Chapter 150: A Qualified Hokage Knows How to Delegate Power!
Iruka Umino walked in front of Naruto, his expression complex. He looked at this student who used to give him the most headaches, the one who always played pranks and was at the bottom of the class, yet now stood at the pinnacle of all his peers.
"Naruto." Iruka's voice trembled slightly. "You… did very well." He reached out and heavily patted Naruto's shoulder. "Excellent. Whether it was the Body Replacement Jutsu before, or that final Wind Release, you displayed the judgment and timing expected of an excellent ninja."
"But, don't get arrogant." Iruka's expression became serious. "Being the top student is just a new beginning. There are even tougher challenges waiting for you in the future; you must continue to work hard and not let Akira down."
"Hehe, I know! Iruka-sensei!" Naruto grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth, radiating sunshine. The feeling of being acknowledged was truly good. Especially being acknowledged by Iruka-sensei. He won; now, he was finally no longer that dead last who needed others' pity.
In front of the Ninja School's announcement board, people crowded together. The results of the practical tests for all grades had already been posted. At the very top, in the most prominent position, a name was written in bold, black letters. "First Year Top Student: Uzumaki Naruto"
Uchiha Sasuke stood in the shadows, his face extremely gloomy.
"Oh my goodness, Uzumaki Naruto!" "I never thought that the former dead last… would actually defeat Sasuke-kun?" "Didn't you see the end? That Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu was too exaggerated! Dozens of Narutos!" "And that final Wind Release, if not for the Jōnin teacher intervening, Sasuke-kun would have been in danger!" "The Fifth Hokage's disciple is indeed different…"
Sasuke stared intently at the name on the announcement board, his Sharingan uncontrollably appearing in his eye sockets, spinning wildly. Why? Why did this happen?
"Damn it…" He, Uchiha Sasuke, absolutely could not lose to a dead last. Absolutely not!
"Next time… Next time, I will definitely stomp you under my heel!"
On the other side, the test had just ended. Jiraiya's figure flashed, and he disappeared. He was going to meet this Fifth Hokage, who had stirred up the entire Konoha. Some things needed to be clarified face-to-face.
Hokage Office. It was completely different from the scene when Hiruzen Sarutobi was in office, where the desk was piled high with scrolls and documents like mountains. Uchiha Akira leaned casually on the sofa by the window, holding a steaming cup of hot tea, leisurely looking out at Konoha through the window.
As the Hokage, there was no need to personally handle every single matter. Letting the high-IQ individuals of the Nara Clan handle the Village's daily affairs was the most efficient approach. Only major decisions involving S-rank missions, the movements of Kage-level figures from other nations, or core family interests would be presented to Uchiha Akira. This was how a "Kage" should be. Strategizing, not being a Village head buried in documents.
"Power is for better enjoying life, not for being enslaved by life." Uchiha Akira took a contented sip of tea.
Just then. Bang! The office window was roughly pushed open from the outside. A tall figure flipped in with an extremely undignified posture. Wild white long hair, a forehead protector engraved with the character "Oil," a giant scroll on his back, and that iconic attire. One of the 3 Sannin, the Toad Sage, Jiraiya.
As soon as he landed, before he could even strike a cool entrance pose. Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Four dark figures appeared silently in the 4 corners of the office. Cold killing intent instantly locked onto Jiraiya. Four pairs of scarlet 3-tomoe Sharingan locked onto Jiraiya. Uchiha Anbu!
Jiraiya's body instantly tensed, and a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. So fast! Such strong oppressive force! The aura of each of these Uchiha Anbu far exceeded that of ordinary Jōnin in his understanding.
"Stand down." Uchiha Akira calmly uttered 2 words.
"Yes, Akira." The 4 dark figures flashed again, disappearing without a trace. The office returned to peace. Only Jiraiya remained, still in a defensive posture, looking a bit awkward. He looked at the young Hokage sitting on the sofa, and a storm raged in his heart.
This was… the current Uchiha? This was… the might of the Fifth Hokage?
Jiraiya cleared his throat, trying to break the awkward atmosphere. "Hey, I say, are you the Fifth Hokage?" He scrutinized Uchiha Akira with a critical gaze.
Uchiha Akira put down his teacup and calmly looked at Jiraiya. "Jiraiya. Trespassing into the Hokage Office, according to Konoha's laws, is a serious crime."
Jiraiya grinned, scratched his head, trying to get away with his signature hearty laugh. "Haha, don't be so serious, I just wanted to meet the newly appointed Hokage in my own way." Jiraiya looked around. No mountains of scrolls. No endless documents to process. This place didn't look like the office of the Village's highest authority at all.
"Your place… is really clean." Jiraiya chuckled dryly, trying to break the awkwardness. "It's completely different from when the old man was in charge." He remembered Hiruzen Sarutobi, his teacher, who was always buried under documents and scrolls, even drinking tea in a hurry.
Uchiha Akira picked up his teacup and gently blew away the steam from the surface. "A qualified Hokage should know how to delegate power. Leave professional matters to professionals. The Nara Clan is responsible for coordinating the Village's daily affairs, which is much more efficient than me handling them personally. For intelligence analysis, there's the Yamanaka Clan. All I need to do is make the most correct decisions at crucial junctures. Not act like an old busybody, micromanaging everything and working myself to death at the desk. That would only drag down the efficiency of the entire Village. Times have changed, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya fell silent. What Uchiha Akira said was indeed correct.
"On this point…" Jiraiya's voice carried a hint of emotion. "The old man really falls far short compared to you."
Immediately after, Jiraiya put away his cynical expression, his demeanor becoming more serious than ever before. "Previously, the old man… the Third Hokage sent me a message. He said Konoha was in trouble and asked me to return immediately to take charge of the situation."
Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Akira. "So, can you tell me what exactly happened?"
Uchiha Akira gave a dismissive smile. "Take charge of the situation? He certainly thought so. It's just a pity he chose the wrong way."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed even deeper. "What do you mean?"
Uchiha Akira's gaze calmly met Jiraiya's. "It means… Hiruzen Sarutobi, after being removed from his position as Hokage at the Jōnin meeting, became discontent. He refused to accept the result. He secretly gathered approximately 5,000 ninja within the Village and launched a rebellion aimed at overthrowing the current Hokage, which is me…"
Jiraiya looked incredulous. "Re… rebellion?".
"Impossible!", Jiraiya instinctively retorted.
"The old man… how could he do such a thing!"
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