At the entrance of Konoha.
It was ten in the morning. The village entrance, which should have been rather quiet, was now packed with people.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood at the very front.
The smile on his face had never faded.
On either side of him were Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.
Behind him were the clan heads of the major shinobi clans who had not participated in the war, such as Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku.
They stood among the crowd. Although their expressions did not change much, many thoughts were running through their minds.
Especially regarding the four people who had made their nas in this war, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Natsuki.
Because they were connected to the position of Hokage.
Although Hiruzen was still in his pri, he would retire eventually.
The next Hokage would undoubtedly be one of Jiraiya, Tsunade, or Orochimaru.
Quite a few shinobi were already thinking about how to build a closer relationship with them.
It would be even better if they could beco an early supporter of the future Hokage.
Of course, so were also thinking about getting closer to Natsuki.
The Konoha Sannin all had their own students, but he did not.
"They're back!"
No one knew who shouted it, but in an instant, the atmosphere beca extrely lively.
Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya walked at the very front of the group.
Jiraiya waved to the watching crowd as he walked.
When he heard the screams, the smile on his face grew even brighter.
Tsunade and Orochimaru simply walked side by side.
Behind them were Natsuki, Nawaki, and the others.
Like Jiraiya, Nawaki was very excited and kept interacting with the crowd.
Natsuki looked around but did not see Uzumaki Kushina.
It seed that after becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Hiruzen no longer allowed her to show herself in public.
When they had returned triumphantly after defeating Sunagakure before, she had co out to welco them.
The cheers continued for a long ti before finally stopping.
Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru and the others, feeling sowhat emotional.
Before this, they had not been especially famous. Now, they had gained fa throughout the entire shinobi world.
As Hokage and as their sensei, he naturally felt gratified and proud.
But it was not limited to his three students.
What surprised him the most was his grandstudent, Natsuki.
He had beco famous far too quickly. It was practically unprecedented.
He had graduated less than a year ago, yet he already had an enormous reputation in the shinobi world.
Hiruzen stepped forward and began making arrangents.
It was about the sa as when they had returned after defeating Sunagakure.
The wounded would be transferred to Konoha Hospital.
Of course, the severely wounded shinobi had already been sent back to Konoha in advance.
The captured Agakure shinobi would be transferred to Konoha's heavy prison to await judgnt.
Without Hanzō, their lives and deaths were entirely up to Hiruzen's decision.
Aside from Orochimaru and the others, all the other Konoha shinobi were dismissed and allowed to return ho to rest.
As for rewards based on rit, they would be distributed gradually within half a month.
However, unlike last ti, Natsuki was asked to stay behind.
"Help pass a ssage to Kushina."
Natsuki looked at Nawaki and the others and said.
"Don't worry. We'll tell her for you."
Nawaki promised.
Natsuki nodded, then followed Tsunade and the others to the Hokage's office.
"I won't say too much. You all brought this war to a perfect conclusion."
Hiruzen smiled and said, "If there is any reward you want, you can say it directly."
"Sensei, can you give your crystal ball?"
Jiraiya blinked and asked.
He had been eyeing that crystal ball for a long ti.
Through it, one could observe the situation throughout all of Konoha.
To locate a specific person, one only needed to know that person's chakra signature.
"When you beco Hokage, it will belong to you."
Hiruzen's smile did not change.
Hearing the word Hokage, Danzō, Homura, and Koharu subconsciously exchanged glances.
Was Hiruzen planning to retire early?
"Forget it, then. Being Hokage isn't interesting."
Jiraiya shook his head and refused.
"Hokage-sama."
Natsuki glanced at Orochimaru and said, "I want to join ANBU."
Tsunade and Jiraiya were imdiately a little surprised.
"Why?"
Hiruzen asked curiously.
"After joining ANBU, I can carry out more missions."
Natsuki explained, "I can serve Konoha while also improving my strength through battle."
"With your strength and achievents, you could directly beco ANBU Commander."
Hiruzen said with great satisfaction, "But considering that you are unfamiliar with ANBU, you can start as a division captain first."
