"It's really been seven years already?"
Meeting Killer B's gaze, A muttered to himself.
Seven years had passed, yet not a single sound had come from Kumogakure Village.
Did this mean Yugito had already brought everyone in the village under her control through a mix of kindness and force?
Then, would anyone even care about their deaths by now?
After listening to their entire analysis, Jiraiya almost felt a headache coming on.
He kept feeling like everything could fall apart at any second.
Just how many hidden moves did Kaguya Ōtsutsuki possess?
Jiraiya carefully glanced at the expressions on their faces. He noticed that aside from himself, the other four appeared quite calm.
"Have you guys figured out a way to deal with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?"
"Jiraiya, we're already dead. No matter how bad things get, how much worse can they be?" Hiruzen said very calmly.
Jiraiya was instantly speechless.
So they simply didn't care.
Was he the only one worried about the future of the world?
Can't help 'em. Just can't help 'em.
"Jiraiya, go bring Naruto here. I need him to help me with something," Orochimaru spoke again.
While sending people to gather information on previous jinchūriki, he'd also ordered his subordinates to collect blood and flesh samples from deceased former jinchūriki.
If they could somehow extract and materialize the tailed beasts' chakra from their bodies, maybe they could recreate the chakra of all nine tailed beasts.
As for White Zetsu, Orochimaru's research direction was similar to Kimimaro's.
Could White Zetsu permanently possess one or even multiple Kekkei Genkai?
If he used White Zetsu's body for Reincarnation, would he obtain the same abilities as White Zetsu—without needing transplants, just by absorbing others' chakra, could he use their Kekkei Genkai?
With Jiraiya and Hiruzen persuading repeatedly, Naruto unwillingly transferred a bit of Nine-Tails' chakra to Bee.
Afterward, he expressed his opinion, "Master Jiraiya, let's leave this place. We do have other places to go, right?"
Jiraiya hesitated briefly, then nodded.
Naruto continued, "Master Jiraiya, I've thought it through. Why don't we find others like me who carry tailed beasts and unite our strength?"
Seeing the determination in Naruto's eyes, after some contemplation, Jiraiya nodded again and loudly agreed, "Fine."
Except for several jinchūriki who had actively defected, most remained inside their ninja villages. It would be wise to try reaching out to those factions.
...
After finishing their personal registration, Kimimaro and Karin began processing their enrollment.
One month before winter break, the two were admitted as transfer students into the Ninja Academy.
They shared the same grade and class as Hinata.
Kimimaro was three years older than Hinata and should originally have entered an upper-grade level, but upon Hiroki's suggestion, Tsunade still placed him into Iruka's class.
Kaguya had already stayed at the Hyuga Clan's main house for three days. Hiroki didn't know what she had been up to; rarely did he see her leave.
Even Hanabi hadn't faced her torment again.
Could she actually be a shut-in? Thinking along these lines, Hiroki knocked on her door.
Hmph! Took you long enough to remember me!
Kaguya let out a cold snort in her heart, appearing before his eyes with a composed expression.
"How about we step out and see what the fuss is about?"
Kaguya gave a composed nod.
Hiroki reached out, wanting to hold her hand.
She ignored him completely.
Hiroki felt an unexpected pang of awkwardness and withdrew his hand.
Acting like nothing had just happened, they stepped onto Konoha's streets together.
Today was the day Tsunade officially assumed office.
All over the streets decorations were hung brightly, creating a joyous and festive atmosphere.
Besides Konoha's residents and a few tourists, even many officials from the Fire Country's capital had arrived to witness the ceremony.
In addition, there were probably spies from other ninja villages as well.
Hiroki noticed that on everyone's faces there was at least some degree of expectation and excitement.
On the raised platform, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane solemnly placed the Hokage hat upon Tsunade's head.
"Starting today, Tsunade shall be the Fifth Hokage. She will lead our village forward!"
Tsunade cleared her throat and launched into a passionate address.
"I shall regard the development of the village as my own responsibility..."
Applause erupted from the crowd below, followed by wave after wave of cheers.
Of course, most who came to attend this ceremony already recognized Tsunade as their new Hokage.
Those unwilling to accept Tsunade becoming Hokage were probably hiding somewhere now, gritting their teeth in anger.
Tsunade's sculpture on the Hokage Rock had already been completed.
Hiroki turned his gaze toward it, involuntarily lost in thought.
Itachi Uchiha would likely come soon.
In the original timeline, after the death of the Third Hokage, Itachi had appeared once to assess the new Hokage's stance toward Sasuke and ensure his safety.
Now, circumstances had become somewhat similar to back then.
Bringing his thoughts back, Hiroki turned toward Kaguya. "Kaguya, do you want to walk around somewhere?"
Festivity filled every corner of the village, smiling faces appearing all around them.
Kaguya maintained her usual expression, utterly unmoved by the surrounding atmosphere.
"...No need." Her red lips parted lightly.
"Come on, let's walk around." Hiroki directly grabbed her hand. "Do you know how conspicuous you are right now?"
"Hm?" Kaguya arched her eyebrows.
What did he want to say now?
"You look serious enough to overthrow Tsunade's government."
Kaguya shot him a glare but still allowed a faint smile to curve her lips.
Wordlessly, they continued walking down the street. Hiroki turned to look at Kaguya's profile.
He suddenly noticed—they were now the same height. In another one or two years, he would likely surpass Kaguya in height.
In the past, it was she who pulled him into her arms. Perhaps one day, the situation might be reversed.
Upon considering this, he felt suddenly excited.
After finishing her speech, Tsunade stepped down from the platform. Wearing her ceremonial robes and adorned with the Hokage hat, she strolled through various streets of Konoha, smiling warmly and greeting villagers while occasionally engaging in conversation.
This was all meant to demonstrate the Hokage's approachability.
By the time Tsunade returned to the Hokage Building, her face had become practically frozen from smiling too much.
Rubbing her cheeks, she walked into the Hokage's office and let out a long breath. Sinking halfway into the Hokage's chair, she removed the straw hat from her head and set it aside before issuing an order toward a certain direction, "Go fetch the Hyūga brothers."
"Yes."
After a while, the Hyūga brothers Hiashi and Hizashi entered the Hokage's office together and stood before Tsunade.
Tsunade cleared her throat and handed them a document with a serious expression. "Hiashi, Hizashi, I have new arrangements for you two."
Hiashi accepted the document and read through it carefully. His expression gradually turned strange.
According to what was written, starting now, he and Hizashi would be taking over most of the village affairs previously handled by the Hokage.
"Milady Hokage, is this really alright?" he asked.
Didn't she just say she would lead the village forward and bear the weight of Konoha's future?
Is this how she planned to act as Hokage?
"Are you planning to defy me even on my very first day as Hokage?" Tsunade coldly retorted inwardly. *I'm not doing this for myself — they're ordering me around, so why can't I push these two around too? Nothing wrong with that.*
"You're part of the same clan as those two! I may not be able to control them, but I sure as hell can handle you two!"
"Er..." Hiashi twitched his lips, hesitating for a moment before replying, "We will certainly do our best to fulfill your orders."
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