Bab 79: Wildfire
"Tsunade is indeed the most suitable candidate for the Fifth Hokage, but no one knows where she is," said Might Guy.
"I'll go find her," Jiraiya turned around, "However, when it comes to how to deal with the jinchuriki, I must have a vote in the high-level meeting. How about it?"
The two advisors exchanged a glance, their faces showing a serious expression.
"Jiraiya, we understand the situation, and we can agree to that."
"But we need to inform you of the contents of the recent high-level meeting. Intelligence reports from spies indicate that the Land of Lightning is heavily developing lightning energy technology, and the Land of Wind is recently mining an unknown metal ore."
"Many of the village's high-level officials are very uneasy about this. Konoha needs a stronger Hokage to lead us in the right direction and make decisions."
Jiraiya noticed the hesitation and waved his hand, interrupting the two old men's words, saying:
"Tsunade is the granddaughter of the First Hokage; she's much stronger than me."
"Also, I need to take Naruto with me for a while."
"The jinchuriki has been showing signs of losing control recently. This is the one thing we cannot agree to, Jiraiya," said the elderly female advisor, Koharu Utatane, squinting her eyes.
"Well then," Jiraiya said, turning around nonchalantly. "You guys can choose Danzo as the Hokage."
Hearing Jiraiya's suggestion about Danzo, Might Guy, Homura, and Koharu turned pale.
Although the Third Hokage had died, his influence still lingered.
These two, as senior advisors of Konoha, had long been firmly aligned with the Third Hokage and would never choose Danzo, who did the dirty work, as Hokage.
In their eyes, Danzo's image, and his character, which was even darker than the old fox's, made him unfit for the position of Hokage.
Might Guy and Koharu did not doubt Danzo's loyalty to the village but questioned his commitment to the Will of Fire.
If there wasn't conclusive evidence, they would even suspect that the recent turmoil caused by the God of Ninjas, who had tarnished the Will of Fire and stirred up the villagers' hearts, was orchestrated by Danzo.
To put it bluntly... they looked down on him.
"Jiraiya," Might Guy called out, "The jinchuriki will temporarily be under your care, as one of the Three Ninjas."
---
Mountain Village Flower Shop
The bright little table reflected the awkward shadows of two people. In a maid outfit, Ino clutched Naruto's clothes, nearly tearing the collar of his black short-sleeve.
"I'm sorry," Naruto quickly apologized, his attitude sincere. "It's my fault that Ino is wearing this."
"I'm really sorry."
Ino paused for a moment, her lips pursed, and was about to speak up to defend Naruto.
"Um..."
"Ino," the elegant lady, Yamanaka Riko, frowned. "Why are you bullying this child, Naruto again? Even though you..."
Yamanaka Riko sighed midway, disappointment in her expression as she pulled Ino aside and whispered:
"Little Ino, you can't win the heart of a boy you like through violence."
"I didn't! I'm not!"
Ino was almost in tears, pointing to her maid outfit, wanting to say something, but she stopped herself.
Yamanaka Riko, still holding Ino, smiled at Naruto, her elegant demeanor very different from Ino's. She spoke with a soft tone, like a spring breeze.
"Thank you for taking care of my little girl."
"Not at all, Auntie. I should be the one thanking Ino for taking care of me," Naruto replied.
Hearing the word "Auntie" seemed to please Yamanaka Riko. In the customs of the Land of Fire, when meeting an older woman for the first time, only close relationships would prompt one to call her "Auntie."
Ino felt her grip loosen as Yamanaka Riko released her hand and moved forward, taking Naruto's hand.
"Ino doesn't understand; she may not have been considerate enough, please forgive her."
"Not at all, Auntie. With such a perfect mother like you, I'm honored to have Ino as my friend," Naruto replied with a polite smile, praising Yamanaka Riko.
Yamanaka Riko, already aware of Ino's feelings, noticed Naruto's actions were flattering, and she couldn't help but smile.
Ino, left behind, watched as Naruto was led away by her mother.
"Naruto, you really are a well-behaved child. Try some cocoa I made for you. Do you like cocoa?"
"I love it, thank you, Auntie," Naruto replied.
Yamanaka Riko's tone suddenly became more serious as she looked at Ino and said, "Ino, why don't you come here and learn how to make cocoa properly?"
Ino: "....."
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone