Bab 115: Chapter 115: The Hokage Inauguration Ceremony
Land of Iron.
In a cozy izakaya.
The night had long descended outside, but the place was still brightly lit and lively.
"Jiraiya-sama, come on, feel my heart," purred a beauty in a cheongsam, snuggling up against him coquettishly.
"Alright, alright!" Jiraiya, whose face was flushed from alcohol, eagerly reached out his hand.
"There's nothing special about hers," a kimono-clad beauty next to him grabbed his wrist, smiling slyly. "Mine's much warmer."
As she spoke, she tugged at her collar, revealing a large expanse of pale, smooth skin.
"Jiraiya-sama, look, she's bullying me!" The woman in the cheongsam teasingly ran her long leg along Jiraiya's thigh, her slit dress revealing more than enough to spark his interest.
"Don't worry, there's enough of me for both of you!" Jiraiya's eyes widened as he began to drool.
Just then, a strange sound interrupted the moment.
"Where did that toad come from?" The cheongsam beauty was the first to notice a toad appear on the table.
"Leave," Jiraiya reluctantly loosened his grip on their enticing bodies.
"Huh?" The two women looked at him in confusion.
Who sends the girls away just as the fun begins? Is he really a man?
"Out, out," Jiraiya waved them off. "I'll call you back in a bit."
"Alright then." The two women fixed their clothes and left the private room, still puzzled.
"Jiraiya-sama," the toad greeted him.
"This better be important," Jiraiya grumbled, glaring at the toad. "I'm in a real bad mood right now."
"There are two important things to tell you," the toad replied calmly, unfazed by his attitude. "Both are very urgent."
"Oh?" Jiraiya shook his head vigorously, trying to sober up.
"First, your teammate, Tsunade, has been appointed the Fifth Hokage."
"Huh?" Jiraiya instinctively rubbed his ears, thinking he hadn't heard right. "Can you repeat that?"
"It's true. The announcement was made this morning in Konoha. Tsunade-sama has officially become the Fifth Hokage."
"That's... unbelievable," Jiraiya scratched his head in bewilderment.
He recalled after Minato's death, Sarutobi Hiruzen had written to him once, asking if he wanted to become the Fifth Hokage, and if not, to convince Tsunade to take the position.
Naturally, Jiraiya had refused the offer. Becoming Hokage would have restricted his ability to travel and search for the "Child of Prophecy," a task he was deeply committed to. As the village's leader, he wouldn't have the freedom to stay away for long periods.
He had tried convincing Tsunade back then, but she had beaten him up, and that was the last they had seen of each other for years.
Hearing now that she had willingly taken the role of Hokage felt as surreal as hearing she had quit gambling altogether.
"And it wasn't through normal means," the toad added after a moment.
"Come again?" Jiraiya looked puzzled.
"Tsunade-sama staged a coup," the toad explained. "She had the backing of the Hyuga clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, and several other clans."
"What?!" Jiraiya was so shocked his jaw almost dropped.
Is this really the same Tsunade he knew? Or had someone taken her place?
But that was impossible—no one could deceive the Hyuga's Byakugan.
"Looks like I'll need to head back to the village," Jiraiya mused, rubbing his chin. "When's the inauguration ceremony?"
"The day after tomorrow," the toad informed him.
"I can make it in time," Jiraiya nodded, then asked, "What's the second piece of news?"
"The Great Toad Sage has summoned you to Mount Myoboku," the toad's tone grew serious. "It concerns a prophecy."
Jiraiya's expression turned solemn.
The Great Toad Sage, the leader of Mount Myoboku, was an ancient and powerful sage toad who had lived for over a thousand years. His abilities were legendary, and he was even said to have been friends with the Sage of Six Paths himself.
Most notably, the Great Toad Sage possessed the gift of prophecy, though his visions were often cryptic. Yet, without fail, they always came true.
"Why didn't you mention that to start with?" Jiraiya immediately stood up. "Go back to Mount Myoboku and have Fukasaku use the Reverse Summoning Technique."
"Understood." With a pop, the toad disappeared.
After a brief moment, Jiraiya also vanished, reappearing moments later in the mystical realm of Mount Myoboku.
Taking a deep breath, Jiraiya felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Mount Myoboku, one of the three great summoning animal sanctuaries, existed in a special dimension.
