Chapter 96: I am the Hokage
It was around 10 AM the next day when Kinoshita Genichi and Uzumaki Ina returned to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. After registering Ina at the village gate, Genichi created a shadow clone to take the nervous and apprehensive Ina home, while he himself headed straight for the Hokage Tower.
The Kinoshita Dango Shop.
When Genichi's clone came in with Ina, he found that the place was very lively today.
"Genichi!"
Might Guy's cry of surprise immediately caused Sarutobi Asuma and the others, who had been chatting, to turn their gazes in unison towards the two at the door.
"Genichi?"
"Am I seeing things?"
"Kakashi, didn't you say it would be a while before he came back?"
One by one, the figures stood up. Shizune, in particular, walked towards Genichi with immense joy, only slowing her steps when she saw Ina.
"Everyone's here!" Genichi smiled and waved in greeting.
Kakashi, Rin Nohara, Obito Uchiha, Guy, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma, Yamashiro Aoba, Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and others who were his classmates were all there. And besides them, there were also the younger Mitarashi Anko, Kamizuki Izumo, and their peers. For example, Anko was actually less than a year younger than Kakashi and had just graduated this year.
"Genichi, why are you back so suddenly?" Shizune asked curiously. This was what everyone wanted to know.
Genichi smiled. "Something came up, so I came back early. This is just a clone."
"Hey, this is Ina, Uzumaki Ina." Genichi then introduced Ina, who was beside him, to Shizune and the others.
Ina quickly bowed to everyone. "Hello everyone, I am Uzumaki Ina. I hope to be in your care from now on." But she was a little puzzled in her heart. Why do all of Lord Genichi's friends seem so much younger than him?
"Hello, I'm Shizune!"
"Hello, I'm Kurenai Yuhi."
Everyone introduced themselves one by one. And Genichi's parents also came running out, and another round of introductions was unavoidable.
After the formalities were over, Genichi smiled. "It's my treat today. Everyone, don't be polite."
Asuma smiled. "Then we won't be polite! We have to eat a lot."
Guy, on the other hand, said, "Genichi, we haven't had a youthful contest in a long time! Let's have a match after we've eaten our fill!"
Genichi readily agreed with a wide smile. "Absolutely no problem."
While his shadow clone was helping Ina blend in with the group here, on the other side, the real Genichi had arrived at the Hokage's Office.
After some simple pleasantries, Hiruzen said, "Genichi, the reason I've called you back this time is because I want you to be a proctor for the third stage of the Chunin Exams."
What? Genichi was slightly astonished.
That's it?
I, a Kage-level powerhouse, was hastily called back just to be a Chunin Exam proctor?
This was completely beyond his expectations. But he reacted quickly and immediately nodded. "Yes, sir!"
Hiruzen continued, "The order for your promotion to Special Jonin has already been issued. Starting today, you are a Special Jonin of Konoha."
"After the Chunin Exams are over, you will join the Hokage's direct Anbu guard!"
Genichi had no objection to this either. He didn't have a squad now, and if he were to form one, ordinary genin and chunin would not be suitable. The Hokage's direct Anbu guard was the most suitable place for him.
After Hiruzen had finished with the official business, Genichi immediately reported, "Lord Hokage, when I left the village last year..."
From his conflict with the Root ninja, to the discovery of Danzō's research base, and the Wood Style experiment, Genichi told the story, nine parts truth and one part falsehood. The most important part was the Wood Style ninja!
Hiruzen was momentarily shocked to hear this. After his face returned to normal, he secretly cursed in his heart, "That bastard Orochimaru..."
Although Genichi hadn't mentioned Orochimaru, Hiruzen was very clear that this must be something Orochimaru and Danzō had done together. He had sent Orochimaru to Root to follow Danzō because he wanted to nurture him to become the future head of Root, Danzō's successor. But he had never expected Orochimaru to collude directly with Danzō to conduct Wood Style experiments. And they had already succeeded.
Hiruzen immediately thought of the previous incidents of missing children. He knew about this matter. The Anbu had investigated but had found no results. But no results was a result. In the Land of Fire, the only one who could do things so cleanly was Root. But Hiruzen had not thought in the direction of Wood Style experiments. He had thought that Danzō was just nurturing Root ninja. But he had never expected...
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Hiruzen's mind. He then said in a heavy voice, "Genichi, you must keep this matter a secret!"
Genichi nodded. "Understood!" The secret, of course, was not the Wood Style ninja, but the experiment that had killed so many children!
After finishing with this matter, Genichi brought up Ina. He believed that Shinnosuke had already mentioned her, but he still had to formally bring it up now and ask about the arrangements.
Hiruzen said, "Since she is of the Uzumaki clan, then she is a member of Konoha."
"You brought her back, Genichi. What are your thoughts?"
Genichi said, "First, let Ina integrate into Konoha. Then, she can learn sealing techniques from Kushina-neesan and medical ninjutsu from Lady Tsunade."
