Chapter 239: Destiny is Hard to Defy
Hearing Jiraiya's question, Naruto couldn't help but glance at him.
"Once this is over, I'll share the intel on the Tianming Organization with you and Tsunade-nee. That way, I won't have to say it twice."
Jiraiya was slightly taken aback.
With his intelligence, he naturally understood Naruto's meaning.
If En Yui became the Daimyo, in a sense, the Tianming Organization and Konoha Village would be on the same side.
He sighed. Things had come to this; there was nothing more he could do.
The Tianming Organization's momentum was already established.
Konoha could only go with the flow.
The battle not far away gradually subsided.
Under the joint efforts of Zabuza and Haku, the Ninjas from the Shimura Clan were completely wiped out.
And Danzo had lost his final chance.
Before he could even scream, his brain stopped thinking.
The Mangekyo Sharingan had him under control.
Following Naruto's instructions, Sasuke began stacking genjutsu on him.
Layer upon layer.
Danzo stood rooted to the spot, motionless.
Every single Sharingan on his arm had closed.
Seeing this, Jiraiya asked tentatively, "Why not hand him over to Konoha for processing?"
Naruto shook his head and said, "If you're worried the Tianming Organization will get Konoha intel from him, there's no need."
"..."
Jiraiya fell silent for a moment.
You have a point, I'm actually speechless.
He recalled that the Tianming Organization should already have an extremely deep understanding of Konoha.
After all, one was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and the other was the orphan of the Uchiha Clan.
Perhaps he and Tsunade were even accomplices in leaking information.
This whole situation left him not knowing what to say.
"Then how do you plan to deal with him?"
Jiraiya looked at the dull-witted Danzo and couldn't help but ask.
"It's just blood for blood."
Naruto shrugged and said, "The Uchiha Clan has always acted this way. Letting Sasuke do it is actually more beneficial for Konoha."
Jiraiya nodded slightly.
This was a debt Danzo owed.
However, he was still somewhat puzzled as to why Sasuke didn't just kill him outright.
Did this little fellow have some other peculiar hobby?
Naruto coughed twice, turned to En Yui, and said, "Let's begin."
Jiraiya subconsciously looked at her as well.
En Yui smiled faintly without much of a reaction. She clapped her hands, and soldiers filed in to clean up the area.
"Lord Jiraiya, would the people of Konoha like to stay for the ceremony?"
"Ceremony?"
"The enthronement ceremony for the new Daimyo."
En Yui's aura became elegant and noble, not inferior to En Shū in the slightest.
Jiraiya always felt he was too outdated to keep up with the thinking of today's youth.
He thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "We won't stay. We need to head back and report this to the Hokage."
"Very well. In a while, I will pay a visit personally."
En Yui didn't try to make them stay.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had already sensed an attitude completely different from En Shū's.
The original Daimyo was indeed nominally higher than the Hokage.
But in reality, his attitude toward the Hokage was very friendly, or rather, there was a hint of fear.
En Yui, on the other hand, possessed an indifference and confidence that came from the heart.
Recalling what she had said earlier, Konoha would likely face some unprecedented changes.
En Yui knelt down, looked at her father, sighed softly, and said, "Destiny is hard to defy."
Jiraiya was shaken by her words.
He stopped Asuma and the others from taking further action and said, "This is a matter for the Land of Fire; it has nothing to do with us in Konoha."
"..."
Asuma hesitated, wanting to speak.
He was one of the clearer-headed Konoha Ninjas present.
He understood that what they were doing was undoubtedly a betrayal.
Meanwhile, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others said nothing and asked nothing.
"Princess... oh, wait, Daimyo, we shall take our leave."
Jiraiya quickly corrected himself.
"I'll catch up in a bit."
Naruto patted Hinata's small hand and said to Jiraiya.
After they left, Sasuke stepped forward.
He didn't understand the point of his actions.
"Why not just kill Danzo?"
"Do you know what true revenge is?"
Naruto's eyes darted around as he began his persuasion.
"I don't know."
Sasuke shook his head.
In his understanding, revenge was simply blood for blood.
"It's to kill the heart."
A smile curled on Naruto's lips as he said, "The thing Danzo is most obsessed with is becoming Hokage; it's practically his faith."
Sasuke pondered for a few seconds and asked, "Then why did you have me put him in a genjutsu where he becomes Hokage? Isn't that exactly what he wants?"
"Do you really think so?"
Naruto asked in return.
Sasuke frowned slightly, feeling like his intelligence was a bit lacking.
"The reason Danzo yearns for the position of Hokage is because the Hokage wields immense power. As the leader of Konoha, they command thousands of Ninjas, and their every move can affect the Ninja World."
Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that Danzo firmly believed in the Will of Fire and was practicing it at all times and places.
The so-called 'everything is for the sake of Konoha.'
"So?" Sasuke still couldn't understand.
"So, let him experience the downsides of being Hokage, like the never-ending workload."
Naruto spread his hands and said, "Since he wants to be Hokage, let him be one for hundreds or thousands of years. Twenty-four hours a day processing documents, busy as a dog."
"..."
The corner of Sasuke's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
Still as ruthless as ever!
Actually, Naruto was just giving it a try.
What if Danzo developed a loathing for the Hokage position because he became too much of a corporate slave?
It was possible.
There was a saying in his previous life.
How did it go?
If the things you love become your work, they will gradually lose their joy and eventually become as boring as being a walking corpse.
Well, except for vice.
It should be said that under legal circumstances, repeating the same thing day after day is hard for a normal person to endure.
Even if Danzo's will was firm.
But under genjutsu, losing the concept of time and accelerating it for hundreds or thousands of years...
Can he really endure it?
Let him taste the rage of a corporate slave.
Naruto smiled and said, "Take him to the Langya Pavilion and tell Merlin what I said, then have him carry it out."
"What about you?"
"I'm going back to Konoha to talk business with Tsunade-nee."
"Go ahead then." Sasuke had no interest in such things.
Before leaving, Naruto chatted with En Yui for a few more moments.
But it was limited to that.
En Yui would naturally do what needed to be done.
The priority was to stabilize the Land of Fire as quickly as possible to prevent other countries from taking advantage of the situation.
As for En Shū, En Yui wasn't heartless enough to kill him; instead, she had Sasuke help modify his memories.
Naruto soon caught up with Jiraiya and the others.
When the two of them were chatting earlier, they had avoided the others, so the matters of the Tianming Organization and the White Lotus Sectweren't exposed.
According to Jiraiya, there was no need to let so many people know.
It would only cause panic, and explaining it would be a hassle.
He couldn't exactly say that one of the legendary Sannin had betrayed Konoha, could he?
Bah, bah, bah.
Jiraiya felt like he was being led in circles.
He was clearly loyal to Konoha.
Yet, he had somehow been bewitched by the White Lotus Sect.
To the point of leaking all sorts of intelligence.
But he couldn't be blamed for that.
The Tianming Organization and the White Lotus Sect were truly impossible to guard against.
Even Naruto and Sasuke had fallen into their trap.
Yes, to this day, he still believed these two little fellows were like ignorant, innocent youths who had accidentally wandered into a pyramid scheme.
Jiraiya patted Naruto's shoulder earnestly and said, "While the Tianming Organization is alright, you must remember that you are a Ninja of Konoha."
"..."
Naruto didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
You are the White-Haired Lion King, also a member of the Tianming Organization.
And now, you're advising me, the founder, to leave.
What, are you trying to pull a Steve Jobs?
"I won't betray Konoha."
Naruto answered seriously.
"That's good."
Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, he had been quite worried about what Merlin had said back then.
He was afraid that one day he wouldn't be able to withstand the temptation and would join the White Lotus Sect.
After all, the White Lotus Sect had quite a few beauties.
If they used a honey trap, he might... not be able to resist.
The group returned to Konoha.
Jiraiya dismissed the others and impatiently dragged Naruto into the Hokage Office.
Tsunade was stunned and asked, "Is the matter in the Metropolis over?"
"It's over." Jiraiya nodded and said with emotion, "In short, it's a long story."
"What do you mean?" Tsunade asked in confusion.
"En Yui has become the Daimyo."
"That princess?" Tsunade found it inexplicable. "What about En Shū?"
"He abdicated voluntarily."
Jiraiya spoke, weighing his tone.
"Are you serious?"
Even if she were beaten to death, Tsunadewouldn't believe En Shū would do something like 'voluntarily abdicating.' The Daimyo was different from the Hokage; it was a lifelong position.
"That's not the point."
Jiraiya didn't explain much and said, "The point is that Naruto is The Hermit of the Tianming Organization."
"???"
Tsunade's face was full of question marks.
This turn was too fast; I want to get off!
What the hell!
"Naruto is The Hermit?"
Tsunade rubbed her forehead and said, "Are you really Jiraiya?"
She already suspected that the Jiraiya in front of her was someone else in disguise.
Otherwise, how could he say something so absurd?
"You tell her yourself."
Jiraiya simply gave up and lay on the sofa, listless.
He could understand Tsunade.
After all, he had found it just as unbelievable as she did earlier.
"Tsunade-nee."
