At that moment, Sakura's face appeared on the sky screen as she urged,"Naruto! Hurry up and get to the Hokage's office!"
Inside the office, Naruto jabbed a finger toward Neji and Lee, his voice echoing in confusion."Hey! What's going on here?! Why are Bushy Brows and Neji here too? Where's Kakashi-sensei?!"
Tsunade, seated in the Hokage's chair, spoke casually."Lee is here to replace Sasuke."
On the sky screen, Jiraiya chuckled when he noticed Tsunade's position."Heh. So she really became Hokage."
Shizune, though she had already guessed, was still overjoyed to see it confirmed."Look, Lady Tsunade! You really did become Hokage!"
Tsunade groaned, pressing her hand to her forehead."Don't remind me. I never wanted this job in the first place…"
The Third Hokage, watching from afar, smiled softly. If Tsunade was truly Hokage now, then perhaps the past could finally be put to rest.
Naruto pouted and muttered under his breath, but, unusually, he didn't raise his voice.
Meanwhile, the barrage of comments on the screen exploded with gossip—not only about Tsunade as the new Hokage, but also her notorious antics in the casinos.
["If Tsunade's Hokage, then at least Konoha won't be used to pay off her debts anymore!"]
The teasing tone made Tsunade suspicious. It sounded exactly like something her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, would say. She narrowed her eyes, though of course she had no proof.
Lee, as cheerful as ever, gave Naruto a big thumbs-up."Please take care of me, Naruto!"
But Naruto didn't respond. The moment Sasuke's name came up, both he and Sakura went pale, lowering their heads in silence.
Shizune sighed and leaned toward Tsunade."Lady Tsunade, you really can't mention Uchiha Sasuke so casually."
Tsunade waved her off with an exasperated look."You're still hung up on that?"
The comments on the screen grew darker:
["What's with their reaction?"]["Maybe the teammate who fought beside them day and night… died."]
Sakura's eyes widened in horror."Sacrificed? Sacrificed?! Don't tell me—Sasuke is dead?!"
She turned toward Sasuke's figure on the screen, trembling.
Even Sasuke himself was shaken. Watching Naruto and Sakura's grief, hearing the chatter on the barrage, his chest tightened with defiance. He clenched his fists, staring upward.
"Dead? Me? If I'm really gone… then what about my revenge? Is it over already?!"
["No way! Sasuke wouldn't die! He was the top of our class!"]["Tch. You're too naïve. The stronger you are, the more the enemy targets you. Missions get harder, dangers multiply… it's normal for elites to die first."]
That chilling answer silenced many of the Genin watching.
All except Naruto. His jaw tightened, but he forced a smug grin."Hmph! I don't believe it. Neither Sasuke nor I will ever die. And if Sasuke can't handle it—then Naruto will save him!"
Cocky as always, yet his stubbornness carried weight.
Sasuke snorted, his pride stoked."Don't talk big, loser. The last thing I'd ever need is saving by someone weaker than me."
"What did you say?!" Naruto exploded, only for Kakashi to shove his head down and make him sit.
Elsewhere, Itachi watched the broadcast in silence. His calm face betrayed nothing, but inside, a quiet unease stirred for his younger brother.
Back in the office, Naruto snapped out of his brooding."Then what about Neji?!"
Tsunade's voice remained composed."Neji will replace Kakashi. Kakashi and Gai have already left for the front lines. For now, Neji will take over as Team 7's captain."
The chat scrolled rapidly:
["Wow, Hokage-sama is too soft. Answering Naruto's every question? If this were my village, he'd have been kicked out already!"]["She's no Hokage. Each generation of Konoha gets weaker."]["Shut up! Tsunade-sama's kindness shows how strong the bonds in Konoha really are. Unlike you cold-hearted types who treat ninjas as tools."]["Feelings? What use are they? The Ninja Code exists for a reason."]["You…"]["Can the higher-ups stop bickering over stupid things?!"]
Naruto turned, glaring at Neji."Tch! Why does it have to be you?!"
Tsunade, unfazed, dealt the final blow with a simple statement."Because Neji is a Jonin. And you, Naruto… are still just a Genin."
Naruto clutched his head in disbelief."No way! I'm still a Genin?!"
Lee, however, jumped with excitement."Then that means I'm already a Chunin! I'm a real ninja now, one who can stand on his own!"
Might Guy burst into sobs, his tears and snot flowing as he embraced his student."Yes, Lee! As long as you keep working hard, you'll shine on your own. Youth will never fade!"
"Teacher Guy!!"
The heartfelt scene made Sasuke, Sakura, and Neji glance away awkwardly, while Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
For all Lee's joy, Neji's quiet triumph as a Jonin shone far brighter. He lifted his chin with cool pride."Hmph. That's how it should be."
Naruto, unable to change Tsunade's assignments, quickly shifted gears."Then let me head to the frontlines! I'll crush the enemy myself!"
But Tsunade cut him off sharply."Team 7's mission is to protect key figures. That's final."
Naruto bristled with frustration, but Sakura snapped at him."Stop whining and pay attention!"
He sulked, but her scolding kept him in check.
Tsunade continued firmly."It's been days since the incident. The enemy has been pushing deeper, wreaking havoc across the border. And now we've confirmed the so-called 'ghost army' is just a form of puppetry."
Sakura's brow furrowed."So they're not even alive… just empty shells being controlled."
Someone muttered,"The Land of Demons is close to the Land of Wind… puppetry is famous in the Sand. Could this Yomi be a Sand ninja in disguise?"
The barrage flared again:
["Not every puppet user is from the Sand! Don't go blaming them blindly!"]["Exactly. Everyone at the top knows the truth about these monsters. Don't spread baseless rumors!"]