Naruto: By lying low and hiding, he eventually became the leader of the Legendary Sannin.

How are you feeling now?

Looking at that delicate face filled with worry, Kagura was momentarily stunned, thinking how incredibly beautiful that face was.

He slowly shook his head, muttering absentmindedly:

"I'm fine..."

Hmm, judging from the plot of the TV series I watched before, I should be drinking water right now...

Kagura, who had just woken up, was clearly not fully conscious yet. For a moment, she thought she was still on Earth and subconsciously started talking about TV dramas.

Tsunade looked at Kagura with a puzzled expression, but although she didn't know what a TV drama was, she still understood that she wanted to drink water.

With Tsunade's help, Kagura sat up and drank a glass of water before finally regaining her senses.

He asked in confusion:

"This is where?"

Taking the water glass and placing it on the table beside her, Tsunade replied:

"Don't worry, we are now in the hospital in Konoha Village."

As Tsunade explained, Kagura gradually learned what happened next.

Two days had passed since that day.

Upon hearing the news, the Konoha Jonin found everyone scattered in various places and brought Kinkaku's body back to the village.

Everyone except Kagura woke up yesterday.

Through Hiruzen Sarutobi's account, the Konoha leadership finally learned the truth.

At this moment, Konoha's high-ranking officials are discussing the conditions that Kumogakure needs to pay in exchange for Kinkaku's corpse, as requested by the Third Raikage.

Since Tsunade woke up yesterday, she has been staying by Kagura's side while she was unconscious.

After recounting what had happened in the past two days, Kagura was somewhat reluctant to leave, but the doctor who came to check on her advised her to get plenty of rest.

Tsunade had no choice but to leave the room, feeling rather unwilling.

It seems that Kagura's act of helping her resist Kinkaku's punch not only stopped Tsunade from being angry, but also completely won her heart.

Recalling the tender look in Tsunade's eyes when she was just 8 years old, Kagura could only silently apologize.

Lying in the now quiet hospital room, Kagura finally had the chance to check on her condition.

The doctor just said that I will need at least another week before I can be discharged from the hospital.

As for the fracture in his right hand, it will take more time to recover.

But none of this was what Kagura cared about most. At that moment, he couldn't wait to open the system interface.

At this point, a notification appeared below the quest "Successfully defeated Golden Horn" indicating that it was completed.

After much deliberation, Kagura did not immediately claim the reward for the mission.

Then, what surprised him even more was the growth of other attributes.

His attributes at this time are:

"Eye Technique: (Double Tomoe Sharingan), progress 86.3%"

Physical skills: (Fifth gate, Du gate), progress 32.1%.

Chakra: (Jonin level), progress 4.3%.

Tailed Beast: One-Tailed Beast, Fusion Rate 43%

Compared to before he left the village, his attributes have undergone a dramatic change.

The eye technique, which had just evolved to the two-tomoe level, has progressed by a huge step, and it seems that the next step, the three-tomoe level, is not far away.

As for taijutsu and chakra, they advanced directly by one level, reaching the fifth gate and the Jonin level respectively.

As for the tailed beasts, perhaps because they used the tailed beast cloak, their fusion level was much higher than before.

Indeed, fighting opponents of higher levels is the best way to cultivate, even if it is somewhat life-threatening.

Just as Kagura was overjoyed at her increased strength, there was a knock on the door of the ward.

Chapter 24 The new team leader is actually...

As Kagura responded, the person outside entered.

The newcomer was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Compared to Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not seem to have suffered any major injuries and was still dressed in his usual clothes.

He walked to Kagura's bedside, looked her up and down, and then smiled and said:

"It seems you're alright?"

Kagura nodded in agreement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi casually pulled out a chair and sat down.

A sudden silence fell between the two of them.

It was Hiruzen Sarutobi who broke the silence first. He glanced at Kagura with a teasing look, then smiled and said:

"Tsunade should have just left. I heard she stayed by your bedside all day yesterday."

Upon hearing Tsunade's name, Kagura's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and she could only stammer in response:

"ah...

Yes, she always cares a lot about her companions.

"is it?

However, it seems that after waking up, she didn't go to see Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

I'll stay here with you the whole time.

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed unwilling to let Kagura off the hook, and continued speaking.

Perhaps he could have naively thought before that Tsunade's feelings for Kagura were just ordinary friendship.

But he's just a bit of a straight man, not an idiot.

Tsunade's behavior these past two days clearly shows she's interested in this kid.

This is not good news for him, who is about to become Hokage.

Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's persistent questioning, Kagura's facial muscles twitched slightly.

Then he closed his eyes and stopped answering.

Seeing Kagura's sulking expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, shook his head, and spoke again:

"Actually, I'm very happy."

???

Upon hearing this, Kagura opened her eyes in confusion and looked over.

What are you happy about?

Has the first pervert in Happy Leaf Village to lure a young girl appeared?

Seeing Kagura's questioning look, Hiruzen Sarutobi explained:

"I was very happy when you stood in front of Tsunade without hesitation that day."

You are outstanding; even in the Warring States period, your talent would be exceptionally brilliant.

But you are too outstanding, so you have never had the concept of companions.

However, I was very gratified when you bravely stood up for your comrades in the face of Jinjiao's attack that day.

Looking into Hiruzen Sarutobi's sincere eyes, Kagura hesitated for a few seconds before replying:

"I didn't think that much about it at the time; it was just a subconscious action."

Upon hearing Kagura's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile widened. He chuckled softly and said:

"That's right, subconscious actions reveal your true inner desires."

At this point, he got up and went to the window, gazing at the highest point of Konoha.

That is the most famous landmark of Konoha Village, the head statues representing the Hokage of each generation.

At this moment, workers are busy at work, and the third head is slowly taking shape.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Hiruzen Sarutobi's portrait.

Looking at the bustling scene in the distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again:

Do you know the origin of the name Konoha?

Although she knew Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't see her, Kagura still nodded subconsciously in response:

"I know, it was named by Uchiha Madara. The full name is Konoha Ninja Village."

'Wood' refers to the Senju clan of the forest, represented by Hashirama Senju, who could use Wood Release.

'Leaf' refers to the Uchiha clan, whose family crest is shaped like a fan leaf.

"That's right. Since its founding, the Uchiha clan has been an important part of Konoha Village."

This is why the Uchiha clan has always held the important responsibility of guarding the village.

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Kagura and continued:

"Indeed, because of Madara Uchiha, the Second Hokage Tobirama has always been wary of your clan."

Danzo seems to have inherited this mindset and has always had some reservations about you.

But I was different; I trusted all my fellow villagers.

Just then, a gentle breeze blew through the window, and several fallen leaves were blown off the tree, dancing gracefully to the accompaniment of the wind.

Gazing at the dancing leaves, a spark seemed to ignite in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

He said in a sentimental tone: