being destroyed.
Gaara's heart was still deranged, but after the battle just now, he also understood that what Kankuro had told him earlier was false.
Konoha ninja did not have a habit of staring at people's butts.
Gaara continuously swung his claws, crushing Naruto's charging clones. He now only wanted to fully immerse himself in the slaughter; he was no longer afraid, no longer... "Take this! This is what Kakashi-sensei taught me, Konoha Ninjutsu Secret Technique: Taijutsu Ultimate Art — Thousand Years of Death!!!"
Suddenly, an excited voice came from behind him.
Naruto's original body, at some unknown point, had reached his back under the cover of the Shadow Clones!
And the Kakashi he spoke of, and that Thousand Years of Death!
Bad, this is bad!
Gaara, who had long ignored his siblings' affection, suddenly regretted not listening to his brother Kankuro's advice at this moment.
Temari, secretly watching, saw this scene, her expression changing rapidly.
There was a girl's embarrassment, disdain for the Konoha ninja, and concern for Gaara.
"But this Uzumaki Naruto doesn't use Chidori, so he should be fine, right?"
Temari, aware of Gaara's defense, muttered to herself.
Gaara also thought of this, but as the one experiencing it firsthand, he only felt a cold sensation in his butt.
This was — the texture of a kunai!
Wait, why is it getting hot?
Bang!!!
Gaara's butt exploded.
The naturally evil fox brat had even put exploding tags on it!!!!
Temari saw this scene and her entire body instantly stiffened.
"Good thing I made it. I'll take a photo of this famous scene and give it to him as a gift when he becomes Kazekage."
A voice sounded behind Temari.
"Don't stab my butt!!!!"
Temari, like a startled bird, fearfully leaped to a nearby tree, protecting her body.
Only after realizing it wasn't a Konoha ninja but Shiro did she slightly relax.
Shiro, holding the camera after taking the photo, had a black line across his face.
Who wants to stab your butt?
Don't falsely accuse someone of defaming them out of thin air!
....
The journey continues right now for our Jade Dragons! 🐉
For just $6/month, you can step into the advanced chapters and never face a cliffhanger again. Gain instant access to 50+ chapters immediately, support the story you love, and help decide its course.
🔗 Become a Jade Dragon:
patreon.com/J_Dragon