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Elsewhere in the village, two figures were rushing towards the Hokage's office.
"Swoosh!" "Swoosh!"...
Just as they were about to arrive, they encountered Mitokado Homura slowly exiting the Hokage's office.
Seeing them, Homura's expression shifted slightly.
"Tsunade, why are you back? Has something changed on the battlefield?"
Tsunade quickly explained in a clear voice.
"No, it's not that. Sakumo and I need to see the teacher, we have urgent matters to discuss."
Homura, wearing glasses, scrutinized Sakumo with furrowed brows. Since Sakumo's unauthorized actions had led to the loss of many elite ninja in the village, the upper echelons of Konoha held no fondness for this rogue element.
Guessing Homura's thoughts from his expression, Tsunade hurriedly added.
"It's a very important matter, concerning the safety of the village. You should come too."
Hearing Tsunade's words, Homura's face showed a flash of curiosity about what had happened.
The trio quickly stepped into the Hokage's office.
Meanwhile, atop the dense buildings of Konoha, a shadow was flickering ceaselessly. The spiky white hair stood out vividly under the bright sunlight.
"Whoosh!"
The figure stood on a rooftop, surveying the surroundings.
Suddenly!
His expression stiffened, and then his gaze became very intense.
Sōsuke... found you!
While Sōsuke was conversing with Dai and others, he suddenly sensed a gaze on him. Looking in that direction...
Their gazes met across a vast distance.
"Jiraiya?"
Sōsuke looked in that direction, a smile forming on his face as he spoke softly.
Seeing Sōsuke turn to look that way, Dai and the others also turned their attention to Jiraiya in the distance.
"Hey! It's Jiraiya!"
Dai's face lit up with excitement as he waved and called out.
"Hey, Jiraiya, come over here, we've got great news!"
Jiraiya, standing on the rooftop, looked somewhat conflicted. He shook his head slightly, trying to appear casual as he waved back.
"Whoosh!"
With a leap, Jiraiya appeared before them in the next moment.
"It's good to see you, Sōsuke!"
He laughed heartily, stepping forward to give Sōsuke a friendly punch.
Looking at Sōsuke, Jiraiya's expression was complex.
"You... I thought you might actually die out there..."
"It's really good that you're back..."
Hearing this, Sōsuke smiled apologetically and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry for worrying you."
Closely observing Sōsuke's demeanor, Jiraiya's face showed a hint of complexity, but his heart was extremely anxious.
The person before him was undoubtedly Sōsuke...
Years of interaction had made Jiraiya very familiar with Sōsuke's behavior. But this was also the source of his nervousness at the moment.
Was Sakumo lying... or did Sōsuke really do all those things...
Jiraiya dared not continue this train of thought, fearing he might give himself away.
At that moment.
Dai quickly patted Jiraiya's shoulder, looking at him excitedly and urgently.
"Do you know, Jiraiya? Sōsuke has just been appointed as the Fourth Hokage!"
Hearing Dai's words, Jiraiya's expression froze in astonishment. He quickly turned to Sōsuke.
Sōsuke smiled and nodded in confirmation.
Jiraiya was momentarily dazed by the sudden news. The Sōsuke mentioned by Sakumo and the newly appointed Fourth Hokage Sōsuke... who was who, and what exactly had happened?
Noticing Jiraiya's unusual expression, Dai and the others looked at him, concerned.
"Jiraiya, are you alright?"
Hearing their words, Jiraiya quickly recovered, waving his hand dismissively.
"No, no, it's just that this news was so surprising, it caught me off guard!"
He then quickly turned to Sōsuke to offer his congratulations.
"Congratulations, Sōsuke!"
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Sōsuke naturally smiled softly and spoke.
"Everything is still uncertain. It will take a long time to truly reach that step. After all, being a Hokage is not that simple."
Despite what Sōsuke said on the surface, he was pondering Jiraiya's unusual behavior.
Years of interaction had made Sōsuke just as familiar with the Sannin. Jiraiya's unusual expression had quickly caught his attention.
Jiraiya... are you hiding something from me?
Perhaps you don't even know yourself... but to me... your poor performance is crystal clear...
