In Naruto, build the strongest Hidden Mist Village.

Chapter 196 The Decision (Part 1)

After the final war, Jiraiya and Tsunade, along with their long-deceased First Hokage, returned to Konoha as tourists and wealthy individuals.

As Kakashi Hatake received no news from Obito Uchiha, he grew increasingly depressed and eventually decided to become an ordinary ninja in Kirigakure. Kaguya Naoki, who was not yet fully prepared to establish Kirigakure on the continent, had to temporarily appoint a new Hokage.

Orochimaru, who was forced to halt his research mission and was required to come to Konoha to carry out a stability maintenance task, became the Sixth Hokage.

Although Orochimaru appeared quite unwilling, he still didn't utter a word of refusal when the Hokage robe was placed in front of him.

However, there might be some setbacks in preventing Orochimaru from maintaining stability.

Naoki Kaguya also specially dispatched two Hokage to assist her: Shisui Uchiha and Minato Namikaze.

The return of three extremely powerful Kage-level ninjas, all former Konoha ninjas, naturally left all Konoha ninjas speechless.

In addition, the subtle yet obvious label bestowed upon them by Kaguya Naoki made these Konoha ninjas feel extremely at ease.

They returned to the same village.

Even though the identity has changed.

But the bond between the three ninjas will not easily fade away.

not to mention.

During that war, the three ninjas had already reached a tacit understanding to reconcile.

So, not long after Orochimaru returned.

It was rare for the three ninja to gather together for a meal.

After Orochimaru finished dealing with the Hokage's affairs, as night was about to fall, the three Sannin arrived at a secluded izakaya (Japanese pub).

The whole journey was filled with laughter and joy.

The bleak and sorrowful atmosphere of being besieged by the tailed beasts and the undercurrent of discontent under the rule of Kirigakure have long since faded with time.

With Orochimaru now the Sixth Hokage, the people of Konoha Village have all cast aside their sad memories of the past and begun to earnestly enjoy the peaceful and tranquil times they have now.

At the same time, there is a faint anticipation for the future, for the time when the reforms of the Misty Shadows will further benefit this place.

"How's Konoha doing now?"

Orochimaru looked at the scene before him and turned to look at his two friends.

"very good."

"It has regained its vitality."

Tsunade and Jiraiya spoke one after the other, their tones somewhat cold.

They also knew what Orochimaru was up to.

Isn't the point to have the two of them, along with their ancestors, bring back the village to rebuild Konoha?
but.

Although they both acknowledged Kaguya Naoki's thoughts and ideals, and had secretly cooperated with him over the past few years.

But how can we really tear down that veil and let the two of them—one the grandson of the Hokage, and the other a ninja who is actually the Hokage—directly help Kaguya Naoki build a new world?
Even Sunagakure doesn't have that much shamelessness.

"Ok."

Orochimaru turned his head away without saying a word, seemingly having given up on persuading his two friends.

The three of them walked together.

Meanwhile, the scenery of the village kept flashing past them.

There are Kirigakure ninja who have already entered Konoha and begun to help Konoha build a new home.

There were also ninjas who, while still wearing the Konoha headband, had quietly placed the Kirigakure headband on their waists.

Of course, besides these high-ranking ninjas, there were also many more merchants from the Land of Water.

in fact.

It's not just the land of water.

Merchants from several countries have gathered in this village of Konoha.

It seemed that in an instant, the whole world put aside its barriers.

And, children.

Tsunade looked at the noisy children beside her, and as she listened to their shouts, her eyes gradually became complicated.

"I want to become Hokage!"

"I am the Hokage!"

Tsunade was somewhat dazed.

He thought of the rope tree, and of the broken tree.

In the past, they all harbored the same dream of becoming Hokage, but on the way to becoming Hokage, they lost their lives.

Thinking of the two of them, she gradually became sad. In front of her two old friends, she felt completely at ease and let down her guard, allowing these emotions to show.

Jiraiya, though he had been staring at Tsunade's imposing figure, noticed it and reached out to place his hand on her back to comfort her.

But the moment his hand touched Tsunade's back and she twitched slightly, he quickly pulled his hand back!

Tsunade's feelings of heartbreak—from thinking of the broken rope tree and the sudden touch of that warm, reliable hand on her back—disappeared as Jiraiya withdrew his hand.

At this moment.

The two children, who had been arguing endlessly and neither could convince the other to become Hokage, finally began to persuade each other with reason.

