The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Shikaku is currently considered a near-high-ranking member of Konoha, and is also a core leader of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. He has a very clear understanding of the dark side and sordid things in the village.

What kind of person is this Elder Danzo of our own family?

Lu Jiu saw it all clearly.

In the Nine-Tails' rampage twelve years ago, the annihilation of the Uchiha clan five or six years ago, and this recent joint attack by the Sound and Sand Villages, Elder Danzo has played a less than honorable role.

Shikaku truly did not want to see Danzo become the supreme leader of Konoha, as that would surely mean disaster for the village.

Shikaku is a Konoha ninja representative who firmly hopes to see Jiraiya become Hokage, and he also believes that the members of the various clans in the village must also hope to see a similar outcome.

"Yes, I knew Danzo would share our opinion. So, Shikaku, let's report this result to the Daimyo. Keep all the ceremonies simple and send a note to the other ninja villages as soon as possible."

Mitokado Homura deliberately pretended not to understand Danzo's implied meaning and directly made the decision that was made jointly by the three elders and advisors.

"Yes, then I will..."

Shikaku nodded in response, but before he could finish speaking...

"Wait a minute, I am not the most suitable candidate for Hokage. You should also know that my personality is not suitable for being Hokage at all."

From the opposite seat, Jiraiya, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

These are the words spoken.

Danzo's brows twitched involuntarily, and a faint hint of anger and longing flickered deep within his pupils.

Shikaku was startled when he heard Jiraiya's words.

Jiraiya-sama doesn't want to become Hokage?

How could this be?! Are they really going to make Danzo Hokage? That's definitely something Shikaku doesn't want to see.

Across from him, Mitokado Homura frowned and said directly, "Jiraiya, this isn't just your problem. It's a crucial matter for the entire Hidden Leaf Village. You need to understand that the Hidden Leaf Village is now at its most dangerous moment, and you must take responsibility."

"Of course I know, you don't need to nag me. I'm not shirking my responsibility, it's just that there's someone more suitable for the Hokage position than me, don't you think?"

Jiraiya waved his hand, interrupting Mitokado Homura, and leaned forward slightly as he spoke.

This surprised everyone present.

Shikaku was the fastest to react, in less than a second.

Shikaku then realized who Jiraiya was referring to.

'If it were that esteemed person, they would indeed be the most suitable, especially given their status.'

A thoughtful look also appeared in Shikaku's eyes as he pondered to himself.

"You mean Tsunade? She is indeed a more suitable candidate."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were getting old, and unlike Jiraiya who occasionally returned a few times over the years, Tsunade hadn't returned to Konoha for over ten years, so the two of them naturally didn't react for a moment.

But it only delayed it by a few seconds.

Xiaochun, who was turning over to her room, was the first to react.

After hearing this, Mitokado Yan nodded slowly.

"Well, if it's Tsunade, that would be fine, but, Jiraiya, Tsunade isn't in the village right now, so..."

"I'll take care of bringing Tsunade back, is that alright?"

Jiraiya looked up at Mitokado Homura and said in a deep voice.

"Of course you can, but there's something I need to say upfront: Jiraiya, if you can't find Tsunade, or if Tsunade isn't willing to come back, you still have to be the Fifth Hokage. This isn't a matter of whether you want to or not, but rather the requirement of the entire village. Do you understand?"

After exchanging a glance with Koharu Utatane, Mitokado Homura turned to Jiraiya with a serious expression and said...

Although Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu didn't resist Danzo becoming the village's Hokage like Shikaku did, they genuinely felt that Jiraiya and Tsunade were the most suitable candidates.

Strength and status are the same thing.

Even more important is his prestige and trustworthiness within the village.

Danzo was, after all, the person in charge of Root. Ordinary ninjas might not know about the dark things he had done in the past, but how could the people in charge of those big clans not know?

These people would generally find it difficult to accept Danzo becoming Hokage.

Mitokado Enoki and Utatane Koharu both understood this point very well.

Danzo himself could see this to some extent, and because of this, in the past few years, Danzo had gradually drifted apart from his close friends, to the point that he was capable of sending people to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If necessary.

It wouldn't be difficult to ruthlessly kill Mitokado Enoki and Utatane Koharu.

Danzo has now completely gone mad, his mind is only focused on the throne of 'Hokage'.

That obsession was already etched deep into Danzo's soul.

'snort!'

Danzo, who was sitting to the side, appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, he was filled with anger and resentment.

He just couldn't accept it. Why couldn't he become Hokage?!

"Don't worry, I will definitely find Tsunade and persuade her to come back."

Jiraiya waved his hand and said in a very firm tone.

"I'll send a few secret agents with you then."

Mitokado nodded, then clearly intended to prepare another safety measure.

