"The situation is as above."
Inside the Hokage Office, only a few people were gathered there.
Shinji stood before Hiruzen's desk, reporting on the situation he encountered while escorting the Four-Tails Jinchuriki back to Konoha.
Shikaku and Fugaku, who were standing in the Hokage Office, exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.
At a time when Konoha was at war with Sunagakure and Iwagakure, a group suddenly appeared, capturing Jinchuriki. This was almost unbelievable.
One must know, those were Tailed Beasts. What decent person just captures them like that?
Thinking of this, Fugaku was first stunned, then looked at Shinji, who was standing in front of Hiruzen. There was such a formidable person in his own village.
A few years ago, during the Nine-Tails Attack, there was also a formidable person, possibly an Uchiha.
Then it's fine.
"Hoo—"
Hiruzen exhaled deeply, his eyes filled with a solemn expression.
It was normal for the Ninja World to be restless, but now such a group had appeared. And it seemed they were recruiting S-rank rogue ninjas from various villages.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rogue ninjas...
Orochimaru, you wouldn't have joined them too, would you?
"Shikaku, arrange for personnel to strengthen the guard on the Four-Tails Jinchuriki." Hiruzen said to Shikaku.
"Yes." Shikaku nodded, then turned and walked out of the office.
Hiruzen said to Fugaku without pause, "Fugaku, although your clan members are rarely in the Police Force anymore, recently, your clan will need to assign personnel to strengthen it, and also go talk to Hiashi. After all, the Byakugan is more suitable for patrols."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." Fugaku nodded, bowed to Shinji, and then followed Shikaku out.
"When the Ninja World is in chaos, all sorts of monsters come out." Hiruzen leaned back in his office chair, saying with great helplessness.
"Sensei, what's the situation with Jiraiya-senpai?" Shinji came to Hiruzen's side, unceremoniously sitting on the desk and asking.
"That old geezer Ōnoki is very stubborn, insisting that we hand over the Four-Tails Jinchuriki." Hiruzen sneered at this point.
"Jiraiya can still hold on for now, and Choza has already gone to reinforce him."
Shinji nodded at this. With Choza there, Jiraiya's pressure would be much less. After all, the Akimichi clan could be called battlefield clean-up machines, and they were also responsible for provisions. At least for a short time, there was no need to worry.
"However, your achievements are truly astonishing."
Hiruzen said, looking at Shinji and smiling. "You raided Sunagakure's logistics base and defeated the Four-Tails Jinchuriki."
Shinji shook his head helplessly, saying, "I'd rather these things hadn't happened."
If Kakashi hadn't led Konoha ninjas to block the main forces of Sunagakure's front line in that battle, the few of them might not have been able to leave. And because of this, who knows how many Konoha ninjas died on the battlefield.
Hiruzen fell silent, only raising his head to look at Shinji with a solemn expression after a long time.
"Shinji, no matter what you think, I must say here, your importance is absolutely no less than anyone else's."
Seeing Shinji about to speak, Hiruzen waved his hand. "It's not that I, as Hokage, don't care about the lives of those dead ninjas. Rather, if their deaths can buy you a glimmer of life, then it is worth it. Ultimately, even if Asuma doesn't return, as long as you can return, that's enough."
Hiruzen then remained silent for a long time. Yes, even if his own son didn't return, he would still feel it was worth it. After all, Shinji's importance outweighed Asuma and the Konoha ninjas who died on the front lines.
Currently, apart from the older generation of ninjas like Jiraiya, only Shinji alone could truly bear the great banner of Konoha. Not even Shisui and Itachi, who possessed the Mangekyo, could compare.
"If it weren't for your previous lack of prestige, I would have hoped that I would go up, and you would sit here."
Shinji didn't speak, quietly listening to Hiruzen's rambling.
What could he refute now?
He wasn't worthy?
No, in his current position, he had no right to make his own decisions.
Hiruzen was already placing Konoha on the chessboard for his future.
Only so that in the future, Shinji could enable Konoha to face the other four nations, without having to be like him.
"Old man, don't say such extreme things. You know, I'm very strong." Shinji grinned.
The youthful vigor of a young man made the seated Hiruzen pause, then burst into laughter.
His disciple had finally looked directly at his decision. This was very good.
Konoha, with a successor, was his greatest wish.
Shinji looked at Hiruzen, who was laughing so freely, and couldn't help but sigh.
Suddenly, Hiruzen seemed to think of something and looked at Shinji, saying, "Actually, I have a mission I'd like to entrust to you."
"What mission?" Shinji was stunned and asked.
Hiruzen's expression became stern, and he said, "Next, I hope you stay in the village. After all, now there are not only the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, but more importantly, Naruto."
Shinji rubbed his brow.
The Akatsuki had already begun to act, and Konoha was now a huge temptation. The Four-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails were all in Konoha. And the only one who could suppress the Tailed Beasts was him. In the shadows, there was also an organization collecting Tailed Beasts, waiting for an opportunity.
But how should he explain to Hiruzen that before the other Tailed Beasts were collected, the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails were safe?
Where did he get this information?
Even if Hiruzen could believe him, what then?
"No, I think it's better if I go help Jiraiya-senpai." Shinji said.
If he didn't go, the only one who could go to the battlefield right now was Hiruzen himself.
As for Shisui and Itachi?
Forget it, Shinji was afraid that if the two went out, one of them would definitely have their eyes taken. At that time, they might even have to confront Obito. Right now, it really wasn't a good time.
Seeing that Hiruzen still wanted to say something, Shinji spoke first, "Old man, you can rest assured about my sealing, and it would be better for the village to have you in charge."
"You know, Iwagakure still has the Five-Tails Jinchuriki."
"I can still move." Hiruzen said, quite displeased.
"But as of now, your presence, whether for the village or for Kumogakure, who has been watching, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."
Shinji was noncommittal. After all, once Hiruzen entered the fray, it was hard to guarantee that the Fourth Raikage, that cunning fellow, wouldn't get some ideas.
Hiruzen fell silent, he knew it all too well.