It was here that Jiraiya had accidentally stumbled upon in his younger days, and after years of training, had barely managed to master Sage Mode and senjutsu. These experiences had elevated him from a regular jonin to an elite among ninjas.
For him, Mount Myoboku held an importance almost equal to Konoha itself.
There was another reason too: the Prophecy.
The Great Toad Sage had once given Jiraiya a prophecy that foretold the arrival of the "Child of Prophecy," a figure who, depending on how they were guided, would either bring about peace or plunge the world into ruin. And it was Jiraiya's role to mentor this child.
That prophecy had shaped Jiraiya's life and driven his actions ever since. It was why he roamed the world, always searching for that one destined to change it.
Even though he cared deeply for Konoha, he returned only in times of great need, like during the Great Ninja Wars.
Unfortunately, his absence at critical moments meant he couldn't intervene in disasters like the Kyuubi's attack on the village. Had he been there, perhaps his most talented student, Minato Namikaze, wouldn't have had to sacrifice his life.
At one point, Jiraiya had even considered Minato as a candidate for the Child of Prophecy.
But Minato's death had dashed that hope, leaving Jiraiya to continue his search.
"Little Jiraiya," a familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.
It was Fukasaku, a green toad walking upright, resembling a small child draped in a long, gray robe.
"Fukasaku-sensei, it's been a while," Jiraiya greeted him with a smile.
Mount Myoboku was home to many toads. At the top of the hierarchy was the Great Toad Sage, followed by Fukasaku and his wife Shima, both of whom were elder toads of considerable power. Beneath them were toads like Gamabunta, Gamaken, and Gamahiro, toads Jiraiya frequently summoned in battle.
Lastly, there were the smaller toads, many of whom were not as combat-oriented.
"Come along," Fukasaku chuckled. "Let's not keep the Great Toad Sage waiting."
Together, they made their way to the temple deep within Mount Myoboku, where the massive figure of the Great Toad Sage rested.
The gigantic, orange-skinned toad looked ancient, its body covered in wrinkles, and it wore a large, scholarly hat. Around its neck was a string of prayer beads, the largest of which bore the kanji for "oil."
The Great Toad Sage appeared to be asleep.
"Great Toad Sage!" Jiraiya shouted with all his might.
Having met the Great Toad Sage before, Jiraiya was well aware of the process. The first question would always be the same: "Who goes there?"
"Who goes there?" The Great Toad Sage opened one eye lazily, his gaze resting on Jiraiya.
"It's Jiraiya," Jiraiya replied.
"Jira-what now?"
"Jiraiya!"
"Jira-who?"
"Jiraiya!" Jiraiya was on the verge of losing it.
Great Toad Sage, maybe you should just go back to sleep? Do you really need to ask the same question every time?
"Ah, it's little Jiraiya," the Great Toad Sage finally said, sighing. "My memory isn't what it used to be."
"Great Toad Sage," Jiraiya cut straight to the point, ignoring the usual banter. "Is there a new development regarding the prophecy about the Child of Prophecy?"
"This time, it's not about the Child of Prophecy. It's about Mount Myoboku," the Great Toad Sage said slowly. "Mount Myoboku is about to face a great upheaval that hasn't occurred in a thousand years."
"A great upheaval?" Fukasaku couldn't help but interject, curiosity piqued. The Great Toad Sage hadn't mentioned anything to him about a new prophecy.
"Destruction," the Great Toad Sage answered gravely.
"What? How is that possible?" Both Jiraiya and Fukasaku were taken aback.
Who could possibly possess the power to destroy Mount Myoboku? Only the resurrection of the Sage of Six Paths could even come close to such a threat.
"Is there any hint as to what's coming?" Jiraiya pressed urgently.
"A new sacred land," the Great Toad Sage exhaled slowly. "One that rivals Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest—the Fourth Great Sacred Land."
"A new sacred land?" Fukasaku gasped.
That might indeed be possible.
The Slug Sage Katsuyu and the White Snake Sage were not inferior to the Great Toad Sage. So, if there is a new sacred ground, it must also have a new sage.
Their powers would likely to be equal at the very least.
"Why would a new sacred ground want to destroy Mount Myoboku?" Jiraiya asked, puzzled.
"Some summoning beasts are inherently malevolent—like snakes," the Great Toad Sage paused and then said, "We must find them ahead of time and eliminate them."
"Jiraiya-boy, you've traveled across the ninja world. Have you encountered any powerful summoning beasts?" Fukasaku asked with a serious expression.
"There have been a few," Jiraiya thought for a moment and replied. "For instance, the salamander from Amegakure is very strong."
"If it's a sacred ground, it would have to be a whole community of powerful creatures, not just one," Fukasaku noted.
He was familiar with the salamander, especially given that it had been present during the legendary battle between the Sannin and Hanzō of the Salamander.
"That's true," Jiraiya frowned. "If it's an entire race of powerful summoning beasts, I haven't encountered anything like that so far."
"No need to rush," the Great Toad Sage's expression softened into a kindly smile. "Just keep an eye out while you continue searching for the prophesied child."
"Understood," Jiraiya agreed without hesitation.
The safety of Mount Myoboku was at stake, so he would not take this lightly.
"We're counting on you, Jiraiya-boy," the Great Toad Sage said, closing its eyes once more as its breathing became deep and steady.
"Since you're here, stay for dinner before you go," Fukasaku suggested with a smile. "I'll have the missus prepare something special—absolutely fresh."
"No, no, no!" Jiraiya recoiled in horror, taking several steps back.
That colorful insect-based cuisine wasn't meant for human consumption!
He had tried it once in the distant past, and the result was severe stomach pain and distress that left him completely drained.
"I'll be taking my leave, Now!" Jiraiya wasted no time in making his exit.
...
Saturday.
Today was the scheduled day for the Fifth Hokage's inauguration ceremony.
In the morning, the village held a vote among the villagers, and the outcome was unsurprising—unanimous approval.
Tsunade's reputation in the Hidden Leaf Village was well-established.
Even though she drank and gambled, her skills as a medical ninja were unmatched.
The inauguration ceremony was set for 2 p.m.
After the ceremony, a meeting with the jonin of the village would follow.
There were mixed feelings about this meeting—some looked forward to it, while others were filled with dread.
For example, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Even though Tsunade had not hinted at how she would handle them, she had not spoken to them even once during the past three days.
This was obviously not a good sign.
As advisors to the Hokage, they were intimately familiar with the operations of the Hidden Leaf Village.
When Minato Namikaze took office, he frequently sought their counsel.
But Tsunade had not even met with them.
In fact, they were turned away when they took the initiative to meet her.
Such behavior was undeniably ominous to both of them.
However, they had not resigned themselves to fate; they had reached out to their allies in the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, hoping to garner some support.
At the very least, they wanted to retain their positions as advisors.
The only disappointment was that Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed too disheartened to meet with them, despite their efforts.
If he had been willing to intervene, things might have gone much more smoothly.
Hokage's Office.
Shinho Aburame yawned.
He looked at Tsunade, who was comfortably lounging in the Hokage's chair, and couldn't help but smirk.
Who's the real Hokage here—you or me?
How did I end up editing your entire speech?
"Tired? Want me to pat your head? Come on, sit on sensei's lap," Tsunade patted her thigh, the soft flesh rippling slightly.
Due to the desensitization therapy for her hemophobia, they often found themselves in close proximity, so sitting on her lap wasn't a big deal.
Besides, Tsunade still saw him as a kid.
Of course, Shinho Aburame's willingness to help with her work played a major role in her tolerance.
At that moment, a knocking sound came from the window.
Both Tsunade and Shinho turned their heads toward the noise.
A middle-aged man with white hair, wearing a forehead protector with the character for "oil" and a red haori, was crouching by the window.
"Jiraiya?" Tsunade was taken aback.
"Tsunade!" Jiraiya jumped through the window, grinning broadly as he approached her.
"Get lost!" Tsunade's brow furrowed in annoyance, and she punched him without hesitation.
With a loud crash, Jiraiya was sent flying, embedding himself into the wall in a comically awkward pose.
Shinho waved away the dust that flew his way, his expression unchanging.
"Ouch, that hurt!" Jiraiya struggled to his feet, a nostalgic smile on his face. "Still as rough as ever."
"Why are you here? have you found your prophesied child?" Tsunade asked with a huff.
"No, not yet," Jiraiya shook his head. "But I had to come back when I heard you were becoming the Hokage."
