Chapter 98: Recommending the Fifth Hokage
Orochimaru now regretted it a bit; he should have sent someone to kill Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado earlier.
After Orochimaru fled, Konoha's Great Clansconfirmed Hiruzen Sarutobi's death and all sent their Ninja to participate in the battle.
In less than half a day, Temari, the princess of Hidden Sand Village, and Kankuro, the eldest prince, were captured.
Baki, the Jonin leader of Hidden Sand Village, seeing that the tide had turned, ordered all Sunagakure Ninja to surrender and accept Konoha's custody.
The Otogakure Ninja, seeing Orochimaru's defeat and retreat, knew there was no need to continue fighting and withdrew from Konoha Village.
Seeing that the overall situation was settled, Naruto used the Flying Thunder God to return to the Wooden Hut by the river.
The Shadow Clone made an excuse to go out for a while. After dispelling the Shadow Clone, Narutosaid to Hinata, "The Ninja from the Great Clanshave all moved out, and the enemy has been repelled."
Hinata nodded blankly and said, "Oh! So, should we go back to the Village?"
Naruto thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Let's not go back for now. The Village is in chaos right now and definitely needs to be reorganized. We wouldn't be much help if we went. Let's talk about it tomorrow!"
"Alright!"
Naruto smiled and said, "Later, if anyone comes looking for us, just say that I used a forbidden jutsu and the side effects are too great, so I still need care, and you can't leave. Understand?"
Hinata nodded ignorantly and said, "Understood, Naruto-kun!"
After Naruto gave all the necessary instructions, he lay on the bed to rest.
Meanwhile, Hinata was busy at home, wiping tables and sweeping floors, truly a virtuous wife and loving mother.
Just as it was getting dark, Kakashi arrived at the Wooden Hut by the river.
Kakashi saw Hinata cooking and asked with some surprise, "Where's Naruto?"
"Na... Na... Na... Naruto-kun! He used a forbidden jutsu... the side effects... are too great, and he's still resting."
Hinata was already quite shy, and adding the need to lie, how could she not feel guilty?
Kakashi knew Naruto's situation, but hearing Hinata's relay, he understood that Naruto didn't want to get involved in the Village's reconstruction.
Kakashi sighed and looked at Hinata, saying, "Since Naruto is resting, I won't disturb him. However, Naruto still needs to attend the funeral of Third Hokage-sama in three days."
"Un... un... understood!"
Kakashi sighed and used the Body Flicker Technique to return to the Hokage Building.
Kakashi informed Jiraiya about Naruto's situation.
Jiraiya listened, in low spirits, and said, "Does Naruto truly have no feelings for the Village at all?"
Kakashi lowered his head and said without any emotion, "If you want Naruto to have feelings for the Village, then the Village must first have feelings for Naruto!"
Jiraiya suddenly looked up at Kakashi upon hearing his words. He hadn't expected Kakashi to say such a thing, but thinking about it, it made sense: if the Village had no feelings for Naruto, how could Naruto have feelings for the Village?
"Let's not talk about Naruto! With the Third's death, someone must become the new Hokage. Who do you think can bear the responsibility of the Fifth Hokage?"
Kakashi looked at Jiraiya and said, "Konoha is now in ruins awaiting reconstruction. Among those who can bear the responsibility of the Fifth Hokage in the Village, only you, Jiraiya-sama, remain."
Jiraiya shook his head and said, "My personality isn't suitable for being Hokage. My suggestion is to find Tsunade and have her become Hokage. She is more suitable than me, both in terms of prestige and qualifications."
"But Lady Tsunade is not in the Village right now, and there's someone in the Village coveting the Hokage position. If we don't elect the Fifth Hokagequickly, I'm afraid... Konoha will face internal strife."
"Are you talking about Danzo?"
Kakashi lowered his head and said nothing, but his attitude confirmed Jiraiya's words.
"Now, three out of four of Konoha Leadership are gone. I don't know who killed Advisor Koharu and Advisor Mitokado. Without the restraint of those two, who knows how much trouble Advisor Danzowill cause."
"Now is not the time to investigate who killed them. The top priority should be to gather the patriarchs of the Great Clans and hold a Joninmeeting to confirm the Fifth Hokage first."
Jiraiya was stunned for a moment, then understood what Kakashi meant. If they didn't quickly gather the patriarchs of the Great Clans, Danzo might send people to threaten them.
At that point, even if the Great Clans didn't want to elect Danzo as Hokage, it would be futile.
"Kakashi! Notify the Anbu to gather the patriarchs of the Great Clans and hold a Jonin meeting. Inform Advisor Danzo to be at the Hokage Officefor a meeting within half an hour."
"Yes! Jiraiya-sama."
After Kakashi left, Jiraiya muttered to himself, "Fortunately, Kakashi reminded me, otherwise the Fifth Hokage would truly have been Danzo."
When the Hokage meeting was held, Danzobrazenly sat in the spot where Hiruzen Sarutobiused to sit.
Jiraiya coughed dryly and looked at Danzo, saying, "Advisor Danzo! That is not your seat."
"Now that Hiruzen is dead! Besides me, who else can bear the responsibility of the Fifth Generation Hokage? Is it you, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya shook his head and said, "No matter who is elected Fifth Hokage, you are not qualified to sit in that position right now."
Danzo also understood what Jiraiya meant; he couldn't sit in that position until he became the Fifth Hokage.
Danzo stared gloomily at Jiraiya, then stood up and sat in his rightful seat.
After everyone was seated, Jiraiya looked at the patriarchs of the Great Clans and the civilian Ninjarepresentatives and said, "With the Third Hokage's death and the killing of Elders Mitokado and Koharu, Konoha can be said to be leaderless. Therefore, I have called you all here to ask for your recommendations for the candidate for the Fifth Hokage."
The patriarchs of the Great Clans didn't quite understand what Jiraiya meant, looking at each other.
Finally, the patriarch of a small clan looked at Jiraiya and said, "Can't Jiraiya-sama become the Fifth Hokage?"
Jiraiya shook his head and said, "My personality is not suitable for being the Fifth Hokage, so everyone can nominate candidates for the Fifth Hokage."
Nara Shikaku pondered for a moment, then looked at Jiraiya and said, "Does Jiraiya-sama have any candidates in mind?"
"Everyone, speak your minds and tell me your preferred candidates. If no one has a candidate, then I will make a recommendation."
Shikaku's mind was quick; he quickly understood the meaning behind Jiraiya's words and guessed who Jiraiya wanted to choose.
However, the person Jiraiya recommended couldn't be named by them, otherwise Danzo would surely hold a grudge against them.
But those who weren't as clever looked at Jiraiyaand said, "I recommend Asuma Sarutobi to be the Fifth Hokage!"