Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

Chapter 127 Shinnosuke: I Want to Be Respectable

Onoki moved closer.

Jiraiya, Kyohiko, and the others were quite a distance away from the other ninjas, so it was practically impossible for them to hear each other except for those with exceptional hearing.

but.

Onoki searched extensively.

The water-style ninjutsu that Jiraiya and the silver-haired boy had clearly not mastered well enough to interfere with their battle in the air.

The real main force is not them, but...

Minato Namikaze, Kyohiko Yoshimatsu.

It's those two again.

Onoki was deeply wary.

He initially thought that Minato Namikaze was the dominant force between the two, but now it seems that, in terms of ninjutsu, it's more like that kid is in control.

Ten years old...

Such talent at such a young age!

Unbelievable.

This could be another Tobirama Senju!

If this person is not eliminated, the rest of their ninja villages will eventually be overshadowed by Konoha.

Onoki smiled as he approached Jiraiya and said, "Secretly, our Iwagakure village can compensate you for your losses, but publicly..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the two understood each other perfectly.

Iwagakure is not Sunagakure after all.

Onoki is incredibly strong. He has studied Dust Release for decades. If he really fought to the death, he could wipe out most of the people in Konoha and Kusagakure in the north.

Faced with the Bloodline Elimination technique, Kyohiko didn't have a good way to counter it; the only thing he could think of was a war of attrition.

and so.

For someone like Onoki, a direct confrontation is completely unwise; the best course of action is for both sides to exercise restraint and avoid turning against each other.

Onoki bargained with Jiraiya.

War instantly turned into a transaction.

After a long while, Onoki, along with the five-man demolition squad that had been captured, turned and left.

Minato Namikaze was filled with emotion.

"As expected of Onoki! Even under these circumstances, he can still hold his own against us."

The Flying Thunder God Technique, used over long distances, consumes a great deal of chakra.

and so.

Even if the fight continues, he will actually find it difficult to pose a threat to Onoki.

Old age makes one stronger.

As expected of the Third Tsuchikage!

Jingyan deeply agreed.

Jiraiya retorted irritably, "Why do you all look like you've lost? Remember how strong Onoki was before?"

Everyone fell silent.

The effect of the Limit Separation Technique truly exceeded their expectations.

With such a series of explosions, if Onoki were to move, they really wouldn't have a good solution.

Jiraiya sighed for a moment, then couldn't help but think of what had happened a few days ago.

At the time, he was still figuring out how to deal with Onoki when Kyohiko sent him a plan.

Water escape with strong adhesion.

Kyohiko created a special ninjutsu within a few days.

"If it weren't for this technique, we might not have gotten the benefits we have now. This can be considered a step forward for both sides."

Jiraiya analyzed the situation carefully and felt that Onoki himself didn't really want to fight.

Otherwise, if they really fight it out, it will be difficult for both Konoha and Iwagakure.

"It may not be a good thing."

Minato Namikaze, however, was somewhat worried.

While Iwagakure was not severely damaged, Onoki's ambitions are far greater, and a new war will inevitably break out sooner or later.

Jiraiya couldn't help but glance at Minato.

He knows about Watergate.

If it were the old Minato Namikaze, he would definitely think the current situation is the best possible outcome, just like him.

But now.

Tsk!

Jiraiya didn't blame him, only sighed slightly—

Spending a lot of time with Jingyan, you'll inevitably be influenced by his thoughts, eventually leading to changes you won't even realize.

He was like that, and so was Minato Namikaze.

……

"Father, why are we retreating? Even if the demolition team is captured, you shouldn't be defeated."

Huang Tu was somewhat puzzled.

Onoki glanced at his son and said, "You only think about the immediate victory, without considering that Konoha created that technique in just a few days."

He remained silent for a few seconds, then sighed heavily.

Less than ten days!

Iwagakure spent ten days gathering detailed intelligence on Sunagakure. After learning more about the battle, Onoki decided not to fight.

This "battle" was actually just a way to give each other a way out. Even if Konoha hadn't used such a water-style technique, he would have found a way to facilitate peace talks.

However, if Iwagakure gains the upper hand, he will have more say and reduce his losses.

Unlike now...

The losses are too great!

After pondering for a long time, Huang Tu said, "That sticky water must be a special property change of water escape. I wonder how difficult it is to learn. If it's not difficult, it will indeed be fatal to our flight."

Then, he "suddenly realized".

"Father, wasn't it this technique that killed Fengying?"

"Huang Tu, use your brain for once!"

