Naruto: I Roamed the Ninja World as a Woman

Chapter 191 The Turmoil of Choosing the Hokage of Konoha

The year-end is approaching.

As the country with the most normal climate in the ninja world, Konoha Village in December is already covered in snow, and the Hokage Rock, the landmark building in the center of the village, is also covered with snow.

However, the festive atmosphere in Konoha this year was not strong.

Perhaps it was a miscalculation in the Chunin Exams final battle, perhaps it was the forced concessions to the Land of Wind and Rain during the peace talks, or perhaps it was the still fierce and unyielding confrontation with the Hidden Cloud Village on the battlefield of the Land of Frost.

all in all.

Konoha remains the same Konoha that once reigned supreme in the ninja world.

But the days when the Thousand Hands brothers were in power, their domineering presence, are truly gone.

This is certainly not a topic that can be openly discussed.

Yet, in the vast village of Konoha, from commoners to ninjas, from the lowest to the highest levels, everyone shared a vague, shared premonition.

Konoha is already somewhat weakened.

Konoha Building, Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was reviewing the New Year's Festival activities with a pipe in his mouth, was suddenly met with a devastating piece of bad news.

"Uchiha Fugaku! What did you say?"

"Did Shuimen die in the battle?"

When the Third Hokage heard the devastating news, he nearly swallowed the pipe in his mouth.

He jumped to his feet, his eyes fixed on Uchiha Fugaku, who had just returned from Kirigakure, as if he wanted to devour him.

Fugaku Uchiha remained silent as he opened the sealing scroll at his waist.

With a loud "bang".

After the white smoke dissipated, Minato Namikaze's body appeared on the ground.

Ayane Amamiya showed Minato complete respect and did not hold back in the slightest.

Stormslash pierced his chest with a single sword strike!

But apart from that, she didn't do anything else rude.

Therefore, Minato Namikaze did not actually have any obvious injuries on his body.

However, due to the low-temperature preservation, his face was extremely pale, and his expression seemed to contain hidden pain and regret, as if he were trapped in a nightmare from which he could never wake up.

With a "click".

The pipe that was near his mouth fell to the ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Fugaku's grief-stricken expression, then at Minato's cold corpse, and for a moment felt as if the world before him had turned upside down.

This junior whom I have high hopes for —

This genius, whom he had hoped would protect Konoha's peace for decades to come—

He actually died in battle like that?

Hiruzen Sarutobi slumped back into his chair, covering his eyes with his hands, unable to bear watching any longer.

How he wished.

This scene before my eyes was just a nightmare I had during my lunch break —

A short while later, the Hokage's voice rang out again.

"What exactly happened?! Fugaku Uchiha, tell me the truth!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's question was authoritative and heavy.

"Last month."

"Elder Danzo issued a major mission to Minato and me, requiring us to secretly capture a Rain Village ninja named Nagato to serve as a candidate for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"After Minato and I followed them all the way, we finally caught up with them in Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water, and found an opportunity to make our move."

Fugaku's voice was tinged with pain: "But because the enemy's reinforcements arrived in time, the operation plan that Minato and I initially devised fell through, and we were forced into a direct battle with the enemy—"

He briefly recounted what had happened.

This includes Mei Terumi's initial resistance, their joint battle against the shadow clones, and the subsequent appearance of Ayane Amamiya's true form.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes darkened.

Ayane Amamiya —

He kept repeating the name in his mind.

About half a year ago, the Second Shinobi War ended.

At that time, he was full of pride and held the Chunin Exams against all odds, inviting the five great ninja villages, thinking that he could replicate the scene of all nations paying tribute during the time of the First Hokage.

did not expect.

This young girl dealt herself a heavy blow during the Chunin Exams!

Even so, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't pay much attention to her at the time, but simply instructed the Anbu led by his son Shinnosuke to keep a close eye on the young girl.

But now, even Minato has died at their hands.

The Hokage's aura suddenly surged, and an uncontrollable killing intent welled up in his heart.

In contrast, he didn't pay much attention to the news that even the Three-Tails and Six-Tails of Kirigakure had escaped.

"If we're talking about killing her head-on, I'm afraid only Sakumo could do it —"

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently calculated in his mind: "But Hanzo of the Salamander, at least Orochimaru and the other two will be needed to keep him occupied, and even in a life-or-death situation, the three of them might not be enough."

He suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.

If they wanted to forcibly kill Ayane Amamiya, they would need the help of most of Konoha's top combat forces!

But Konoha right now simply can't do that!

In addition to these options, he can also choose to resort to some underhanded tactics.

For example, Kato Dan's spiritification technique and the Nara family's shadow imitation technique can be used as backup methods.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi also knew this.

These underhanded tricks are utterly beneath the notice of a true strongman.

Sending them there is like gambling on a slim 1% chance of success within a 99% chance of failure.

More likely, they're just lining up to get themselves killed!

As he silently considered the possibility of revenge.

