Naruto: Starting from Eating the Gold Fruit

Chapter 653 Third Round

It has to be admitted that with Naruto and Sasuke withdrawing from the Hokage candidates, Yua's third round is really going to be tough.

after all……

His original plan for the third round was to have two adjacent areas compete against each other.

In other words, it means that two adjacent candidates from the five districts of East, West, South, North, and Central compete against each other.

Of course, nominally it's competition, but the real purpose is to get them to cooperate and develop the region together.

Now that these guys have quit, we definitely can't use this method for the third round of assessments.

Ok……

But when did Sasuke and Sakura get together?

Damn it, I really want to see some gossip...

At the end of Konoha Year 68, many things happened that year.

For example, people from other villages are developing their own villages and also purchasing drone maintenance services from Youya.

They realized that while developing drones wasn't particularly difficult, there was a prerequisite for their use.

That means drones need to rely on signal base stations.

Without a signal, a drone is just a useless device that can only fly but cannot transmit images.

As for signal base stations, apart from the five great ninja villages, almost every other village lacks the necessary infrastructure.

Yahiko of the Land of Rain was furious when he learned of this.

But there was nothing they could do.

It's not that he doesn't want to develop signal base station technology.

However, to build a signal base station that can enable drones to transmit signals stably, you need to have at least 4G or higher network technology reserves.

They don't have this technology.

This is quite normal. Even in my previous life, most countries faced the situation where their own country did not have 4G or higher signal base stations.

Even if they do have them, they're using other countries' technology, and we could be held hostage at any time.

Yahiko desperately wanted the Land of Rain to become independent, but its location was indeed too special. None of the three ninja villages of the three countries of Earth, Fire, and Wind could allow the Land of Rain to become independent.

In the end, Yahiko had no choice but to accept it.

On the other hand, in the Land of Whirlpools, Nagato, when Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki were in power, was thrown out by them to be a front man, but he also gained his own group of people because of it.

After Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha, Nagato was freed.

Mitokado Yan was right when he said something.

There really aren't any reliable people in their family.

This led to Nagato's rapid development in the Land of Whirlpools, and he has now become the Left Minister of Whirlpools, meaning he already wields power at the highest levels of the country.

The people Mitokado Homura sent over did try to stop it, but unfortunately they didn't have the ability.

After all, Nagato didn't give you any chance. If you wanted to use some underhanded methods, Nagato was a ninja, and one who followed Jiraiya. He couldn't be bad at it, so he wouldn't be able to be ambushed by such underhanded methods.

Therefore, Nagato has gradually gained a foothold in the Land of Whirlpools.

Youya was actually quite unhappy about this situation.

For him, the Land of Whirlpools was quite good in the hands of Mitokado Homura's useless grandson; he was easy to control.

Once it falls into Nagato's hands, something unexpected might happen.

Therefore, Yua did consider having Minato Namikaze go there again.

This time, however, he was rejected by Minato Namikaze.

Because six months after Naruto's marriage, which is now the end of the year, Hinata became pregnant and is already two months along.

Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki were completely preoccupied with the fact that they were about to become grandparents.

As for the Land of Whirlpools, let it be.

Yu Ya had no choice but to let things take their course.

Even so, there are still many differences between the Land of Whirlpools and the Hidden Leaf Village.

However, Konoha Village cannot always maintain a mild image in its dealings with the outside world.

Yuya's time was running out. After the three-year probation period ended, he planned to step down and then take Tsunade to travel the world.

After working so hard for so many years, he's already over sixty. Can't You Ya enjoy life a little longer?

Abdication is inevitable, but before that...

You Yade is ready.

Ok……

He seemed to know what the third round of assessment would be about.

……

Konoha's 69th New Year.

In Naruto and Hinata's new home:

Naruto was washing the dishes with a miserable expression, while Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze were talking to Hinata about how she was taking care of her.

Hinata touched her belly happily. Although she was only three months pregnant and her belly wasn't showing yet, she was already prepared to give everything for the child in her womb.