He had no reason to refuse.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Natsuki imdiately said.
Danzō and the others did not stop him.
Because Natsuki's achievents were too great.
"Which division do you want to beco captain of?"
Hiruzen asked again.
The current ANBU was naturally fully staffed, and none of the four division captain positions were vacant.
But since Natsuki wanted to join, a vacancy had to be created.
"The Fourth Division."
Natsuki answered.
"The New Year is coming soon, and the war has just ended. You should rest first. After the New Year, you can officially take up the position."
Hiruzen thought for a mont and said.
Natsuki nodded slightly, indicating that he had no objection.
"The last matter is how to handle Agakure afterward."
Hiruzen continued, "I plan to leave it to..."
Hearing this, Danzō subconsciously took half a step forward.
But before Hiruzen could finish speaking, he was interrupted.
"Sensei."
Orochimaru said, "I think the matter of Agakure should be handled by Natsuki."
Danzō suddenly turned his head to look at him, and the expression on his face froze.
"Natsuki?"
Hiruzen was sowhat surprised and asked, "Why?"
"Sensei, you just said that Natsuki is unfamiliar with ANBU. This matter can be handed to him and the Fourth Division so he can quickly adapt to ANBU."
Orochimaru ignored Danzō and spoke calmly.
Handling Agakure afterward actually ant secretly controlling it.
Root was suitable, but ANBU was suitable as well.
Orochimaru's aning could be sumd up in one sentence. People may fail to teach soone, but real experience teaches them imdiately.
"Hokage-sama, I am willing to go."
Natsuki quickly expressed his stance.
"I disagree!"
Danzō retorted, "Agakure is too important. It absolutely cannot be handed to soone with no experience. Only Root can be responsible for it!"
Hearing this, Hiruzen could not help feeling troubled.
Although he had not said it clearly before, he had indeed intended to let Danzō and Root go to Agakure.
However, what Orochimaru said also made sense.
Of course, the most important point was that Orochimaru and Natsuki were contributors to this war. Since they had made this request, it was hard for him to refuse.
"Who says Natsuki has no experience? In terms of understanding Agakure and the Land of Rain, he far surpasses you."
Tsunade snorted coldly and said, "During this period, he has been carrying out missions all over the Land of Rain and fighting Agakure shinobi."
"That experience is not the sa as this experience. What is needed next is not combat experience, but intelligence work experience!"
Danzō sensed that things were turning bad, but he still argued his point.
"If you don't let young people do it, how will they gain experience?"
Jiraiya smiled and said, "It's only Agakure. It's perfect for letting a young person practice."
Setting aside the fact that his relationship with Natsuki was decent, just based on his personality, he disliked Danzō's way of doing things.
Therefore, without anyone asking him, he took the initiative to help Natsuki.
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance.
After communicating through their eyes, they decided not to interfere.
It was still the sa reason. Agakure had no real value. Whoever took charge of it would be the sa, and it would not affect them.
"What do you an, only Agakure?"
Danzō's expression darkened as he asked, "If another Hanzō appears, who will be responsible?"
"If we can kill one Hanzō, we can kill a second one."
Orochimaru said calmly.
Danzō was so angry he nearly coughed blood.
In the past, his status and position had still been enough to suppress Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
But things were different now. The Konoha Sannin were renowned throughout the shinobi world.
More importantly, after the Second Shinobi World War, their supporters were spread throughout Konoha.
War could not only raise one's fa, but also one's status.
Especially the position of commander, which could be considered a preview of becoming Hokage.
The shinobi world respected strength. Whoever could win battles as commander would gain support. It was that simple.
"Danzō, you have experienced many things. You will not lack this one."
Hiruzen coughed lightly and said, "The young people are Konoha's future. They should be given opportunities. This ti, make a concession."
Danzō felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
What did that an?
Was he saying Danzō was old? Was he already planning to make him pave the way for the younger generation?
Damn it!
Danzō subconsciously clenched his fists, but he dared not speak in anger.
Especially since Homura and Koharu did not speak up. One against five, he naturally had no advantage.
"This matter is settled."