Having just received the news, the small group of Konoha's high-ranking officials who rushed over listened attentively to Fugaku's account of the entire incident.

Mitokado Yan, with a sullen face, was the first to raise a question.

"Uchiha Fugaku!"

He narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "Are you saying that you were careless and severely injured by a nine-year-old child, forced to feign death to escape—even Minato, who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, couldn't escape and was killed by the returning enemy reinforcements?"

Fugaku Uchiha nodded somewhat embarrassedly.

Are you sure?

Koharu Utatane sneered, then questioned, "Fugaku Uchiha, you might not know this! The Flying Thunder God Technique involves absolutely no hand seals. How could an enemy possibly restrain such a space-time ninjutsu?"

Izanagi is one of the Uchiha clan's greatest secrets.

Fugaku pondered for a moment, then could only vaguely reply, "I apologize, advisors. Although I faked my death, I used a secret Uchiha technique at the time, and my consciousness was not clear. I don't know how the enemy managed to do it—"

"Hiruzen—Lord Hokage!"

Mitokado Homura turned around quickly, ignoring Fugaku's explanation.

He bowed to the Third Hokage and declared righteously, "I request that Uchiha Fugaku be immediately imprisoned and interrogated! He is suspected of treason and betraying intelligence!"

Fugaku Uchiha was taken aback.

He quickly realized what was happening and angrily said, "Elder Mitomon, are you implying that I colluded with the enemy and secretly killed Minato?"

"Otherwise what?"

Mitomon Homura coldly replied, "If it weren't for someone we know secretly sabotaging us, with Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique, even if he couldn't win, couldn't he at least have escaped?"

He sized up the travel-worn Fugaku and questioned, "On the contrary, you not only emerged unscathed but also tried to fabricate such an absurd reason to get away with it. Don't you find yourself ridiculous?"

Is it ridiculous?

It's really ridiculous.

Fugaku Uchiha gritted his teeth.

The veins on his forehead throbbed, and he felt both angry and aggrieved.

Whether it's the weakness and helplessness when facing an enemy, or the pain and helplessness when losing a Sharingan after activating Izanagi, nothing is as infuriating as Mitokado Homura's words!

What do you mean I'm completely unharmed?

Can't you see that one of my Sharingan eyes is completely blinded in its socket?

Fugaku grew angrier the more he thought about it, and his emotions spiraled out of control.

Even the Sharingan appeared!

He immediately wanted to form hand seals and unleash a powerful fireball technique on this eyesore of an old man!

But the sight of Minato Namikaze's corpse on the ground was like a bucket of cold water being poured over his head.

Fugaku Uchiha ultimately lowered his head silently, choosing not to offer any explanation.

Let's just do it to give Minato some face.

"Haha! You mean the Flying Thunder God Technique is completely flawless?"

Just as the stalemate was at its peak, a loud voice rang out.

It was Uchiha Setsuna, the eldest elder of the Uchiha clan, who rushed over after receiving the news.

He walked into the office as if no one else was there, not even bothering to bow to the Hokage, and instead directly mocked Mitokado Homura: "If the Flying Thunder God Technique is truly flawless, then how did the Second Hokage die in battle? Was he betrayed by someone in the shadows?"

"That's enough!"

When the topic turned sensitive, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned ashen, and he roared as he interrupted him.

The Hokage slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

He looked at the two Uchiha men before him and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Uchiha Fugaku, submit your mission report by this afternoon. Furthermore, without orders, you are not to leave the village and must be available at any time to be summoned by the Anbu!"

Uchiha Setsuna chuckled, completely unconcerned.

"Let's go, Fugaku!"

He patted his grandson-in-law on the shoulder: "Although Meiqin isn't in the clan, I believe I still have some culinary skills, so I'll treat you to a meal to welcome you back!"

The two of them then left.

Left alone, panting heavily, Mitokado Homura angrily exclaimed, "Lawless! How dare they compare this to the Second Hokage's affair?!"

"Stop talking!"

"You guys, go and call Jiraiya over here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, looking somewhat weary, and said, "Remember to call Tsunade and Orochimaru along, lest Jiraiya goes berserk—"

Deep down, he did have some doubts about what Fugaku Uchiha had said.

But he knew that some things couldn't be said so openly.

After leaving the Hokage's office.

Uchiha Setsuna changed his usual tough style, and his tone became much gentler.

"Fugaku, you're different now."

"It seems you've grown a lot from this mission!"

"Even if I lose one Sharingan after activating Izanagi, it doesn't matter."

He stared at Fugaku's only remaining eye and comforted him, "On the contrary, you truly deserve the name 'fierce eye' now! Do you know? Just now, when you were about to attack Mitokado Homura, it was as if a lion was hiding in your eyes!"

Then, the old man said with satisfaction, "Only someone like you is worthy of being my granddaughter!"

Upon hearing this, Fugaku gave a bitter smile and said nothing.

He only spent a little over a month with Minato Namikaze.

