"Tsunade is indeed the most suitable candidate for the Godaime Hokage, but no one knows where she is." Homura stated.
"I'll go find her." Jiraiya turned around and said, "However, regarding the matter of how to handle the Jinchuriki, I must have a vote in the decision-making process during the high-level meetings. How about that?"
The two Advisors looked at each other, with solemn expressions on their faces.
"Jiraiya, we understand your position and can agree to that."
"However, it's important to inform you of recent higher-ups' discussions. According to information from our spies, the Land of Lightning is heavily investing in the development of lightning-based energy technologies. The Land of Wind has also recently begun mining an unknown type of metal."
"Most of the village's higher-ups are deeply concerned about these developments. Konoha needs a more powerful Kage to guide us in making the right choices."
Jiraiya recognized the underlying plea in their words and waved them off dismissively, "Tsunade is the granddaughter of the Shodaime Hokage, she's much stronger than I am."
"Also, I plan to take Naruto away for a while."
"The Jinchūriki has been showing signs of instability recently. This is the only thing we cannot promise you, Jiraiya." The elderly female Advisor, Koharu, said with narrowed eyes.
"Then forget it." Jiraiya turned around and walked away in a very shameless manner, waving his hand. "You might as well make Danzo the Hokage."
When they heard Jiraiya's suggestion regarding Danzo, Homura and Koharu's faces turned green.
Although Sandaime is dead, their influence remains.
As senior Advisors of Konoha, who had been involved in major decisions for the village, Homura and Koharu had long stood firmly with Sandaime and would never consider allowing Danzo, their old teammate who handled the village's dirty work, to become the Hokage.
In their eyes, Danzo was neither fit in character nor in public image to take on the role of Hokage, being darker and more secretive than even the most cunning of men.
Homura and Koharu do not doubt Danzo's loyalty to the village, but they question Danzo's adherence to the Will of Fire.
If they had solid evidence, they would even directly suspect that the Shinobi God who had disturbed the hearts of the villagers and discredited the Will of Fire some time ago was Danzo's doing.
To put it simply, they looked down on him.
"Jiraiya." Homura called out, stopping him, "As one of the Sannin, you will be the one taking care of the Jinchuriki for the time being."
…
Yamanaka Flower Shop.
The bright little table reflected the awkward expressions of the two individuals. Ino, who was wearing a maid outfit, was gripping Naruto's shirt so tightly that she was nearly tearing the collar of his black short-sleeved shirt.
"Sorry." Naruto apologized quickly and sincerely, "I was the one who made Ino dress like this."
"I'm really sorry."
Ino was stunned at first, pursed her lips, and was about to open her mouth to defend Naruto, "That…"
"Ino." Rino frowned slightly, "Why are you bullying Naruto again? Even if you..."
Rino sighed halfway through her sentence, a hint of disappointment in her tone, then she pulled Ino aside and whispered to her.
"Ino-chan, winning the heart of a boy you like isn't just about using force."
"I didn't, I'm not…"
Ino was almost in tears, pointing at her maid outfit, wanting to say something but holding back in the end.
Rino pulled Ino back and then turned to Naruto with a gentle smile. Her refined demeanor was a stark contrast to Ino's, and her voice was warm and welcoming.
"Thank you for taking care of my little girl."
"Not at all, Auntie. Ino has been the one taking care of me." Naruto replied.
Hearing him call her 'Auntie' seemed to please Yamanaka Rino. In the customs of the Land of Fire, for a young person to address an older woman as 'Auntie' during a first meeting implied a close relationship.
Ino suddenly felt the grip on her hand loosen as her mother let go and stepped forward to hold Naruto's hand and said, "Ino can be a handful at times. I hope you can bear with her."
"Not at all. With a perfect mother like you, Auntie, it's my honor to have Ino as a friend."
Naruto's obedient demeanor and words of praise for Rino made her smile. Because Rino knew what Ino was thinking, she saw Naruto through a filter, so she couldn't help but feel even more pleased.
Ino, on the other hand, was left standing to the side, watching as her mother led Naruto away.
"Naruto, you're such a well-behaved child. Try the cocoa Auntie made for you. Do you like cocoa?"
"It's my favorite. Thank you, Auntie."
"Leave it to me." Rino's tone suddenly became stern as she looked at Ino and said, "Ino, why don't you come over here and learn properly."
Ino: "…"
"Inoichi."
Rino called to her husband, who was standing awkwardly nearby with bags in hand, as she led Naruto and Ino upstairs.
"Make sure to take good care of Naruto. I'm going to teach Ino how to make cocoa first."
"Okay." Inoichi, who was carrying a lot of bags, responded with an awkward smile.
"Hey, I already know how to make cocoa!"
"Mom has a secret recipe that I want to teach you."
"Eh? Does something like that really exist?"
As the voices of the two women faded, Inoichi put down the bags and smiled as he made a cup of tea for Naruto.
Naruto responded politely, addressing him as 'Uncle'.
Inoichi leaned back on the sofa, feeling a bit strange but also somewhat gratified. After exchanging a few words, their conversation shifted to Shikamaru.
Inoichi has always had high hopes for Shikamaru since he was a child, but unfortunately. the two children are too familiar with each other and they didn't have that kind of spark.
'The Kyubi's Jinchuriki, huh?'
He glanced at Naruto, who was sitting upright on the sofa under the bright light. In a brief flash, he remembered the terrifying scene he had witnessed from afar during a downpour.
The enormous silhouette of a fearsome beast, barely visible through the rain and fog.
The horrifying presence that seemed to crush the earth beneath it.
No matter how hard he tried, it was difficult to associate the well-mannered boy sitting on the sofa with the terrifying Biju.
…
Late at night.
Ino escorted Naruto out of the shop, standing under the big green tree not far from the Yamanaka Flower Shop to say goodbye.
"Hey, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Ino said through gritted teeth.
"What did I do?" Naruto asked.
"Don't play dumb! You're the one who made me wear a maid outfit, and besides, you don't even like cocoa!"
Ino glanced around to make sure no one from the flower shop was watching before grabbing Naruto by the collar of his short-sleeved shirt, glaring at him as she said contemptuously, "You drank the whole cup of cocoa! But the one I made for you… you only took one sip."
"I did say that I'm the one asking you to wear the maid outfit, but Auntie didn't believe me." Naruto replied helplessly, "I do dislike cocoa, but under those circumstances, I had no choice but to drink it."
"If you didn't want to drink it, you should have just refused! Why force yourself to drink something you don't like?"
Ino put her hands on her hips and stared at Naruto with her deep blue eyes, as if trying to determine whether he was lying.
Under the big tree.
Naruto lifted his clear, bright eyes to meet hers without saying a word. He simply smiled.
The street of Konoha seemed endless, with big trees scattered all around.
The warmth of everyday life suddenly became more vivid, and even the old streetlights seemed younger.
The lights shone just right, and as the night breeze brushed against her hair, Ino's heart suddenly skipped a heavy beat.
She thought to herself, 'Maybe, just maybe…'