Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 316 Exchange Students Between Konoha and Daimyo
As the conference room fell into a brief silence, a clear and calm voice rang out at just the right moment, breaking the suffocating silence.

"Thank you all very much for your trust, whether you support me or Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama, and Kakashi."

Hinata Kumokawa's face remained as gentle as ever. In his eyes, which seemed to hold the swirling nebula, there was no trace of pride or arrogance, only a calm and dignified humility and solemnity.

"The concerns of the three generations of elders are quite reasonable. I am still relatively inexperienced, especially in village governance. I just didn't expect..."

He sighed and said, "I am deeply humbled by your trust."

"Rest assured, no matter the final outcome, and no matter what position I hold, Yun Chuan will do his utmost to contribute all his strength to the future of Konoha."

This speech was neither humble nor arrogant, and it was just right.

While expressing humility and respect for his seniors, he didn't act like some fool who stood against his supporters, but rather appropriately demonstrated responsibility and determination.

reject?

Others are risking their lives to support you, and you still refuse? What do you take their good intentions for granted? You just push it away whenever you want. What do you take the Hokage position for?

Jiraiya dared to say that because he was Jiraiya. Everyone knew his unreliable personality most of the time and knew that he genuinely didn't want to be Hokage, not that he was being hypocritical or pretentious.

Therefore, seeing Hinata Kumokawa's performance, everyone couldn't help but sigh that he was truly reliable.

At this moment, although Jiraiya and Hyuga Kumokawa are nominally tied.

However, everyone present knew perfectly well that the real winner was Hinata Kumokawa.

Most of the people present had already lost faith in Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.

I just wanted to leave this hardworking old man with the last vestiges of dignity.

Once the appointment of the daimyo was finalized, Hyuga Kumokawa was already the nominal Fifth Hokage. The subsequent public opinion survey and Jonin trust vote were merely formalities.

Meanwhile, Kazuma, observing from the sidelines, witnessed everything.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who now appeared old and tired, a hint of disdain flashed across his eyes.

Hmph, clinging to power, rigid and corrupt, unable to even control his own subordinates, is this what they call the Hokage?

If it were His Highness the Daimyo...

Although Kazuma inwardly despised Hiruzen Sarutobi, he quickly put on an impeccable smile.

"Konoha is indeed a place of outstanding people and talents."

Kazuma broke the brief silence and said with a smile, "Please rest assured, everyone, I will report the nomination results and the outstanding qualities of each candidate to His Highness in detail and objectively."

"I believe Your Highness will make the decision that best serves the interests of the Land of Fire and Konoha."

After saying that, he changed the subject and asked, "So, can we now begin detailed discussions on the specific terms of the Land of Fire's resource assistance for Konoha's reconstruction?"

"After all, the reconstruction of Konoha is urgent, and the Land of Fire needs Konoha."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been keeping his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

He forced down his disappointment and weariness.

Since things have come to this point, and we can't directly stop the selection of the Hokage, we can only accept reality, keep a close eye on Hyuga Kumokawa, and do our best to prevent him from doing anything that could harm Konoha.

Regardless, even if he steps down, he remains a highly respected advisor to the Hokage, possessing the right to speak and supervise, which is enough to restrain Hyuga Kumokawa.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi regained his composure and nodded slightly to Kazuma: "Of course, Konoha is grateful for the Daimyo's help in this time of crisis."

The meeting then moved into a tedious and detailed negotiation phase regarding the terms.

The main liaison was between Mitokado En and Kazuma, who were in charge of logistics and finance, while others supplemented and oversaw the process.

The discussions covered the scale, delivery methods, and timing of aid, including food, building materials, and funds.

Although there was some bargaining involved, both parties demonstrated their sincerity in cooperating overall.

After all, Konoha desperately needs the Daimyo's aid to recover its strength, and the Daimyo also needs a stable and powerful Konoha as a military buffer.

