Just when Naruto was about to fall asleep, the meeting finally ended.
Through everyone's vote, Tsunade defeated Danzo.
Finally, the elders and advisors decided that Tsunade would be the new Hokage.
Danzo gritted his teeth in anger, but he finally endured it. He led two of his men and slammed the door as he left.
Advisor Utatane Koharu glanced at Danzo's back but didn't pay much attention.
Danzo is from the same generation as Sarutobi Hiruzen. Competing to be Hokage at his age is indeed a bit much.
If Danzo really became Hokage… how many years could he even last?
It was better to leave the position to someone younger.
And although Tsunade wasn't exactly a young woman in her twenties or thirties, her reputation and strength were very fitting for the role of Hokage.
At least, that was what Utatane Koharu believed.
Utatane Koharu said to Tsunade: "Tsunade, although you've won the election, there are still two final steps left. You know what they are, right?"
If Tsunade wanted to be Hokage, she naturally understood these procedures. She nodded to Utatane Koharu.
After Konoha chooses a new Hokage, they must send someone to inform the Fire Daimyō.
After receiving the Daimyō's approval, the chosen Hokage is officially recognized as the legitimate Hokage.
But in reality, this step is mostly a formality.
The relationship between the Daimyō's office and the ninja village isn't really that of a superior and subordinate anymore.
It's not so much the Daimyō granting authority to the Hokage—
More like: Konoha chooses a Hokage, then informs the Daimyō, and the Daimyō's side sends someone to say, "We approve."
The last step is the inauguration ceremony.
But since Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer hold on, and the Hokage position was empty, Tsunade had to take over first and hold the ceremony on a later date.
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Naruto.
Naruto didn't listen to the gossip either.
After the meeting, everyone slowly left.
Naruto followed Tsunade out, deep in thought.
The important matters were over, but Naruto still couldn't forget the news about Yuhi Kurenai.
This feeling…
It was strange.
Am I sick?
When Tsunade came out, she said to Jiraiya: "Jiraiya, will you stay in the village?"
Jiraiya didn't want to be too serious, but Tsunade asked the question immediately.
He thought for a moment, then replied calmly: "I don't think Sasuke is the Child of Prophecy."
On the contrary…
Jiraiya looked at Naruto, who was lost in thought, and narrowed his eyes slightly.
This guy looks more like the Child of Prophecy.
But that didn't make sense.
With Naruto's strength, he didn't need Jiraiya's guidance at all.
Would he become Naruto's teacher out of pure righteousness?
Don't be ridiculous. Jiraiya knew well enough that he had no such righteousness.
When Jiraiya left, Naruto was still absorbed in thought.
Tsunade lifted her hand, snapped her fingers in front of Naruto, and said: "Hey, kid, wake up. What were you thinking just now? You were totally spacing out."
"Uh…" Naruto snapped out of it, looked at the youthful-looking aunt in front of him, and said, "I don't know why, but I feel like I've seen Kurenai Yuhi before."
Tsunade frowned slightly: "Yuhi Kurenai? The one they said went traveling before the meeting?"
Naruto nodded.
Tsunade thought for a while, and the answer she finally gave shocked Naruto.
"That woman… she is connected to you." Tsunade seemed to recall something.
Naruto felt that was absurd the moment he heard it.
He knew he had never seen Yuhi Kurenai before.
"How is that possible?" Naruto didn't quite believe it.
Tsunade curled her lips. "I forgot the details. It's been so many years. I just remember it had something to do with a mission. When I officially become Hokage, I'll check it out for you."
"Alright." Naruto sighed. "I guess that's all I can do for now."
"By the way, about the barrier…"
Tsunade: "Don't worry. It's just a barrier. I won't go back on my word. Do you know why, even though I lost so much money, people still dare to gamble with me?"
Naruto smiled with relief. "I guess I'm overthinking."
…
Tsunade didn't break her promise.
After she became Hokage, she immediately began fulfilling her promise to Naruto.
That afternoon, Naruto met the people capable of building the barrier.
It was a team of six, all high-level barrier specialists trained by Konoha.
They had all contributed to the creation of Konoha's current barrier.
Now, Tsunade had temporarily assigned them to Naruto.
The barrier team also gave Naruto an old mission document.
The mission was more than ten years old.
The assigned ninja was Yuhi Kurenai.
The content of the mission was to protect the Third Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto.
But Naruto was still very young then and living in a foster home, so he had no memory of that time.
What concerned Naruto even more was that not only was the one who took the mission Yuhi Kurenai—
The person who requested the mission was also Yuhi Kurenai!
In other words, more than ten years ago, Yuhi Kurenai personally paid Konoha to issue a mission to protect Naruto…
Then Kurenai herself accepted that mission…
And according to the report, she guarded Naruto for nearly a year.
Naruto checked the mission details.
Only then did he realize that it was because of Kurenai's presence that he avoided being abused by the adults in the foster home.
Like having boiling water dumped on him…
Or being denied food…
So what was her purpose?
Naruto couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he tried, so he could only let it go for now and take things step by step.
After Naruto said goodbye to Hinata, he returned to the Land of Snow with the barrier team.
…
The environment in the Land of Snow was still the same.
At Naruto's suggestion, Kazahana Koyuki opened the treasure vault with the key.
But the machine inside couldn't operate year-round.
So the environment hadn't changed much.
Naruto had been gone for quite some time.
For someone like Karin, who can't sit still, living with Naruto was fine.
But being alone… was boring.
During those days, Karin even went to court sessions with Kazahana Koyuki.
Her identity was naturally Koyuki's bodyguard.
Then Karin discovered a problem.
Although Koyuki was older than her…
As a queen, Koyuki was still too young.
Even with support from the three elders and others, there were still many people who opposed her openly and secretly.
Even if Koyuki wanted to dedicate herself to developing the Land of Snow, it wouldn't be easy.
After the court session ended—
Only Karin and Koyuki remained in the hall.
Karin couldn't help complaining to Koyuki: "What are these people thinking? You're obviously not a tyrant, yet they still try to make things difficult for you."
Koyuki was already troubled by all this, and Karin's complaining didn't help.
She sighed helplessly and said just one word: "Profit."
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