Chapter 22: Undercurrents
Chapter 22: Undercurrents
In the 60th year of Konoha, an ordinarily unremarkable Chunin Exam was destined to go down in the history of the ninja world.
The Sand Ninjas and Sound Ninjas launched a joint surprise attack on Konoha.
One of the Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha, Orochimaru, successfully assassinated his master.
The Third Hokage, known as the "Ninja Emperor" for his decades of dominance in the ninja world, met his end.
The Fourth Kazekage went missing.
A man who rivaled the gods reappeared in the mortal realm.
This series of explosive news stirred up the long-quiet ninja world, turning it upside down.
Not only did Konoha lose its leader, but the Sand Ninjas also remained active in the aftermath.
The Cloud Ninjas, Rock Ninjas, and Mist Ninjas, the major villages that had previously stayed out of the affairs, as well as other small and medium-sized ninja villages and major ninja organizations, were all stirring with hidden motives.
Many elderly people who had experienced the ravages of war couldn't help but furrow their brows.
The current situation gave them a sense of sudden upheaval, as if war was about to break out again.
Hopefully, it was just a misconception.
In the Land of Fire, within a bustling casino.
In an incredibly noisy and lively atmosphere filled with shouts of "Big! Big!","Small! Small!","Go all in!","I won! Hahaha!","Ahhh! Kill me now!" and more.
A mature and beautiful woman with a tea-green gambling robe draped over her, her light golden twin tails tied behind her head, and an exceptionally majestic bosom, excitedly grabbed the exchanged chips while a black-haired woman hugged a pink pig next to her, filled with heartbreak and helplessness. She fed chip after chip into the slot machine in front of her.
A few minutes later...
Clatter, clatter, clatter~
A large number of chips spewed out of the slot machine once more.
Looking at the pile of chips in front of her that was almost forming a small mountain, the black-haired woman exclaimed in delight:
"Tsunade-sama! We won again!!!'
It was a blessing in the heavens.
After so many years, Shizune was witnessing Tsunade-sama winning repeatedly instead of losing for the first time.
However, Tsunade's brows were deeply furrowed.
Despite winning, her expression looked as if she had lost terribly. She casually placed another bet on the slot machine.
Once again, fortune smiled upon her.
Relieved that they wouldn't have to sleep on the streets tonight, Shizune quickly stepped forward to steady the wobbly mountain of chips.
Tsunade didn't move, deep in thought.
At that moment, the conversation between a few gamblers nearby reached their ears.
"Have you heard? Konoha was attacked by the Sand Ninjas and a little-known small ninja village. The Third Hokage was killed in the battle."
"Was the formidable Third Hokage really assassinated?"
"The perpetrator was Orochimaru, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, and a former disciple of the Third Hokage himself."
"Is Orochimaru that powerful?"
"Indeed. I also heard a rumor that the missing Fourth Kazekage was killed by Orochimaru."
"Unbelievable!!! If that's true, Orochimaru single-handedly took out two of the Five Kage."
".'
"By the way, speaking of the Five Kage, I've also heard some news. That man who was said to be on par with the First Hokage, who once left one of the Five Kage dead and another crippled, that man who was known to rival the gods, appeared at the Chunin Exam and has since left Konoha."
"Impossible! How could someone from the same era as the First Hokage still be alive?"
"My sister's cousin's friend's brother said so. He's a ninja from Konoha and was there at the scene."
"He must have mistaken him for someone else, or perhaps the information was miscommunicated. Wait, I remember now. That person's name is Yuyi Xuan Yue, right? He clearly died at the hands of the First Hokage long ago. The Valley of Fallen Gods was built in his memory. How could a dead man come back to life?"
"I see. It seems the information is indeed incorrect. However, the fact that Orochimaru killed the Third Hokage is undoubtedly true."
"Konoha and the Fire Country are facing troubled times again. I wonder who the next Fourth...no, Fifth Hokage will be. They should choose quickly to ease the anxiety of the people."