"Hmph, what makes you think you can! Take this shuriken!"

"Shuriken?"

Up to this point, Tsunade and Jiraiya were still able to watch with smiles on their faces.

But their smiles soon faded.

"Behold my sky and sea!"

"You can't possibly have the Sky Sea skill, you're cheating! Watch my Dance of the Dry Ferns!"

"Whoa!"

The defeated child leaned against the wall, watching the triumphant child become Hokage, and suddenly a plan came to mind.

"I am the Mizukage!"

"I am Lady Kaguya, I am the Mizukage!"

He proudly raised his body.

"In that case, you must be the Hokage."

The boy who had just defeated the Hokage had barely finished laughing triumphantly when he heard this shout and felt as if the sky had fallen!
He worked so hard to become Hokage, so why did he suddenly announce that he was becoming Mizukage?

Who is greater, the Mizukage or the Hokage?

of course!

Seeing this scene, Orochimaru couldn't help but take off the Hokage hat from his head.

Tsunade and Jiraiya, standing on either side of him, looked embarrassed, but also had some new ideas in their hearts.

"Tsunade, I heard you're leaving?"

"of course."

"Continue with your ambition to gamble the world?"

"of course."

"What about Lord Hashirama?"

Tsunade sighed as she thought about her grandfather, who was already deeply moved and wanted to actively help Kaguya Naoki build the world.

"Grandpa Ren is gone. Is there any reason for a granddaughter to take care of her grandfather now?"

"Not to mention, my deceased grandfather."

Tsunade sighed.

"And what about you, Jiraiya?"

"I will continue to create!"

Jiraiya patted his chest.

"As the author of the world's best-selling book, how can I just stop here?"

"That's one of my dreams too!"

"Oh."

Orochimaru nodded quietly.

"Lord Naoki ordered two days ago that all ninjas and protection forces must crack down on the pornography industry within their jurisdiction."

"Not to mention how many of those red-light districts will remain, or even if they'll stay in the shadows, you, as a bestselling author, might end up spending a few years in jail."

Jiraiya was dumbfounded.

"Why are you even meddling in things like this?"

"Humph."

"Jiraiya, you know best the filth in this."

"Just like how ninjas in our old days were born to be killed by the church, aren't the girls in the red-light district also taught those things from birth?"
And how could Naoki-sama, who knows of these crimes, possibly let them go?

"What do you think? Lord Jiraiya, the hero who uses his reputation to protect the girls of the pleasure quarters?"

Tsunade gave Jiraiya a serious look.

The latter blushed and waved his hands repeatedly.

Even if you're doing a good deed, you can't let Tsunade know where you're doing it.

My image.

Jiraiya let out a few wails, but suddenly felt somewhat dazed.

So, what's next?

Searching for the prophesied child?

What a joke! With Kaguya Naoki around, even if an old toad came out, he'd be crushed half to death and then obediently hand over Mount Myōboku.

And who knows, that guy might already be on his way to Mount Myōboku.

His attempt to generate income by writing novels was also cut short.

Without source material, it's difficult to complete a work, and if Kaguya Naoki were to crack down on this industry, finding and arresting him would be easy. Help Konoha?

Jiraiya quickly dismissed this unrealistic idea.

Just as they were about to move forward again, Orochimaru suddenly stopped.

He repeated the words that had been echoing in Jiraiya's ears ever since that night.

"Are you really going to give up your search for your path because of Konoha, a village destined to decay and decline, a village that no one will remember in decades?"

"If that's the case, can you really live the rest of your life with a clear conscience?"

"I."

Jiraiya wanted to refuse.

But it felt like there was a huge boulder weighing ten thousand pounds on my tongue, and I couldn't open my mouth for a long time.

"Help me, Jiraiya."

Orochimaru became earnest.

"Help me build Konoha."

To build Konoha?

What a joke.

In a few years, Konoha will become Kirigakure, okay? How can you use such a reason to convince yourself to help Orochimaru?

can.

When Jiraiya looked up, he saw the earnestness in Orochimaru's eyes.

Suddenly, I felt the wind rustling the leaves behind me, and I thought back to the past few decades of my life.

Or perhaps it was some strange twist of fate, or rather, he simply couldn't refuse his request again?
"I'll stay."

Orochimaru immediately released his grip without the slightest hesitation and looked at Tsunade.

Even under the latter's threatening, murderous gaze, he didn't raise Tsunade's hand, but simply asked.

"So, Tsunade. Do you want to stay?"

