I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

Although there are still wandering ninjas on the roads, compared to other ninja villages and small countries, it's like living in paradise...

As for the residents of small places, they are similar to those of small countries; even ninjas are too lazy to visit, and only mountain bandits and outlaws are active.

After a month of effort, Naruto and Karin left the Land of Fire and boarded a ship back to Uzushio Village.

Inside the cabin, Karin was engrossed in reading medical books. Wearing glasses, she had the air of a literary young woman. However, when she was alone, Karin would always let out a silly laugh and act crazy while hugging her pillow and blanket.

Looking through the glass at the surging sea, Naruto entered the sealed space.

The Nine-Tails, the Three-Tails, and the Fourth Hokage are playing Naruto Kill, a card game that Naruto created when he was bored, and it is updated from time to time with some newly seen ninja cards.

"kill!"

"Substitution Technique!"

"Take this Tailed Beast Ball. You all need to use Substitution Jutsu to avoid it."

Looking at the two tailed beasts and the Hokage engrossed in playing cards, Naruto rubbed his forehead, somewhat regretting that he had transplanted the card game "Three Kingdoms Kill" to the ninja world. These card-playing friends were too outrageous, and they were even using his chakra.

At this moment, Kurama noticed Naruto and asked with some confusion, "Naruto, why is Zabuza, a mere Jonin, more skilled than me and the Fourth Hokage?"

Naruto glanced at Kurama and said, "New cards are always better than old cards, otherwise who would play them?"

Nine-Tails nodded, then said seriously, "However, I think Kurama is the strongest. You can create a 'Boundary Kurama'..."

Naruto's lips twitched slightly. How did Kurama learn to do it all on his own? Was he really a genius otaku fox?

After the card game ended, the Nine-Tails, who had lost, went to its cage to sulk, while the Three-Tails found a place to start snoring away. Only Naruto and Minato Namikaze remained outside the cage.

After a few seconds of eye contact, Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "Naruto, I don't have much chakra left. You'll have to rely on yourself from now on, but with your abilities, you probably won't need anyone else's help."

Chapter 184 The Disappearance of Minato Namikaze

"There's not much chakra left..."

Naruto paused for a moment, then looked at Minato Namikaze and fell into a brief silence.

The Minato Namikaze clone in front of us was just a chakra clone. It was already a miracle that it could last this long. It's perfectly normal for it to dissipate now due to insufficient chakra.

Of course, theoretically speaking, both he and Kurama could replenish Minato's chakra, allowing him to continue existing.

Seemingly guessing Naruto's thoughts, Minato Namikaze gently shook his head: "Using chakra clones to stay in the ninja world is already greedy enough. Seeing that you and the village are slowly getting better, I don't want to linger on any longer."

Before his trip to Kusagakure, Minato, as the Hokage, was somewhat worried about the future of Konoha.

But after listening to the conversation between Naruto, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, he let go of his last concern. Neither the village nor Naruto needed his care as a dead man.

After a moment of contemplation, Naruto said solemnly, "I respect your opinion, but we may meet again in the future. Don't forget that the Impure World Reincarnation technique still exists in the ninja world."

Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze's expression also turned serious.

The Impure World Reincarnation technique is indeed troublesome. Even if the immortal impure body only has half the strength it had in life, it is still a big problem for the ninja world. However, since his soul is sealed inside the Shinigami Mask, there shouldn't be too much to worry about.

Wait a minute... Minato Namikaze seems to have realized something. There's another half of the Nine-Tails inside the Shinigami mask.

After letting out a soft sigh, Minato Namikaze said, "That Minato Namikaze is different from me. If you want to get the other half of the Nine-Tails, you must be wary of the Flying Thunder God Technique."

After saying that, Minato Namikaze revealed his usual tricks and fighting style, and Naruto said "thank you".

Minato Namikaze paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: "No need for thanks. The Nine-Tails' power was originally yours. Perhaps my decision to forcibly separate the Nine-Tails back then was a mistake. I'm already very happy to see you find your own path..."

