Chapter 909: The Battle for the Rinnegan!
Chapter 909: The Battle for the Rinnegan!
Konoha!
After nearly a week, the village's giant crater was filled and flattened.
Being ninjas, they could use their chakra and Earth Style techniques to level the ground, but it wasn't as easy as it seemed.
They didn't possess the skills of Great Tree or Yellow Soil masters like Yamato or Onoki, who could directly use Earth Style to construct buildings.
Temporary tents and wooden houses were already erected on the leveled ground.
Many villagers had returned to the village.
The efficiency of ninjas far surpassed that of ordinary people, which was why they could accomplish such a task in a short time.
If it were the Daimyo or nobles handling this, a week would not be enough for them to finish discussing how to distribute the benefits.
Of course, it was only because Yamato had passed away; otherwise, with his Wood Style, he would have been the most suitable choice.
Wasn't there a saying, 'The First Hokage conquered with Wood Style, and Yamato greened with it'?
A single 'Pillar Family Technique' could create over a dozen wooden houses, and this technique was not very chakra-consuming for Yamato, who could easily create hundreds of wooden houses in a day.
s actions were notorious for forcing people into servitude, especially women and children, were coerced into service against their will.
Wood Style was indeed perfect for construction!
Unfortunately, Yamato had been killed by Hyuga Tsukuyuki during the Bird Country mission, along with Sai.
It was a testament to Hyuga Tsukuyuki's ruthlessness.
Without Tang Ping's restraint, she struck without hesitation, leaving no room for mercy.
Even if Tang Ping had ordered her to eliminate Konoha, she would only ask when to start, never discussing how many to kill.
Tang Ping even felt she was too quick and harsh, so he temporarily refrained from letting her continue.
Konoha still had its uses.
The Hokage Building!
By now, the mud and debris that had nearly buried the building had been cleared, making it usable again, at least without the risk of stepping on mud.
Inside the Hokage Building.
Jiraiya, Asuma, Kamizuki Genin, Kusagakure Konoe, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Kakashi, who had just returned, were present.
Naruto's impressive performance in the previous battle, coupled with his background, had earned him a default seat at such core meetings.
Shikamaru was included for his exceptional 'wisdom'.
After all, the new generation's 'Wood Leaf Army' was waiting for him to inherit, hence his qualification to participate.
There were only seven of them in total.
A Small Meeting!
Jiraiya had picked up the Second Hokage's habit of holding small meetings.
After a week, Konoha's situation had finally stabilized, allowing for this small gathering.
Food, housing, compensation, and other routine matters had been handled beforehand and did not require discussion at this meeting. Instead, they focused on the most crucial issue.
"I've gathered you today to decide who should wield the Sage Eye!"
Jiraiya got straight to the point.
Over the past week, he had considered this question many times but had not reached a conclusion.
He himself was not a candidate.
It wasn't that he didn't crave power, but because he had already achieved the Sage Mode, which placed him at the Hyper Jinchuuriki level. The Sage Eye, no matter how powerful, would not bring about a qualitative change in him.
There was one more reason he wouldn't choose himself.
Age!
Ninjas had no late-game profession, and currently, his strength was in decline. How could he use the Sage Eye on himself?
So, the most suitable choices were only three.
Asuma, Kakashi, and Naruto!
Kakashi was initially Jiraiya's first choice, but he was persuaded by the two elder advisors.
Their reasoning was sound.
Hinata's death!
This matter had been brought up when Tang Ping impeached the Second Hokage, and it was also mentioned in the book "My Struggle."
Even though Kakashi had always been the embodiment of the 'Flame Will,' no one dared to gamble on this.
So, despite Jiraiya's reluctance, he had to abandon the idea of giving the Sage Eye to Kakashi.
However, the decision was made in secret, and on the surface, Kakashi was given a fair chance to compete.
After all, he was a purebred Hokage clan member and a Shadow Rank powerhouse. How could they make a decision without including him?
Note that the Sage Eye was a 'spoil of war.'
