"Hey, isn't it bad to exploit your subordinates like that?"
Jiraiya looked at Naruto, who was puffing his cheeks in anger as he carried his shriveled little frog wallet to pay the bill, and couldn't help asking while munching on his food.
"Keep that up and your subordinates will end up hating you, you know."
"Then don't eat."
Kitagawa Gen glanced at him with disdain and spoke coolly.
"Besides, that brat's already a qualified shinobi. What's wrong with buying a meal for his future superior officer? No sense of perspective at all."
"So that's how you're planning to be Hokage?"
Even though Jiraiya found what he was eating incredibly tasty, he couldn't keep a straight face.
"You brat, don't go ruining Konoha!"
"Tch, as if. Konoha's full of talent."
Kitagawa Gen said casually as he munched on snacks.
"Think about it—Kakashi-sensei can handle the Jōnin Corps. He's doing fine with ANBU, so he can keep that up."
"Tsunade's got the Medical Corps covered, Shikaku's in charge of Administration—and his son's bound to take over in the future."
"As for Intelligence, we've got Inoichi-ojisan, so I really don't have to worry that much."
"Once I take office, I'll just have Shikamaru leave his team and join the Administration Department—he sends me the information, I stamp the papers. Easy."
"Hss—"
Jiraiya's eyes widened. Was being Hokage supposed to be that simple?
"Wait, you're actually planning to do it like that?"
"What else? Be like the Third and handle everything personally? Please. Every field has its experts. You leave professional work to professional people."
"…"
"At worst, I'll just set up a bottom-rank elimination system. If they can't do the job, they're out. Konoha's full of people—if you can't manage, someone else will."
"…"
"Hmm… worst case, I could just send the Second Hokage to Root. That doesn't sound bad either."
Kitagawa Gen stroked his chin, mulling over whether he should one day try something like—"Tobirama, I am the Hokage now! You'll regret this!"
"You…"
Jiraiya rubbed his temples. He couldn't shake the feeling that Kitagawa Gen's words were completely unreliable—yet somehow, he couldn't quite refute them either.
Only…
"Then what would you even do? If you hand everything off to others, aren't you just—"
"I'd be the Hokage, of course."
Kitagawa Gen shrugged and said with a smile.
"The Hokage's job is to guide the village in the right overall direction—make sure it stays on the right track. What, am I supposed to go around issuing missions personally?"
"Well… when you put it like that…"
Jiraiya was at a loss for words, yet somehow felt that Kitagawa Gen made perfect sense.
Guiding the village toward the right path was what a Hokage was meant to do. The rest could be left to the subordinates to handle… right?
"Why do I get the feeling you're secretly badmouthing the Third?"
"Do you have proof?"
Kitagawa Gen gave a light snort, then rubbed his chin again.
"Still, I think I could also double as principal of the Ninja Academy."
"?"
"Because Konoha's education system is already in ruins!"
"…"
"If I take over as principal, maybe I can set things straight again."
"I'll definitely come down hard on those students!"
Jiraiya didn't even want to speak anymore. Behind him, Naruto and Sasuke—who had been eavesdropping the whole time—couldn't hold it in either.
If what Kitagawa Gen had said earlier about becoming Hokage had been compelling—then it truly was captivating.
For both Sasuke and Naruto alike!
Naruto's feelings went without saying; he genuinely longed to become Hokage.
As for Sasuke—though he had never voiced it aloud—after speaking with his parents, he too had begun to harbor some faint thoughts.
Perhaps… he could give it a try?
The idea was still vague, something he would never say out loud, but that didn't stop him from wanting to listen more.
However, when he heard the later part—when Kitagawa Gen said he wanted to double as principal of the Konoha Ninja Academy—even he couldn't hold back anymore.
And it wasn't just him—everyone else was dumbfounded as well.
The collapse of Konoha's education system—wasn't that because of you?
"All right, time for us to pick up the pace."
Kitagawa Gen had no idea what they were thinking. He looked up at the sky and spoke lightly.
"For some reason, I've got a bad feeling about this. And judging from past experience…"
"Whenever I go on a mission with the Pervy Sage and Kakashi-sensei, trouble always shows up!"
"…"
...
Land of Earth — Inside Iwagakure.
Ōnoki couldn't shake a growing sense of unease in his heart, making it impossible for him to focus on work.
"What's going on… Why do I feel like this?"
Ōnoki couldn't figure it out. He wondered if Deidara had caused trouble again.
But ever since Deidara had returned from Konoha, although the boy was still as high-strung as ever, Ōnoki had grown used to it.