Naruto showed a smile and said, "What Jiraiya-sensei said is true. I am indeed a member of the Tianming Organization."
"..."
Tsunade's heart was shaken. After a long while, she said, "Let me process this."
Jiraiya might be an imposter, but Naruto couldn't be.
Because no one could replicate the massive Chakrainside him.
"Since you're a member of the Tianming Organization, why did you take the initiative to tell us?"
Tsunade's chest heaved. After several deep breaths, she regained her composure.
"En Yui is also a member of the Tianming Organization."
"!!!"
Tsunade looked up sharply, her pupils contracting as her heart filled with shock.
What this meant naturally went without saying.
The Tianming Organization would become the first organization to stand above the Land of Fire.
Even Konoha couldn't achieve that.
To be precise, Konoha also relied on the Land of Fire's aid to survive.
If they lost that money, they would live a rather miserable life.
While they might not reach the level of the Hidden Sand Village, life would definitely be very difficult, no longer as generous and prosperous as it was now.
Because most Ninjas really didn't know how to make money.
The source of income was mission rewards.
But the number of missions still depended on the Land of Fire, or rather, the Daimyo.
With just one command from En Yui, Konoha might not be able to receive any missions from their own country.
"Tsunade-nee should understand now why I took the initiative to tell you about the Tianming Organization, right?"
Naruto noticed the change in her expression and couldn't help but say.
"Aren't you afraid that Konoha will make this matter public?"
Tsunade rested her chin on her hands, her eyes unreadable.
"No, because for Konoha, that would be the worst possible choice, wouldn't it?"
Naruto smiled calmly.
Tsunade's gaze suddenly became a bit complicated.
She had expected Naruto's future achievements to be no less than his father's, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
So fast that she hadn't even prepared herself psychologically before it appeared before her in such a simple and crude manner.
This was truly terrible.
She had originally planned for Naruto to serve as the Sixth Hokage after she abdicated.
But now, it was hard to say.
"In your heart, which is more important: the Tianming Organization or Konoha?"
"..."
Why did Naruto feel like Tsunade's question was no different from asking whether to save the mother or the child?
"I know what you're worried about. I promised Sensei earlier that I would share intel on the Tianming Organization. What do you want to know?"
"Its leader."
Tsunade suddenly smiled upon hearing this.
Look, this child is still more loyal to Konoha.
"The Fool. You should know his code name; he's the Akatsuki member who appeared alongside Orochimaru back then."
"An undercover?"
"Yes, an undercover."
Naruto nodded and said, "His true identity is... me."
"What did you say?!"
Jiraiya did a literal flip, jumping straight up from the sofa.
Tsunade's reaction was also not small.
She subconsciously rubbed her ears.
After confirming that there was indeed nothing wrong with her hearing, she couldn't help but mutter to herself, "You are the leader of the Tianming Organization?!"
Surreal.
This surreal feeling was no less than someone telling her one day that Orochimaru had given birth to two children.
Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was actually the leader of the Tianming Organization.
A long silence followed.
Tsunade beckoned and said, "Come here."
Naruto took a step forward, about to speak.
She suddenly pulled his head into a hug and whispered, "I heard your Tianming Organization is very rich?"
"..."
Naruto, under attack from her ample bosom, hurriedly broke free and said, "No matter how rich we are, it's impossible for us to help you pay off your gambling debts."
"Tch, miser."
Tsunade sat back in her chair.
She adapted very quickly.
She had no choice but to adapt.
"So, what does your Tianming Organization want to do?"
"Don't worry, there won't be any major changes. In a few days, En Yui will come, and she'll discuss the details with you then."
"Fine, I'll see if you've sold out our Konoha."
"No way, it's definitely a good thing."
Naruto patted his chest and said, "I guarantee it will be better than before."
"I hope so. I'll chat with Jiraiya; you can leave now."
Tsunade blinked and asked, "You are now the world-famous Fool of the Ninja World; do you still listen to what your big sister says?"
Naruto's body shuddered.
Such gentle words always gave him the chills.
"Of course I have to listen."
He waved his hand and turned toward the door.
As for what Tsunade and Jiraiya would talk about, he didn't want to bother with it anymore.
"By the way, Danzo has already been dealt with by the Tianming Organization. Consider it a greeting gift for you, Sister."
Naruto paused and said.
Tsunade immediately froze in place.
[Congratulations to the host for achieving the world achievement 'Destiny is Hard to Defy.' Relevant special rewards have been obtained.]
[Extracting rewards... obtained one Character Card.]
Naruto subconsciously looked at the system.
It had been a long time since he had received a Character Card.
I was dragged out for drinks by a colleague, and my head is spinning. This is tough.