Chapter 145: Chapter 145: When the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Play
Konoha!
A week had passed since Hiruzen Sarutobi's death.
And all this time, Danzo, who had been restless, had assumed that he would smoothly step into the role of the Fifth Hokage.
However, both Homura and Koharu were strongly advocating for Jiraiya to become the Fifth Hokage.
Danzo was furious but helpless.
By seniority, Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Three Ninjas, was indeed a legitimate candidate to inherit the Hokage position as Sarutobi's direct disciple.
However...
Jiraiya had unhesitatingly refused. What made Jiraiya even more infuriating was that he rejected the position so casually, as if it meant nothing to him.
This made Jiraiya even more angry—how could he refuse the prestigious position of Hokage so easily?
It wasn't just the rejection that angered him, but also that Jiraiya suggested bringing Tsunade back to take the Hokage position.
This only made Danzo burn with rage even more. The disciples of Sarutobi Hiruzen were all so arrogant!
However, Tsunade was indeed more qualified than Jiraiya.
After all, she was the granddaughter of the First Hokage and also one of the Legendary Three Ninjas, with impressive strength and unassailable status.
But it was Jiraiya's attitude, thinking he could just decide who should become the Hokage with a few words, that greatly displeased Danzo.
After all, he had been eagerly waiting for the Hokage position, yet had faced countless obstacles.
Now, when the position of Hokage was within reach, Jiraiya was simply refusing it.
And on top of that, Jiraiya wanted to find Tsunade, a woman who had already left Konoha and was nowhere to be found, to take the Hokage position.
"You're leading Konoha into the abyss, step by step!"
After leaving these harsh words, Danzo had no choice but to leave in frustration.
However, Homura and Koharu didn't see any problem with Tsunade becoming the Hokage. There was no issue with that at all.
But as expected, just as things seemed calm, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
Jiraiya had returned to the village, but unfortunately, he didn't manage to bring Tsunade back.
If that had been the only issue, it could have been managed. But Jiraiya was seriously injured and unconscious, and technically, it was Naruto who had brought him back.
At Konoha's Hospital!
Naruto was filled with regret.
"It's all my fault! If I hadn't lost control…"
"If I hadn't gone berserk, the perverted sage wouldn't have fought me just to stop me!"
"He wouldn't have made his already serious injuries worse…"
Sitting on a bench in the corridor, Naruto couldn't stop the tears from flowing down his face.
Kakashi and the others silently watched Naruto.
"I couldn't even keep Sasuke. I really am useless. I'm still that dead-last, can't do anything right!"
"Whether it's Sasuke or the perverted sage, it's all because of me..."
Sakura, looking at Naruto, didn't know how to comfort him.
Kakashi didn't know what to say either. He could only let Naruto vent his emotions for the time being.
This situation was undoubtedly adding to Konoha's troubles.
Jiraiya, who was capable of becoming Hokage, was now critically injured and unconscious.
It seemed that it would be a long time before he could wake up, as his injuries were even worse than before.
His chest had three large gashes, deep enough to see the bone, with several broken ribs.
Given the severity of his wounds, it was already a miracle that Jiraiya was still alive.
The most conservative estimate was that it would take at least a year or more for him to fully recover.
Now, Konoha was in a difficult position. There was no suitable candidate to succeed the Hokage. As one of the major ninja countries in the world,
if Konoha didn't have a powerful and well-known ninja as Hokage, it would quickly lead to unnecessary turmoil.
The Daimyo of the Fire Country might also take action against Konoha.
Although there was a hierarchical relationship between the ninja villages and the Fire Country, Konoha was the only military power of the Fire Country, essentially serving as the shogunate.
The Daimyo was merely a puppet, enjoying wealth and status.
But when it came to critical matters, it was the Hokage who made the decisions.
So, if Konoha lost its Hokage, it would be a huge crisis for the entire village.
"Right now, we have no choice but to send more ninjas to find Tsunade!"
"But Tsunade was taken by Orochimaru and Sasuke Uchiha, and her life or death is unknown. We don't even know if she's alive or dead!"
"In this case, I'm not in favor of sending more ninjas to search for Tsunade!"
"Orochimaru is also a member of the Legendary Three Ninjas and is incredibly strong. We have no idea where he's hiding, and with Sasuke awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan, if Konoha tries to rescue her, the cost will be incredibly high!"
"It could even result in a one-way trip."
In the Hokage's office, the senior ninjas of Konoha were arguing.
Homura and Koharu, the two advisors, furrowed their brows.
This was the situation in Konoha: there was no one to make a decision.
"I've said it before, Jiraiya can't be relied upon, and neither can Tsunade!"
"Even if Konoha were handed over to them, it would eventually lead the village to ruin!"
At that moment, Danzo slowly stood up from the crowd.
The current situation made him feel extremely pleased.
Because it seemed that all the people who had the qualifications to compete with him for the Hokage position were now gone.
Jiraiya was severely injured, and Tsunade's whereabouts were unknown.
Right now, Konoha needed someone to save the day, and that person could only be him.
"Danzo, what are you trying to say?"
Homura and Koharu sensed that something was wrong.
"What am I trying to say? Don't you already know what I'm saying?"
"The only way Konoha can grow stronger is if it's in my hands!"
"The position of Hokage can only be filled by me!"
The senior ninjas present were taken aback. While they knew who Danzo was, they weren't sure of his strength.
In terms of seniority, Danzo was qualified, but being qualified by seniority alone wasn't enough to become Hokage.
Continuing Chapter 145: When the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Play
...Danzo knew that he had the seniority, but what truly mattered was power.
One relatively naïve and inexperienced Jonin looked at Danzo with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Sorry, Danzo-sama, although you have worked diligently for Konoha over the years... the position of Hokage isn't something just anyone can hold."
"If you don't have the corresponding strength, it's impossible…"
Danzo coldly glared at the fool.
"I am also a disciple of the Second Hokage. Are you questioning my strength?"
A disciple of the Second Hokage?
Danzo-sama was actually on the same level as the Third Hokage?
Wait, no wonder only Danzo had the guts to repeatedly defy the Third Hokage.
They must have been fellow disciples.
Konoha still had such ancient relics around?
The Jonin were shocked by this revelation.
"It looks like you all have no objections now, right?"
"Then, the position of Hokage shall be mine by right."
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances with the silent Jonin. Things were beginning to look bad.
If Danzo were to rise to power... it could mean disaster for Konoha.
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