"No need for that. Besides, if I really wanted to do something, could a few secret agents stop me? Don't worry, things are different now than before. I know that very well, and I won't forget my identity."

Jiraiya sat up straight and replied with a serious expression.

Seeing how persistent Jiraiya was.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu didn't say much. They trusted Jiraiya. Even if he seemed carefree on other issues, this was a major issue involving the entire Hidden Leaf Village, and Jiraiya would definitely think twice before acting.

"In addition, there is the issue of Sunagakure, Orochimaru, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—Uzumaki Menma. This is the most important issue besides the selection of the next Hokage, especially the latter. Uzumaki Menma must be captured as soon as possible."

After nodding, Mitokado Homura spoke with a serious expression.

The Hidden Sand Village betrayed the alliance.

Orochimaru's attack on Konoha and his killing of Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi were indeed major events that would shake the core of Konoha's foundation. However, compared to the defection of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, they seemed secondary.

Tailed beasts have always been an important 'weapon' for the major ninja villages to use to deter other countries.

Not to mention the most powerful Nine-Tails.

This is the highest priority issue that Konohagakure must address immediately.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 129 Ambition and Conflict (Third Update)

Even though Konoha has never used the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki on the front lines in the past few decades, it doesn't mean that Konoha doesn't need the Nine-Tails.

Not to mention that this itself has a strong deterrent effect, more importantly, if the Nine-Tails were to be acquired by another ninja village, the shift in power would be the most significant issue threatening Konoha's status and safety.

"Orochimaru and Menma Uzumaki, let Root handle them. Those who betray should be punished most severely, especially the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. It is most reasonable for me to arrange it personally."

And just as Mitokado Homura finished speaking.

On the other side, Danzo Shimura spoke first.

Danzo clearly couldn't compete with Tsunade or Jiraiya for the Hokage position. In terms of status, strength, prestige, and many other factors, no matter how confident Danzo was, he did understand that he couldn't compete with the two for the time being. However, Danzo was absolutely determined not to let go of the Nine-Tails.

As early as 12 years ago, Danzo had been wanting to bring Menma to the Root organization to train him personally, but he was always thwarted by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Now that such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was presented to him, Danzo would never miss it.

"In addition, there is the One-Tailed Jinchuriki of Sunagakure. I also think it is most appropriate to hand him over to Root for imprisonment. This way, the risk of the One-Tail going berserk again can be kept to a minimum."

Moreover, it wasn't just the Nine-Tails; even when Danzo had just captured the One-Tails from Sunagakure, he clearly revealed his greedy fangs.

In his view, as long as he could take this opportunity to successfully control the two tailed beasts, his ambitions and his great cause would surely be realized.

"Leave Orochimaru and Menma's problems to me; there's no need to trouble Elder Shimura."

Jiraiya's expression changed instantly, and he turned his gaze directly to Danzo, speaking without giving an inch.

Leaving Orochimaru aside, just considering the issue of facial paralysis alone, Jiraiya would never have left it to Danzo to handle.

Doesn't Jiraiya know what kind of existence this old guy is?

Back then, he was a madman who would even assassinate his own best friend.

Jiraiya absolutely forbade Danzo from interfering in Menma's affairs.

Even though his rational mind told Jiraiya that Menma's situation was already difficult to reverse, Jiraiya still wanted to try his best as long as there was even the slightest possibility.

This is Jiraiya's 'conscience'.

"Hmph, you're the one who's going to handle this?! It's precisely because we've entrusted it to you for the past 12 years that this problem has arisen!! If we had handed over Uzumaki Menma to Root for training earlier, would this defection have happened?! Orochimaru is the same; Hiruzen was too soft-hearted back then, and so are you, Jiraiya. You bear an undeniable responsibility in this matter, and we can no longer trust you."

Danzo snorted coldly, looked at Jiraiya, and spoke in a very unfriendly tone.

This is what it means to rebuke someone face-to-face.

This made Jiraiya's expression turn somewhat unpleasant, but he had to admit that he and his teacher did indeed bear some responsibility in this matter.

Even so.

Jiraiya still couldn't back down on this matter.

Jiraiya already felt indebted to Menma over the past 12 years. Kakashi succinctly explained the conversation that took place at the venue to him, and in Jiraiya's opinion, Menma couldn't be entirely blamed.

The child is still young, isn't he?

Jiraiya felt he had the reason, the ability, and the opportunity to correct this mistake.

Therefore, he could not allow Danzo to get involved.

That's when it's truly irreversible.

"I said, I'll handle Orochimaru and Menma's affairs!"

Jiraiya shook his head again, speaking with great conviction.

"Hmph, Jiraiya, you..."

A sinister glint flashed in Danzo's eyes, and he was about to say something when...