As the conversation progressed, the topic turned to business.

Kushina Uzumaki: "Daughter-in-law, although the Hokage hasn't set the goals for this year's assessment, I've already discussed it with this old man. You must take good care of your health. I've also decided that when the time comes, this old man and I will go together to help you."

Minato Namikaze stood to the side, silently squinting.

They're only forty years old, okay? How can they be considered old guys?

Namikaze Karen happily hugged Hinata's arm, and would occasionally touch Hinata's flat stomach.

If Hana Rei weren't a girl, Kushina Uzumaki would definitely have already started cursing.

Hua Ling's face flushed with excitement: "My nephew, my niece, hehehe, hehehehe."

Hinata looked embarrassed, then looked at Kushina Uzumaki and nodded seriously: "I know, Mom. If there's anything I can do to help you, I'll definitely ask."

Hinata then looked at Minato Namikaze: "Dad too."

Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki nodded with satisfaction.

"Mom and Dad, I've finished washing the dishes. I'm going to rest for a bit. You two can chat all you want."

Kushina Uzumaki's face immediately flashed with anger. She stood up abruptly and grabbed Naruto's ear, yelling, "Rest?! Did you mop the floor?! Did you take out the trash?! Hinata has been working so hard, and you still dare to slack off?!"

Naruto was being pinched by the ear and was on the verge of tears.

Namikaze Karen stood by, cheering for Uzumaki Kushina...

After making a ruckus for a while, Kushina Uzumaki and the others left in the evening.

Kushina Uzumaki was still giving Hinata instructions about the precautions to take during her pregnancy.

Hinata blushed and nodded repeatedly.

After everyone left, Hinata looked at Naruto, who was sprawled on the sofa with a look of utter despair, chuckled, and went over to lean against Naruto's chest.

"I'm starting to wonder if we've switched places, and you're the one who's actually my mom's biological son, right?" Naruto retorted speechlessly.

"Get lost!" Hinata playfully punched Naruto's chest, then said with a happy expression, "Mom and Dad just want to hold their grandson as soon as possible."

Naruto raised an eyebrow: "How do you know it's a boy? Maybe it's a granddaughter?"

Hinata raised her little fist and punched Naruto.

Naruto just smiled and didn't resist.

"Go take a shower first, you smell bad from sweating."

Naruto happily went to prepare for a bath, just then Hinata's phone rang.

Hinata took a look, and then her expression became strange.

Naruto walked over and asked, "What happened?"

Hinata handed her phone to Naruto: "The targets for the third round of assessments... are out..."

……

The objectives for the third round of assessments are very simple.

Although five candidates have already withdrawn, but...

The ten divisions still exist, and the five people currently on the candidate list are: Hinata Hyuga, Neji Hyuga, Shisui Uchiha, and Shikamaru Nara.

And their assessment goal was...

Arbitrarily set targets to pull the other party down from the position of zone manager.

Yes, I also added a note: no matter what means are used.

Simply put, this round is a direct personal attack.

What You Ya wanted to see was not for these five guys to develop peacefully on their own.

You need some kind of conflict!

You have no conflicts now, but once you're in a position of power, I don't know if you'll be able to handle attacks from others.

Now that there are only five of us left, let's have a free-for-all!

However, to be fair...

Yua was surprised that Nara Shikamaru hadn't quit.

Well, Nara Shikamaru also has something to say; he definitely wants to quit the game and just give up.

But his family wasn't willing!

The Nara clan indeed doesn't compete or fight for anything, and they don't even seem to have much interest in the Hokage position.

But you can't just give up without even showing your abilities, can you?

Nara Shikamaru was speechless.

Damn it, I should have just married anyone.

only……

Whenever he has this thought, or whenever his parents urge him to get married...

Nara Shikamaru couldn't help but recall the girl who had given him a good beating during the Chunin Exams...

I don't know that girl...

How is it now...?

Forget it, I don't want to think about it too much. Let's think about how to deal with these things first.

This third round of assessment caught them all off guard.

