Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 470 The Vibration of Konoha

The selection of the Sixth Hokage was decided amidst the advisors' skepticism. The easygoing Daimyo didn't choose any of their recommendations, but instead skipped Kakashi, whom Tsunade had been grooming, and promoted Naruto, a generation younger. Unfortunately, this was the very person they least wanted to see.

The advisors were almost ready to bang their fists on the table in protest, but then Daiming dropped another bombshell.

"By the way, you should all get to know Mr. Tayama. We came here specifically to facilitate friendly exchanges between you and 'Dongfeng'."

"These are the fresh blood I've found for Konoha, so please 'make sure' to treat them well."

The Daimyo and his team left behind this inexplicable statement and the so-called Mr. Tayama, leaving the bewildered and stunned. While the Konoha side was in a state of confusion, Tayama was well-prepared. He revealed his identity and produced an acceptance document signed by the Daimyo, which clearly stated that all the wandering ninja units belonging to the "East Wind" caravan would be incorporated into Konoha.

"The Daimyo didn't inform us of this at all!" At this point, who the Hokage was was no longer important. The Daimyo's unconventional move caught the advisory group off guard, and they had already sensed the Daimyo's displeasure in this "surprise attack." "East Wind" was not only a warning from the Daimyo to Konoha, but also a reprimand for them.

Their reach went too far, they were too greedy, and they actually tried to completely seize power in Konoha.

"The infiltration was originally planned to begin at the end of the year, but since Konoha has been invaded, it means you are in dire need of manpower. 'East Wind' sincerely hopes to join Konoha and is willing to contribute at this crucial moment." Tayama was the leader of "East Wind," a ninja who looked far too young. Although he spoke modestly, his face was stern, and his slightly thick chin added to his seriousness.

The remaining members of Konoha exchanged glances. Koharu, one of the advisors, spoke first: "Since you have come with sincerity, could you please give us the troop roster first, so that we can make subsequent arrangements based on the number of troops?"

Tayama said with a forced smile, "No, my comrades and I fought our way to where we are today with our lives on the line. Apart from the Hokage of Konoha, I don't trust anyone."

"I'm sorry, I don't know if it's possible to arrange an emergency meeting between me and the Sixth Hokage. I would be honored to be the first to offer my blessings."

Very well, now they've figured it out: the person behind Naruto's selection is definitely this guy. But it's too late now; Naruto's appointment letter will arrive soon. In Konoha's state of emergency, the Hokage's appointment is incredibly swift. Because the Fourth Hokage's sudden death led to chaos after the Nine-Tails' attack, they had prepared a contingency plan for the Hokage's sacrifice, but it turned out they'd become someone else's stepping stone!

Tayama's unyielding attitude infuriated the advisory group, but the Hokage's faction didn't see anything wrong with it. After all, Naruto was on their side, and as long as the Hokage position remained, anyone could be in it. After the meeting, Shikaku arranged accommodation for Tayama, while Kakashi made sure to deliver this important news as soon as possible.

The department heads and instructors who had been urgently summoned hadn't yet realized the seriousness of the problem. But as soon as Kakashi announced the appointment, gasps of surprise immediately spread.

"Did I hear that right...?"

"Naruto Uzumaki? How could that Nine-Tails brat possibly..."

"Haven't you worked with him before? Naruto-sama is incredibly reliable, so I don't find it unreasonable."

"You just shouted that out loud, didn't you!"

"That's quite surprising, considering Naruto is only sixteen years old."

"So what? The Kazekage next door was younger than Naruto when he took office."

"Please, are we like Sunagakure?"

"Tsk, then go and compare yourself to Naruto. You can't beat him in a fight, and you're not as good at doing things either. Don't forget who was the one who removed those cancerous growths."

"Without Lady Tsunade overseeing things, how could he possibly have accomplished this? Besides, are those people really a cancer? Aren't there any false accusations or oversights?"

"What do you mean? Are you questioning the fairness of the verdict?!"

"Come on, aren't we talking about the Sixth Hokage? In any case, it's too frivolous to let Naruto take on the role."

"This is the daimyo's appointment, how can it be changed? This kid met with the daimyo recently, right? Who knows what he did?"

"A guard duty is a great honor, and that mission was personally selected by the daimyo. If you're so capable, why don't you become strong enough to catch the daimyo's eye? I think you're just jealous."

"Lord Naruto has both strength and management skills. How can you call it child's play? If you're so good, then you do it."

The clamor of discussion was unstoppable. Kakashi carefully discerned the situation and found that people's doubts and approvals of Naruto were roughly equal. It could be said that Naruto was about to become the most controversial Hokage in Konoha's history.

However, Kakashi wasn't worried about the doubts; it was Naruto who gave him confidence. He was more concerned about Naruto's situation. After Tsunade fell into a coma, Naruto had fully displayed his workaholic side, practically living in the office. Moreover, Naruto had noticeably become much colder. While this was partly due to the advisor's inhumane behavior, he could sometimes detect disappointment and anger in some of Naruto's words, emotions that didn't seem like those of a junior towards a senior.

Why is that?

After the first batch of ninjas was delivered, the entire Hidden Leaf Village quickly learned of the news.

As the person involved, Naruto was personally notified by Kakashi in his office. However, Naruto didn't even look up at the news; his eyes remained fixed on a document—the final draft of the repair plan, which they had just approved in a meeting yesterday. Naruto had overseen every single word of it, and even so, he still meticulously reviewed it before implementation, which was far too serious.

As for Naruto's friends, they weren't so calm. Kiba's exclamation almost lifted the ceiling of his house, and he immediately set off to use his sense of smell to find his fellow Naruto's friends.

Such an important matter should of course be confirmed in person! Although they may have all tacitly accepted this possibility, it may have happened a little too quickly! There was absolutely no preparation for an inauguration gift or a celebratory banquet!