Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

Konoha Village.

The Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen".

"What exactly are you plotting?"

Mitokado Yan's voice trembled slightly.

They've held onto power, a double-edged sword, for too long, and are unwilling to let go.

"Chiba is just a teenager."

"What does he know about politics?"

"What does he know about managing a village?"

"What he relies on is nothing more than his terrifying brute strength and the righteousness of the Thousand Hands bloodline!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

The old face behind the smoke was hidden in the shadows, appearing obscure and unclear.

"But he has Wood Release!"

"The villagers are all talking about Danzo now; everyone is filled with anxiety!"

"If this continues, public opinion will be completely out of control!"

Xiaochun's voice sounded panicked when she turned to the next room.

Hearing those gossips on the street today completely panicked her.

Those lowly people dare to question the decisions of the higher-ups!

This was absolutely unimaginable before.

"What's the panic?"

"Being the Hokage of Konoha isn't just about being strong."

"It also requires a vote of confidence from the Jonin, and sufficient prestige to support the situation!"

"What does Chiba have?"

"What else can a troublemaker who just returned to the village do besides cause destruction?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted coldly.

"you mean……"

"Transferring prestige?"

Mitokado Yan seems to have grasped a bit of the trick.

But he still had no clue what exactly happened.

"That's right."

"I don't need to be the Hokage."

"But the person who succeeds me must be someone I can trust."

"He's someone in the village who's absolutely flawless."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

A look of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Who?"

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words...

Xiaochun, who had just switched dorm rooms, quickly asked again.

"Jiraiya".

Jiraiya!

One of the legendary Sannin, a hero renowned throughout the ninja world.

He enjoys extremely high prestige among commoners and low- to mid-level ninjas.

more importantly.

He was also the direct disciple of the Third Hokage!

"Brilliant!"

"If Jiraiya were willing to return and take over, Chiba would have no excuse to object!"

"In terms of seniority, military achievements, and reputation, in what way does Jiraiya not far surpass that little beast?"

Mitomon slapped his thigh.

He burst out laughing, his face beaming with excitement.

"right!"

"Jiraiya's mind was entirely on writing books and traveling; he had absolutely no interest in power."

"If he were the Fifth Hokage..."

"Isn't the actual power in the village still in our hands?"

Koharu's expression also changed from gloomy to sunny.

They install a puppet ruler to maintain their rule.

As long as Jiraiya sits in that position, Hiruzen Sarutobi will be the retired emperor.

Chiba?

What makes a Chunin capable of competing with the Sannin?

"This matter must be handled quickly."

"I will give the order tonight for the Anbu to search for Jiraiya's whereabouts with all their might."

"We must bring him back to the village before Chiba makes a move."

Knock knock knock.

Just then.

The urgent knocking on the door shattered the three's reverie.

"Hokage-sama!"

A member of the Anbu ninja appeared out of nowhere and knelt on one knee.

"Have you found the source of the rumor?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

"no."

"The rumors have spread throughout the village, and even the taverns and bathhouses are talking about it."

"Ordinary people's trust in the top leadership... is declining sharply."

The officer in the shadows lowered his head, his voice tense.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened.

Those damned rumors spread like a plague.

Chiba's move directly struck at Konoha's weak point.

In political struggles, public opinion takes precedence.

How could that brat know all these schemes and tricks?

Could it be that Tsunade was giving instructions behind the scenes?

Probably!

Tsunade, having served in the upper echelons of Konoha, knew how to be the most disgusting person.

"Alright."

"Let's put the rumors aside for now."

"Find Jiraiya with all your might! That's the top order!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand impatiently.

The secret service officer was about to accept the order and leave.

Swish!

Another ANBU ninja appeared in the room in a flash.

His face was pale, and his eyes showed obvious panic.

"Report!"

"Lord Hokage, and my two advisors!"

"The daimyo's envoy... has arrived outside the building!"

Daimyo's envoy?

The three people in the Hokage's office stood up at the same time.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, both seeing the unease in each other's eyes.

Although Konoha Village is self-governing, its financial support depends entirely on the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

The fact that a daimyo would send an envoy at this time is definitely not a good omen.

Chiba just made a scene the day before yesterday, and the daimyo sent people here today.

The timing is too coincidental.

"Welcome quickly!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi straightened his Hokage robes and walked towards the door first.

Even the arrogance of the upper echelons must be tempered in the face of absolute conglomerates.

after all.

Without the funds from the Daming Prefecture.

Konoha can't even pay its ninjas' salaries for next month.

The three of them had just stepped into the corridor.

A group of attendants dressed in magnificent attire had already come up.

The leader was a middle-aged official with a fair complexion and an arrogant expression.

He was a favorite of the daimyo of the Land of Fire, and a cabinet minister named Fujiwara.

"Fujiwara-sama."

"You've come all this way, I'm so sorry I didn't greet you properly."

A kind smile spread across Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

He looked like a kind old man, completely concealing the sinister intent he had just displayed.

"Third Generation Leader, let's skip the formalities."

Fujiwara closed his folding fan and glanced sideways at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

His attitude was cold, even carrying a hint of condescending scrutiny.

Upon seeing this.

Xiaochun's heart skipped a beat when she switched dorm rooms.

This was something that had never happened before.

In the past, when the daimyo's messengers came to Konoha, weren't they all very polite?

Not good.

Things are going to get bad.

Mitokado Yan, who was standing to the side, also held his breath.

"Fujiwara-sama."

"Please come into my office to catch up. I have some excellent tea here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured with his hand.

Fujiwara, however, stood still.

"No need."

"I have been ordered by the lord to announce an important matter."

He shook his wide sleeves and took out an imperial edict stamped with the emperor's golden seal.

"Sandaime."

"Immediately summon all Jonin within Konoha Village."

"I will read out the daimyo's decree in half an hour."

All Jonin?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback.

What kind of major operation requires summoning all the Jonin?

Generally speaking, such a large-scale mobilization is only required when changing the Hokage or launching a Fourth Shinobi World War.

What is Daimyo trying to do?

Interfering in Konoha's internal affairs?

"Fujiwara-sama."

"Is this... a bit rushed?"

"Many Jonin are still on missions or recovering from injuries..."

Mitokado Yan tentatively opened his mouth.

Fujiwara gave him a cold look.

"Call all those who can move."

"My time is precious, and I have no time to waste in Konoha."

talking.

Fujiwara paused for a moment.

His gaze swept across the faces of the three executives, a meaningful coldness playing on his lips.

"in addition."

"Make sure that Chunin named Senju Chiba is present."

Chiba!

Upon hearing this name...

The pupils of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two suddenly contracted.

Xiaochun almost cried out when she turned to her new room.

The daimyo's messenger specifically requested to see Chiba!

What does this mean?

Has Chiba's name already reached the Daimyo's ears?

No.

wrong.

It's not as simple as just passing it over.

The person behind all this is definitely Tsunade!

That crazy woman Tsunade actually used her status as the princess of the Land of Fire to file a complaint with the daimyo!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's palms were sweating profusely.

No sooner had Chiba demonstrated Wood Release in the village than the Daimyo's decree arrived.

This combination of moves caught them completely off guard.