Onoki was heartbroken. "If he had known this before, he would have used it against me last time. Why would he wait until now? He must have a different method for dealing with Sunagakure!"

"really."

Huang Tu thought about it and realized that it made sense.

He only considered that this technique could be used against flying beings, without taking it all into account.

"Huang Tu, governing a village isn't like leading a team on a mission. You need to learn to think comprehensively, otherwise how can I entrust the village to you?"

Ohnoki sighed.

Thinking of Minato Namikaze and Kyohiko Yoshimine's performances, he felt an overwhelming sense of crisis welling up inside him.

Konoha is too strong!

"So what do we do?"

"Compensation, wait!"

"Ohnoki said in a low voice."

Huang Tu nodded, and seeing that his father didn't intend to continue, he stopped asking and pondered on his own.

and so on.

What are you waiting for?

We can't wait until Konoha becomes stronger enough to wipe out Iwagakure before turning around and attacking them.

He thought about it for a long time.

With the help of Onoki's Super Light-Heavy Rock Technique, they flew across the enormous, impenetrable ravine, only realizing something when they were nearing their Iwagakure camp...

"Father, are you waiting for everyone to join forces?"

"Looks like you're not beyond saving after all."

A satisfied smile appeared on Onoki's face.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

The strength of Konoha is not necessarily a good thing.

"I believe the Third Raikage is not short-sighted. He will surely understand that continuing to cooperate with Konoha will only lead to being crushed by Konoha in the end."

Iwagakure fears Lightning Release and doesn't have a good way to deal with high-speed ninjas, but if Iwagakure and Kumogakure join forces, this problem will not exist.

With their complementary strengths and coordinated efforts, they can definitely defeat Konoha!

However, Konoha also understands this, and has recently been getting closer to Kumogakure. Kumogakure, on the other hand, is more interested in dealing with their Land of Earth.

Therefore, Ohnoki needs to wait!

……

On the eastern front, the coastline was littered with corpses, and the soil along the shore was stained red.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding the Vajra Staff, was panting heavily.

Beside him, Danzo held a sword in one hand and a severed head in the other.

The head belonged to Kushimaru Kurihara of Kirigakure.

Ahead, a corpse had been pierced through the chest; judging from its appearance, it seemed to be a Jonin from Kirigakure.

"Unfortunately, the sewing needle and the decapitation sword were sent back by spirits."

He snorted coldly.

Then, he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Uchiha, what do you plan to do?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

Uchiha.

This problem, which has remained unsolved since the beginning, still has not yielded a perfect solution.

He remained silent for a long time, gazing at the distant sea.

"I am no longer the Hokage, so it's up to the wisdom of the next generation."

"The next generation?"

Danzo sneered, then turned and left. "If you don't want to be the villain, then let me be!"

"Don't act impulsively."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

Danzo did not answer, sheathed his sword, threw his head on the grass by the sea, and left.

"Why!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

He understands Danzo, but Danzo doesn't understand Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the others as they are now.

Given the current situation, either Konoha or Danzo will inevitably fall.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could tolerate many of Danzo's underhanded tactics, but he absolutely could not forgive anything that was detrimental to Konoha.

"Danzo, don't blame me."

……

Kirigakure Village, as always, was somber and desolate, but today, the atmosphere within the village was unusually quiet.

First, two members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist were killed in the Land of Fire.

Second, he graduated from the Hidden Mist Ninja Academy.

but.

The situation is slightly different from what everyone expected.

Inside an office in the Water Shadow Building.

"Master Yuan, what do you think? Should we discuss with the Mizukage about abolishing the current ninja academy policy next year?"

The Watermelon Pufferfish Demon cautiously looked at the old man in front of him.

Master Yuan held the intelligence report in his hand and remained silent for a long time.

After a while, he put down the report.

The report was very simple—

"In the Ninja Academy graduation exam, Zabuza Momochi killed all the examinees, and only Zabuza graduated."

Previously, during the Chunin Exams in Yugakure, their ninja suffered considerable losses.

At the time, Master Yuan was hoping that there would be more graduates this year to make up for the lack of new generation ninjas, but he never expected that Zabuza would wipe out this year's entire class.

"I will bring it up, but I don't know if Lord Mizukage will agree."

When the Fourth Mizukage was mentioned, everyone fell silent.

The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.

The youngest Mizukage of Kirigakure is very talented and capable, but since taking office, he has been implementing rather cruel policies.

Although the Hidden Mist ninjas are far more resilient and strong-willed than their peers from other villages, their numbers are declining day by day.