Besides, we're all from the same village, so if you directly attack the other party, wouldn't that have a bad influence?

So everyone was very reserved at first.

Until that kid from the Shimura clan couldn't hold back any longer.

He began to have people collect negative information about Hyuga Neji's area, such as the exploitation of the people, and that most of the hardworking delivery drivers and factory workers in the village were in the area managed by Hyuga Neji.

Then they attacked Shisui's territory, claiming that disclosing someone else's information violated their right to privacy.

Neji Hyuga was a little confused. No, they were from the same village, it couldn't be like this, could it?

Is it really worth going to such lengths for the Hokage position?

Youya actually quite admires this kid's abilities.

If you become Hokage and still have a soft heart, that's the real danger.

Just as You Ya was preparing to watch the candidates' performances.

In March of Konoha 69, Gaara of Sunagakure arrived in Konoha with his personal guard.

He came seeking help.

Hokage's Office:

Yua stared at Gaara with a bewildered expression, then asked again, looking as if he hadn't heard clearly, "Wait, wait, what did you say? What happened to Sunagakure?!"

Gaara's face showed a hint of embarrassment, but he quickly concealed it. He then bowed deeply to Yua and said, "Sunagakure has been flooded. The canal embankment has been destroyed, and the village is now ravaged by the flood. I have come to ask for your help."

Yuya rubbed his temples: "Sunagakure... in the desert... there's a flood..."

Yuya looked at Gaara: "Are you sure you're not kidding me?"

Gaara's face turned slightly red.

To be honest, it was quite embarrassing.

"Yes, we hope that Konoha Village can help us overcome this difficulty..." Gaara said sincerely.

Yuya sighed, thought for a moment, nodded to Gaara, and said, "Alright, I'll send some craftsmen and professional sand guards over there. As for your side..."

Hiss, wait...

Youya extended his hand.

Then Youya began to ponder it carefully.

After a long while, Yuya raised his head and looked at Gaara: "I understand, I will send someone over to help."

Gaara was a little confused, but he didn't say anything.

He nodded and left with his squad.

As for his squad members...

Those are naturally Kankuro and Temari.

After everyone left, Youya stroked his chin and began to ponder.

No matter what kind of arrangement you make, nothing beats the training you get from real events.

That being the case...

……

"Huh? We're going to Sunagakure for disaster relief?" Hinata looked at Shizune, who was in charge of delivering the message to her, with a surprised expression.

Shizune nodded: "That's how the Hokage arranged it. He also said that he would go with you to the disaster relief efforts, but he wouldn't interfere with your decisions. Of course, all the decisions you make only represent yourselves."

Hinata nodded thoughtfully.

Then Shizune left.

That evening, Hinata told Naruto about it.

Naruto looked at Hinata's already showing belly and asked worriedly, "Can you not go?"

Hinata shook her head: "It probably won't work, unless..."

Naruto fell silent for a moment: "Unless you give up your Hokage nomination..."

Hinata smiled and leaned against Naruto's chest: "You know this very well, don't you?"

Don't worry, I'll be fine.

Naruto looked at Hinata and thought for a moment before saying, "I want to go too."

Hinata looked at Naruto with some surprise: "You're going too?"

Naruto nodded: "I'm worried about your safety, of course I'll come along, even if it's just to be your bodyguard."

Hinata thought for a moment and smiled: "Indeed, that's a good idea. Let's go together to help with disaster relief."

The next day, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki heard about what had happened and strongly requested to go along.

Unfortunately, before they could take any action, You Ya's transfer order arrived.

The two were put in charge of Konoha's security for the next month.

This clearly shows they don't want the two of them to help.

Minato Namikaze immediately sensed something was wrong and then asked, "Is it just you guys going to the disaster relief effort, or are there other people involved?"

Hinata blinked and said, "There are other Hokage candidates as well."

Minato Namikaze suddenly realized: "I see."

He realized that this so-called disaster relief was probably just a side effect.

What's really important...

The Hokage wanted to assess these people to determine their qualifications as the next Hokage...

(End of this chapter)