I'm in Konoha, and I have ten skill slots.

They're incredibly weak.

The saying "there's a food shortage" is not just a random expression.

If it weren't for the Blood Mist Village that began with the Third Kage, causing Kirigakure to suffer so much, Kirigakure might be the strongest ninja village in the world today.

Many strong individuals have emerged from Kirigakure.

In the entire ninja world, Kirigakure's strength, even if not the strongest, can be said to be second only to Konoha.

But now it has become like this.

Shi Yu kept shaking her head when she heard this.

"What really made me realize the gap between us during this Chunin Exams in Konoha is that even now, there are still small countries willing to submit to Konoha!"

"The Land of Grass, the Land of Waterfalls, the Land of Rain, the Land of Fields—Konoha's strength is not only due to itself, but also to the vast wealth brought to Konoha by these countries that submit to it!"

And Konoha basically doesn't need to give anything in return for this wealth.

Qing said with a hint of envy.

Mei Terumi sighed, "Wealth isn't the most important thing; what matters is influence. These countries submitting to Konoha will bring Konoha a powerful influence!"

country!

Shi Yu frowned.

If that's the case, Shigure did think of something.

"Master Kage..."

Mei Terumi: "Don't call me Lord Kage, just call me older sister!"

"Forehead!"

"Does my sister also want a vassal state like this?"

“Of course!” Mei Terumi nodded. “The existence of vassal states is not only about increasing financial resources, but more importantly, it’s about increasing influence. With increased influence, villages can get more missions, and these missions will not only help train ninjas, but also further expand the village’s influence!”

"This is a virtuous cycle!"

"I see. In that case, I'll just give the village a vassal state!"

clam?

Ao and Mei Terumi were both stunned for a moment, and even Chojuro suddenly turned around to look at Shigure.

Send a village and a vassal state?

Is this something you can just give away whenever you want?

"Shiyu, you're not kidding me, are you?!"

Shigure raised his hand, signaling to Terumi Mei not to speak yet.

"Actually, I think the village's primary task is not to become a vassal state, nor is it to consider the issue of succession. The most important thing is to take back the weapons that belong to the village!"

Weapons belonging to the village?

Mei Terumi paused for a moment. "You mean the ninja swords? The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are indeed being retrieved, but so far..."

"What kind of weapon is a ninja sword? I'm talking about a weapon that can threaten other villages and make them dare not underestimate Kirigakure!"

Shigure looked up at Terumi Mei.

"Tailed Beast! Jinchūriki!"

"The Three-Tails of the village has disappeared without a trace, and the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki is still on the run. These two things are the most important!"

The purpose of tailed beasts is to pose a threat!

Kirigakure is now the only village among all the ninja villages that does not have a Jinchuriki.

Konoha has Naruto, Sunagakure has Gaara, and although the Jinchuriki of Iwagakure are training outside, they will rush back to the village immediately if any problems arise.

The Hidden Cloud Village goes without saying; the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is a perfect Jinchuriki with astonishing combat power!

No wonder the Cloud Village was so powerful when they snatched the Byakugan. A Raikage in his prime, plus a perfect Eight-Tails Jinchuriki—the Cloud Village had every reason to be strong!

Chapter 180 Shigure's Target Jinchūriki Recall

"A Jinchuriki, huh! Do you think I don't want to find the Six-Tails Jinchuriki?! But that guy doesn't trust the village at all!"

"At the same time, the Three-Tails has disappeared without a trace. Finding and retrieving it is no easy task. Apart from me, no one in Kirigakure has the ability to deal with the Tailed Beasts!"

As Mei Terumi spoke, Ao, standing to the side, looked quite helpless.

Apart from Mei Terumi, there is currently no ninja in Kirigakure who has the strength to defeat a Tailed Beast.

Retrieving the Tailed Beasts is just talk; you can't expect the Kage to spend all day running around searching for them!

Who will handle the village's affairs, and besides, the Kage's identity allows him to travel all over the ninja world?

A minor defeat could escalate into a major war.

After all, the shadow itself is a strategic weapon. Who would allow nuclear bombs to fly around all day, and even fly to their doorstep from time to time?

"Now that I'm here, aren't I!"

Shigure suddenly spoke up: "Leave it to me! I'll take charge of retrieving the Tailed Beasts and recalling the Jinchuriki!"

Mei Terumi looked at Shigure, thinking, "Is this what it feels like to have someone share your burdens?"

She now seems to understand what it's like to be the Hokage of Konoha. She doesn't have to do anything herself; she just needs to give orders and powerful ninjas will take care of them.

"However, before we can retrieve the tailed beasts, there is still one problem! Is there any powerful ninja willing to return to the village?"

"But they were previously labeled as rogue ninjas. Can the village remove the label of rogue ninjas from these people?"

Mei Terumi paused for a moment. This wasn't something she could decide. Kirigakure was extremely tough on rogue ninja and had to hunt them down.

Seeing that Terumi Mei did not answer immediately, Shigure understood.

"understood!"

"Looks like you don't have the final say on this matter!"

Shi Yu smiled and said, "It's alright, I'll shut those who object!"

Upon hearing this, Mei Terumi was stunned for a moment. A twelve-year-old brat had just said something outrageous!

Shut those people up! What does Shigure want to do?

"Don't you dare do anything reckless!"

Shi Yu: "Don't worry, I won't kill them. There are many ways to shut someone up. Killing them directly only shows how strong you are!"

"Let others know that your fist is big, much bigger than theirs, and they won't dare to provoke you!"

Mei Terumi stared at Shigure, and she understood what Shigure meant.

However, doing something like that is extremely difficult.

"We need to manipulate public opinion too!" Shigure looked at Mei Terumi. "Let's spread rumors throughout the village about how powerful the outside ninjas are! I want to make the village panic!"

Qing: "You're making the village panic, and if you're not careful, it could trigger a new rebellion. What do you want to do?"

"Because of Kirigakure! At a time like this... a hero is needed!"

Mei Terumi's eyes lit up. Shigure's idea was excellent. If he could become a hero, it would be perfect for Shigure to integrate into Kirigakure.

"How do you want to become this hero?"

"Of course, only those who make sacrifices and turn the tide when everyone else is helpless and waiting for death can be called heroes!"

Shiyu said it very calmly.

Then, looking at Mei Terumi, he asked, "You promised to help me become the Kage. If I said I would replace you as the new Kage within a year, would you object?"

This question baffled Mei Terumi, Ao, and even Chojuro.

"A year?" Qing smiled. This kind of thing isn't just about strength. With Shigure's talent and strength, he might be able to grow to a level close to Kage-level ninja in a year.

To become the leader of a village, strength alone is not enough; one also needs sufficient prestige, which may be easier to obtain during times of war.

But in peacetime these days, opportunities to build prestige are few and far between!

Mei Terumi: "Fine! If you can do it, I'm willing to step down and let you become the Kage. But what if you can't do it!"

"You want to make a bet?" Mei Terumi clearly wanted to gamble with him, so Shigure wasn't afraid at all!

A year! That's a long time for Shiyu.

A twelve-year-old Kage, the youngest Kage in the history of the ninja world—this is the kind of title that Shigure truly values.

"If you lose, you have to grant me one request!"

"What are your requirements!"

"We'll talk when you lose!"

Shi Yu said helplessly, "Then I won!"

"I'll grant you one request, anything you want!"

As she spoke, Mei Terumi hooked Shigure's chin with her hand!