However, these eyes are the village's spoils of war, not Jiraiya's personal possessions, so they must be discussed and distributed appropriately, not given to whoever he pleases.
Especially since these eyes were obtained at the cost of the village's destruction, and without convincing the majority, there would be severe backlash. That's why Jiraiya had delayed for a week.
Now, with the two advisors' urging, a small meeting was finally held.
Jiraiya had intended to use the immature transplant technology as an excuse, but Kusagakure Konoe informed him that there was no need to worry; the Root Ghost Bud Technique had yielded results, and bloodline limits could be fully integrated.
Otherwise, this meeting might not have even taken place today.
"Today, we'll discuss who will receive the Sage's Eye. Kakashi, Asuma, or Naruto, I plan to choose one of you for the Rinnegan transplant!" Jiraiya named them.
Currently, only these three are suitable, both in terms of identity and strength. The others need not be considered.
"Hokage-sama, this eye is Obito's legacy to me, so there's no need to consider me!" Kakashi was the first to respond.
As Jiraiya was about to speak, he had already observed the expressions of the two elders and knew he had no chance. That's why he spoke up first.
He had long known about the double standards and hypocrisy of the Hokage Clan, especially after reading "My Struggle." If it weren't for the destruction of the corrupt Konoha and the purification of the Shinobi World by the Radiant Sun Will, he wouldn't have stayed here.
"Is that so...!" Jiraiya sighed in relief.
Just now, he was still considering how to convince Kakashi to 'voluntarily' give up, but he didn't expect Kakashi to speak up first.
After Kakashi's refusal, only Asuma and Naruto were left to choose from.
Jiraiya hesitated and glanced at them a few times before his gaze settled on Naruto.
In the end, he still intended to give the Sage's Eye to the Prophesied Child, for he was the one who would save the Shinobi World.
"Jiraiya, do you think it's too reckless to let a Jinchuriki like Naruto receive the Rinnegan?" Kusagakure Konoe interrupted Jiraiya.
Once he opened his mouth, it would be troublesome, so she had to speak first.
And her words made sense.
Naruto... was too young! Despite his strength, his temperament wasn't stable enough, and as a Jinchuriki, he was prone to rampaging. Who could handle that?
Any normal person would choose Asuma, not a teenager.
Asuma, the 'Dragon of Konoha,' had proven himself, and his age and identity were suitable.
"That's right, and Asuma better represents the Flame Will!" Kamizuki Gennin also chimed in.
The Flame Will!
It could also be seen as representing the Hokage Clan.
If Naruto were to be chosen, the Hokage Clan wouldn't accept him.
Yes, he's the son of the Fourth Hokage, and his identity is also part of the Hokage Clan.
But compared to Asuma, who better represents the interests of the Hokage Clan, Naruto has no advantage.
It's only because Jiraiya is the Hokage that he can let Naruto compete with Asuma; otherwise, he wouldn't even have the qualifications to compete.
The Prophesied Child is something Jiraiya believes in, but that doesn't mean the Hokage Clan does too.
For them, the Prophesied Child is whoever brings them benefits and stands on their side. Otherwise, it's nonsense.
And no one thinks Naruto can bring benefits to the Hokage Clan.
"Jiraiya the Pervert, let's give Asuma-sensei the opportunity for the Rinnegan transplant!" Naruto spoke, scratching the back of his head.
He wasn't that interested in the Rinnegan, and with his confidence in the Nine-Tails within him, he refused.
It was only because of his recent experiences that he understood the importance of strength; otherwise, he would have said this earlier and wouldn't have needed to wait until today.
"Then, I'll leave the Rinnegan transplant to Asuma!" Jiraiya sighed lightly.
He didn't have any objections to Asuma; he just felt the Prophesied Child was the best choice, but now it seemed he could only choose Asuma.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will definitely use this power to protect the village and let the Sunlight Nation understand Konoha's strength!" Asuma immediately expressed his stance.
His attitude, at the very least, made Jiraiya feel much better.
But just at that moment, an ANBU rushed into the Hokage's office with news that was hard for them to believe.
(End of Chapter)
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