"Hey, why is it just the four of us this time?"
In a small town in Land of Grass, Naruto looked at Jiraiya, who was leading the team, and Takemi, who had a completely indifferent expression.
He murmured softly, while Sasuke, beside him, snorted lightly. "The four of us are enough. What else do you want?"
"It's not about wanting anything, it's just that I feel it's very unreliable following Takemi and Pervy Sage without Kakashi-sensei." Naruto pursed his lips and whispered to Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded, but then instinctively shake his head. "Don't talk nonsense. If you want to die, don't drag me into it. When has Takemi ever been unreliable?"
"Tch, coward."
Naruto looked at Sasuke with disdain, but seeing Sasuke's idiotic gaze, he couldn't say anything more.
This mission involved only the four of them, and he knew exactly what they were going to do. This made him both excited and worried. That big fox had brought a lot of trouble to Konoha.
"Although that bastard Takemi said he made him pay rent, I still can't help but worry…"
Naruto muttered softly. Besides worrying about the fox, he also worried about his parents' Chakra. After all, both of them relied on the Nine-Tails's Chakra to continue existing within his body.
"Don't worry, Naruto."
Just then, Kushina's voice sounded inside him.
"Jiraiya-sensei is usually unreliable, but for something like this, he must have made thorough preparations."
"That's right, Naruto."
Minato also smiled, his voice still gentle.
"This was originally why I sealed the Nine-Tails inside you back then. I believe you'll definitely be fine."
"But then again, Konoha hasn't repaired the previous damage for so long, causing Naruto to have to go to Iwagakure to study, truly…"
Kushina complained a bit this time, and Minato advised her.
"Perhaps the village doesn't have that much resources, after all, we both…"
"Tch, I know, I'm not being unreasonable, but I heard those two Jinchuriki from Iwagakure previously fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at you?"
"Uh, those are all things of the past. The times have changed now, Kushina."
"I know, I know, I'm just a little annoyed, and what's even more annoying is Jiraiya-sensei, that hateful guy, he made Naruto pay for everything the whole time."
"…"
"And he even tricked Takemi into going to that kind of place, that old pervert!"
"…"
"Why aren't you saying anything? Did you also go with him back then?"
"How could that be?!"
Naruto laughed listening to his parents' arguments in his mind.
It occasionally caused him some trouble and they would lecture him thoroughly in his mental world. But, he loved this feeling too much.
'I must not disappoint them.'
Naruto secretly made up his mind, and at the same time, he couldn't help but look at Takemi.
'I can't disappoint this bastard either, if it weren't for…'
But just as he was thinking, he suddenly saw Takemi wave at him.
"Naruto, pay for the things. I'll trouble you."
"…"
Naruto clenched his fists. He felt that he couldn't think of Takemi in a good light. If he did, problems would definitely arise.
"Hey, isn't it bad to exploit your subordinates like this?"
Jiraiya watched Naruto angrily take out his shriveled little frog wallet to pay, and asked while eating.
"If you do this, your subordinates will dislike you."
"Then don't eat." Takemi glanced at him and spoke disdainfully.
"Also, this kid is a qualified ninja. What's wrong with him paying for his future superior? He has no foresight at all."
"You're going to be Hokage like that?"
Although Jiraiya thought the food in his hand smelled delicious, he still felt a bit flustered.
"You kid, don't you dare ruin Konoha!"
"Tch, how could that happen? Konoha is full of talented people." Takemi slowly spoke while eating snacks.
"Think about it, for the Jonin class, I'll just let Kakashi-sensei oversee it. Anbu is doing well, keep up the good work."
"Tsunade is in charge of the Medical Department, and Nara Shikaku is in charge of the Political Affairs Department. And his son will definitely take over in the future."
"As for intelligence and such, isn't there Inoichi-san? I don't need to worry about so much at all."
"Once I take office, I'll have Shikamaru leave the team and join the Political Affairs Department. He'll give me information every day, and I'll just stamp it."
"Hiss…"
Jiraiya's eyes widened. Was being Hokage that simple?
"No, you're going to do it like this?"
"Otherwise? Be hands-on like the Third Hokage? Come on, everyone has their specialties. Just leave professional matters to professionals."
"…"
"At worst, set up a last-place elimination system. If you can't do it, get out. Konoha has so many people, if you can't do it, there are plenty of others who can."
"…"
"Hmm, worst case, send the Second Hokage to Root. That seems pretty good too?"
Takemi stroked his chin. He was pondering whether to pull a trick on Tobirama in the future.
Tobirama, I'm the Hokage!
You'll regret this!
"You…"
Jiraiya rubbed his forehead. He felt that Takemi's words were unreliable, but for a moment, he seemed to have no way to refute them.
Everyone has their specialties. Those words seemed absolutely correct.
Entrusting things to those who are good at them, that seems to be the most appropriate thing to do.
It's just that—
"Then what will you do? If you leave everything to others, won't you be…"
"I'll be Hokage!"
Takemi shrugged, speaking with a smile.
"Isn't the Hokage just supposed to guide the general direction and ensure the village stays on the right track? Am I supposed to go distribute missions too?"
"That seems to be true…"
Jiraiya was a bit speechless, but he strangely felt that Takemi was right.
Guiding the correct direction is what the Hokage should do. As for other things, just leave them to subordinates to handle, and it seems that's enough?
"How do I feel like you're secretly speaking ill of the Third Hokage?"
"Do you have proof?" Takemi snorted lightly, then stroked his chin.
"However, I do think I can also serve as the principal of the Ninja Academy."
"?"
"After all, Konoha's education has already collapsed."
"…"
"If I become the principal, maybe I can set things right."
"…"
"I will definitely strike hard at those students."