https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-582-Mu-Yue-s-Daily-Life-with-Tsunade/12558865/
Chapter 583: The Choice for the Next Hokage
Chapter 583: The Choice for the Next Hokage
In the Land of Fire, within the hidden village of Konoha, a solemn ceremony was held to mourn the fallen heroes who had perished on the battlefield.
All ninjas, except those on duty for security and peacekeeping that day, were required to attend. Typically, such large-scale memorial services were only organized after a victorious war. However, considering the magnitude of their recent triumph and the significant number of casualties, none of the ninjas found this event unreasonable.
A large number of ninjas stood solemnly beneath a massive memorial stele, their faces somber under the gloomy sky, reflecting the mournful atmosphere that permeated the air and hearts alike.
Even for someone like Obito, it was challenging to maintain a casual demeanor in such an atmosphere.
"So many lives have been lost in this war," Obito thought as he gazed upon the countless names inscribed on the memorial stele, his heart stirred by an unfamiliar emotion.
"They are the backbone of the Fire Country and the pride of Konoha," Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing at the front of the crowd, began his eulogy with a solemn expression.
Down below, Mu Yue swiftly used her Appraisal technique to inspect every ninja present at the ceremony.
Most of the ninjas who were absent belonged to special departments and had already been inspected by Mu Yue beforehand. She only needed to appraise the people at the memorial service to complete the assessment of all Konoha ninjas.
Although the White Zetsu was not an Iwagakure spy, it did have motives for infiltrating Konoha. It would be a good thing if she could also uncover any White Zetsu among the ninjas while she was at it.
[Name: Tsunade]
[Chakra: 186,000 (??)]
[Potential: SS- (Basic Talent + Six Paths Bloodline)]
[Skills: Yang Release Chakra Control (Proficient: 5,500/15,000), Water Release Chakra Control (Proficient: 2,600), Fire Release Chakra Control (Proficient: 1,500), Earth Release Chakra Control (Proficient), Lightning Release Chakra Control (Skilled), Mystical Palm Technique (Proficient)...]
After glancing at Tsunade's status panel, Mu Yue felt that there was still room for improvement in her Appraisal technique.
Whether it was the Yin Seal or the tailed beasts sealed within their bodies, her Appraisal technique couldn't discern the specific chakras; she could only detect them when they were actively being used.
As for potential, compared to Tsunade's actual strength, it could be said that the high rating was due to the artificial boost provided by the legendary bloodline.
Thus far, Mu Yue had only encountered four ninjas with an SS-tier potential rating: Itachi Uchiha, Tsunade, Kushina Uzumaki, and Naruto Uzumaki. All of them were blessed with the Six Paths bloodline, and Kushina and Naruto also had the additional power of the tailed beasts.
Among these four individuals, Naruto possessed the highest potential, rated as SS+, followed by Kushina at SS, and both Itachi and Tsunade at SS-.
"If she were willing to devote more time to training, her strength would undoubtedly increase significantly," Mu Yue thought to herself.
Although potential didn't directly equate to talent, and a high potential didn't guarantee future strength, there was still a certain correlation. If Tsunade were to abandon her complacent attitude and diligently train, Mu Yue estimated that she had considerable room for improvement.
However, Mu Yue knew that the likelihood of Tsunade becoming diligent was slim. Tsunade already had everything she needed for a comfortable life, and the various tribulations she had experienced made it challenging for her to rekindle the desire to become stronger.
To put it in the context of a cultivation novel, her "heart of the Dao" had shattered.
"Where the leaves of Konoha flutter, the fire of will burns eternally. The light of the fire will continue to illuminate the village and nurture the growth of new leaves. Let us observe a moment of silence for these heroes who embodied the Will of Fire with their lives."
Hiruzen concluded his eulogy with his interpretation of the Will of Fire and then led the village into a moment of silence.
As most of the village participated in the ceremony, the event was kept concise to avoid disrupting Konoha's daily functions. Soon, the ceremony came to an end. Ninjas with assignments returned to their posts, while those off-duty decided their next course of action based on their feelings.
Mu Yue, of course, belonged to the group with a mission. She followed Hiruzen to the Hokage's office.
"I didn't detect the presence of any Iwagakure spies," Mu Yue reported truthfully.
Indeed, she had not appraised any White Zetsu among the crowd during the memorial service.
Hiruzen nodded slightly, his expression unchanged, but he felt relieved. It was the best outcome that Konoha couldn't detect any Iwagakure spies, indicating that perhaps the creation of those spies was even more challenging than they had imagined.
