I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 438 New Squad!

Nara Rinkaku's words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was dumbfounded.

If the story told at this time were not told by Nara Rangkei;

If it wasn't the Living Slug Immortal who revealed this history.

Hiruzen Sarutobi would definitely subconsciously treat the ancient history of "the Divine Tree, the Goddess of the Rabbit, and the Sage of Six Paths" as a pure myth.

Although ninjas possess extraordinary chakra.

But ninjas are, after all, still just human beings, living, breathing human beings.

The Sage of Six Paths and such...

They have always lived only in myths and legends.

But today, it is Nara Rangsuke who tells this story, and it is the Living Slug Sage who reveals it!

This left Hiruzen Sarutobi with no choice but to believe it.

As the Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the teacher of the Sannin (scratch that), naturally had some understanding of the three sacred lands to which the Sannin each made their contracts.

Especially Jiraiya and Mount Myōboku behind him.

Compared to Ryuchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest, Mt. Myoboku is much more active; they even left a messenger toad in Konoha Village.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also very clear about who was truly in charge of the three holy lands.

The three legendary immortals!

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know exactly how many years the Living Slug Sage had lived.

However, the hermits Fukasaku and Shima of Mount Myōboku had actually been cultivating for over eight hundred years!

How many years has Konoha been established?

All in all, it's only been fifty years.

The history of the ninja world known to the Living Slug Sage is definitely much older and more accurate than that of Konoha!

In other words.

The Sage of Six Paths is not a fictional character from mythology, but a real person who actually existed!

And that sacred tree...

"If that's the case, then Konoha certainly can't let this opportunity slip by!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his aged eyes.

"If the dragon vein beneath Loulan truly originated from the divine tree."

"And the Divine Tree, which is related to the Sage of Six Paths, and even more anciently, the Goddess of the Rabbit..."

"Perhaps the divine tree truly holds some...great secret!"

What Hiruzen Sarutobi originally wanted to say was, "Perhaps the Divine Tree holds some secret to becoming a god."

But he reluctantly changed his mind before he could finish speaking.

Legend has it that the Sage of Six Paths pacified the chaotic world, founded the Ninja Clan, and shared chakra with the world...

But decades ago.

Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage of Konoha, also had the extraordinary achievement of pacifying the chaotic world and establishing the ninja village.

Not only that.

Lord Hashirama Senju is also widely regarded as the "God of Shinobi".

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, Hashirama Senju's level of mastery was perhaps not much different from that of the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was once called the "God of Shinobi".

However, he is an old-timer from Konoha who has lived since the Warring States period.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware of the power gap between himself and the First Hokage.

Even without mentioning the First Hokage.

The current Fourth Hokage of Konoha has already surpassed the overall strength of the Third Hokage...

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view

For ordinary people, whether it's Nara Rinka, Senju Hashirama, or the legendary Sage of Six Paths, their strength level is not much different from that of a true "god".

In ancient times, the Six Paths Immortals would naturally be considered gods.

But now, Hashirama Senju and Nara Rinkazuchi can barely be considered "gods".

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not insist on the claim that "the Divine Tree hides the mystery of becoming a god," but instead changed his story.

but.

Even if in their hearts they believe that the Sage of Six Paths and Hashirama Senju are strong people on the same level.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still vaguely felt that his First Hokage's strength was inferior to that of the Sage of Six Paths.

There is a certain gap in strength between the Fourth Hokage and the First Hokage.

If the "dragon vein" beneath Loulan truly contains the so-called "energy of the divine tree".

And Nara Rangsei really did gain this power...

Perhaps the Fourth Hokage of Konoha could truly become the "God of Shinobi"!

The Hokage's power is entirely beneficial to Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi certainly wouldn't miss this rare opportunity.

"Yes, I also believe that the sacred tree holds a great secret."

Nara Rinka nodded and said earnestly.

"Therefore, I insist on going to Loulan."

Nara Rinka is no stranger to the existence of the "divine tree".

Many of the masks he forged were made from materials derived from branches of the Divine Tree.

However, these branches of the Divine Tree, despite their high SSS-level rating, do not contain any special chakra energy.

At least Nara Rinkachi did not notice anything unusual about those "divine tree branches".

The reason why the sacred tree is a sacred tree.

The most crucial point is that it absorbed the natural energy of the entire ninja world and transformed it into chakra that ordinary living beings could use.

If the dragon vein is truly a remnant of the divine tree's energy...

Even if Nara Rinkei doesn't use this energy to become a "Dragon Vein Jinchūriki".

The dragon vein itself will also play an important role in the study of Nara Rangsei.

He was indeed not entirely comfortable sending someone else.

"Fourth generation, your persistence is correct."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, as if he had completely forgotten what he had just said.

"However, the Land of Wind is not the Land of Fire after all."

"Moreover, there are indeed certain risks involved in the Hokage going out alone."

"I won't list examples from other villages, but has the fourth generation forgotten the experiences of the second generation?"

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was assassinated by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers of Kumogakure when he went to Kumogakure to negotiate peace and form an alliance. He was seriously injured and died from his injuries.

Not to mention that Madara Uchiha was still active in the darkness of the ninja world...

Hiruzen Sarutobi agrees with Nara's plan to go to Loulan, but still believes that he cannot go alone.

"Fourth Generation, you should take a small team and head to Loulan!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his goatee and offered his suggestion.

"You can choose anyone else, but I believe we absolutely cannot do without Minato!"

Nara Rinkachi had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, a fact that Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware of.

However, Tobirama Senju, who also possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique, still died on the battlefield.

If Minato Namikaze were to accompany him.

Konoha's team has two top-tier ninjas who have mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.

When the time comes, whether to fight or retreat will be entirely up to Konoha.

"Minato Namikaze? Fine!"

After a moment's thought, Nara Rinka accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen's suggestion.

In his eyes, the journey to Loulan was not dangerous.

However, we should not be reckless or careless because of this.

Bringing a technician along is like bringing an insurance policy.

"In that case, let's make the arrangements..."

Nara Rinka glanced at Nara Shikaku, who was completely out of his mind.

"Brother Lu Jiu!"

"Besides me and Brother Minato, you're in charge of making arrangements for the rest of the team members!"

Nara Shikaku sighed inwardly and resigned himself to his fate.

"Yes, Fourth Generation Lord."

……

Not long after taking office, the Fourth Hokage planned to lead a squad out of the village on a mission.

This news quickly caused a stir in Konoha Village.

Strictly speaking...

This was Nara Rinkei's first public appearance since becoming the fourth generation leader.

The experienced Nara Shikaku realized the importance of this seemingly minor but actually crucial team personnel arrangement order.

After some deliberation, the Executive Vice Hokage quickly selected a suitable candidate.

The next morning.

Nara Rinka gathered his "temporary team members" in the Hokage's office.

As Nara Rinkazu's lips twitched slightly at the sight of the three familiar faces before him.

Minato Namikaze.

Uchiha Shisui.

There's one last thing...

Tsunade.

A sensory ninja, an offensive ninja, and a medical ninja.

have to say.

Nara Shikaku's personnel arrangements strictly followed Konoha's traditional team division system.

However, Nara Rinka's mood was quite strange.

"This three-person—no, four-person team—could easily wipe out Sunagakure, right? Hopefully, Sunagakure will believe we're just on a mission..."

Nara Rinka cleared his throat, and a gigantic shadow creature emerged from the shadows beneath him.

"Let's go! Loulan!"

(End of this chapter)