There wasn't much to talk about between the two grown men. After exchanging pleasantries, Minato Namikaze returned to his corner.

Kurama (the Nine-Tails) approached with great interest, laughing as he said, "What did Minato just say to you? Did he secretly ask you to customize a card deck...? The Hokage is still so cunning!"

"No, he was just leaving. Before he left, he talked about the other half of the Nine Lamas."

"Where is he going?" Kurama's reaction time was slow. After realizing what was happening, he said in a low voice, "His chakra is about to dissipate. Humans are really fragile. Whether it's a Jinchuriki or a chakra body, they are as fragile as a candle flame in the wind."

"But you're not planning to replenish his chakra? Having another card-playing partner isn't bad either..."

Naruto shook his head coldly: "He rejected me. The Fourth Hokage is still so high and mighty. Why can't he be a little selfish and think more about himself and his family? Are heroes really that great?"

"Isn't becoming Hokage all about getting others' approval? Is that approval really that important?"

"I will not become Hokage, nor will I become a hero. I will only be a dictator who has the final say and a tyrant who never considers others."

Sensing the changes in the sealed space, the Nine-Tailed Fox slowly returned to its cage.

Based on its experience of being sealed away for many years, saying nothing is the most appropriate thing to do in this situation.

Naruto realized that something was wrong with him. Was it because Minato Namikaze was feeling sad? He himself didn't know.

After calming himself down, Naruto left the sealed space and looked at the sea outside the window with a sense of confusion.

Karin noticed Naruto's expression and wanted to know what was going on, but she gave up on the idea. She just became more curious about Naruto's identity.

Shouldn't Master Menma be middle-aged? How come he has the same expression as her?

It must be an illusion.

……

A few days later, Naruto brought Karin to the Land of Whirlpools.

Although the Land of Fire has beautiful scenery, it is not his territory. In the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves, he is the absolute leader who holds both military and political power.

Upon encountering the ninjas on the island and being recognized, the ninjas from Uzushio Village quickly came over to greet them.

Naruto nodded slightly and then led Karin deeper into the island.

The ninjas stared at Naruto and Karin's retreating figures, somewhat puzzled by the latter's identity, but upon seeing her striking red hair, they immediately understood everything.

It turns out that Lord Menma's outings these past few days have been to search for the remaining members of the Uzumaki clan in the ninja world.

After walking for a few minutes, Karin asked curiously, "Lord Menma, so you really are the leader of Uzushio Village. I thought you were lying to me before. Also, how old are you this year?"

You should be a little younger than...

Naruto mentally scoffed and led Karin into Uzushio Village.

First, they went to the Uzumaki office to meet Karin and Shisui, and also to register their household information. Then, the two headed towards the Uzumaki Temple.

The disappearance of the water gate made him slightly uncomfortable, but life had to go on.

He, this figurehead leader, still has hundreds of thousands of people to support, and he can't afford to be careless for a moment. Whether it's developing technology or building infrastructure, he must have his shadow clone oversee everything.

However, the most urgent task is to take Karin to see Ashina Uzumaki.

Those Uchiha brutes like Shisui could at most be teachers of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. Once it came to medicine and sealing techniques, they had no ability to be teachers at all. In terms of medicine, they could only trade with Orochimaru and go to Konoha to exchange experiences.

The sealing technique can only rely on the old clan chief Ashina.

However, given the example of the Fourth Hokage, the old clan head would eventually leave the ninja world, and someone had to be found to inherit the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques. Karin was one of the best candidates.

Based on the experience from the original work, Karin's physique is very suitable for combat, but unfortunately she doesn't have much combat talent.

Compared to fighting and killing outside, they are more suited to being teachers and researchers; they are practically tailor-made for these two professions.

Upon seeing Ashina Uzumaki toying with his own corpse, Naruto gave Karin a push: "This is the old patriarch of the Uzumaki clan, and also your future teacher. In addition to receiving education at the Ninja Academy, you will also have to learn sealing techniques."