Even if they can't talk about everything, they have a good relationship and the other person is one of their few good friends.

Shuimen once said that everyone in the village is one family.

Even if there are occasional disputes or conflicts, there is no reason for brothers to confuse each other.

But then I thought of how aggressive the two advisors had been.

A sense of melancholy washed over Fugaku.

That night.

Jiraiya's house.

As they've all grown older and their careers have progressed, the three ninjas haven't had a private gathering in a long time, unlike before.

But tonight.

Tsunade and Orochimaru pushed open Jiraiya's door almost simultaneously.

The moment you step inside, you're hit with a strong smell of alcohol, enough to make you faint.

Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged.

With a flick of his sleeve, he swept away the empty bottles on the tatami mat, making room for himself and Tsunade to sit down.

"Jiraiya, are you trying to drink yourself to death here?"

Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya and said calmly, "According to my research, the limit of alcohol tolerance for a ninja is 1.2 grams per 100 milliliters. You should be very close to that threshold now."

Unlike Orochimaru, Tsunade's reaction was much more direct.

She snatched the bottle from Jiraiya's hand, chugged it down in one go, and then tossed the empty bottle aside: "If you're going to drink, why didn't you invite me?"

If it were in the past...

Seeing Tsunade sharing a bottle of sake with him, Jiraiya would probably be secretly happy for days.

But now—

He looked at the two of them through his blurry, drunken eyes and mumbled, "It's you guys—what brings you here—"

"I'm here to remind you."

"Tomorrow afternoon, the village is holding a memorial service for Shuimen. If you, his master, show up looking completely drunk—"

"Old man, neither I nor Tsunade care."

Orochimaru paused, then continued in a tone that seemed mocking but was actually concerned, "Anyway, it's only your disciple who will be embarrassed!"

The moment I heard the words "memorial service".

Jiraiya's movements immediately froze.

"Orochimaru, I don't want to go to the memorial service—"

"I—I'm sorry to him—"

"I promised Minato that I would help him win over the girl he likes."

"I promised Minato that I would name his future child."

"But I haven't accomplished any of these things!"

His hand holding the wine bottle paused, and he muttered, "I'm incompetent, I'm useless, I haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a master at all—"

The man, who was almost thirty, suddenly burst into tears, crying like a child: "I shouldn't have let him go to the battlefield, I shouldn't have thought that with the Flying Thunder God, there would be no danger, and I shouldn't have stopped teaching him Sage Mode because I was lazy—"

Tsunade and Orochimaru both fell silent.

They deeply sympathized with Jiraiya's suffering.

Even Tsunade's situation was worse.

Within just six months, she lost not only her younger brother Nawaki and grandmother Mito, but also Kushina, whom she regarded as her own sister, who is still missing.

"Wake up!"

Tsunade gritted her teeth and punched him: "Look at yourself now, you can't even face your own disciple's final moments—"

"Tsunade, wow—"

Jiraiya stared at her, gave a blank smile, and muttered, "At least you still have Dan, but I have nothing left now—"

He kept talking.

Suddenly, with a "whoosh," he vomited a large amount of pungent vomit, but he seemed completely unaware and actually fell asleep.

Orochimaru simply couldn't stand it anymore.

He pinched his nose and gestured to Tsunade, "You go first, I'll handle this."

After going out.

Feeling the cool night breeze, Tsunade suddenly turned around and asked, "Orochimaru, will you run for Hokage?"

Orochimaru chuckled, "What? You think I'm not qualified? Or are you, Tsunade, also eyeing the Hokage position and want to eliminate a competitor first?"

Tsunade shook her head: "I just can't picture you becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's three disciples were well aware of his thoughts.

Whoever wants to become the Fourth Hokage will most likely also have to become the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Alternatively, this person needs to have absolute control over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, just like Minato Namikaze in the original work.

Orochimaru is a loner.

He doesn't seem to have many friends around him, making him a suitable candidate to become the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

So in the end.

He definitely went in himself.

But then again, based on Tsunade's understanding of Orochimaru's personality, this guy is very afraid of his life and doesn't seem like the kind of person who likes to risk his life to seal away tailed beasts.

"I haven't decided yet."

"However, running for Hokage doesn't mean you can take office immediately."

Orochimaru chuckled, his golden eyes revealing a deep gaze: "The old man is getting on in years; all he wants now is to step down peacefully and preserve the reputation he's worked so hard for all his life."

"Therefore, he won't just hastily leave behind a mess."

Orochimaru said confidently, "At the very least, the old man must make sure that everything is handled perfectly on the surface."

Tsunade remained silent.

She neither agreed with nor refuted this view.

In fact, Tsunade may seem careless, but she is actually very perceptive about many things. She just doesn't bother to care or talk about them.

"Whatever you want—"

"After Minato's memorial service, I'm going to the Land of Frost."

She yawned, looked at the image of the First Hokage in the distance, and said softly, "I really don't want anyone else to leave—"