Chapter 132 - Chapter 131: The Princess of the Snow Country?

"I am the Fifth Hokage! I will work hard for the peace of Konoha!"Tsunade stood atop the Hokage building, her voice resolute as it echoed across the village. Her promotion had faced almost no obstacles. The people of Konoha welcomed her return, and her status as a descendant of the Senju Clan made her appointment almost inevitable.In the shadows, Shimura Danzo clenched his fists, his expression twisted in frustration."Damn the Senju Clan… What makes the Shimura Clan any less worthy?"He was furious. After everything, he still hadn't attained the title of Hokage. His years of manipulation and scheming had once again yielded nothing. He regretted not using Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan to manipulate the elders—Koharu and Homura—when he had the chance.He had hesitated.And that single moment had cost him everything.Danzo didn't expect Jiraiya to step aside and reject the Hokage position voluntarily. But more importantly, he never expected Jiraiya to return with her—Senju Tsunade.Danzo had secretly orchestrated Kato Dan's death, knowing full well that Tsunade had intended to support him for Hokage. Eliminating him was necessary. And once Nawaki, her younger brother, died as well, the Senju line would fade.That was the plan.The Hokage position, in Danzo's mind, was never meant to remain with the Senju forever. It was time for someone from another clan—someone like him—to lead the village.But Sarutobi Hiruzen had ruined everything. That old man had hidden his strength and influence too deeply. Danzo still remembered that fateful day when the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, asked who would cover the rear. Danzo had prepared to volunteer, but Hiruzen had stepped forward first.That moment still haunted him.The position of Hokage should have been mine!Sitting alone at the Root base, Danzo stared blankly at the ceiling. His face appeared older, more worn. One wrong step had unraveled his entire path.Tsunade, in contrast, looked younger than him—even full of life. If this kept up, he would likely die before her, bitter and forgotten. No, he needed to act.He needed to use... unconventional means.From Orochimaru's reports, the Akatsuki organization appeared to be a powerful and reliable mercenary group. And they were deeply interested in Jinchūriki—the perfect leverage for his goals.---Elsewhere...Deidara: "Danzo, you old fossil! If you want to kill us, just say so! Even art has an end, yeah!"Kakuzu: "As long as the price is right, there's nothing we won't do."Sasori (Red Sand Scorpion): "Heh, like the time you tried to cash in on the bounty for the First Hokage's head and only managed to destroy a Wood Clone?"Kakuzu: "Listen here, I fought the real First Hokage, and I didn't lose! I even killed his Wood Style clone myself!"Senju Hashirama (laughing): "Kakuzu? Oh, yes, a very capable young ninja indeed…" (mocking tone)Kakuzu: "???"Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Danzo, are you seriously considering colluding with criminals like Akatsuki just to achieve your ambition of becoming Hokage?"Shimura Danzo: "What, I can't do what the Tsuchikage did?"Ohnoki: "Excuse me? Don't slander me! I never did anything like that!"---Senju Tsunade: "Ugh, being Hokage is such a hassle. I don't even have time to gamble anymore."Hatake Kakashi: "Exactly. I never wanted to be Hokage. It's only Naruto who dreams about it constantly."Nara Shikamaru: "Too much trouble. The Hokage role is not for me. I'm not interested."Shimura Danzo: "...!!!"---At the Konoha training ground, Kakashi stood in front of Team 7—Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura."This mission comes directly from the Fifth Hokage," he announced. "You three are to escort a very important individual.""Who?" Naruto asked curiously.Kakashi smirked. "You'll be protecting a celebrity—a famous actress from the Land of Fire.""The runaway princess of the Snow Country? Fuka Koyuki?"Naruto blinked. The name was familiar. She was a household name, well-known across the Land of Fire and even Konoha.She was also stunning. Even more beautiful than Sakura.And her figure… was something else entirely."Hey, Naruto, your opportunity has arrived!" came the cheeky voice of the Nine Tails, echoing in his mind."Huh?""That Fuka Koyuki is the princess of the Snow Country, right? If you marry her, then the Snow Country becomes yours. Wouldn't it be easier to rebuild the Uzumaki Clan and the Whirlpool Country that way?"Naruto narrowed his eyes and looked internally at Kurama."…What's that look for?" Kurama grumbled."Kurama, is it just me, or have you become a bit... gossipy lately?""Tsk. I'm just thinking ahead for your benefit."Kurama then stretched out, yawning. "I have no interest in your human affairs anyway…"Naruto chuckled softly. The Nine Tails' comment, while annoying, wasn't entirely wrong.Hinata had a powerful background. Fuka Koyuki was royalty. Ino came from a prominent clan too. If he formed alliances with all of them, things really would be much easier in the future.And with his current body's resilience and chakra reserves, he could handle it all.Namikaze Minato: "Since when did Kurama become a matchmaker?"Uzumaki Kushina: "Actually, he's got a point. I fully support Naruto settling down with strong women!"Hyuga Hinata: "Sharing Naruto-kun with others… um… it's not impossible…"Yamanaka Ino: "Hey! Did Naruto forget about me? I can also offer the Yamanaka Clan!"Yamanaka Inoichi: "Ahem! The Yamanaka Clan remains loyal to Konoha above all!"---Sakura, meanwhile, looked distraught.She wasn't as voluptuous as Hinata.She wasn't as glamorous as Fuka Koyuki.She didn't have a powerful family like Ino.According to Kurama, Naruto wouldn't just marry anyone. And Sakura feared she had no advantages to offer.Would Naruto in that world even be interested in her?---Kakashi cleared his throat."Alright, so here's the official mission: Escort Princess Fuka Koyuki back to the Snow Country and help her reclaim her throne."Kakashi was surprised, though. Tsunade had assigned this mission to Naruto's team—but specifically, she hadn't requested Kakashi accompany them.Before he could ponder the reason, Naruto spoke up."Kakashi-sensei, let me handle this mission alone.""…Alone?" Kakashi repeated, startled."Sasuke has new ninjutsu training, and Sakura has other duties. Traveling to the Snow Country takes time, and Konoha is short-staffed. I can complete this mission solo."Naruto's eyes were calm, but the confidence radiating from him was overwhelming.In truth, Naruto had another motive. With his current power, he no longer needed backup. In fact, bringing Sakura or Sasuke would only slow him down.This mission was about more than escorting a princess—it was about expanding his influence. The Snow Country could become an ally, even a vassal.Tsunade must have understood this, which was why she entrusted the mission to him alone.Sasuke was off experimenting with new enhancement drugs from Orochimaru. Willingly. He had told Naruto, "If it makes me stronger, I don't care what happens to me."Naruto had brainwashed Sasuke thoroughly. He would be Naruto's sword—his loyal right-hand. The stronger Sasuke became, the more useful he would be in the future.As for Sakura, she still needed to mature and learn from Tsunade. This was Naruto's moment.Kakashi frowned. "Naruto… are you really planning to go alone? It's a high-risk mission involving an entire country."Naruto turned to him, his gaze sharp."Do you doubt me, Kakashi? Or are you saying you're stronger than me?"For just a second, Naruto's bright blue eyes shifted—something ancient and terrifying flickered within them.Kakashi's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.Jiraiya's warning suddenly returned to his mind: "Don't provoke Naruto. The boy you once knew is gone."Even Tsunade treated Naruto differently now.No one else in Konoha would assign such a high-level mission to a Genin… except her.And that said every