Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

"Ah~"

Onoki sighed again before saying, "Shirokumo Aoba wants me to pass on the position of Tsuchikage to Kurotsuchi."

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Tu immediately frowned.

Although Kurotsuchi is currently the most promising young person in the village to become Tsuchikage, the significance of this matter would be completely different if it were Shirakumo Aoba who made the suggestion.

They knew all the information about the high-ranking officials of Sunagakure and Kirigakure.

The main reason they were able to obtain it was because Baiyun Qingye had no intention of hiding it.

It's important to know that the Kazekage election in Sunagakure and the personnel changes in the so-called elder council in Kirigakure were both carried out under the direction of Shirakumo Aoba.

From this perspective, the affairs of the two villages are actually decided by Konoha.

Do they really want to replicate it in Iwagakure now?

"Lord Tsuchikage, what should we do now?"

Huang Tu asked with a solemn expression.

Onoki shook his head helplessly. "I thought things could continue peacefully like this, but Shirokumo Aoba just made it clear that Konoha is going to take action against Iwagakure."

As he spoke, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Heh, but luckily we have Kurotsuchi's influence, so at least we're ranked behind Kumogakure and can still linger on for a while."

Huang Tu fell silent upon hearing this, but a bold idea suddenly popped into his head: "Lord Tsuchikage, that Shirokumo Aoba is currently in Iwagakure. Do you think we can take him down like we did with the Third Raikage?"

Although Baiyun Qingye and Heitu have a good relationship, the current situation is a matter of life and death for the village.

Upon hearing his thoughts, Onoki sighed softly once again.

"That's impossible. The reason we were able to successfully besiege the Third Raikage was because he chose to stay behind to cover the retreat of the Cloud Village's ninja forces."

“But Baiyun Qingye has no scruples now. He still has the Flying Thunder God Technique. He can come and go as he pleases.”

"What... what else can we do? Should we join forces with Kumogakure?"

Huang Tu's face immediately fell; they truly had no way to deal with Bai Yun Qingye.

If we really have to stand against Konoha, we have no other choice but to cooperate with Kumogakure right now.

As for the past conflicts between the two villages, one can only say that there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Onoki's gaze was deep. "I'm afraid it's too late. Kumogakure is Konoha's next target. Moreover, Shirokumo Aoba wants to use the destruction of Kumogakure to give us a warning. Since he said that, it means he's not afraid of our alliance at all."

"Is there really no way out?" Huang Tu also fell into pessimism.

"Let's at least figure out the gap first."

As a veteran ninja, Onoki quickly made a decision: "Send more spies to Kumogakure during this period. Report back any unusual activity immediately. At the same time, also leak information that Konoha is planning to take action against them soon."

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, Huang Tu immediately went to carry it out.

Ōnoki's body floated up and flew to the window, staring blankly at Iwagakure in the cold wind.

The most important thing right now is to find out Baiyun Qingye's exact strength.

The last time the opponent made a formal move was half a year ago in Kirigakure.

Although the specific details are unknown, according to intelligence gathered by spies, it was a battle between two wooden figures, each over 100 meters tall.

The battle ended in a one-sided affair, with Baiyun Qingye not only sealing the released Three-Tails but also defeating another giant wooden figure in a very short time.

Upon receiving this news, he even felt as if he had returned to the Warring States period.

Because he had faced that monster head-on before, and even Dust Release seemed utterly powerless against it.

Moreover, Shirokumo Aoba also possesses the Flying Thunder God technique, an ability that can be considered the bane of Dust Release.

Meanwhile, Shirakumo Aoba, whom Onoki considered a monster, was strolling around Iwagakure with Kurotsuchi.

It was obvious that Kurotsuchi, who hadn't been back for a while, was somewhat unfamiliar with Iwagakure, yet there was also a strange sense of familiarity.

After walking around for a while, they finally realized it.

Why are all the people from Konoha in Iwagakure?

-

Shirokumo Aoba did not stay in Iwagakure for very long.

The main reason was that there really wasn't anything in Iwagakure that he was particularly interested in.

It's nothing but stones.

Moreover, ever since he revealed his true intentions, someone has been secretly watching him, and Onoki and Yotsu are no longer very welcoming of him.

Huang Tu, in particular, had no good feelings towards this white-haired man who not only tried to take away his daughter but also wanted Iwagakure.

