He's in the Marvel universe, and his first step is marrying Scarlet Witch.

Chapter 134 It's Better That the Third Generation Died (Third Update)

"Kakashi, I need to go see the Hokage first. If you don't mind, you can wait for me at the ramen shop. Naruto and the others are there too. I'll treat you to ramen."

Li Chuan didn't explain much to Kakashi. After a brief conversation, he went up to the Hokage Building alone with Izumo Kamizuki.

He didn't bring Zabuza and Haku with him, leaving them downstairs, mainly because he was worried that the Third Hokage might notice something amiss.

In his past life, he vaguely remembered a Naruto joke: when all four Hokage of Konoha were resurrected using the Impure World Reincarnation technique, the First Hokage asked the Fourth Hokage how he died, and the Fourth Hokage said it was because he sealed the Nine-Tails.

Then the first generation was shocked: that thing can kill people?

At this moment, the Third Hokage looked ashamed, because his death was even more unjust, as he had sealed Orochimaru's hands.

Although it's a joke, it shows the difference in strength between the First and Third Hokage. The claim that the Third Hokage was the strongest Hokage in Konoha is obviously impossible.

However, it is undeniable that the Third Hokage's strength was indeed incomparable to that of the First Hokage, but this was only due to pure strength, and did not mean that his understanding of ninjutsu and his application of various ninjutsu were weaker than those of the First Hokage.

The Third Hokage was known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," proficient in all five elemental ninjutsu and compound ninjutsu. Given his age and experience, it was quite possible that he could spot the flaws in Zabuza and Haku's transformation techniques.

On the second floor, in the Hokage's office, Li Chuan stepped inside. The Third Hokage, wearing a Hokage hat, immediately stood up and greeted him warmly with a broad smile:

"Welcome, Your Highness. I was busy with the Chunin Selection Exams and was unable to greet you in person. I hope you will forgive me."

Upon hearing this, Li Chuan was taken aback for a moment, then immediately adopted a humble expression:

"Lord Hokage, you are too kind. When my uncle sent me here, he instructed me to follow your arrangements. However, I have always held Konoha in high esteem, so I came more than a month in advance."

I hope this won't cause you any trouble, Hokage!

Li Chuan knew perfectly well that the Third Hokage hadn't gone to the gate to greet him. He wasn't a Daimyo, so how could the Third Hokage, as the Hokage, possibly condescend to greet him at the gate?

The reason I said that was just to be polite; he would be a fool to take it seriously.

He was momentarily stunned, simply because the Third Hokage recognized him so naturally without even asking Izumo Kamiya about his identity upon entering, as if someone had already told him beforehand.

This also reminded him of the faint, almost imperceptible gaze he had felt upon entering the village.

It's likely that he was already being monitored by Konoha's ANBU members the moment he stepped through the gates of Konoha, and perhaps even by Danzo's Root members.

After all, he arrived in Konoha a month earlier than others, which made it hard not to arouse suspicion and vigilance from high-ranking officials like the Third Hokage and Danzo.

"So that's how it is. Maybe I was overthinking it."

Upon hearing Li Chuan's words, the Third Generation's mind raced, and he immediately smiled:

"Your Highness is too kind. It's not troublesome at all. It's a great honor for Konoha. Your Highness must be tired from your journey. Please get some rest for the night. I will send a Jonin to accompany Your Highness on a tour of Konoha later."

Three days ago, when he received the message from the Land of Fire, he and several advisors held a meeting to discuss why the prince would come to Konoha a month in advance, as this was not normal.

Danzo wondered if the daimyo was trying to test something again, or if he had some ideas about the concept of "jade".

Although he immediately rejected Danzo's judgment, it was impossible for him not to have any doubts in his heart.

Back then, the question of who was the true "King" and the real leader of the Land of Fire, the Daimyo or the Hokage, caused quite a stir. Later, he personally went to the Land of Fire to have a heart-to-heart talk with the Daimyo, which finally resolved the issue.

He believed that given the daimyo's personality, he wouldn't go back on his word again, but he couldn't be completely unprepared.

So in fact, everything that happened from the moment this prince entered Konoha until now has been relayed to him by ANBU ninjas in a timely manner.

This also made him realize that this prince was the same person as the disciple of the Fire Temple who had reported back from the mission in the Land of Kakashibo.

Based on this, it makes sense that the prince's claim of coming early was simply out of curiosity about Konoha.

Since the prince himself also practices ninjutsu, and his master Jiraiya and his son Asuma are good friends, it's normal for him to be curious about Konoha, the strongest ninja village composed of ninjas.

Moreover, Naruto and his friends had previously invited him to visit Konoha.

"Lord Hokage, isn't this a bit too wasteful? It's already troubled enough that I came early, and you've even sent a Jonin to accompany me. It's really a waste of your talents."

Upon hearing this, Li Chuan's eyes darted around as he declined.

He didn't want a Jonin following him around, because ostensibly accompanying someone was actually just surveillance.

The third generation was clearly adamant about this, explaining with a serious expression:

"Your Highness, this is not a normal time. Normally there would be no problem, but now, because of the Chunin Selection Exams, many ninjas from other villages have entered the village, so there are bound to be some safety issues."

Having a Jonin by your side will not only allow you to better explore the village, but also protect your safety and prevent unnecessary conflicts with ninjas from other villages.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Hokage-sama."

Li Chuan nodded and agreed with a smile.

The Third Hokage has already gone this far. If he refuses again, it's obvious he has something to hide. In that case, even if he doesn't send ninjas to follow him openly, he might send even more ANBU ninjas to monitor him secretly.

Moreover, it aroused the Third Hokage's suspicion, which could be detrimental to his future plans in Konoha.

But at the same time, it confirmed one thing in his heart: the third generation could not be saved.

He had considered two directions for development after arriving in Konoha.

The first approach is to save the Third Hokage when Orochimaru launches the Konoha Crush plan, in order to gain the Third Hokage's favor and thus learn advanced ninjutsu from Konoha.

The second approach is to seize the Book of Seals while the Leaf Village's defenses are at their lowest during the Konoha Collapse Plan.

After meeting with the third generation, he felt that choosing the second option was better.

Given the Third Hokage's personality, even if he truly made a significant contribution to the Konoha Crush plan, his status as a prince of the Land of Fire meant he was destined to never gain the Third Hokage's complete trust.

He might be able to get some ninjutsu from the Third Hokage, but he can forget about getting those advanced, secret ninjutsu.

Moreover, if the Third Hokage hadn't died, Orochimaru's hands wouldn't have been injured, Tsunade wouldn't have returned to take over as the Fifth Hokage, and the money he had lent out would have been wasted.

The key is that the Third Hokage is too cunning and difficult to deal with, and he is also very suspicious, as can be felt from the conversation just now. He has far less room to maneuver than Tsunade did after becoming Hokage.

Therefore, Li Chuan felt it would be better if the third generation died.

(End of this chapter)