This year it's even more thorough.

"Furthermore, according to intelligence from the Anbu, something seems to have happened in Sunagakure. Sasori of the Red Sand has betrayed the village again and fled, but the reason is unknown."

Suigetsu Hobutsu sent another piece of information up.

Master Yuan glanced at it and then tossed it aside.

"This is a matter for Sunagakure, we don't need to worry about it. Let's deal with the immediate problem first."

"yes!"

……

"Sasori of the Red Sand has defected again?"

Tsunade looked up.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded: "Yes, they also stole the bodies of the Third Kazekage and Ebizo."

"Luo Sha has certainly played his cards right."

Tsunade gave a cold laugh.

With Rasa's abilities, how could he not know that Sasori would steal the corpse?

It was done on purpose, though.

"Hokage-sama, should we attack Sunagakure?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked up.

Tsunade shook her head.

She carefully examined the intelligence and letters in her hand and smiled, "Spread the news that Sasori of the Red Sand has mastered human puppets, so that everyone will pay attention to their own bloodline limit ninjas."

"yes!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke turned to leave, but after a few steps, he hesitated for a moment and came back.

"Lord Hokage, there is one more thing I hope you can grant me."

"explain."

Tsunade corrected documents without even looking up.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "I want to leave the Anbu and return to a normal ninja life."

Tsunade was stunned, and immediately looked up.

After a long pause, she finally asked, "Why?"

"My father prioritizes the village and rarely cares about Asma, but lately I've been spending more time with her..."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke sighed and recounted his recent experiences.

Tsunade remained silent.

She had initially thought that Sarutobi Shinnosuke had ulterior motives, and that she would remove him once Kyohiko returned. That was why he was trying to save face in advance, and she had even considered trying to persuade him...

but.

After hearing the reason, she knew she had no reason to keep him.

"Won't you reconsider?"

"No."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke shook his head with a smile, then sighed, "Maybe I still prefer spending time with Asuma and the others in the sunshine."

"I respect your opinion, what about Kaori?"

Tsunade smiled. "You've been with her for quite a few years now, haven't you considered getting married and having children?"

"She, she might be quite used to life in the shadows, uh, I respect her opinion."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke blushed.

Fortunately, he had a dark complexion and was wearing a mask, so even if he blushed, it wouldn't be noticeable.

Tsunade stopped joking and instead smiled and offered some words of encouragement.

Just then, he suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, if you want to regain your normal identity, there's something I need your help with."

"Yes, please give your instructions."

"Graduation exams are coming up soon, and some students want to graduate early, but the workload isn't too heavy right now. It seems like the three-pronged approach to graduation is almost over, so I don't think it's necessary. I hope they can study for another two years..."

Tsunade shared her thoughts.

Shinnosuke Sarutobi shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"Lady Tsunade, my eloquence is rather poor, please spare me!"

"Then why don't you go teach? There aren't many Jonin in the village, and you happen to be free."

Tsunade smiled.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke realized he had been tricked.

This is Tsunade's true purpose!

He had no choice but to accept the task.

……

In the Land of Grass, Jiraiya, Kyohiko, and Minato discussed the compensation agreement and their future relationship with the Grass Village in their tent.

After talking all night, the three reached a consensus.

It's certain that Iwagakure will have to pay money and provide supplies as compensation, but the real challenge lies in dealing with Kusagakure.

Although the matter has been resolved, the seeds of hatred have been sown after the betrayal of the Grass Ninja Village. It is impossible to return to the era when there was no conflict.

and so.

Continue to cooperate, but at the same time maintain distance.

"Teacher, we only need to finish up here. We plan to go back to the village tomorrow."

"Minato, Kyohiko, thank you all for your hard work this time. You supported the east and came to help me. Without you, this wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

Jiraiya understood perfectly why Onoki had left.

This battle was just the prelude; the main focus was the collapse of Sunagakure in the west, with even the Third Kazekage falling into the enemy lines.

Anyone with a modicum of sense understands that Iwagakure no longer has the conditions to start this war.

The fact that neither of the two Jinchūriki were seen this time reveals Onoki's true attitude.

He'd long lost the will to fight!

"No, I was mostly just helping out."

Minato Namikaze did not take credit for it.

It would be even more difficult for Jingyan to claim credit.

Without the Flying Thunder God Technique, he couldn't have defeated so many enemies; Minato's contribution was significant.

"Take care. I have to talk to the Grass Ninja Village tomorrow, so I won't see you off."

"Um!"

(End of this chapter)