Naruto: The Teaching System - 258

Chapter 258: The Village Actually Has Such a Ruthless Person

The situation was as described above.

Inside the Hokage's office, only a few people had gathered. Sawada stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk, reporting what they'd encountered during the escort of the Four-Tails Jinchūriki back to Konoha.

Shikaku Nara and Fugaku Uchiha stood in the office. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock. During Konoha's battles with Sunagakure and Iwagakure, a group had suddenly appeared, capturing Jinchūriki.

This was simply unbelievable. Those were Tailed Beasts! What normal person would try to capture them?

Thinking of this, Fugaku froze, then looked at Sawada standing before Hiruzen. Well, he himself is quite an outstanding person in the village. A few years ago, during the Nine-Tails Attack, there had also been a powerful figure—possibly an Uchiha. That was good.

Hiruzen exhaled deeply, his eyes filled with grave concern. The shinobi world being restless was normal, but now such a group had appeared, and they seemed to be recruiting S-rank rogue ninja from various villages.

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly. Rogue ninja. Orochimaru, you wouldn't have joined them, too, would you?

"Shikaku, arrange personnel to strengthen surveillance of the Four-Tails Jinchūriki," Hiruzen said.

"Yes!" Shikaku nodded, then turned and left the office.

"Fugaku, although your clan members rarely serve in the police force now, your clan needs to dispatch personnel to strengthen security. You also need to speak with Hiashi. After all, the Byakugan is more suitable for patrol."

Hiruzen spoke directly to Fugaku.

"Understood, Third Hokage!" Fugaku nodded, bowed to Sawada, then followed Shikaku out.

"When the shinobi world falls into chaos, all kinds of dangerous people emerge." Hiruzen leaned back in his office chair, speaking helplessly.

"Sensei, how is Jiraiya-sensei's situation?" Sawada walked to Hiruzen's side and sat directly on the desk.

"That old guy Ōnoki is very stubborn, insisting we hand over the Four-Tails Jinchūriki." Hiruzen sneered. "Jiraiya can barely hold on for now. Chōza has already gone to support him."

Sawada nodded. With Chōza there, Jiraiya's pressure would be much less. After all, the Akimichi Clan could be called powerhouses on the battlefield, and they also handled logistics and supplies. At least in the short term, there was no need to worry.

"However, your achievements are truly astonishing." Hiruzen looked at Sawada, smiling. "You raided Sunagakure's logistics base and defeated the Four-Tails Jinchūriki."

Sawada helplessly shook his head. "I'd rather these things never happened." After all, if not for Kakashi leading Konoha shinobi to block Sunagakure's main forces at the front in that battle, what would the scene have looked like? A few of us might not have been able to leave. Because of this, no one knows how many Konoha shinobi perished on the battlefield.

Hearing this, Hiruzen fell silent. After a long while, he raised his head, looking at Sawada with a serious expression.

"Sawada, no matter what you think, I must say this—your importance absolutely equals anyone else's." Seeing Sawada about to speak, Hiruzen waved his hand.

"It's not that I, as Hokage, don't care about those deceased shinobi's lives. On the contrary, if their deaths could buy a chance at survival for you, then it would be worth it! Ultimately, even if Asuma couldn't return, as long as you could return, that would be enough."

After Hiruzen said these words, he fell silent for a long time. Yes, even if my own son didn't come back, I would still feel this was worthwhile. After all, Sawada's importance exceeds Asuma's and the Konoha shinobi who died on the front lines.

Currently, aside from old-generation shinobi like Jiraiya, only Sawada can truly shoulder Konoha's banner. Not even Shisui, with his Mangekyō, and Itachi Uchiha can compare.

"If not for your previous lack of prestige, I would have hoped I could step down and you could sit here."

Sawada didn't speak, quietly listening to Hiruzen's rambling. What could he refute now? That he wasn't qualified? No, with his current status, he had no right to make his own decisions. Hiruzen had already laid out Konoha on the chessboard for his future. This way, in the future, he could lead Konoha against the other four nations without having to struggle like Hiruzen did.

"Old man, don't say such extreme things. You know I'm very strong!" Sawada grinned. The young man's vitality made Hiruzen pause, then burst into hearty laughter.

His disciple finally faced his decision squarely. This was wonderful! For Konoha to have an heir was his greatest wish.

Sawada looked at the heartily laughing Hiruzen and couldn't help but sigh.

Suddenly, Hiruzen seemed to remember something. He looked at Sawada. "Actually, there's a mission I want to entrust to you."

"What mission?" Sawada was surprised and couldn't help asking.

Hiruzen's expression became serious. "Next, I hope you stay in the village. After all, now there's not only the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails, but more importantly, there's also Naruto."

Sawada rubbed his forehead. "Yes." The Akatsuki organization has already begun moving, and Konoha is now a huge temptation. The Four-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails are all in Konoha. And the only one who can suppress Tailed Beasts is me.

In the shadows, there's still an organization collecting Tailed Beasts, waiting for opportunities. But how can I explain to the old man that before other Tailed Beasts are collected, the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails are safe? Where did I get this information? Even if Hiruzen believed me, so what?

"No, I think it's better if I go help Jiraiya-sensei." Sawada said. If I don't go, the only one who can go to the battlefield now is Hiruzen himself. As for Shisui Uchiha and Itachi? Forget it. I'm worried that if those two go out, one of them will definitely have their Sharingan taken. By then, we might even have to face Obito directly. Right now, the timing really isn't good.

"Old man, you can rest assured about my sealing work. The village is best left to you. You know Iwagakure still has the Five-Tails Jinchūriki."

Seeing Hiruzen still had something to say, Sawada spoke first.

"This old man can still move," Hiruzen said quite unhappily.

"But currently, whether focused on the village or Kumogakure, your presence is crucial. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks." After all, once Hiruzen joins the battle, my stance becomes ambiguous. It's hard to guarantee that crafty Fourth Raikage won't come up with ideas.

Hearing this, Hiruzen fell silent. He was all too familiar with this reality.