"Mu Yue, take a look at these teaching plans for the Perception Corps and let me know which one you prefer." Hiruzen handed a scroll to Mu Yue.
She took the scroll and began reading it discreetly.
"Anbu Captain..." Mu Yue feigned a contemplative expression.
The first option undoubtedly carried an incentive.
The position of Anbu Captain was not to be taken lightly. Back when Danzo Shimura sought to establish the Root, he only had the authority to form a single squad.
Of course, the current Root organization far exceeded the capabilities that a single squad should possess.
As for the second proposal, it was more straightforward, requiring Mu Yue only to teach without any additional responsibilities.
"The training squad will be a special unit within the Anbu, and while it holds the rank of Anbu Captain, it will only take orders directly from the Hokage and will not be under the jurisdiction of the Anbu Captain or Vice-Captain," Hiruzen clarified.
"You have the autonomy to select the team members, and you only need to submit the final roster to me for approval. If necessary, I can also help you recruit excellent ninjas from other departments."
Hiruzen then fell silent and averted his gaze from Mu Yue, using this opportunity to peruse the documents on his desk.
"What is Hiruzen up to?" Mu Yue wondered aloud, taken aback by Hiruzen's words.
According to Hiruzen's plan, it was as if he intended to create another Anbu within the Anbu, with Mu Yue as its leader.
Should Mu Yue possess the same ambitions as Danzo, he could easily leverage the resources of the Anbu to cultivate another entity akin to the Root.
Moreover, with the captain-level authority, he could potentially develop it even faster than the original Root.
"Could he be grooming me to become the next Hokage or at least the deputy?" Mu Yue's thoughts raced.
The Anbu had always been a division directly under the command of the Hokage, and Danzo's success in establishing the Root was partly due to his position as the Hokage's assistant.
Given this context, it was challenging for Mu Yue not to overthink Hiruzen's proposal.
After all, it wouldn't be unusual for Hiruzen to harbor such intentions.
Tsunade was the most suitable candidate for the role of Hokage, be it her identity, strength, or achievements. No one could question her eligibility.
However, Tsunade had made her stance clear, and currently, she not only rejected the idea of becoming the Hokage but also showed no interest in continuing as a ninja.
Jiraiya was Hiruzen's preferred choice, but he, too, had no desire to become the Hokage, and his recent defeat didn't help his case.
Orochimaru, who had already descended into a cold-blooded and twisted individual, had forfeited any chance of becoming the Hokage in Hiruzen's eyes.
With his top three candidates out of the running, Hiruzen now had to consider other options, and Mu Yue, who had demonstrated capabilities surpassing Minato Namikaze, along with their shared connection through the teaching of ninjutsu, naturally entered the equation.
Given these circumstances, Mu Yue couldn't shake off the possibility that Hiruzen was indeed grooming him to be the next Hokage.
As for the deputy position, the rationale was even simpler.
Mu Yue possessed exceptional abilities and a pleasant disposition, making him an ideal candidate to nurture for the role of deputy to the next Hokage. There wasn't a single flaw to be found in this arrangement.
"Third Hokage, I choose the first option," Mu Yue replied after some thought.
Neither the position of Hokage nor that of deputy held any appeal for him.
However, the special captain-level authority within the Anbu could prove useful.
Should he need to boost his skill proficiency in the future, he could independently organize ninja training sessions.
"However, I don't think it's necessary to add more members to the team. During this period of war, our manpower is already stretched thin, and I alone can handle all the teaching tasks," Mu Yue continued.
He had no intention of creating another Root, as that would only increase his workload.
Mu Yue envisioned that when Hiruzen had missions, he would provide instruction, and during quieter periods, he could organize training activities based on his own needs.
While this approach might render him a captain in name only, it would also grant him more free time.
After all, if he were to assume the duties of a bona fide Anbu captain, where would he find the time to teach his disciples, accompany them on missions, and gain reputation on the battlefield?
"If you think this arrangement works, then so be it," Hiruzen nodded in agreement.
Having offered Mu Yue the autonomy to decide, he naturally wouldn't go back on his word.
Moreover, Mu Yue indeed possessed the capability to make such a claim, as evidenced by his successful solo training of hundreds of ninjas without any issues.
Once everything was settled, Mu Yue departed from the Hokage Building and headed toward the Southern Forest to instruct his disciples.
"Mu Yue, are you the right choice?" Hiruzen murmured, his eyes fixed on Mu Yue's departing figure, deep in thought.