Being so cautious around me... have you discovered something? Or...
Sōsuke thought to himself, glancing towards the Hokage's office.
He looked at Jiraiya, still smiling, and softly said.
"Jiraiya, where's Tsunade? Didn't she come back with you?"
Hearing Sōsuke's question, Jiraiya's heart tightened, but he maintained a composed exterior, grinning and replying.
"She just returned to the village to deal with some matters. She should be here soon."
Hearing his response, Sōsuke chuckled softly and nodded slightly.
His eyes narrowed imperceptibly, thinking to himself.
As expected... you're hiding something from me...
.....
Inside the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense, as if shrouded in a layer of gloom.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was very stern, and he looked gravely at Sakumo Nara, speaking in a deep voice, "Sakumo, are you prepared to take responsibility for what you've said?"
Sakumo stood respectfully in front of Hiruzen, replying solemnly, "Third Hokage, I am willing to stake my life on the truth of my words."
Hearing this, both Hiruzen and Homura Mitokado wore grim expressions, hardly willing to believe this outcome. Tsunade, too, looked worried and voiced her concerns, "Teacher Hiruzen, where is Sōsuke now? Jiraiya has gone to find him. This... all of this could very well be a plot by other ninja."
"I believe in Sōsuke. I'm sure everything will be clear once we find him and talk things through."
Hiruzen took a deep puff of his pipe, saying nothing. Homura sighed deeply, stating, "Sōsuke has already been elected as the successor to the Fourth Hokage."
"Tsunade... if what Sakumo says is true... then how should we deal with it..."
Shocked by Homura's words, both Tsunade and Sakumo were taken aback. Sōsuke had become the Fourth Hokage?
While Tsunade was surprised and somewhat delighted, Sakumo's expression grew darker, and he remained silent.
After pondering for a while, Hiruzen seemed to age a bit more as he declared firmly, "Regardless, we must get to the bottom of this matter!"
"Let's go find Sōsuke. This issue must be resolved, even if he is the Fourth Hokage."
If Sakumo's claims were proven true, Hiruzen's authority within the village, having recommended Sōsuke for the position, would undoubtedly be greatly diminished. Still, Hiruzen was determined to investigate the matter thoroughly. A Hokage with unknown motives would pose a grave danger to Konohagakure.
Hiruzen gazed out the window at the bustling streets, ordering, "Tatsu, deploy the ANBU. Seal off the streets where Sōsuke is located."
With Hiruzen's command, several ANBU clad in their distinct uniforms appeared in the office. After bowing, they vanished as swiftly as they had appeared.
Tsunade's face was filled with worry, and she clenched her fists tightly, thinking to herself, 'Sōsuke... it must not be you...'
As the bright sun hung high in the sky, the calm and serene light bathed Konohagakure. But the tranquility was shattered by the sound of swift movement.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"...
Dozens of shadows were rapidly converging in one direction.
On the street where Sōsuke was located, just as everyone finished their conversation and agreed to meet again another day, Dai and others were about to leave to complete their assigned tasks. Suddenly...
Homura, with a cold expression and slender figure, quickly glanced around. Sōsuke also casually looked around, showing no signs of tension, but rather a slight smile on his face.
Seems like... you've slipped up...
As Sōsuke thought this, a black figure suddenly appeared before him, standing in front of him. The figure removed his mask, revealing a wary and complex expression as he addressed Sōsuke, "Fourth Hokage... Sōsuke, by order of the Third Hokage, please stay here for a moment."
As he spoke, dozens of figures swiftly surrounded the entire street, preventing anyone inside from escaping and isolating those outside.
Seeing this sudden turn of events, Dai and others were taken aback, with troubled expressions.
"What are you doing!?"
"Is the ANBU treating fellow villagers as enemies?"
Jiraiya remained silent with a complex expression, and Homura paid little attention to the surrounding ANBU, merely glancing briefly at Sōsuke.
What has this guy done?
Sōsuke looked at the leading ANBU member with a gentle smile and said, "Tatsu, long time no see."
Glancing around, he continued with a smile, "There's no need to be so tense. Rest assured, I'll wait here peacefully for the Third Hokage's arrival."