Konoha: Unable to learn ninjutsu, they had to develop their own.

Chiba paused, realizing this was similar to some martial arts novels from his previous life…

Talk about it.

Were there many sects like the Fire Temple in that era?

"I'm not entirely sure either, since we experienced a period of discontinuity. But I've heard that in that era, there were a few like us at the Fire Temple."

After pondering for a long time, Di Lu replied, "However, most of the traditions have been lost. Our Fire Temple is a survivor, after all, we have a founder who developed the talents of the immortal race."

"I see."

Chiba nodded gently.

Sacred tree...

Every member of the Twelve Guardians pondered this question; Asuma had asked a similar question before.

It seems to have had a significant impact on the old era, causing many forces to lose their original power systems. Furthermore, they failed to develop a Sage Mode system that incorporated chakra, leading to their complete decline.

Di Lu nodded in agreement.

of course.

"It seems you've had quite a few insights lately, senior."

Di Lu opened his eyes wide, slightly surprised.

Chiba said.

He thought for a moment and decided to use his old answer.

This answer...

but.

"Which do you think is more important, the Daimyo or the Hokage?"

After listening, Jiraiya thought for a moment and said, "That's not impossible, after all, we're all in the Land of Fire..."

Pay a higher price.

"Ahem, what do you mean?"

"Please speak freely."

Most of the Twelve Guardians had pondered and struggled with this issue, and the eventual split and infighting among them was actually due to differing ideologies.

Chiba pondered for a moment.

He couldn't help but think of the doubts that Asma had always had.

Pity.

Chiba smiled slightly.

"Yes, that's true. The 'limitless state' you gave us before was also very powerful. Ninjutsu is of great benefit to us in many ways."

Di Lu expressed his doubts.

"Ah."

such as.

"The Third Hokage would like to schedule a time to talk with you, perhaps to discuss matters related to in-depth cooperation and exchange between Konoha and the Fire Temple."

The changes now...

After thinking for a few seconds, he replied, "That depends on you, but if we cooperate with Konoha, the Fire Temple shouldn't suffer any losses."

It is based on the premise that they obtain enough benefits.

"Ok?"

In Jiraiya's eyes, Chiba was very intelligent and might be able to figure out the answer.

Elder Shiraishi looked at Chiba.

"Chiba, I have a question, a little personal one. You know that Asuma and I were both once members of the Twelve Guardians, right?"

Chiba didn't expect him to ask for his opinion.

"I don't think any of them are important."

Chiba is now an honorary host, but as the one who redeveloped the Immortal Race's "Immortal Mode," his advice is crucial.

really.

That makes sense, since the original story didn't involve him actively making a deal with the Fire Temple, and the Fire Temple didn't receive any benefits like "Sage Mode".

Chiba pondered for a moment and said, "I was a little worried at first, but now it seems there's something I can discuss directly with you, senior."

Dilu only recently came to understand these things.

"This is inevitable. With the changing of any era, some things that cannot keep up with the times will be eliminated. So, in order for the Fire Temple to develop in the long term, we must make choices."

He remembered that Jiraiya wasn't like that in Naruto; in the end, he still stuck to the Fire Temple's ways.

unexpected.

"None of them matter? Then what do you think matters?"

"Whether it's Konoha or the Land of Fire, we're a unified whole. Losing either one would be a huge loss for the other. There's no inherent superiority between them. If I had to say..."

Chiba paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words before continuing, "The Hokage was once a ninja himself. My most important goal is to nurture the next generation and ensure that Konoha and the Land of Fire remain strong forever."

"To make the Land of Fire forever strong?"

Di Lu tasted it, and then his expression turned slightly surprised.

like……

That's the truth.

"Yes, does it matter to us who the leader is? No, it doesn't matter. We just need to ensure that the Land of Fire and Konoha can be at peace and not be bullied by others. As for who is in power and who holds power, that's something for those in higher positions to worry about."

Chiba said calmly.

Jiriku had mixed feelings. Chiba seemed to have answered, but he felt that something was off, that he was avoiding the main point.

but.

He couldn't find anything wrong with it.

indeed.

As ninjas and monks, the struggle for power was not of much concern to them; their priority was peace and stability.

"What if you were the Hokage?"

"Ok?"

Chiba looked at Shiraishi.

This old man...

That's a sharp question. He had certainly thought about becoming Hokage, but sometimes he felt it was too troublesome and tiring.

but.

Chiba had no need to hesitate about this issue.

"If I became Hokage, of course I would stand on my own side. Would I let the Daimyo directly govern Konoha? Is the Daimyo a ninja? He doesn't understand the ninja system at all. Letting him interfere would be like an amateur instructing an expert."

"..."

That's a very true answer.

The same thought flashed through the minds of both Jiroku and Shiroishi.

but.

Chiba is absolutely right.

Is it really a good thing for Konoha and its ninjas to let an outsider guide them?

Jiroku vaguely understood what Chiba meant.

"I was just asking casually. These are not important matters. Compared to that, I should focus on taking care of the Fire Temple first."

Di Lu sighed.

Management is no easy task. He sometimes felt physically and mentally exhausted just managing the Fire Temple. If he were to manage a village or a country, it would undoubtedly be even more tiring.

As Chiba said...

It's best not to worry about these things too much.

"By the way, Chiba, there's something I need your opinion on."

Upon thinking of Shiki Aburame, Jiro immediately said, "The Aburame clan is cooperating with you, isn't it?"

"I was in charge of the new parasitic insects in the Oil Woman's house."

Chiba nodded.

"They want to exchange secret techniques with our Fire Temple."

"Exchange a Sage Mode chakra training method for a contract?"

"Ah."

Dilu nodded.

While tidying up the waste paper in the research room, Chiba said, "I was in charge of the parasitic insects. If your Fire Temple is interested, joining the cooperation would be a good choice."

"Elaborate?"

"The parasitic insects have evolutionary characteristics. They can absorb chakra. I am currently researching feeding on Sage Chakra to help them evolve towards Sage Mode. So far, I have made some progress."

"Feeding on Sage Chakra?"

Di Lu was somewhat surprised, "Could these parasitic insects, which have evolved in this way, be able to control natural energy?"

"So far, yes."

Chiba nodded.

The claws are already able to absorb natural energy on their own.