".'
Crackle.
The chips in Tsunade's hand shattered.
Shizune, who was holding the chips in her arms, paused, then instinctively looked at Tsunade.
"Shizune!" Tsunade called out expressionlessly.
"Yes!" Shizune quickly gathered her things while asking, "Lady Tsunade, are we returning to Konoha?"
Tsunade's eyes held a complex emotion, but she quickly cast it aside and said, "Konoha? No! We're heading to the next casino!"
"Huh?"
Shizune was taken aback.
At the same time, in Konoha.
The ninja and villagers, clad in black, had just finished holding a funeral for the Third Hokage and were silently making their way out.
Jiraiya was stopped by two Konoha advisors.
"Hiruzen is gone. Although we've formed an emergency committee, it's only a temporary solution. Konoha needs a new Hokage. Jiraiya, please become the Fifth Hokage."
Danzo Shimura didn't beat around the bush and directly stated the purpose of their visit.
Standing beside him, Homura Mitokado added, "Jiraiya, you are the most qualified to become the Fifth Hokage among those present in the village. Don't refuse again."
In the eyes of the two advisors, Jiraiya, a disciple of Hiruzen, along with Tsunade, was the most suitable candidate to become the Fifth Hokage.
As for their old friend, Danzo Shimura, although they knew he coveted the position, they would rather not have someone who had remained in the shadows for too long, someone too cold and rigid, step into the limelight.
The title of "Hokage" was undoubtedly the dream of the vast majority.
But not for Jiraiya.
Hearing the advisors' proposal, Jiraiya felt as if he were being handed a hot potato, and he shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, no! I can't be Hokage, please don't ask me!"
Danzo and Homura continued their persuasion.
Jiraiya couldn't hold his ground and ended up selling out Tsunade:
"Why don't we ask Tsunade instead? She would be a more suitable Fifth Hokage."
"Rest assured, my toads will soon find her."
"I will definitely bring her back!!!"
In a place called "Root," an underground base even more solemn than the Third Hokage's funeral venue.
Sitting in the darkness, Danzo Shimura leaned on his cane, silent for a long while.
Then, at a certain moment, his complex expression softened as he spoke in a low voice, "Hiruzen."
"Lord Danzo." A 'Root' ninja approached.
"What is it?" Danzo regained his calm and asked coldly.
The 'Root' ninja reported, "The upper echelons of Konoha have decided to task Jiraiya with bringing Tsunade back to become the Fifth Hokage."
"Tsunade?"
Danzo was not surprised.
As a descendant of the Senju clan, Tsunade had established Konoha's medical system and saved countless ninja lives. She was indeed the most qualified to become Hokage, even though she had been away from Konoha for many years.
In another timeline, even Danzo himself only assumed the role of the Sixth Hokage temporarily when Tsunade was comatose, and Konoha was leaderless.
"Let's wait a little longer."
Danzo found himself surprisingly calm at that moment.
Perhaps it was because of Hiruzen's passing.
He shook his head slightly, then returned to his cold-blooded 'Root' demeanor and ordered, "Send a message to Orochimaru, I have something to discuss with him."
"Also, order the 'Root' ninja to search for Yuyi Xuan Yue's whereabouts. I want to know what he has been up to during this period."
Yuyi Xuan Yue, a man of equal fame to Hashirama Senju, was by no means as harmless as Danzo's advisors, Danzo's cousin, believed him to be.
Even if he was currently presumed dead.
Putting himself in Yuyi's shoes, Danzo believed that Yuyi must have carefully planned his escape from the Impure World Reincarnation Technique, and he surely had some earth-shattering scheme in mind.
Such a man, with a grudge against Konoha, could not be left unattended.
Therefore...
Find him!
Imprison him!
Uncover all his knowledge and secrets!
And eventually, make use of him!
Danzo slammed his cane on the ground, and his Sharingan eye shone with an incredibly fierce light.
(End of Chapter)
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