After the funeral for the Hokage and all others who lost their lives during the invasion, it was announced by the Sand that the Kazekage had been assassinated and Orochimaru was the one pulling the strings. This revelation led to the Sand's surrender and a strive for peace between the two villages. However, Konoha had more pressing issues at hand: appointing a new Hokage.
"We need a strong and trustworthy leader. And we currently believe you fit that role," Homura said, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility, standing beside Jiraiya.
"I concur," Koharu added, her tone firm yet filled with a hint of desperation.
Jiraiya sighed deeply, feeling the burden of their expectations. "I see what you mean, but I'm sorry. I can't fulfill such a role," he responded, his voice tinged with regret.
Koharu's eyes narrowed, her frustration evident. "I'm afraid it's not such an easy thing for you to dismiss. Besides, if you, one of the three Sannin, can't fulfill such a role, then who?" she pressed, her voice rising with urgency.
Jiraiya scratched his head, feeling the tension in the room. "If that's the case, then I think I know of a suitable candidate," he said, leaving the two elders to wait in anxious anticipation. "How about Tsunade?"
"Hmm. A good candidate she may be, but we don't know her whereabouts," Koharu replied, her voice softening slightly.
"I can track her down for you. How about that?" Jiraiya offered, a determined glint in his eyes.
"You really are persistent," Homura said, a small smile breaking through his stern demeanor. "However..."
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to run away," Jiraiya assured them, his voice steady, ending their worries.
Arriving at a natto shop in a hurry, Daniel entered and sat beside two strangers. "Phew. I rushed here so I can avoid Kakashi and them," Daniel said, his voice breathless as he sat down. "Say, I don't recognize you guys. Is it your first time in Konoha?" he asked the strangers beside him. They sat silently for a minute, the tension palpable.
"Yes, something like that," one of the strangers replied, his voice low and guarded.
"Is that so? If I were free, I would've shown you around, but I'm kinda in a hurry," Daniel said, trying to ease the tension. The two kept quiet, their eyes watchful. "Well, anyway, my order is here, so I gotta go. Say, could I make a request of you guys?" Daniel said, standing up. "Could you sign this for me?" He placed his bingo book next to the man sitting closest to him, opening the book to a page showing the bounty of Uchiha Itachi and Kisame. He rearranged it for convenience.
The men looked at him intimidatingly. Daniel looked back at them, his eyes unwavering. "It seems we've been found out," Kisame said with a smile, his voice carrying a hint of menace.
"Relax, I'm not here to pick a fight. I simply wanted to get you to sign my bingo book," Daniel said, sitting down, his voice calm but firm.
"And why would you want that?" Itachi replied, his voice cold and calculating.
"Such a weary bunch," Daniel remarked, trying to lighten the mood. "As you can see, I'm just a genin who has a peculiar interest in unconventional things," Daniel replied, but he sensed Kakashi coming. "Guess my time's up. If you wait here a little more, your precious will come," he said, taking his book and vanishing away.
"An interesting young fellow. We should be cautious around that one," Kisame said, his voice thoughtful.
"I would have loved to fight him," he added, a hint of excitement in his tone.
"That's not our goal here," Itachi said. Later after Daniel had left Kakashi arrived and stood there as if he was waiting for someone. Daniel was made a chunin along with Shikamaru, and with his performance during the invasion, he was able to get recommendations allowing him to take on higher-rank missions.
Daniel stepped into the mission assignment building, his senses immediately alert. The air was thick with anticipation, and he quickly spotted the familiar figure of the nin waiting for him.
"I've been waiting," the nin said, his voice calm but with an edge of urgency.
Daniel raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback. "You've been requested to act as a mediator at Hoshigakure," the nin continued.
"Me?" Daniel asked, his surprise evident.
"Yes, well, you were actually recommended by one of our elders. They said that in our current situation, you are the most suited for this role," the nin explained.
Daniel accepted the mission, though his mind was already racing with questions. "Why would they recommend me for such a mission? Is it to get me out of the village? No, I always have clones here," he pondered as he left the building.
As he made his way out of the village, Daniel couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mission than met the eye. Perhaps the elder who recommended him had ulterior motives. Could it be an assassination attempt? He dismissed the thought quickly; he was more than capable of handling any threat.
Leaping from tree to tree, Daniel's sharp senses picked up on a presence following him. "So it was Danzo," he murmured, recognizing the energy signature of a root shinobi. He continued on his path, pretending not to notice his pursuer. He planned to walk right into the trap they were setting for him. Danzo had gone too far this time, and Daniel wasn't going to let it slide.
Ahead, he sensed an ambush waiting, with Danzo himself likely present. The old schemer probably intended to use Kotoamatsukami to control him after seeing what Daniel was capable of. But Daniel was done hiding his abilities just to avoid the likes of Danzo or Orochimaru. If they crossed him, he would retaliate.
"Should I take over Hoshigakure, or should I just make them owe me?" Daniel pondered as he neared the ambush point. "I could probably solve their radiation problem without a hitch. They would be a formidable force if I trained them properly. But I can make my own army whenever I want..."
His thoughts were interrupted as the root shinobi finally attacked, throwing kunai with paper bombs. Daniel dodged them effortlessly, but the explosions forced him to the ground.
"No need to wear those masks. I know you're all leaf ninja," Daniel said, addressing the hidden shinobi in the forest. The one who had been pursuing him landed silently behind him, joined by others who emerged from the shadows.
Daniel's eyes narrowed. This was going to be interesting.