"We common folk are really happy today~"
Humming a tune no one else could understand, Kawaki strolled leisurely toward the Sarutobi clan compound.
Right now, Hiruzen had neither the will nor the face to go to work anymore.
He appeared to be waiting for someone.
"Who are you?"
Not walking far, Kawaki was blocked by several Sarutobi clan ninja.
These few men wore unfriendly expressions and spoke arrogantly, clearly pretending not to recognize him.
"Kawaki Hatake, here specially to visit Hokage-sama."
"Please inform him of my arrival."
Kawaki showed no displeasure at all—it's just petty nuisances, not worth stooping to their level.
After speaking, he even offered them a friendly smile.
"These days, every Tom, Dick, and Harry shows up looking for Hokage-sama."
"As if he had the time for that!"
"Sorry, but Hokage-sama isn't feeling well today and won't be receiving visitors."
The leading Sarutobi ninja mocked Kawaki with his companions, speaking like this.
Their words provoked laughter from the group, then they made an excuse, hoping to send Kawaki packing.
They all knew who had caused the current situation; there was no chance they'd welcome Kawaki warmly.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Kawaki refusing to stoop to their level didn't mean he'd allow himself to be bullied.
"I asked you to make the announcement out of respect for Hokage. Do you actually think you're someone important?"
His eyes narrowed, instantly unleashing an intense wave of killing intent that engulfed them all.
A chill shot straight down the Sarutobi ninja's spines.
"W-what d-do you want?"
"This is Sarutobi clan territory."
The leader swallowed hard, barely holding back his fear, his voice slightly trembling.
"I'll give you one chance—go announce me right away."
Kawaki took a step forward, sending them scrambling back in terror.
"Just you wait～"
The Sarutobi ninja turned tail and ran, all arrogance gone in an instant.
Only after recalling Kawaki's terrifying record did they realize they'd soaked their backs in cold sweat.
"What a joke."
Kawaki watched their retreating figures and smirked coldly.
If it wasn't for wanting to avoid unnecessary conflict, who among the Sarutobi could possibly stop him?
Before long, those same Sarutobi ninja returned before Kawaki.
"Hokage-sama is expecting you."
From the look in his eyes, Kawaki could see the bitterness behind these words.
He exaggerated everything while reporting, yet still failed to provoke any reaction from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen only responded indifferently, "Ask him to come in."
"Now was that so hard?"
Kawaki walked ahead first. Although he'd never been to Hiruzen's home, that didn't mean he didn't know the way.
As they neared, the Sarutobi ninja hurried past Kawaki and knocked on the door of Hiruzen Sarutobi's house.
"The door isn't locked. Come in."
Hiruzen's voice came from inside.
"In that case, I'm coming in."
Kawaki pushed open the door and strode directly inside.
Inside, he saw Hiruzen alone sitting in the living room, looking haggard, as if he'd aged many years overnight.
Having completed his task, the Sarutobi ninja wisely left.
"You've finally arrived. Please, come in and sit down. Let's talk."
Hiruzen gestured for Kawaki to sit across from him, his expression unreadable.
"Hokage-sama, I think Tsunade can succeed you."
"I'm curious—what do you think about that?"
Kawaki sat down and cut straight to the point.
It was clear Hiruzen had been expecting him—pretending otherwise would be pointless.
"Haha, straightforward as ever."
"Tsunade will be fortunate to have your support."
Instead of showing anger, Hiruzen simply smiled, maintaining his composure.
"There's no need for pretense—you know that too, don't you?"
Kawaki picked up the cup on the table and poured himself some tea.
Then he shot a glance at Hiruzen.
"Tsunade is great. Beneath her strong exterior lies a soft heart."
"As long as she doesn't gamble excessively, she'll make a good Hokage."
Hiruzen still had the presence of mind to crack jokes, like two old friends catching up.
"She definitely will."
Kawaki's voice carried absolute certainty.
In the original storyline, Tsunade assumed the role of Hokage during times of internal strife and external threats, guiding the village through crisis.
That alone is reason enough to call her an outstanding Hokage.
"I'm just curious," Hiruzen said, lighting his pipe and taking a deep draw. "When did you start wanting to help Tsunade become Hokage?"
"Don't you have any ambitions for the Hokage seat yourself?"
The atmosphere between them wasn't tense at all—they were conversing casually instead.
"I'm not cut out for it."
"And as for helping Tsunade… probably since the moment I met her."
Kawaki knew he couldn't handle being bound by rules; just thinking about the pile of paperwork waiting for him gave him a headache.
It seems he'd also need to find Tsunade a capable secretary—otherwise, when would she even have time to consider starting a family?
"That early? I must admit, I didn't expect that."
Hiruzen seemed genuinely surprised, exhaling thick smoke from his mouth.
"Actually, at first Tsunade lacked confidence in herself."
"You disappointed everyone far too much."
Kawaki criticized Hiruzen bluntly without holding back.
"Yeah, I've disappointed everyone."
"After so many years as Hokage, I don't even remember what I was like at the beginning."
Hiruzen slightly raised his head—back then, he truly dedicated everything to the village.
When had he slowly become the very kind of person he once despised?
Looking at him, Kawaki couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy.
Oh...
Please collect Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade:
There's no doubt that Hiruzen devoted his heart and soul to Konoha Village.
But with growing selfishness, he ceased to be the man he once was.
"Pardon my weakness."
After a while, Hiruzen lifted his hand to brush past the corner of his eye, offering a pitiful smile.
"Have you ever considered killing me?"
He said this calmly while looking directly at Kawaki.
"Believe it or not, I never have."
"You should already understand what happened with Kumogakure."
Kawaki spoke honestly—he felt neither particular respect nor hatred toward Hiruzen.
More importantly, he simply wasn't fit to remain as Hokage anymore.
"Yeah… It seems your ace in the hole won't be needed after all."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly, showing no intention of pretending to be clueless.
Under the current circumstances, there was no longer a need for evidence.
If Kawaki spread even a whisper that he—Hiruzen Sarutobi—had attempted to harm Konoha's hero, the scandal would sweep through the village like wildfire.
Once someone is already tainted, people won't hesitate to believe they've become even worse.
"You should resign voluntarily and repay what you owe."
"As for the rest, I'll take care of it myself."
Kawaki stated his prepared terms. Whether Tsunade would officially nominate him or not really didn't matter.
"Hmm."
"Then how do you plan to deal with us?"
Sarutobi agreed, showing no strong emotion.
"I'll hand over control of the Police Force to you."
"Staying far away from the village isn't necessarily a bad thing for you anyway."
The words Kawaki had once spoken to Fugaku were now coming true.
"Haha, indeed, you've set up quite a place for us."
"Thanks."
Hiruzen Sarutobi poured himself a cup of tea and lifted it.
"Then I'll be taking my leave first."
Kawaki rose to leave. Sarutobi's reaction was unexpected, yet in hindsight, entirely understandable.
"Is there still room for things to turn around?"
Looking at Kawaki's back, Sarutobi asked this question softly.
"No."
Without hesitation, Kawaki left immediately, vanishing quickly from Sarutobi's sight.
"Yan... This is the best I can do for you now."
...
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