"After that, she can enter your direct Anbu guard, Lord Hokage."
"Ina has an outstanding talent for sealing techniques and ninjutsu, a very special constitution, and her own chakra has healing properties. She has the potential to become a powerful medical ninja."
Hiruzen contemplated for a moment, then nodded. "Then let's arrange it that way!"
With their business concluded, Genichi immediately took his leave.
After smoking and thinking for a long time, Hiruzen suddenly spoke. "Shinnosuke, gather your men and head to Root!"
"Understood!" Shinnosuke, who was hidden in the shadows, immediately accepted the order.
A moment later, more than a dozen Anbu elites headed straight for the Root headquarters, with Hiruzen following close behind.
On the other side, Genichi left the Hokage Tower, his mood quite good. He knew that Hiruzen would definitely not sit by and let Danzō possess a Wood Style user. This also meant that the Nine-Tails could potentially be controlled by Danzō. Although they were old friends, Hiruzen was not a fool. He needed Danzō and Root to be the dark side of Konoha and its ninja, but he would not allow that dark side to control the village.
Therefore, Danzō would definitely not be able to keep the Wood Style ninja.
A gentleman's revenge can be taken at any time. Genichi had waited more than a year to take his revenge; he was already far behind schedule.
His only regret was that he couldn't go with Hiruzen to Root to flaunt his power. A pity, a pity!
When he got home, Kakashi and the others had already dispersed. Genichi's mother was busy helping Ina unpack. His father was busy in the kitchen, cooking a delicious meal. Ina was very moved, and her original nervousness and unease had vanished without a trace. She followed Genichi's mother, helping her out, and the two of them chatted animatedly, leaving no opportunity for Genichi to interrupt.
He looked at them, then decided to go and take a bath.
At the same time, at the Root headquarters, one by one, Anbu ninja stormed in, alerting the Root members. For a moment, the two sides were in a standoff.
Just then, Hiruzen appeared on the stone bridge leading to the main gate of the Root base. Danzō also walked out from behind the numerous Root ninja. He frowned and said in a heavy voice, "Hiruzen, what is the meaning of this?"
For Hiruzen to bring people and storm into Root, Danzō was a bit baffled.
"Danzō, hand over that child," Hiruzen said.
Danzō's expression changed slightly, but he said stubbornly, "I don't know what you mean."
Hiruzen took the pipe from his mouth and said faintly, "Danzō, don't make me use forceful means."
"Hand over the child, and this matter will end here. I will not pursue it further."
Danzō secretly gritted his teeth. "Damn it, I've been exposed..." He understood that Hiruzen knew everything, and was even using the children who had died in the experiment as a threat.
The Wood Style ninja! After paying so much to obtain him, Danzō was unwilling to give him up.
"Hiruzen, the Wood Style ninja would be best nurtured in Root!" Danzō argued. "Only Root can bring out his full potential. When he grows up, he can become the strongest shield, guarding Konoha from the shadows."
Hiruzen naturally knew that Danzō was referring to a jinchuriki and dealing with the other four great ninja villages. Hiding a Wood Style user in the shadows as a trump card was indeed a good idea.
But Hiruzen hoped even more that the Wood Style user could inherit the First Hokage's Will of Fire and protect Konoha with it. This card should not be used after the enemy had invaded, but before.
So, faced with Danzō's forceful argument, Hiruzen said firmly, "Danzō, I am the Hokage. This matter will be decided by me!"
Hearing this, Danzō almost wanted to vomit blood. The Hokage... damn it! If only I were the Hokage!!
Danzō couldn't help but clench his fists, but faced with the assertive Hiruzen, he could only compromise. "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"
Hiruzen was unmoved.
Danzō could only endure the pain. "Kinoe, come out!"
A small, masked figure, Kinoe, walked out from behind the crowd, looking a little bewildered.
Shinnosuke immediately stepped forward, picked up Kinoe, and leaped away. The other Anbu also left one after another. Hiruzen was the last to leave. "Danzō, pay more attention to the Village Hidden in the Mist. They've been making a lot of moves recently."
Danzō said reluctantly, "I know."
After watching Hiruzen leave, Danzō immediately ordered an investigation. Even Orochimaru didn't know about Kinoe's intelligence. How did Hiruzen find out? Who had learned of this information? Who had leaked it?
Danzō's face was grim as he proceeded on two fronts, investigating both inside and outside of Root.
...
In the Hokage's Office, the unmasked Shinnosuke asked, "Father, what are the arrangements for that child? Will he be nurtured in the Anbu?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "No. You will arrange a house for him, and then have him enrolled in the Ninja Academy."
Shinnosuke hesitated. "Alone?"
"Won't that be too dangerous?"
Hiruzen said, "Don't worry, Danzō won't try anything with him again."
"This child needs the Ninja Academy. He needs friends. You go and arrange it."
"Hmm... and for the time being, you should look after him more."
Shinnosuke nodded. "Understood!"
(End of Chapter)
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