Upon seeing Karin with her red hair, Ashina Uzumaki immediately smiled: "Naruto, don't worry, I will definitely not mistreat Karin. I didn't expect you to have such an unexpected gain during your Sage Mode training trip. Now I don't have to worry about the Uzumaki lineage being cut off..."

Naruto said somewhat speechlessly, "With me and Nagato here, the Uzumaki lineage can never be broken."

Ashina glanced at Naruto: "Can you two be considered orthodox Uzumaki? Orthodox Uzumaki don't cause trouble everywhere, nor do they make a mess of the ninja world. You two are madmen, just like Hashirama and Madara Uchiha."

"Okay, okay, but you absolutely mustn't treat me differently. Karin has to go through everything I went through!"

Seeing Shikamaru Uzumaki transform into a doting grandfather, Naruto was speechless. However, he no longer needed to worry about Karin's future, as the old clan leader would definitely do his best to teach her.

After thinking about this, Naruto left behind the Sage Mode training method and some future plans before leaving the Uzumaki Temple.

Chapter 185 The Hokage Cannot Regret It

After Naruto left, Ashina Uzumaki picked up the scroll placed on the ground, and his expression changed.

Karin was somewhat frightened by Ashina's smile and cautiously asked, "Elder Chief, what are you laughing at?"

Ashina shook his head and said, "Naruto has given me another mission. Karin, your life will be very fulfilling for the next few years."

After leaving the Uzumaki Shrine, Naruto smiled.

The scroll contained the training methods for Sage Mode and the idea of ​​using White Zetsu to simplify Sage Mode into a curse seal. After successfully mastering Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode, Naruto had the idea of ​​promoting Sage Mode to enhance combat power.

Although the conditions for practicing Sage Mode are much more demanding than those for becoming a ninja, they can effectively enhance the combat power of existing ninjas.

In Naruto's memory, Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, which he displayed during the Chunin Exams, could grant Chunin the strength of a Special Jonin, and could also effectively increase the stamina of Jonin-level ninjas.

As for how to obtain the cursed seal, Orochimaru is a good option.

However, such a large-scale technology obviously cannot rely entirely on Orochimaru; it must be developed independently. With White Zetsu and himself as a sage, the development progress of Uzushio Village will not be slower than Orochimaru's.

However, the recruitment of technical talents will also be carried out gradually, and the geniuses of the ninja world are not limited to ninjas.

……

After leaving Kusagakure, Jiraiya and Tsunade did not return to Konoha immediately.

Since the goal of returning to the village this time is to take down Danzo and the Third Hokage, we must make proper arrangements before taking action to ensure that the plan can be implemented smoothly.

Jiraiya originally intended to accept all of Naruto's suggestions.

The atmosphere in Uzushio Village was the best he had ever seen in the ninja world, but this idea was ruthlessly opposed by Tsunade. Even if those policies and reforms were actually implemented in Konoha, the village would collapse as a result, even if they were correct.

Allies who might have been courted will now stand firmly on the side of the third-generation teacher.

Following Tsunade, Jiraiya traveled through various towns and cities in the Land of Fire, and even visited the Daimyo in the capital. After talking with the Daimyo for a few days, Jiraiya realized that Tsunade was serious this time and really wanted to join him in overthrowing the Third Hokage's rule.

He also realized the gap between himself and Tsunade in terms of politics.

In order to promote reforms, Tsunade would actively seek alliances and win over forces outside the village, while he would only take the collected dirt on the Third Hokage to report him, and ultimately receive a few indifferent responses.

After spending more than half a month, Jiraiya and Tsunade finally returned to Konoha.

Not long after, news of Jiraiya's return with Tsunade spread throughout the village, and the Third Hokage, upon receiving the news, immediately extended an invitation to the two of them.

"Tsunade, you've finally decided to come back and see this old man."

The Third Hokage smiled as he looked at Tsunade and Jiraiya who had returned.

He originally thought that Jiraiya left because he couldn't stand his actions and ran away in a huff, but Jiraiya actually brought Tsunade back to the village.

While Tsunade's travels throughout the ninja world could serve as a deterrent, their effectiveness was far less than that of her role as the hospital director.