"That's true."
She muttered. "But it still feels like those people are getting off too easily."
Jiraiya laughed loudly and picked up another bite. "Alright, alright, since Shinichi himself isn't worried, why are you? Come on, let's eat. Malatang won't taste good once it gets cold."
Kushina pouted and picked up her chopsticks again.
At the same time, in Orochimaru's house.
Under the light, Orochimaru put down the document.
"Heh…"
Orochimaru let out a soft laugh, stood up, and slowly walked to the window.
Outside, the night was deep, and the lights of Konoha flickered in the distance.
"Before the war has even begun, you have already grasped the entire evolution of the war situation?"
"Shinichi-kun…"
He muttered softly to himself. The curve of his lips deepened, and his voice carried a genuine sense of interest.
"Just where is your limit? And what other talents do you have that remain unknown?"
"How truly intriguing, heh…"
In Tsunade's house, Tsunade put down the document with a solemn expression, leaned back in her chair, and let out a long breath.
Powerful talent and strength, a mature and steady personality, forward-looking strategic vision… the image of that boy appeared in her mind.
From the first time she saw him in the hospital and found him unexpectedly pleasing to the eye, to the intense conflict in the barbecue restaurant, to treating his severely injured arm in the hospital, and later becoming the instructor of Team 10, and watching him grow step by step.
That child had never spoken about becoming Hokage, but she knew he had always been moving toward that goal, step by step, steadily advancing without showing off or making noise, just quietly and firmly walking forward.
If that child were to become Hokage in the future… this thought suddenly appeared in Tsunade's mind.
He would definitely become a great Hokage.
He would definitely do an excellent job.
That was what Tsunade thought.
But in the next second, her gaze dimmed.
Hokage…
Nawaki's dream was to become Hokage. That boy who always smiled and followed behind her, calling her big sister, ultimately died on the battlefield, and even his body did not return intact.
Dan's dream was to become Hokage as well. That gentle and resolute man who said he would protect the village and his companions ultimately fell before her, bleeding all over the ground, and she could do nothing.
They all wanted to become Hokage.
But they all died.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune's voice came from outside the room, interrupting her thoughts. "Dinner's ready!"
Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then came back to her senses. She took a deep breath and put the document aside.
"Coming."
At the dining table, steaming dishes were laid out.
Tsunade picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, but barely chewed. Her gaze fell on Shizune's face, and she suddenly spoke.
"Shizune."
Shizune raised her head and blinked. "Hm?"
"What do you think…"
Tsunade paused, as if choosing her words. "If that brat becomes Hokage in the future, what will happen?"
Shizune was stunned at first, the spoon in her hand stopping midair.
Then her eyes lit up, and she blurted out: "Then he would definitely be the best Hokage!"
"Lady Tsunade! Look at him, he's talented, strong, and extremely smart. He treats his companions very well and is also very kind to everyone in the village. Everyone in the village likes him very much."
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, putting down her spoon and counting on her fingers.
"And the manga he draws, everyone loves reading it. The food he makes is delicious too, and he teaches others how to cook, letting so many people eat good food…"
"If Shinichi becomes Hokage, the village will definitely become better, right? Everyone will live more happily, right?"
Tsunade listened quietly, her gaze resting on Shizune's slightly flushed face from excitement.
Then she smiled and reached out to rub Shizune's hair.
"You girl, you have even more confidence in him than he does himself."
After saying that, Tsunade looked out the window.
If that brat becomes Hokage…
The third Hokage is already over fifty. At most, he can serve as Hokage for another ten years.
Ten years later, when he steps down, someone will have to take over.
And in ten years, that brat will have grown into an adult.
Although still young, Konoha, and even the entire Shinobi World, has never had such a young Kage.
But that brat's talent and intelligence, as well as his dedication to the village and his companions, make him fully qualified to become Hokage.
Thinking of this, Tsunade withdrew her gaze, lowered her head, and continued eating. But in her heart, a decision had already been made.
If that brat really wants to become Hokage in the future, then as his teacher, she will fully support him.
She will personally push this child to where he belongs and seat him in the position he deserves.
…
Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, these names are just a microcosm.
More and more Chunin leaders, Special Jonin, official Jonin, and Clan Heads were shaken on this day by the same name and the same document.
That name was Shinichi Higashino.
And that document described the war they were about to face.
And five days later, in the large conference room of the Hokage building, Special Jonin Shinichi Higashino. This ten-year-old child, Konoha's brightest new star, the most outstanding genius in recent years, the youngest Special Jonin, will stand there and personally explain to them
how this war will be fought.
…..
Five days passed quickly.
The Hokage building, on the third floor, inside a large conference room.
This was the largest indoor venue in Konoha, capable of seating 3,000 people. It was usually used for Jonin meetings and the announcement of major decisions.
Today, it was fully in use.
Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, what came into view were tiered seats arranged in steps, rising layer by layer like a massive fan-shaped theater.
The ceiling was high, embedded with jutsu-powered lighting fixtures. At this moment, all of them were lit, illuminating the entire space as bright as day.
At the very front was a podium raised half a meter above the ground.
Behind the podium, a massive white screen had already been hung, and the projection equipment was ready.
On both sides of the podium stood flags bearing the flame emblem of the Land of Fire and the symbol of Konoha.
Three thousand seats were now being filled one by one.
No one spoke.
Three thousand people sat there quietly, waiting. Occasionally, someone would whisper a few words, but the voices were kept very low and quickly dissipated in the spacious room.
In the front rows sat those familiar faces, the Clan Heads of the major families, Konoha's elite Jonin, and those legendary figures who were rarely seen in public.
Further back were the Special Jonin and Chunin team leaders. They sat upright, their gazes calm as they looked toward the empty podium ahead.
The villagers of Konoha would occasionally look up in the direction of the Hokage building.
They knew there was a meeting today. They saw the familiar ninjas, one after another, walking through those doors.
But they didn't know what was being discussed inside, nor what those people were listening to.
Especially the Genin, they stood on training grounds, at street corners, or at the entrances of their homes, looking from afar toward the Hokage building.