Shinigami in the Ninja World

The brief interaction with Karin brought a sense of joy to Naruto.

A blood relative...

She was also willing to accept him.

Moreover, both of them were eager to have a home.

It was wonderful.

Naruto did not deal with the two Grass ninjas.

He let them stay in Konoha with Karin. As for the reason for their "unjustified detention"...

Naruto came up with a solution.

He eliminated the two Grass ninjas and gave Karin an employment mission, allowing her to stay in Konoha to assist him with some tasks.

Karin could never return to the Grass Village.

The only unfortunate thing was that the scrolls they possessed were the same "Heaven" as Team 7's, meaning they still needed to hunt other teams.

But before they could start searching, the prey came to them.

Three ninjas from the Sound Village, who claimed they were there to hunt Sasuke and kill him.

Their talk was big...

But their strength did not match their words.

Naruto used Bakudō to restrain one of them.

He let Sasuke and Sakura handle the other two in a fair fight.

Sasuke easily defeated his opponent with his two-tomoe Sharingan, multiple Fire Release techniques, and exceptional dynamic vision leading to precise weapon-throwing skills. Among this batch of genin, his strength was top-notch.

As for Haruno Sakura...

She took a lot of effort and sustained many injuries to defeat her opponent, but she was pleased she didn't lose.

Fortunately, the Sound team possessed the "Earth" scroll.

They no longer needed to search for other opponents.

When Naruto approached to heal Sakura, she hesitated. Karin's words lingered in her ears, and she subconsciously wondered whether she should bite Naruto, considering whether to wash her hands as they were stained with blood and dirt and not very clean...

But the glow of the healing light made her realize she was overthinking it.

No need to bite Naruto!

After healing Sakura, they rushed towards the central tower without delay.

Meanwhile,

In the Hokage's office, two Anbu members returned with an unwell Mitarashi Anko.

They reported the news one by one.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows gradually furrowed as he picked up his pipe and took a deep puff, soon filling the room with smoke.

The news left him dazed.

Orochimaru had sneaked back into the village and even fought with the Jinchuriki.

What was he planning? Could it be that he had his sights set on the Jinchuriki?

Did he really have the resolve and ability to covet something of such strategic importance to the village?

From what he knew of Orochimaru, he wasn't someone who would do such a thing.

Moreover... Anko said his target was "Uchiha Sasuke."

But how credible was this information?

The most troubling and unbelievable thing was Naruto.

He could "transform into a Tailed Beast," and it was a skilled transformation, with Four Tails released without losing control.

How did he achieve that?

When did he achieve that?

Why hadn't he received any information about it?

At that moment, with a bang, the door was violently pushed open.

Danzo walked in, glanced at the people in the room, and waved his hand: "You all leave, I have something very important to discuss with the Hokage."

The Anbu and Anko did not move.

They waited until Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded before they retreated.

"The Jinchuriki lost control!" As soon as they left and the door closed, Danzo urgently spoke up, his frustration barely restrained.

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head: "He didn't lose control, he remained rational."

Danzo sneered and retorted angrily: "Right under our noses, he quietly learned to transform into a Tailed Beast. If it weren't for Orochimaru's appearance, forcing him to use this ability, when would we have discovered it?"

"If this isn't losing control, then what is?"

"Do we have to wait until the Nine-Tails escapes from the Jinchuriki and wreaks havoc on Konoha again for it to be considered losing control?"

"Hiruzen, the village can't endure a second blow!"

"We only had one Minato, and now he's dead."

He became increasingly agitated, stamping his foot hard, his tone growing more irritable.

"I've said it before, you should have handed the Jinchuriki over to me."

"You don't know how to use it."

"An out of control Jinchuriki is the greatest threat to the village..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted him: "Just because we haven't gathered intelligence on this doesn't mean Naruto is out of control!"

"Don't exaggerate the danger."

Danzo's exposed face twisted into a huge mocking smile: "Hiruzen, you are too naive."

"Don't forget the changes in the Jinchuriki over this period."

"We couldn't find the reason before, but now it's obvious. It's the Nine-Tails interfering with the Jinchuriki!"

"They've probably been communicating for a long time."

"Now the Jinchuriki might already know his identity, that he is the Fourth Hokage's son..."

"He is now on the verge of releasing the Nine-Tails."

"It could happen at any time!"

"Maybe now, maybe tomorrow..."

"Hand him over to me, I assure you, he will become the best Jinchuriki."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gritted his teeth, squinting his eyes as he retorted, "Is this what you hope for, Danzo?"

"I deeply regret having been lenient with you during that time."

"But I believe Naruto will not turn out as you say. He is a good kid."

"He will not be swayed by the Nine-Tails."

"With the Mizuki incident, Naruto has already proven himself."

The mission report on the Mizuki incident is still kept in the drawer of his desk.

"Naive, truly naive. I told you back then, the Jinchuriki had ulterior motives!" Danzo shook his head, his expression gloomy. "Hiruzen, your indulgence towards the Jinchuriki is the main reason for his loss of control. Hand him over to me; he shouldn't..."

He kept repeating "Hand the Jinchuriki over to me."

He couldn't say anything else.

Even now, the shock from hearing about this "Jinchuriki transformation" hasn't dissipated.

It left his thoughts chaotic and his emotions agitated.

Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted him: "This is the Hokage's decision!"

Danzo was stunned.

Again...

He clenched his fist, speaking viciously, "Hiruzen, I need to remind you, you are only the acting Hokage."

"The Emergency Executive Committee has the power to remove you."

"This time the situation is special. It concerns the Jinchuriki. Koharu and Homura will no longer support you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was the "Third Hokage," who had already retired when the "Fourth Hokage" took office.

After the Fourth's sacrifice, there was no one in the village able to take over the position of Hokage.

Among the Three Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru had defected, and Jiraiya and Tsunade were away from the village.

Kakashi was still young, only fourteen years old.

So he took on the responsibility of "acting Hokage," and wouldn't step down until the next Hokage was ready to take over.

It's just... this "acting" period has stretched to twelve years.

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke calmly, as if he didn't recognize it as a threat: "Oh, is that so?"

"But I am still the Hokage now, Danzo."

"Not handing Naruto over to you is my command as Hokage."

"I will handle it and give you an explanation."

Danzo gritted his teeth: "You will regret this, Hiruzen."

He turned and left in anger.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked his pipe, the smoke swirling, obscuring Danzo's departing figure and the rest of the space.

He kept pondering.

Naruto...

How did you manage to do it?

Unknowingly, you have mastered the power of the Tailed Beast.

He thought for a long time, then put down his pipe, took out a scroll from the drawer, and slowly unrolled it.

He didn't agree with Danzo's methods.

He also had no face to meet Naruto.

So, he would ask him to come back.

Whether it was Orochimaru or Naruto... dealing with these troubles required his help.

A name was written on it.

Three sloppy Kanji characters: "Jiraiya (自来也)."

~~~

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