"In that case," Tsunade narrowed her eyes, "I need you to do me a favor. I'm not fond of those two Hokage advisors."
"You don't want me to be an advisor, do you? That's out of the question!" Jiraiya waved his hands quickly. "You know me—I'm like a wandering dragon, the sea is my true home."
Shinho gave him a sidelong glance.
Two-faced Jiraiya?
"I don't need you to be an advisor. I want to abolish the advisor role entirely," Tsunade clarified. "Just lend me your support."
She had indeed considered Jiraiya as an advisor earlier.
But she knew he wouldn't agree.
For the sake of the prophesied child, he had even refused the position of Hokage. Becoming an advisor would be out of the question for him.
However, Jiraiya's status as one of the Legendary Sannin, coupled with his strength and reputation, meant that his support would greatly reduce the resistance from Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
"Abolish it?
"You've really changed. You weren't this radical before," Jiraiya was momentarily stunned as he spoke. "So, the rumors of you forcing Hiruzen's hands were true?"
"Indeed," Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"Well, the old man did serve the village for so long. Couldn't you have given him a more dignified retirement?" Jiraiya admitted that he had initially blamed Tsunade upon hearing the news.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was their teacher and had been kind to them. No matter the circumstances, she shouldn't have forced him out in such a way.
"I wanted to, but he didn't give me the chance," Tsunade tossed a folder onto the desk. "See for yourself."
Jiraiya caught the folder and curiously flipped it open.
His expression quickly grew serious as he read through its contents.
"What idiocy," Jiraiya muttered with deep regret. "How could the old man permit such things?"
He now understood why Tsunade had acted as she did.
Though she was not usually extreme, she would be furious over anything that crossed her moral boundaries, such as the Wood Release experiments.
For her, the significance of Wood Release was beyond hiruzens poultry reputation.
"How is he now?" Jiraiya sighed and asked.
"Retired, living a quiet life," Tsunade waved it off. "It's the best outcome he could have hoped for."
"I suppose so," Jiraiya nodded. "He held onto the position of Hokage for far too long—it's time for him to rest."
Since the founding of the Hidden Leaf, there had been five Hokages in total.
Among them, Hiruzen Sarutobi had served the longest.
Even Danzo Shimura had once said, "Where in the world does an advisor serve for over sixty years?"
It was a position he had always dreamed of—one he'd hoped to inherit the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed his last.
"Come with me to the inauguration ceremony and the jonin meeting later," Tsunade said, then added as if remembering, "By the way, this is my student, Shinho Aburame."
"Jiraiya-ojisan," Shinho greeted him with a nod.
"You actually took on a student? That's another surprise," Jiraiya sized Shinho up and down, then said to Tsunade, "It's been a while, and you've really become someone I barely recognize."
"People change," Tsunade replied with a sidelong glance.
"True enough," Jiraiya mused, thinking of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In his youth, the man had been hailed as the 'Ninja Hero,' but now he couldn't even properly manage a branch like the Root.
"By the way, have you heard anything about Orochimaru?" Jiraiya asked, his face full of anticipation.
"No," Tsunade shook her head.
She knew that Jiraiya had always hoped to bring Orochimaru back to the village.
But that was a fool's errand.
She understood Orochimaru's nature all too well.
There was no turning back once he made up his mind.
"Lady Hokage," came Yugao Uzuki's voice from outside the door, "The preparations for the inauguration ceremony are over."
"Let's go," Tsunade stood up and put on the white ceremonial robe.
The characters for "Fifth Hokage" billowed across the back.
"Don't forget your speech," Shinho reminded her.
"Ugh, too much trouble!" Tsunade glanced at the speech filled with dense text and frowned.
She pushed open the door and stepped onto the balcony of the Hokage Tower.
Below, a sea of villagers awaited, cheering loudly at her arrival.
Many shinobi also noticed Jiraiya's presence and were surprised.
With him here, the only one missing from the Legendary Sannin was the defector, Orochimaru.
Tsunade raised her hand.
The noise gradually quieted as all eyes focused on her, waiting to hear her address.
"I am Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage!" she declared, lowering her hand. "That's all."
[tl/n: I thought the salamanders had a sacred sanctuary on their own! Have a great day/night!]
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Status Power Mingguan
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