"You should also take this opportunity to rest in the village for a few days. The village is currently fighting on three fronts, especially against Kirigakure. They are very likely to want to destroy Konoha along with themselves. You know, they have over six thousand ninjas on the Land of Fire border."
Hiruzen sighed and lamented at this point. "If any unforeseen circumstances arise, I will need your help."
Hiruzen was now full of confidence in Kazuki's strength. Perhaps if Kazuki goes alone, he will face the situation of being outnumbered, but he can provide some help to him, and then Kazuki can easily resolve the battlefield.
Kazuki's expression was a bit subtle. There was no need to wait for any changes, the Kirigakure battlefield was already in an uproar, and he would have to go to the front line sooner or later. It was just that the intelligence from there hadn't arrived yet.
However, none of this had anything to do with him. He wouldn't self-righteously believe that he had to save everyone. In his heart, only those who were willing to stand by him were his people.
As for the others, or even those who opposed him, they were his enemies. It was already good enough that he didn't kill them.
Neither Homura nor Fugaku were Kazuki's allies. Just because Kazuki wasn't in Konoha doesn't mean he didn't know about their petty actions.
It would be good enough if they died and he didn't set off firecrackers to celebrate.
Hiruzen had already vouched for Kazuki. If someone were to make an issue of this later, saying that if he hadn't destroyed Kirigakure, Kirigakure wouldn't have fought Konoha to the death like that, then Kazuki could only say that his blade might not be dull.
He was carrying out a mission given by Hokage-sama, how could he be wrong?
If carrying out assigned missions required taking the blame for subsequent issues, then who would carry out missions in the future?
It can be said that this time, Hiruzen had been extremely benevolent to Kazuki. If it were Sakumo, he might have been ruined by this matter. Of course, Sakumo couldn't do such a thing.
But for now, Kazuki wouldn't tell Hiruzen what was happening on the front line. Konoha needed a hero who could turn the tide, a hero who could save everything. Only when the situation was dire would his value be maximized.
"I'm ready to be deployed at any time, but if possible, I want to stay in the village for a while. I'm tired of eating seafood from the Land of Water."
"Oh, and I brought Minato and Nawaki back. Their strength has improved greatly, and they've had enough combat experience. They need a good period of recuperation."
After thinking for a moment, Kazuki said.
Hiruzen pondered for a moment and agreed.
Minato and the others were strong, but it wasn't their turn to take the lead yet. They had been fighting on the front line for a year, and it was time for them to rest.
They were Konoha's future, and Hiruzen wanted to protect them. At the same time, he had to give Kazuki this favor.
"By the way, has Konoha considered who will become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?" Kazuki hesitated for a moment before asking this question.
He was still very hesitant about whether to let Kushina become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
On one hand, the Nine-Tails could indeed enhance Kushina's strength, but on the other hand, becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would attract the attention of the Ōtsutsuki.
Kazuki was not at ease with Kushina becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"To be honest, I haven't decided yet."
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Kushina now has a sense of belonging to Konoha. In terms of talent and ability, and even her relationship with you, she is the most suitable to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"However, once she becomes the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina also cannot leave the village lightly or move as freely as other ninjas."
"Previously, Konoha was conducting Wood Release transplantation experiments. In fact, over the years, this experiment has had some results, but the results have not met our expectations."
"The Wood Release experiment has had results?" This time, Kazuki became curious.
This was something that hadn't appeared in the original plot.
"Yes, it's actually those white guys you caught before. Through our research, we found that there's a portion of First Hokage-sama's cells in them."
"Using them, combined with First Hokage-sama's cell cultivation, and then transplanting them into children with Senju bloodline, it did allow them to master Wood Release, but the effect is far inferior to First Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen said with regret, "I don't know if it can suppress the Nine-Tails."
Kazuki nodded slightly. Madara could cultivate Hashirama's cells and even cultivate special White Zetsu.
There's no reason he could do it, but so many people in Konoha couldn't, right?
Kazuki didn't know how to choose who would become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, wanting Kushina to master the Nine-Tails' power, but also not wanting Kushina to encounter danger.
It's better to let Hiruzen make the choice.
Kazuki quickly left. Hiruzen picked up his pipe and squinted his eyes.
He had put in a lot of effort to vouch for Kazuki. He was the Hokage of Konoha. Even if it was a credit, it was dispensable to him.
Wasn't this what a Hokage should do?
On the contrary, if there were huge sequelae later, that would be his fault as Hokage. If things went wrong, his position as Hokage might not be secure.
Therefore, from Hiruzen's perspective, maintaining stability was what he should do most.
However, it was Kazuki who had done such a thing. He was his grand student. If he didn't vouch for Kazuki, the people from his faction would be in disarray.
Moreover, there was nothing wrong with what Kazuki had done. There were indeed sequelae, but if handled well, the Land of Water front line could be resolved.
After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen sent Anbu personnel to call Koharu. This matter required her to solve it with him.
Now, Danzo had gone to the Iwagakure battlefield, and Homura had gone to the Land of Water battlefield, leaving only Koharu in the village.
— — —
"Kazuki, you're finally back."
When Kushina saw Kazuki, she pounced into his arms, pressing her face against his chest repeatedly.
She hadn't seen Kazuki for almost a year.
"Kushina, long time no see." Kazuki rubbed Kushina's head, then looked at Mito beside him, his thoughts complex.