For the first time, Hiruzen felt uncertain about his choice for the next Hokage.
He had three disciples: one was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, another was a genius ninja since childhood, and the last had been a laggard in his early years but had blossomed late, surpassing his peers.
Among the ninja of Jiraiya and Orochimaru's generation, only the three legendary Sannin were qualified to become Hokage. Moving down the line, the candidates were Mu Yue and Minato Namikaze.
Only ninjas with extraordinary strength and reputation like them could somewhat break the age restriction.
However, Hiruzen had not yet decided whom to choose. The position of Hokage was too important to Konoha, and he couldn't make a hasty decision.
"Maybe in a few years, their minds will change," Hiruzen thought, still hoping that Tsunade and Jiraiya would step up. Mu Yue and Minato were too young.
An hour later, a ninja dressed as an Anbu knocked on the door and entered the Hokage's office.
"Third Hokage, the information you requested has been compiled," the Anbu agent said, handing a sealed scroll to Hiruzen with both hands.
Hiruzen took the scroll, quickly inspected it, and then handed it back to the Anbu. "Take this to Mu Yue."
The Anbu nodded and left the office, closing the door behind him. He then swiftly made his way to Mu Yue's residence in the main district.
"If only you could truly develop Wood Release," Hiruzen murmured, taking a puff from his pipe and exhaling a trail of white smoke.
If Mu Yue could develop Wood Release, Hiruzen wouldn't have to look any further. He could just take Mu Yue as his disciple, have him continue to build merit through the Anbu, and then pass on the mantle of Hokage to him when the time was right.
With Mu Yue's track record, there was little doubt that he would become a minor ninja god in a few years, even with just Wood Release.
However, developing Wood Release was as difficult as getting Jiraiya to change his mind, in Hiruzen's opinion.
...
That night, Mu Yue received a message from Danzo Shimura and quietly made his way to the Root base.
"Mu Yue, how did Hiruzen decide to arrange your instruction for the Perception Corps?" Danzo asked eagerly.
This was something that should have been discussed and decided by the high-level leaders.
However, Hiruzen had refused, citing the need to consider Mu Yue's feelings, and said that he would discuss it with Mu Yue alone.
Considering Mu Yue's recent impressive victory, neither of the two advisors objected, so Danzo's opinion naturally became less important.
But this didn't deter Danzo. If Hiruzen wouldn't tell him, he would just ask Mu Yue himself.
"The Third Hokage intends to make me the captain of a special unit within the Anbu..." Mu Yue selectively shared the discussion with Danzo.
Becoming an Anbu captain was something he couldn't hide from Danzo, as the Root was too closely tied to the Anbu, and Danzo himself was a high-ranking member of Konoha.
"He's quite generous to you," Danzo said, a hint of annoyance in his voice, upon learning that Mu Yue had been offered an Anbu special unit captaincy.
He wasn't annoyed at Mu Yue but at Hiruzen.
"From now on, if you capture any more Iwagakure spies like that, be sure to immediately obtain a sample of their body tissue," Danzo instructed.
Konoha had Mu Yue, who could sense malicious intent, but Danzo hadn't heard of any other ninja villages possessing such means. That transformation technique, which could disguise one's chakra, was incredibly difficult to detect.
Mu Yue nodded in agreement.
From now on, he would deal with any White Zetsu he found on his own without revealing their presence.
As Mu Yue was leaving Danzo's office, a Root ninja happened to be walking towards him.
"Lord Mu Yue," the Root ninja greeted Mu Yue with his head slightly bowed.
Mu Yue smiled in response and continued on his way.
"Lord Danzo, we have a reply from Orochimaru!" the Root ninja reported as he entered Danzo's office and swiftly closed the door behind him.
Danzo wasn't too concerned at first, but his expression changed to one of surprise as he read the contents of the message.
"That Nagato used to be Jiraiya's disciple!"
Danzo had contacted Orochimaru on a whim, figuring that Orochimaru might have some free time to provide information. He hadn't expected to receive such important intelligence from Orochimaru, something even he didn't know about.
He truly hadn't known that Nagato, the young man with the Rinnegan who was now considered the number one genius in the ninja world, had once been Jiraiya's disciple.
"I wonder if I can take advantage of Jiraiya's connection to him..." Danzo sank into thought, contemplating the possibilities.
He wanted both the Iwagakure spy's technique and the Rinnegan, along with the Ninjutsu tradition.
PS: I may have overestimated my condition a bit.
(End of Chapter)
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