Hiruzen looked at Natsuki and said, "After the New Year, your division may carry out this mission."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Natsuki said with a serious expression.
Danzō stood there with nothing to say.
Natsuki glanced at him.
In the original work, Danzō and Root had interfered in the matters of the Land of Rain and Agakure.
At first, he pretended to be an Iwagakure shinobi to deal with Hanzō, but the results were poor.
Afterward, he noticed the newly rising Akatsuki and turned to cooperating with Hanzō, sowing discord between them.
In the end, they captured Konan and forced Yahiko to his death.
But Nagato's outburst caused Hanzō's death, and a large number of Root shinobi were sacrificed. Only Danzō fled back to Konoha in a sorry state.
Now that Natsuki had taken his job, he had offended him.
With Danzō's personality, he would probably not let it go easily. Perhaps he would even cause trouble in the Land of Rain and Agakure.
However, the current Natsuki was not afraid of him.
The brief eting ended.
Natsuki, Tsunade, and the others left the Hokage's office.
"Haha!"
Jiraiya laughed loudly and said, "Seeing Danzō's ugly expression makes happy!"
He did not hide his disgust toward Danzō at all.
"Root acts ruthlessly and has completely ruined Konoha's reputation."
Tsunade snorted coldly and said.
Like Jiraiya, she also detested Danzō.
After all, with their personalities, Danzō and Root's actions were practically dancing on their bottom line.
"Sensei has his own considerations."
Orochimaru said casually.
He could understand why Hiruzen did this.
It was nothing more than treating Danzō as a tool and letting him handle all the things that were inconvenient to do openly.
As Hokage, such thods were quite normal.
"Still, today's outco was fairly satisfying."
Tsunade paused and said, "Natsuki and I are heading back. See you next ti."
Hearing this, Natsuki also said goodbye to Orochimaru and Jiraiya, then followed Tsunade away.
The two soon returned to the Senju clan residence.
Before Natsuki could even react, he felt a flash of red crash into his arms.
What followed was a faint fragrance and a small, soft feeling.
He lowered his head and saw Uzumaki Kushina in his arms.
"You're finally back!"
Kushina said happily, though with a bit of dissatisfaction.
"Looks like I've been completely ignored."
Tsunade could not help laughing as she teased.
"Tsunade-sama."
Kushina let go of Natsuki and called out a little embarrassedly.
"Natsuki, you're finally back!"
Nawaki poked his head out and said, "Today's lunch is up to you!"
During the war, they had eaten boxed als.
Although the taste was not bad, it still could not compare to everyone sitting around a dining table together.
"No, I'll make lunch today!"
Kushina suddenly said, "I've been improving my cooking during this ti. I guarantee I'll surprise you!"
Nawaki froze for a mont, then his eyes turned as he said, "Cooking alone is too slow. Let Natsuki help you."
He was worried Kushina would ss it up. If her cooking was the sa as his sister's, wouldn't that be fatal?
With Natsuki helping her, at least it would not be too hard to eat.
Kushina had wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, she agreed.
After all, it was a rare chance for the two of them to spend ti together.
"The troubleso war is over, so it really is ti to enjoy so good food."
Tsunade said with a smile, "I'm looking forward to it."
"Then let's go cook now!"
Kushina grabbed Natsuki's wrist and headed toward the kitchen.
After arriving in the kitchen, she let go.
Kushina picked up an apron and handed it to Natsuki.
"Thank you."
After taking the apron, Natsuki smiled and asked, "Do you need to tie your apron for you?"
Kushina's eyes lit up. Without saying anything, she turned around and raised her arms. Her aning was obvious.
Natsuki stepped forward. His right hand reached out first, while his left hand spread open the apron. In the end, both hands pinched the apron strings.
He tied a knot, and the strings settled against Kushina's slender waist.
Natsuki looked at her twice.
Kushina's waist now perfectly matched the phrase slender enough to hold in one hand.
"I'll tie yours too."
Kushina picked up another apron.
"Thank you."
Natsuki smiled slightly and spread his arms.
"After defeating Agakure, is the war completely over?"