However, to his surprise, Kurotsuchi also returned to Konoha with him.

Originally, Huang Tu intended to keep Hei Tu in the village no matter what, but Onoki stopped him.

Just as they initially thought, if they really went to war with Konoha, they would most likely lose. Although they had the courage to die for their cause, they could not possibly drag the villagers down with them.

Kurotsuchi staying in Konoha is a different path altogether.

Based on their investigation of Baiyun Qingye's personality, even if a real fight breaks out, with Heitu around, at least they won't be wiped out.

As the village's leader, Onoki deeply understands the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Moreover, given Kurotsuchi's current strength, even if she were forced to stay in Iwagakure, she would just be another piece of cannon fodder.

And so, Heitu went back to her parents' home for two days to visit relatives, and then left again with Baiyun Qingye.

The two went to Takigakure Village again to pick up Fu.

After learning about Fu's life in Konoha from her, Shibuki felt very gratified.

No longer just seeing the yellow-haired guy, Baiyun Qingye warmly welcomed the two of them and then let Fu go back with them.

-

And time quickly came to the last day of the year.

On this day, apart from the Hokage Building and the police force, almost the entire Hidden Leaf Village was on holiday.

The former concerns the operation of the village, while the latter concerns the village's security, and both are conducted year-round.

However, Tsunade is not in the Hokage's office right now; it is Shirakumo Aoba who is currently guarding the office.

Even the mute function is not working.

As the sun completely disappeared behind the towering Hokage Rock, the streets outside the building became even brighter, adorned with lights, making Konoha even more dazzling at night than during the day.

Shirokumo Aoba also finished reviewing the last document from Sunagakure. After witnessing the immense success of Konoha Amusement Park this year, Gaara also hoped to build a desert amusement park in Sunagakure, based on the local characteristics, under Konoha's guidance.

He naturally agreed to the other party's idea, but Konoha would definitely take a cut after the project was completed.

I organized all the documents and then categorized them into the filing cabinet next to me. It's a holiday today, so I can only deliver them tomorrow.

After finishing all that, he sat in the Hokage chair, watching the lively scene outside, waiting for his shift to end.

"Aoba!"

However, this atmosphere did not last long, as the sound of silence came from outside the door.

The half-open office door was opened, and Jingyin peeked out first, immediately noticing Baiyun Qingye, who looked like a lonely old man.

Then she immediately smiled, pushed open the door, and came over, reaching out to hug his head.

"Are you all done with work?"

"Ah."

Baiyun Qingye responded and reached out to hug the other person's leg, pressing her face against the other person's flat stomach.

He was suddenly somewhat surprised.

Because Shizune is currently wearing a red kimono, and her shoes are...

"Shizune-neechan is wearing white stockings today?!"

Shizune's face flushed slightly, and she even lifted the hem of her kimono to reveal her long, white stockings underneath. "Do you like this different style?"

"certainly……"

Baiyun Qingye blinked, wanting to observe more closely.

"That's enough, you two!"

However, before he could even reach out, Tsunade, dressed in a tea-green kimono, appeared in the doorway, frowning and glaring at them.

"This is the Hokage's office, not a place for you to run wild!"

Chapter 618 Auto-pathfinding was forgotten to be turned off

Tsunade glared at the two of them. They weren't even Hokage yet, and they dared to act like this.

Tsunade couldn't even imagine what he would do in the Hokage's office if he became Hokage.

"Ahem, teacher, I thought you went back first."

Caught red-handed, Bai Yunqingye coughed and awkwardly withdrew her hand.

Shizune, her face also slightly flushed, lowered the hem of her kimono, concealing her shapely long legs encased in white stockings, but she still couldn't help but pout and mutter a complaint.

"Lady Tsunade did even worse things in the office than I did..."

"Huh? What are you babbling about?"

Although the sound was very soft and silent, Tsunade still heard it clearly and glared at her fiercely.

"Well!"

Mute immediately and shut up.

Tsunade walked in, her hands on her chest, and said to the two of them in a serious tone, "Remember, the Hokage's office is a sacred place, not a place for you to act recklessly!"

These words made Baiyun Qingye and Jingyin inwardly resentful, but they naturally didn't show it on their faces.

"Teacher, you look beautiful today."