Shima said to Jiraiya, "How about this—Jiraiya, you die right in front of Naruto. That way Naruto will have a better chance to master Sage Mode."
Jiraiya curled his lip. "Sage Shima, listen to what you're saying—does that sound like something a person would say?"
Sage Shima croaked, "I'm a toad. Why would I speak like a person?"
A ninja suddenly shouted, "Everyone, look! It seems something has appeared on the light screen."
Everyone cast their gaze toward the window.
A notice appeared on the light screen.
[With the founding of the Empire, His Majesty worries for peace across the four seas and toils excessively, leaving the imperial household lonely—alas! Therefore, the Empire hereby announces: a large-scale selection will be held across the ninja world. The selected maidens will be His Majesty's companions, protected by the Empire and sharing in the fortune of a nation. The specific requirements are: well-proportioned features, big chest, long legs, and able to satisfy any of His Majesty's requests…]
People across the ninja world frowned as they read. The archaic wording meant only those who had studied could understand it.
Naruto's head started to ache. "What does this mean?"
As a novelist, Jiraiya naturally understood. He immediately cursed,
"Good grief—this brat wants to open a harem. He wants to gather all the beautiful women in the ninja world into his harem and be a breeding stud."
At this moment, Kairen finally stopped pretending and made it perfectly clear to the ninja world that he was going to snatch women.
Jiraiya cursed again, "Konan misjudged him. That damned lecher has finally shown his true colors."
Tsunade spat and scolded, "The Akatsuki are all lunatics—Deidara is a bomber, Sasori of the Red Sand is a corpse-stitching freak. This guy looks handsome, but who knew he's a big pervert."
Then another article appeared on the light screen.
[His Majesty has long admired the following kunoichi: Konoha's Fifth Hokage Princess Tsunade, the Hokage's assistant Shizune, ANBU Uzuki Yugao, Yūhi Kurenai, Ino Yamanaka, Samui of Kumogakure, Mabui, Kirigakure… These kunoichi are listed on the maiden roster. No examination is required; they may enter the palace directly. Ninja villages are requested to package them properly and mail them to the Kairen Empire. Otherwise, if the Son of Heaven is angered, war will be brought forth.]
All the kunoichi whose names were read were furious. So that lecher had set his sights on them!
"Bang!"
Tsunade, furious, smashed the wooden table in front of her with one slap. The people around hurriedly moved away from this female tyrannosaurus.
Tsunade enunciated each word,
"Brat, when I was fighting wars you hadn't even been shot out yet! You dare include me in your harem? Outrageous."
Beside her, Shizune blushed. Her name was on the maiden roster.
Being stared at by the entire ninja world, Shizune felt as if Kairen were openly teasing her.
Jiraiya was so angry his face turned green.
He had coveted Tsunade for so many years and still hadn't gotten her, and now someone else was eyeing her.
And it was some snot-nosed kid.
My beautiful disciple Konan followed you and you're still not satisfied—you're even coveting the woman in my heart.
There's simply no justice.
Danzo found another high-minded reason and jumped out, pointing at Tsunade.
"From the looks of it, Moku Kairen seems to want you and the kunoichi under your command."
"You're the ones who provoked him. If we can't stop him, Tsunade, what do you propose we do?"
Danzo was just short of saying to package Tsunade and the others and send them to Kairen so he would stop targeting Konoha.
He could both drive Tsunade away and become Hokage himself, and also dispel Kairen's designs on Konoha. What a beautiful thing.
Tsunade's expression hardened. "What do you mean by that?"
Danzo replied, "What do I mean? I'm just thinking about Konoha. Can you stop that brat? Since you can't, then you might as well—"
Jiraiya stepped forward and said loudly, "Don't think about those humiliating compromises. This is Konoha—Konoha with the Will of Fire. We will absolutely never sell out our own compatriots."
"Right, we must never submit to that lecher. We'll fight him to the death."
"Exactly. If there's a first time, there'll be a second. If we don't crush his ambition, one day he'll steal our wives."
A group of people also stood up to echo Jiraiya.
They were all men—heroes with something between their legs. Sending women out to stop Kairen, and sending the Hokage at that—how would they hold their heads up afterward?
Spineless—people wouldn't even bother to curse them.
Danzo snorted and stood up. "Do as you like. Anyway, when the time comes, I'd like to see how you plan to stop Moku Kairen."
Leaving behind a cold remark, he pushed the door open and left.
...
Jiraiya patted Naruto on the shoulder.
"Naruto! The fate of so many women in Konoha rests on you. You must learn Sage Mode."
Naruto scratched his head, a bit troubled. "Uh—"
Jiraiya whispered in his ear, "Even though Sakura's name isn't on the maiden roster, you still have to be careful. That guy doesn't even spare pregnant widows. Who knows, one day he might snatch your Sakura."
Naruto glanced at Sakura. Sakura snorted and turned her head away, ignoring him.
Naruto's fighting spirit was instantly ignited.
"No! I absolutely can't let him take Sakura away!"
"Right, right! You've got to stand tall. Learn Sage Mode in half a month and defeat him in one fell swoop." Jiraiya pumped Naruto up.
Naruto clenched his fist. "Yeah! I'll definitely defeat him."
He walked firmly up to Sakura, then grew a little shy again.
"Sa… Sakura, will you cheer for me?"
Sakura wanted to walk away, but seeing everyone's eyes on her, all signaling her to encourage Naruto, she sighed and faced him.
"Naruto… good luck!"
Jiraiya walked over and patted Naruto on the shoulder.
"Naruto, it's up to you."
Naruto nodded.
Fukasaku nodded. "In that case, little Naruto, come back to Mount Myōboku with us!"
"Okay!"
Two green toads hopped onto Naruto's shoulders, and in the blink of an eye their figures vanished.
After Naruto left, Tsunade couldn't expect him to perfectly master Sage Mode.
She said to Shizune, "Shizune, hurry and contact the other three great ninja villages. It's time to form a ninja alliance."
Shizune nodded. "Yes, Lady Tsunade."
...
Sunagakure, Forbidden City.
"You lecher, isn't it enough that I'm with you? You still want to provoke so many women. I'm going back to the Land of Rain right now."
Konan cursed Kairen.
Kairen kept denying it. "I didn't write that. The shadow clones did it. It has nothing to do with me."
Konan grabbed Kairen's ear and shouted,
"Don't lie to me. Do your shadow clones have nothing to do with you?"
"I can't stand your womanizing. I'm going back to the Rain Hidden."
Seeing Konan about to run off, Kairen hurriedly used Kotoamatsukami to influence her will and make her a bit more tolerant of Kairen's lust.
Kotoamatsukami was extremely effective. Konan gradually began to understand Kairen.
She realized she couldn't leave Kairen in this lifetime; if she did, she would lose her support.
Konan sighed, and her anger slowly subsided.
"I won't care about your business anymore, but you have to remember—every night you must come to my room once."
Kairen smiled and nodded.
Konan's IQ really had fallen below the average.
You silly girl—aren't you still being completely wrapped around my finger by me?