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

Chapter 583

Give Luo Sha to the scorpion.

Bring Gaara back to Konoha.

This trip to Sunagakure can be considered a successful conclusion.

There are still some things to wrap up, such as "the small-scale internal strife in Sunagakure", "Yakura's unilateral appointment as Kazekage", "the inauguration ceremony of the Fifth Kazekage", and "the transformation of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, into a gold miner", etc.

However, these events all require time to complete.

Moreover, it's far away in the Land of Wind.

As things stand, there's nothing else that Nara Rinka needs to handle personally.

After leaving Loulan, Nara Rangsuke embarked on his journey back to his village.

When heading to Sunagakure, Nara Rinka used the [Shadow Blade] mark that had been placed on Yotsuba beforehand.

When he returned to Konoha, although he could use space-time ninjutsu to go back, he still had a little burden with him.

Gaara's mental state is still not very stable.

Taking him to a completely unfamiliar environment without warning could easily exacerbate his mental stress.

Even though Shukaku seems docile enough on the surface now.

Nara Rinka did not immediately take Gaara into Konoha Village.

Using the [Shadow Blade] mark he had planted in Nara Forest beforehand, he directly brought Gaara, who was in a deep slumber, from the Loulan Desert to the "Nara Forest Sacred Land" which was under construction.

To be precise.

Nara Rinka brought Gaara directly to the Five-Tails, Kokuo.

In the lush, verdant forest, amidst towering trees and the chirping of birds, a five-tailed, snow-white beast lay prostrate on the ground, eyes closed in meditation, surrounded by abundant natural energy—a truly harmonious scene.

Sensing the sudden appearance of Nara Rinka's chakra, the Five-Tails Kokuou abruptly opened its eyes, its crystalline, sea-blue pupils locking onto its target.

"Nara, you've arrived."

King Mu greeted them first, then turned his attention to the human cub next to Nara Rinka.

"There seems to be a familiar chakra about this child."

This scene feels like it happened just yesterday.

Five-Tails Kokuou vaguely remembered that day a few years ago when Nara Rinka suddenly brought back a blonde little girl. Sealed inside that little girl was a tailed beast, the Two-Tails Matatabi.

Several years have passed.

Nara Rinka brought another child to it.

This time.

"Is it... Shukaku?"

The words of the Five-Tailed King Mu had just fallen.

A powerful surge of chakra erupted from Gaara's body.

Shukaku, with its brownish-yellow body covered in marks, descended upon Nara Forest.

Because Gaara's consciousness is in a deep slumber.

Therefore, Shukaku's desire to "go out" is merely a matter of a single thought.

"Five-tailed!"

Shukaku descends, roaring in fury.

"Why should I?!"

Why is it that the One-Tailed Beast was sealed away by the old monks of the Land of Wind for hundreds of years and by the ninjas of the Sand Village for decades, while the Five-Tailed Beast can be free for so long?

Isn't it said that humans are hostile to tailed beasts?

Why can the Five-Tails stay in this forest so peacefully, as if it's on vacation?

unfair!

This ugly world!

Shukaku suddenly turned its head and glared fiercely at Nara Rinka.

It had previously thought that "returning freedom" was just Nara Rangatsu fooling the tailed beasts.

did not expect……

Are you serious?!

hateful!

Why is it King Mu, and not me?!

King Mu naturally noticed Shouhe's anger.

There are precedents of figures like the Yotōbō, Isobu, and Kurama.

King Mu instantly realized the reason why Shukaku was angry.

"hehe……"

The white deer let out a soft laugh.

"Shukaku, we are different."

Shukaku remembers it very clearly.

Nara Rinkazu had said the same thing before.

However, the same words spoken by Nara Rinkazu and by the Five-Tailed Kokuou evoked completely different feelings in Shukaku.

The former is just a minor thrill.

The latter, however, was furious!

"I'm so angry—!!"

Shouhe beat his chest and stamped his feet in frustration.

If all the tailed beasts were sealed away.

So, at least Shukaku can find some solace in the fact that he's just being imprisoned for a longer period.

And now?

Almost all the tailed beasts are sealed, with Shukaku being sealed for the longest time, but then Kokuou, this free guy, suddenly appeared!

"Human! Hokage!"

Shukaku twisted its body and crawled over to Nara Rinkazu, speaking in a harsh voice.

"Let me out! Now!"

Don't make me beg you!

Nara Rinkazu's expression remained calm and composed, showing no sign of being intimidated by Shukaku's "threat".

"I said, not now, Shukaku."

Nara Rinka said calmly.

"It's still the same agreement as before. Whenever you reconcile with Gaara, I will give you another chance to choose."

After Nara Lan Gui finished speaking, Go-O Mu-o added another sentence.

"Shukaku, Nara, and the other tailed beasts also made the same agreement, and Matatabi and Isobu both accepted this condition."

"And what about you?! King Mu!"

Shukaku turned to look at the white deer, his face filled with resentment and jealousy, which he could no longer hide.

"Why are you the only one who's different?"

"because……"

"Because I like King Mu."

Nara Rinka explained this problem to King Mu.

King Mu smiled.

Shukaku collapsed.

Grains of yellow sand fell from Shukaku's body, and its size shrank rapidly at a visible speed.

Suffering severe psychological trauma, Shukaku decides to make a strategic retreat.

Let him retreat back into the seal and lick his wounds for a few days...

This feeling of being favored is truly enviable and makes one feel resentful!

"Shukaku".

Nara Rinka spoke again, stopping the large tanuki that was about to shrink away.

"This is Naramori. I will arrange for you and my Airo to stay here for the next few days."

"If you have any questions, you can ask King Mu for advice."

"If King Mu didn't understand something, he would ask other people."

Shukaku, who had originally not intended to pay any attention to Nara Rinkaku, stopped after hearing these words.

What does "other people" mean?

"actually."

King Mu said in a relaxed tone.

"My clansmen in Nara also like me quite a bit."

That wretched white deer!

Shouhe glared at King Mu with a look of deep regret.

Why doesn't anyone like it?!

Decided!

Starting today, the stinky fox is no longer the tailed beast it hates the most; the great white deer is!

"Once Gaara has become more familiar with the environment of Konoha, I will take you away from Naramori."

Nara Rinka does not wish to intervene in the emotional conflict between the giant tanuki and the white deer.

If he were to intervene, the battle between the two tailed beasts would definitely become even more intense...

Shukaku listened attentively to Nara Rinkazu's instructions.

Having witnessed firsthand the life that King Mu led, Shukaku completely believed what Nara had said before.

Live life to the fullest for freedom, without feeling ashamed.

"Then, I will find a... guardian for my Airo."

Several suitable candidates flashed through Nara Rinka's mind.

I've decided on you!

Master Men!

Second update.

Much earlier than before.

Goodnight everybody.

(End of this chapter)