Chapter 102: Everyone Has Their Own Plans

Chapter 102: Everyone Has Their Own Plans

Chapter 102: Everyone Has Their Own Plans

Everyone was just fighting with their wits and courage during the Chūnin Exams, and now, while Naruto is still a Genin, Gaara has already become the Kazekage.

Even someone as dense as Naruto found this surreal, almost suspecting he was caught in some genjutsu.

It wasn’t until Gaara put down his Kazekage hat and gently said to him, “Naruto, you need to work harder.”

“Work harder?” Naruto began counting on his fingers and seriously thought, “Genin, Chūnin, Jōnin, Hokage. I still have three stages to cross!”

Naruto scratched his head in frustration. He hadn't even passed the recent Chūnin Exams. If he wanted to try again, he'd have to wait two more years for the next exam.

Thinking of this, Naruto ran over to Gaara, pushed aside the nearby Baki, and eagerly asked, “Gaara, tell me how you became the Kazekage. Do you have any tips?”

On the side, Chiyo watched Naruto, who was now clinging to Gaara and chatting like old friends. She wondered why Tsunade had brought the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki here.

The Sand Village made Gaara the Kazekage because they really had no other capable successors. But Konoha was different.

Leaving aside other candidates, Hatake Kakashi was a suitable choice.

“How interesting. One Jinchūriki has already become a Kage, and another might follow in the future?” Ōnoki looked at Gaara and Naruto with some sentiment.

Living a long life, one sees many things that were once unimaginable. For example, Jinchūriki had always been treated as weapons by the great ninja villages.

A Jinchūriki becoming a Kage? This was unthinkable and unimaginable in the past.

As for the Fourth Mizukage also being a Jinchūriki, he wasn't a Jinchūriki when he became Mizukage. Only after Rin Nohara's death did he choose to implant the Three-Tails into himself to better control it.

Currently, the Sand Village is struggling with manpower shortages and economic pressures. If possible, they'd prefer to quietly develop rather than mobilize their forces for a conflict.

Ōnoki also spoke up, “As far as I know, Hagoromo Gengetsu hasn't declared any intention to start a war or conquer the Five Great Nations. The ninja world is still at peace. Mobilizing such extensive resources to deal with one person is unwise.”

Organizing a joint force isn't just a matter of saying it; it involves significant manpower, resources, and financial costs, along with the suspension of various missions. The preparatory work alone would cause substantial strain on the Five Great Ninja Villages.

Although they understand Hagoromo Gengetsu's prowess, as the leader of Iwagakure, Ōnoki couldn't support such a drastic plan, especially when it involves targeting a single individual rather than another ninja village.

Mei Terumī shared similar sentiments. Kirigakure is willing to confront Hagoromo Gengetsu but isn't prepared to bear the substantial costs of a full mobilization.

However, A remained resolute: “Against an opponent like Hagoromo Gengetsu, we must go all out, with no room for complacency. As for why he hasn't acted yet...”

“A figure from the Warring States period is not easily predictable. Even if he doesn't pose an immediate threat to the Five Great Nations, his influence alone could destabilize our balance if he were to establish a new ninja village.”

Although A's words were speculative, they caused everyone, except the oblivious Naruto, to ponder deeply.

“I recall that Hagoromo Gengetsu's recent appearance was linked to Uchiha Sasuke's defection from Konoha, correct?” Mei Terumī looked at Tsunade, who had remained silent.

Tsunade glanced at Naruto, who clenched his fists at the mention of “Sasuke,” and nodded, “Yes, after defecting, Uchiha Sasuke followed Hagoromo Gengetsu.”

“That makes sense,” Ōnoki said with a smile. “The Hagoromo and Uchiha clans were allies and maintained a good relationship. If Sasuke wasn't comfortable in Konoha, it makes sense he'd go to Hagoromo Gengetsu.”

Although the summit was called to address Hagoromo Gengetsu, Ōnoki didn't forget the threat posed by Konoha. For him, it was convenient to expose Konoha's vulnerability.

Furthermore, Ōnoki harbored a thought he didn't voice: perhaps they could reach out to Hagoromo Gengetsu, just as they had with the Akatsuki. In some respects, Hagoromo Gengetsu could become a formidable ally.

As for the past conflicts, like the First Tsuchikage's involvement in the Battle of the Valley of the Fallen God, those grudges had long since faded. After all, among people like them, what conflicts couldn't be resolved?