Kushina raised her head and glanced at him.
Natsuki said casually, "At least there won't be another war for the next few years."
"That's good."
Kushina breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Every ti there's a war, you all leave for too long. It's boring staying alone."
"Sorry."
Natsuki thought of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
With the Flying Thunder God Technique, even during a war, he could return to Konoha.
Aside from that, he could also travel conveniently to and from the Land of Rain.
As for the Flying Thunder God Technique, he currently had two choices.
The first was to learn it himself.
With the reaction speed brought by the Kirigaya Kazuto Template, he might be able to learn it.
The second was to wait until Namikaze Minato learned it, then find a way to trigger a related character template.
For example, through sparring.
After thinking about it, Natsuki decided to wait until Minato learned it first.
After all, he should be able to learn it very soon.
"What is there to apologize for?"
Kushina said understandingly, "As shinobi, carrying out missions is unavoidable."
Natsuki looked at her pretty little face, reached out, and pinched it gently.
"Let's start cooking."
Kushina blinked and said.
She turned around, let out a breath, and rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair arms.
Sunlight passed through the window and fell on her long hair, making it shine with a ruby-like luster.
Natsuki withdrew his gaze and walked toward the refrigerator.
The two worked together and prepared a table full of dishes.
"Kushina, your cooking really has improved a lot."
After tasting the tempura Kushina made, Nawaki said in surprise.
"I'm very smart!"
Kushina raised her head and said proudly.
"If you keep learning for a while, maybe you can catch up to ."
Seeing how happy she was, Natsuki could not help saying.
"I still know my limits."
Kushina waved her hand and said, "If I want to catch up to your cooking skills, a short while definitely won't be enough."
In the pleasant atmosphere of reunion after a long separation, lunch ca to an end.
Nawaki had a restless personality. After eating, he said he was going to train.
Natsuki, Kushina, and Nonō had nothing to do, so they went along with him.
Only Tsunade was the laziest. She returned to her room to take a nap.
When she woke up, she ca out of her room with sleepy eyes.
At the entrance to the living room, she stopped and looked at the four people training.
Nawaki and Nonō had already learned Soru, Geppo, and Shigan, and were now learning Tekkai.
Kushina was learning fūinjutsu as usual.
But when she looked at Natsuki, she could not help freezing.
He had created two shadow clones and was learning Lightning Release, Wind Release, and Fire Release at the sa ti.
Tsunade rembered that he had previously learned Water Release and Earth Release as well.
What was going on?
Was he preparing to master all five nature releases like Hiruzen?
But Tsunade could tell that his speed in learning Lightning Release and Wind Release was very slow, and his talent was average.
On the other hand, he learned Fire Release very quickly and seed quite talented.
That was sowhat strange.
His natural chakra attribute was clearly earth.
However, Tsunade did not ask too much.
With the current Natsuki, his combat strength was already above hers. There was no need for her to interfere with his training.
"Tsunade-sensei."
Natsuki's main body stopped training and walked up to her.
"Do you need sothing from ?"
Tsunade asked.
"The Konoha Six Powers currently only have four techniques, and you have already learned them."
Natsuki found an excuse and said, "When I was researching Tekkai before, I created another taijutsu called Armant Haki."
"What a strange na."
Tsunade asked in confusion, "What effect does it have?"
"It can strengthen the body's defense like Tekkai, but it is more flexible, and you can move while using it."
Natsuki paused and said, "Also, it can be used to strengthen ninja tools."
Tsunade subconsciously stood up straight.
She had been leaning sideways against the door just now.
Following her movent, her long legs tightened and her hips trembled slightly, but her eyes remained fixed on Natsuki.
"It's a very impressive taijutsu."
Tsunade steadied herself and comnted.
"If you want to learn it, I can teach you."
Natsuki said casually.
Tsunade nodded, then sighed and said, "Although you call Sensei, what I've taught you is far less than what you've taught ."
"Then should you call Sensei?"
Natsuki raised a brow and asked.
"You're getting too cheeky."
Hearing this, Tsunade imdiately glared at him.
(To be continued.)
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