In fact, that kind of "high-strung" behavior seemed almost normal now—at least he wasn't making a mess inside the village.
"Good grief… what's going on now?"
Ōnoki stood before the window, gazing into the distance, completely devoid of any will to work.
After a moment, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Honestly… why can't Deidara be more like Kitagawa Gen? At least then I could rest easy."
Kitagawa Gen was incredibly powerful—and beyond strength, he was perfectly normal as a person, performing outstandingly in every regard.
A man like that becoming a Kage would, of course, be no problem at all.
Deidara was certainly talented—but his personality gave Ōnoki a constant headache.
If only Deidara could learn even a little from Kitagawa Gen in that respect, Ōnoki wouldn't have to worry so much.
"But speaking of Konoha, there's been very little information lately. They caused quite a stir in Takigakure, and it seems they themselves were attacked as well…"
Ōnoki still possessed considerable intelligence sources—he knew all about these events. But since Konoha hadn't said much, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to pry too deeply.
Although they were allies, there were still certain boundaries that had to be respected.
"Still, we in Iwagakure must also be careful. Those Akatsuki people have gone too far… and Ōtsutsuki Genshiki…"
Ōnoki murmured inwardly—and suddenly felt a wave of ominous energy spreading through the air.
It froze him for a moment, but in the next instant, he whipped around sharply—only to see space itself twisting, and a figure stepping out from within.
"Uchiha Obito!"
Ōnoki recognized the man at once; his expression turned grim and dangerous.
"No wonder I had a bad feeling. You actually dare to show up here?"
"There's nowhere I don't dare to go—and no place I can't reach."
Obito's voice was utterly calm. Wearing his orange spiral-patterned mask, he gazed indifferently at Ōnoki.
"Hand over the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, and we'll get along just fine. Otherwise—"
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
However, Ōnoki had no intention of wasting words with Obito.
Almost instantly, his hands were covered in white radiance, and a diamond-shaped beam shot directly at Obito!
"It seems you've chosen the latter."
Unfortunately, the beam passed straight through Obito's body. He simply gave a slight nod.
"Exactly as I expected. But in fact… that's even better."
"Better?"
Ōnoki couldn't understand—but in the next instant, he saw a surge of blue chakra erupting from Obito's body.
That chakra rapidly expanded, forming a half-bodied giant of pure chakra!
The chakra giant tore open the Tsuchikage's office, sending dust and debris scattering everywhere.
"Susanoo?!"
Ōnoki recognized it at a glance. In that instant, a terrifying silhouette flashed through his mind—
That lone, arrogant figure beneath the moonlight… the one who had once filled him with fear!
"Yes—better."
At that moment, Obito's cold voice rang out again.
"This will be a good chance for me to test my power."
...
"So boring."
Inside Iwagakure, Deidara looked completely idle, sitting there with a helpless sigh.
"So troublesome. I might as well go play in Konoha. That damned old man actually won't let me leave the village!"
"Hey, you bastard, are you a ninja of Konoha or a ninja of Iwagakure?"
Kurotsuchi couldn't hold herself back anymore; she looked at Deidara with obvious irritation.
"Slacking off is one thing, but Grandpa specifically gave you time off—why are you still acting like this?"
Kurotsuchi was quite displeased with Deidara's attitude, and she felt something was off about his mindset.
He'd always mutter about Kitagawa Gen for no reason—either wondering what that guy was doing, or thinking about the extent of that guy's 'artistic development.'
For a moment, Kurotsuchi even suspected whether this guy was truly one of theirs from Iwagakure or someone from Konoha instead.
Especially considering that this guy was definitely going to be the next Tsuchikage, which made her feel that her own future responsibilities were certainly going to be heavy.
"Of course I'm a ninja of Iwagakure! But isn't it perfectly normal to be curious about my best friend—someone who shares the same artistic ideals as me, hm!"
Deidara tilted his head and spoke in a displeased tone.
"Besides, that guy's definitely going to be the Hokage. It's only natural for me to pay attention to my future rival, hm!"
"Is that what you call concern?"
Kurotsuchi looked utterly annoyed. She stood up, grabbed Deidara by the collar, and snapped, "Come on! Go back and help Grandpa process the documents—stop sitting around doing nothing!"
"No way, I finally got a vacation. I'm not going, hm."
"Come with me!"
"No."
"Cut the crap!"
Kurotsuchi couldn't be bothered to argue with him. She simply dragged Deidara straight toward the Tsuchikage's office building, leaving Deidara looking miserable.
How did he end up with such an annoying junior?
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