However, just as the terms were roughly agreed upon and everyone thought the meeting was about to end, Kazuma coughed lightly and a smile appeared on his face. "There's one more thing, a small additional condition, or rather, it's a wish of His Highness the Daimyo." Kazuma's voice was not loud, but it instantly silenced the conference room.

"His Highness wishes to select a group of exceptionally talented children with clean and innocent backgrounds from the Konoha Ninja Academy and bring them back to the Daimyo's residence for careful training."

"Furthermore, as an exchange of sincerity and trust, His Highness the Daimyo's eldest son will also visit Konoha under the guise of exchange and learning, to experience life in a ninja village."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the subtle changes in everyone's expressions, and explained, "Your Highness's actions are intended to break down barriers and deepen the connection and bond between the next generation of the Land of Fire and Konoha."

"So that they can deeply understand from a young age what it means for the 'country' and the 'village' to be one, and what it means to jointly protect the Kingdom of Fire."

"These children will receive the best cultural, etiquette, economic and even political education in Damingfu."

"Whether he returns to Konoha to serve in the future or shares the burden with His Highness the Daimyo, he will be a pillar of the Land of Fire."

Many people present had their eyes darting around, and even Danzo Shimura frowned.

Is the Daimyo trying to cultivate ninjas who are close to the Daimyo system from the very beginning, and create a force loyal to the Daimyo?

In the short term, it may deepen the friendly relationship between Konoha and the Daimyo.

However, in the long run, it may weaken Konoha's independence and influence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Lord Kazuma, this request is of great importance, concerning the future of the children, and perhaps requires careful consideration."

He was somewhat unsure of the big name's intentions and wanted to use delaying tactics to postpone the matter.

"Of course, His Highness the Great has repeatedly emphasized this."

Kazuma pretended not to hear his polite refusal, his smile unchanged: "This matter must fully respect the wishes of the children and their families, and there must be no coercion whatsoever."

His sincere tone, emphasizing the "principle of voluntariness," effectively blocked any further excuses that Hiruzen Sarutobi might use to refuse.

Having said all that, if Hiruzen Sarutobi were to refuse again with a firm stance, it would seem rather unreasonable, or even an open defiance of the daimyo.

After all, the other party's sincerity seemed impeccable.

They not only promised to respect individual wishes, but also pledged to provide those children with a comprehensive education that includes culture, etiquette, economics, and even politics.

This is precisely what the current Konoha ninja system lacks.

Furthermore, the daimyo even sent his eldest son as an "exchange," and it should be noted that this son is very likely the future daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Sure enough, these words caused a subtle change in the atmosphere of the meeting room.

Many patriarchs of small and medium-sized families began to look at each other with flickering eyes, clearly showing some interest.

For them, this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to establish direct contact with the daimyo.

If they could seize this opportunity to establish a connection with the Daimyo's household, or even be fortunate enough to form a marriage alliance, it would bring immeasurable benefits to the entire family's status in Konoha and even the Land of Fire.

After all, even though they were ninjas, they still needed money. Which of them didn't own one or two family businesses? For example, the Nara clan's medicinal herbs, the Akimichi clan's restaurants…

Hiruzen Sarutobi took in everything, and after a brief moment of thought, slowly nodded: "Since it is His Highness the Daimyo's wish, Konoha will naturally cooperate."

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi had finally relented, Kazuma's smile deepened, and he took the opportunity to make his next seemingly natural request.

"In that case, I wonder if I might have the honor of being accompanied by you all to visit your village's ninja academy?"

"I have long heard that the Ninja Academy is the cradle of Konoha's talents, and I yearn to go there and am eager to witness the brilliance of Konoha's new generation."

Clearly, this is a "field trip" to find suitable candidates.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally did not refuse.

At this point, there's no need to refuse.

Thus, apart from Shimura Danzo and a few ministers and clan heads who were indeed tied up with official duties, everyone, including Hyuga Kumokawa, left with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kazuma.

The group, though large and imposing, each with their own thoughts, left the conference room and headed towards the ninja school that had been built not long ago.

(End of this chapter)