"Do not."

Tsunade resolutely refused.

"I want to travel the world."

"I will inform Lord Naoki soon that a policy banning gambling has been introduced."

纲手
"Then I'm going too."

"Orochimaru, stop talking."

“If you keep talking, I’m not sure if I’ll actually get angry, and if I do get angry.”

The cracking sound of joints rang out at just the right moment, causing Orochimaru and Jiraiya, who was looking at him expectantly, to turn their heads.

Keep silent.

They know Tsunade's personality best.

That was a real fight.

As for Orochimaru...

With Jiraiya, that's enough.

"What to eat."

Just after Jiraiya agreed to stay with Orochimaru, they suddenly arrived at the hotel Orochimaru had mentioned.

Such a coincidence makes it hard not to suspect Orochimaru's true intentions.

"It's time for our farewell dinner."

Tsunade smiled.

"In that case, let me, the one who's about to leave, indulge myself a little. I'll order."

"Liquor and peanuts."

I watched helplessly as Tsunade ordered a huge amount of drinks.

Jiraiya watched helplessly as Tsunade swallowed a large bottle of wine, her face flushed crimson. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but dared not utter a word.

As Jiraiya thought about Tsunade's impending departure and how he, as a member of the Hidden Mist faction, might never even see Tsunade again, a surge of courage welled up within him.

"Don't drink it, Tsunade."

Tsunade was still drinking.

Jiraiya got up and sat up three or four times, and finally, with a burst of effort, he snatched the bottle from Tsunade's hand.

Tsunade raised her head, her eyes barely showing any anger, but Jiraiya was already backing down.

Coward.

Orochimaru silently complained.

They've shown such weakness in front of you. This strong person is willing to sell you this vulnerability. If you just ask, you'll have a chance to go further.

Although Orochimaru had no experience in love and did not plan to get married for the rest of his life, intending to live as a solitary snake and return to scientific research after enjoying the life of Hokage, he believed he understood Tsunade's mind very well and immediately looked down on Jiraiya.

"I."

"What I mean is, you shouldn't drink anymore."

"Listen to me."

"This may be our last conversation."

Tsunade really isn't drinking anymore.

She intended to reveal this weakness to Jiraiya, hoping he would take it a step further so that she could stay there with a clear conscience.

But that cowardly fool was destined not to do it.

Tsunade's eyes were slightly dazed and sad.

After the rope tree broke and the old man left one after the other.

She only had these two guys left to rely on.

This is the last meal.

Let's be more serious.

Are you really going to leave?

"want."

"However, I'll also borrow a phrase from Orochimaru."

"Should we really give up on joining the cause of achieving complete world peace and stability because of past labels?"

"I remember that only those who are recognized by everyone can become Hokage."

"Tell me, is the title of Hokage more important, or is protecting the people of the village more important?"

Jiraiya poured out all the reasons he had used to persuade Tsunade, whether it was to convince her or to persuade her.

"Ah."

A strange emotion suddenly appeared on Tsunade's flushed face.

It was obvious that the word "Naruto" reminded her of the two people who had already died.

Only those who gain recognition can become Hokage.

So, to continue your dream is to protect the people on this land.

"I."

Jiraiya swallowed the bottle of wine that Tsunade had drunk from in one gulp, using it to mask his absolute disappointment.

"What are you doing?"

Tsunade shook her head.

Her face was even redder than mine.

"You idiot."

"I'll join in."

"If either of you dares to make me unhappy..."

"Absolutely not!"

Jiraiya slammed his fist on the table.

"look."

Tsunade casually slumped on the sofa behind her, pointing at Jiraiya.

"After all, this guy is really an idiot, the probability of something going wrong is too high."

Is she concerned about me?
Jiraiya's heart was pounding like a drum.

An uncontrollable smile spread across his face.

Tsunade couldn't help but smile at his silly look.

"Then, let's have a drink to celebrate the return of the Three Ninjas."

Orochimaru achieved his goal and smiled.

But after downing a glass of wine, Orochimaru, who then noticed that Jiraiya and Tsunade's gazes were a little strange, suddenly felt a pang of regret.

If these two really got together, it would be too much of a torture!

I can't even imagine living like that.

However, if that day ever comes, Jiraiya will probably be laughing like a fool.

Orochimaru chuckled silently and downed the drink in his cup in one gulp.

No matter how.

The ending for the three legendary ninjas was always beautiful.

(End of this chapter)