There were also new personnel appointments.
Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Natsuki were named the new Hokage Advisors.
Shikaku, Inoichi, Chōza, and Shibi were made Honorary Elders.
Neji and Sasuke became the two Captains of the Security Force.
Tsume, Guy, and Tenten took charge as Heads of Logistics and Protection.
This move was meant to rally hearts and unify nearly all power under the Hokage's banner.
Shizune became Head of the Medical Division and Director of Konoha Hospital.
Megumi and Sakura served as Medical Chiefs—all trusted people.
At the same time, a round of institutional reforms began: pruning irrational rules and adding policies beneficial to the village's growth. In short, Konoha was poised for a thriving future.
Natsuki, hearing he'd be a Hokage Advisor, went blank.
"Wait—Tsunade-dono, I can't do the consultant thing!"
He really didn't want a council seat. He only wanted to be a laid-back jōnin: take missions when they came, and when they didn't, stay home with his wife—now that was the good life.
Become a so-called advisor? The work would never end.
"Natsuki, everyone has a first time," Tsunade coaxed. "An advisor just helps me out and offers suggestions now and then."
"My age is too young, and I don't have the seniors' experience. I'm only a bit better at fighting. So… maybe don't make me an advisor?"
"Heh. As if I don't know you."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "If you won't be an advisor, I'll have to give Tenten a mountain of assignments. She'll be so busy she won't make it home."
Natsuki looked like life had lost all color. "Okay, okay—I'll do it! Didn't think we had a Hokage who'd threaten a man with his own wife to make him work."
Smiles rippled through the room. Everyone knew Natsuki loved to slack off, and Tsunade had just pinched his soft spot.
No one objected to Natsuki becoming an advisor.
He might be young, but his strength was the greatest in Konoha. His character was solid, his rapport among jōnin excellent, and his reputation inside and outside the village shone.
Especially this time—he was the chief savior of Konoha. If anyone should be advisor, it was him.
Some even wondered if Tsunade was grooming Natsuki as her successor. After all, he truly was exceptional.
Tsunade spoke again: "Next, we discuss our strategy going forward. The leader of Akatsuki still lives and won't give up hunting the Tailed Beasts. How should we proceed? Let's work out a plan together."
Eyes turned, then drifted naturally toward the three new advisors.
A perfect chance for the new advisors to lead.
Natsuki sighed. Since he'd accepted the role, he would work properly—and with higher standing, he could steer key matters at will.
He raised a hand. "My suggestion: Jiraiya-sama should take the three Jinchūriki to train at Myōbokuzan (Mount Myōboku) for a while."
Hide the Jinchūriki at Mount Myōboku?
That… actually made sense.
Kakashi nodded at once. "Agreed. The three Great Sage Lands are notoriously hidden and hard to find. If the Jinchūriki go to Myōbokuzan (Mount Myōboku), their safety won't be a concern—and we can go on the offensive."
Shikaku gave a thumbs-up. "Good plan. We beat Pain this time, and likely the next—but if every battle happens inside the village, Konoha won't endure it. If the Jinchūriki aren't here, Akatsuki won't act rashly. That gives us time to conduct operations."
After some weighing, the others nodded too.
Akatsuki's target was the Jinchūriki. So hide them.
If the enemy didn't know where the Jinchūriki were, they'd behave with more caution. The village would be safer, and Konoha could fight outward.
As for Sasuke, he wouldn't need to hide; with his strength, he'd be a spearhead in external operations.
Tsunade turned to Jiraiya. "What do you think?"
Jiraiya considered, then nodded. "It should work, but I'll need to ask the Great Toad Sage's leave."
Reasonable enough—Mount Myōboku was their domain. Jiraiya could go, but that didn't mean anyone could, so permission from the hosts was necessary.
Tsunade inclined her head. "Anything else?"
Natsuki spread his hands. "I've said my piece. Your turns."
This guy—does half the job and clocks out!
As advisor he had offered a fine plan, then promptly stepped back. You couldn't fault him: it was a collective brainstorm, and others needed to speak too.
Kakashi followed with his own proposal. "I suggest convening a Gokage Kaidan (Five Kage Summit) to discuss this together."
Everyone sat up straight. After all, it was a Five Kage Summit.
The last time a Gokage Kaidan (Five Kage Summit) had taken place was in the early days when the Five Great Villages were newly founded—initiated by Hashirama—to discuss distributing Tailed Beasts and to forge an alliance.
Since then, none had been convened. The Ninja World Wars and frayed relations made such meetings impossible. At best, a couple of villages signed temporary ceasefires.
This time the purpose would be simple: jointly discuss how to counter Akatsuki.
Akatsuki's Tailed Beast Weapon plan threatened the entire shinobi world, and their leader wielded the Rinnegan (Samsara Eye). Not everyone was Natsuki; few could fight that eye. If Akatsuki truly gathered all the Tailed Beasts, the world would know no peace.
Of course, that was the public face.
Those who knew the truth understood this touched an oncoming cataclysm.
Akatsuki might look understaffed, but there was also the Gedō Mazō (Outer Path: Demonic Statue), one hundred thousand Shiro Zetsu (White Zetsu), and possibly the return of Madara.
Without the united strength of the entire world, there would be no stopping it.
Kakashi's aim in proposing the Gokage Kaidan (Five Kage Summit) was clear: reveal the truth to the Five Kage, unite everyone, and jointly sabotage the Tsuki no Me Keikaku (Eye of the Moon Plan)—to stop Obito and Madara, and the so-called white progenitor behind them.
This was the real "world quest."
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a look, then nodded in unison.
"Very well. I'll contact the other four Kage and convene the Gokage Kaidan (Five Kage Summit) in a neutral nation."
—A little earlier—
After turning into a giant serpent and spiriting away Tendō Pain, Kabuto flew north and landed in a hidden place. He released Tendō Pain, reverted to human form, and with trembling hands pried open the corpse's eyelids.
"…What is this? Where the hell is my Rinnegan (Samsara Eye)? I waited patiently for this—and this is what I get?!"
Kabuto's composure cracked. He couldn't make sense of it, but he forced himself to examine the body carefully. Once he removed the black receivers, he understood.
"So it was a puppet body… which means the real leader is pulling strings from the shadows?"
(End of Chapter)
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