Tsunade shook her head, throwing away that ridiculous thought.
How old was Uzumaki Naruto?
Twelve!
How much scheming could a child fresh out of the Ninja Academy really have?
Besides, what good would the Third Hokage's death do for him?
Tsunade couldn't make sense of it, and according to the reports, Naruto had single-handedly defeated the Jinchuriki from the Sunagakure during the incident!
The power of a tailed beast was no less than Orochimaru, maybe even greater, so it made no sense to say Naruto had held back!
"But Naruto's next mission will take him to the Land of Snow for two years. That's not good news for Konoha."
Tsunade hesitated, wondering if she should keep Naruto and send another squad instead.
But the Daimyo of the Land of Snow insisted on Naruto going. If she swapped him out, it would likely offend their side.
The Land of Snow might not be a great power, but it was still worth forming ties with.
If their Daimyo was willing to work with Konoha, future ninja missions would likely come to Konoha first. At minimum, that meant bringing in tens of millions in income!
Given the current prices in the Land of Fire, that was no small amount.
Of course, that sum was only worth about a third of Asuma's bounty.
Nobody knew why someone had put thirty million on the head of a Jonin.
After a long hesitation, Tsunade still decided not to change the mission assignment.
She was Konoha's Hokage!
From the day she became the Fifth, protecting Konoha and every person in it with her life was her duty!
Naruto was just a Chunin. Konoha was not at the point where it couldn't survive without him.
Tsunade refused to bind Naruto down just to guard the village.
Even though he was a Konoha ninja and had the duty to protect it, that wasn't a reason for her to cage him inside!
No matter what, Naruto had the freedom to live his own life, to take missions as he chose!
Until the sky truly fell, she was the Hokage who would hold it up!
When she was gone, then it would be Naruto's turn!
...
On the other side, Naruto brought Karin back home. After washing up, the two sat down to eat dinner together.
Dinner was made by Karin.
She said she had secretly learned it while in Root, but looking at the bowl in front of him—something not quite rice and not quite porridge—Naruto seriously doubted how much she had actually learned.
He took a bite. It was a bit too sweet, probably too much sugar.
But at least it was edible!
"In a few days I'll be going to the Land of Snow on a mission. I won't be back for about two years."
As he ate, Naruto suddenly placed a key in front of Karin. "Whether you want to stay here or go somewhere else is up to you."
Karin stared at the key but didn't take it,
She stayed in Konoha not because Konoha was so great, but because Naruto was there!
But if Naruto wasn't in Konoha anymore, what meaning was there for her to stay?
After hesitating a bit, she asked Naruto, "Can I go with you to the Land of Snow?"
"You're not a Konoha ninja, so you can't go on missions with me. But…"
Naruto looked at Karin. "If you want to come along, I can help you sort out those problems."
After all, Karin was also a member of the Uzumaki clan, even if just a genin, and she was pretty loyal to him. Bringing her to the Land of Snow could also be helpful, letting her run errands and handle some troublesome matters.
Hearing that she could go with him, Karin immediately said happily, "I want to go!"
"Alright, then after eating, wash the dishes."
"Yes!"
The next day,
After receiving Kakashi's message, Naruto went to the Hokage's office to see Tsunade.
"You were looking for me?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah."
Without lifting her head, Tsunade said, "Kakashi has stepped down from Team 7. From now on, you'll be leading Team 7. Pick one more member and head to the Land of Snow."
Leading his own team was something Naruto wanted anyway. He had already planned to leave Team 7, but Kakashi beat him to it!
That saved him a lot of trouble.
But now he had to find another member… Naruto thought of Karin!
If not Karin, he might have chosen someone like Hinata, but Tsunade and the Hyuga clan might not allow it!
"I already have someone in mind, but she wasn't originally a Konoha ninja."
Naruto's words made Tsunade pause in her work.
She looked at Naruto seriously. "A rogue ninja from another village?"
"Not exactly. She used to be a ninja from the Kusagakure, but after the Chunin Exams she stayed in Konoha and never left," Naruto explained.
"A Kusagakure ninja?"
Tsunade couldn't imagine what kind of person from such a small village could have caught Naruto's attention.
And still, she was a rogue ninja from another village!
Even if the Kusagakure didn't put her on a wanted list, a ninja who betrayed her village was still considered a rogue.
After a short pause, Tsunade said, "Bring her here. If there's no problem, I can register her as a Konoha ninja!"
No matter what, since Naruto recommended her, Tsunade felt she had to give her a chance.
Naruto nodded and was about to bring Karin over, but suddenly stopped as if remembering something.
"I have a request," Naruto said.
"A request?" Tsunade looked at him with doubt.
"Yeah, I want to apply to become a jonin," Naruto said seriously.
Normally, applying to become a jonin in Konoha required parents or a teacher to file the request, but Naruto didn't want to follow such a troublesome rule!
He felt Tsunade would give him this chance anyway.
"Approved."
Tsunade agreed to Naruto's request without any hesitation.
With Naruto's strength, he could have already been promoted to jonin long ago.
The only thing he lacked was experience and the number of missions completed!
But Konoha needed Naruto. For such a small request, there was no way Tsunade would make things hard for him!
Besides, when she first returned, she had promised Naruto some special treatment. She wasn't someone who went back on her word!
Naruto had helped her see Nawaki and Dan again, and helped fulfill their dreams… for Tsunade, that was already a huge debt of gratitude!
"When you bring that Kusagakure genin, we'll take care of both things together."
"Okay."
Naruto nodded, a small smile on his face.
He knew this was Tsunade giving him special treatment.
If the Third Hokage were still alive, he would never have been promoted to jonin so casually!
Even Karin's matter would've been flatly rejected!
After all, accepting a ninja from another village was a provocation to that village, and could affect Konoha's peace and stability!
But Tsunade didn't worry about that so much.
It's just Kusagakure, if they dare to show up, we'll wipe them out in seconds!
Besides, this person is someone Naruto wanted. If Kusagakure causes trouble later, Naruto can deal with it.
Before long, Naruto brought Karin to the Hokage's office, carrying a jug of sake in his hand.
"Here, a drink for you." Naruto tossed the jug to Tsunade with a grin.
Tsunade caught it easily and took a sip.
Good sake!
Very expensive sake!
Just one taste and she already knew where it was brewed and how much it cost.
"You really don't mind spending money, huh? Trying to bribe me?" Tsunade teased.
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