"Reporting in!"
"Come in!"
Pushing the door open and facing the gaze of many high-ranking members of the village, the administrative-class ninja, Sarutobi Takuya, who came to report the news, felt considerable pressure.
"Takuya, what's going on?" Seeing that the newcomer was from his own clan, Hiruzen, sitting in the main seat, took the initiative to ask.
"I've received news from Iwagakure. They want to initiate war against Amegakure and Hanzo. Tsuchikage Onoki wishes to hold talks with you and form an alliance with Konoha," reported Sarutobi Takuya.
Talks? Alliance? And the village leaders personal meeting!
Upon hearing this news, except for Kizaru, who maintained a calm smile, the expressions of others in the meeting room underwent significant changes.
"Understood, you may leave!"
"Yes!"
After letting Takuya leave, Hiruzen turned to look at Kizaru beside him, and there was a bit more appreciation in his eyes.
Exceptional talent, formidable strength, possessing the mindset of a Hokage at just the age of ten, and now displaying good strategic insight!
His disciple truly was a perfect successor to the position of Hokage!
It would be even better if he could speak in a better manner!
Withdrawing his gaze from Kizaru, Hiruzen looked again at the now serious Homura.
"Hiruzen, Onoki proposes talks; there might be a plot behind this. We need to be cautious!" The experience of negotiating with the Land of Lightning during the previous war was too profound for Homura. He looked at Hiruzen and issued a cautious reminder.
Nodding, indicating his agreement, Hiruzen contemplated for a moment and made a decision.
"Since Iwagakure has actively proposed an alliance, let's agree to their request." Saying this, Hiruzen looked at Homura and Koharu, "Homura, Koharu, you'll be responsible for the specific arrangements of the meeting. I'll have Shinnosuke cooperate with you."
"Okay!"
"Understood!"
The two advisors responded in unison.
After arranging the details of the meeting, Hiruzen turned his head again to look at Kizaru beside him.
"During the talks, Kizaru, as the Hokage's guard, will join as well."
Sitting back comfortably in his chair, legs crossed, and enjoying the show with a smile, Kizaru, who didn't expect things to come his way, had a slightly diminished smile on his face. He touched his head and excused himself, saying, "It's too troublesome! How about letting Big Bro Shinnosuke go with you!"
"Does this guy even know the significance of a young ninja, as a guard of the Hokage, participating in important meetings?"
This represented Hiruzen's subtle intention of grooming Kizaru as the successor to the position of Hokage in official meetings.
The others present at the scene, after Hiruzen said these words, looked at Kizaru with eyes that carried a bit more significance.
"Kizaru, I entrust my safety to you." Looking at Kizaru seriously, Hiruzen said solemnly.
Kizaru naturally understood the deeper meaning in Hiruzen's words.
Because he understood, Kizaru tried to decline.
The position of Hokage involves so much pressure, high risks, and Kizaru wasn't very interested in such a job.
If Kizaru were to choose for himself, he would undoubtedly opt for a position like the Elder Advisor of the Hokage.
High status, great power, lucrative, and with minimal risks! It was one of the few good and safe positions in the world of Hokage.
"What a troublesome request, Sensei!" Kizaru complained.
"Hahaha! This is the burden of the capable, Kizaru!" Seeing his disciple relent, Hiruzen laughed and replied.
Watching the conversation between the master and disciple, the head of the Uchiha clan, who participated in the meeting, frowned with a sour expression.
The position of Hokage, the Uchiha clan had coveted it for how many years, and they still couldn't obtain it. Now, the future Hokage position was right in front of them, and this little devil, Kizaru, was actually reluctant to accept it.
"What a hypocritical guy!"
Thinking this, the head of the Uchiha clan looked at Kizaru with eyes full of envy, jealousy, and resentment!
Unfortunately, regardless of how much the Uchiha clan envied, the matter of Kizaru, as the Hokage's guard, accompanying the Hokage to the talks, was firmly decided by Hiruzen.
Next, the focus of the meeting returned to Amegakure.
Now that Iwagakure has transmitted a request for an alliance, the question arises: does Amegakure have supporters behind them? And how to respond to Amegakure's declaration of war became the main topic of the discussion.
After about an hour of discussion, Hiruzen, considering various opinions, made arrangements.
First, facing Amegakure's declaration of war by Hanzo, Konoha would not tolerate it and would directly send troops into battle.
Second, it was once again confirmed that Danzo was solely responsible for the war with Amegakure.
Third, considering that the difficulty of the war was not too high, Kizaru wouldn't need to go to the front lines temporarily. His three senior brothers and sisters would serve as the main force in this war.
It can be said that after the battle with Kumogakure, Kizaru officially became the biggest trump card and pillar of Konoha, second only to the Hokage.
Everyone present acknowledged Kizaru's strength.
After the meeting concluded, Kizaru, who had been yawning due to boredom, left the Hokage's building after bidding farewell to Hiruzen.
Looking up at the sky, seeing that it was still early, Kizaru rubbed his stomach, preparing to go to the tea street to buy some desserts and snacks for afternoon tea.
"Kizaru, Kizaru!"
Walking on the street, Kizaru was stopped by the shout from behind and halted his steps.
Turning around to look, Kizaru found Tsunade's younger brother, Senju Nawaki, waving his left hand in the air.
The Senju clan's physique is really good!
Looking at Nawaki, who was able to move around after just a little over a month in the hospital, Kizaru sighed in his heart.
Wearing loose hospital clothes, with a bandage tied around his neck, Nawaki smiled at Kizaru.
Despite being severely injured and hospitalized by Kizaru just over a month ago, Nawaki looked at Kizaru without a trace of resentment, but with a full smile.
Approaching Nawaki, who is three years older than Kizaru, but in front of Kizaru, looked like a child.
"I'm sorry about last time, Nawaki!" Standing in front of Nawaki, Kizaru apologized sincerely.
"Hahaha! No need to apologize, Kizaru!" Looking up at Kizaru, Nawaki smiled and scratched the back of his head, "It's my own lack of strength that led to being injured during our sparring."
Seeing Nawaki's bright smile, Kizaru also smiled.
Such a guy with this kind of personality is really easy to get a good impression of!
"How's your injury?" Kizaru asked with concern.
"It's almost healed. I'll be able to have the stitches removed in another week." Raising his injured right hand, Nawaki said.
"That's great." Saying this, Kizaru remembered Tsunade's request.
How to keep this child in the hospital for another week?
"Kizaru, did my sister bother you? I've advised her many times, but she gets angry every time." Nawaki asked with concern.
After speaking, Nawaki immediately added, "If my sister caused you any trouble! I apologize on behalf of my sister! I'm really sorry!"
After saying that, Nawaki was ready to bow to Kizaru.
Reaching out to support Nawaki, Kizaru suddenly felt that he might have trouble refusing next time!
"Big Sister Tsunade didn't blame me. You don't need to apologize."
"That's really good!" Hearing Kizaru's answer, Nawaki patted his chest lightly, relieved.