Just as Makoto and Yu began formulating the [Ninja World Government] plan…
Tsunade, under Jiraiya's persuasion, also ended her 'deadbeat' days of hiding from debt outside and embarked on the road back to the village.
Unlike the original work, where she returned to Konoha because of Naruto's influence, this time Naruto hadn't gone with Jiraiya to find Tsunade, as he needed to stay with his good friend Sasuke.
Moreover, this time, after learning that all those 'old geezers' in the village were dead, Tsunade had been planning to come back and take a look anyway.
Jiraiya's arrival merely served as a convenient push.
Upon their return, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Tsunade's assistant, Shizune entered the gates of Konoha and were immediately stunned by the sight before them.
Above the Hokage Rock in the distance, to be precise, above the rear mountain of the rock face carved with the four Hokage, ten magnificent and splendid palaces were under construction.
The huge wooden structures were already taking shape, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an oriental classical beauty starkly different from the architectural style of the Naruto World.
On both sides of the streets, on walls, on the windows and doors of shops, on telephone poles, colorful posters and slogans were plastered everywhere.
They read:
[Celebrating the Return of the King of the Ninja World!]
[The King of the Ninja World Guides Us!]
[King of the Ninja World! Sun of the Ninja World!!]
Between the lines overflowed the villagers' support for this 'King of the Ninja World', a fervent adoration that almost spilled off the paper.
Tsunade's eyes widened even larger than her chest. Those 106 monstrosities swayed violently due to her sudden halt.
She turned her head and said to Jiraiya, "What kind of new nickname did you come up with for me? It's terrible!"
Clearly, the number one doujin queen of the Ninja World had instinctively assumed that the words 'King of the Ninja World' referred to her.
Jiraiya scratched his head, also completely confused.
"When we left, I recall the village was being managed by some young people... Maybe their ideas are different from us old-timers?"
Tsunade raised a delicate eyebrow. She wasn't angry, just folded her arms across her chest, making that cleavage even more unfathomably deep.
However, seeing the magnificent palace built on the top of the rear mountain, Tsunade still frowned.
"The village is in a reconstruction period right now. Such extravagance is inappropriate. Besides, building that palace above the Hokage Rock shows great disrespect to the previous Hokages."
Tsunade's tone grew increasingly severe.
Jiraiya also agreed, deciding that when they met Makoto and the others, they would have to give them a proper talking-to.
Jiraiya and Tsunade hadn't even taken two steps down the street before they were recognized.
Patrolling Ninjas like Genma and Iwashi Tatami quickly bowed to them.
"Tsunade-sama! Jiraiya-sama! You've returned!"
The two nodded and were about to ask what had happened in Konoha during their absence when someone else joined the conversation.
"Long time no see, Shizune."
Shizune, holding the Ninja Pig Tonton, turned to look and was met with a pair of ruby-like eyes.
Shizune responded with some surprise: "Long time no see, Kurenai."
She and Kurenai had been teammates back when they were Genin and had always been close.
Shizune walked up and enthusiastically slapped Kurenai on the back—
Kurenai stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
"Kurenai? What's wrong?"
Shizune was startled and quickly helped steady her.
She was also confused, wondering her former teammate's constitution had become so weak after just a few years apart.
Kurenai managed a strained smile, her face slightly flushed, her voice carrying an unnatural tremor: "It's nothing... probably lingering injuries from dealing with those Otogakure's Ninjas earlier..."
Shizune was very angry about this and couldn't help but curse Orochimaru a few times.
She had also heard that the main responsibility for Konoha experiencing such a disaster lay with Orochimaru and Danzo.
Kurenai blushed but said nothing.
She just silently cursed that little brat Makoto in her heart. He had thrust so hard, it was about to leak out!
Just then, Kurenai noticed that Tsunade was looking at her with a strange expression.
That gaze was like an X-ray, penetrating right through her.
Kurenai instantly shivered.
Tsunade had definitely seen through the truth of her 'injury'. After all, she was the best Medical-Nin in the world... how could she not see it?
Afraid that Tsunade might reveal the truth, she hurriedly changed the subject.
"Tsunade-sama, you've finally returned to Konoha! Everyone is waiting for you to take on the position of the Fifth Hokage!"
Her voice pitched half a tone higher, her enthusiasm somewhat forced.
Fortunately, Tsunade didn't reveal the truth about Kurenai's injury.
After all, considering it, this girl was also pushing thirty. What was wrong with having needs? She herself was fifty and still had them!
She just usually took care of things with her 'five brothers'.
Tsunade then pointed at the magnificent Chinese-style palace on the rear mountain and asked, "What's that about?"
The expressions of Genma and Tatami became even more awkward. They looked at each other, neither willing to speak first.
Kurenai cleared her throat and reluctantly explained, "That's... the palace of the Ninja World Government."
"What the hell?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade were dumbfounded.
'Ninja World Government?'
The expressions of Genma, Tatami, and the others also grew more awkward.
Finally, under the coercion of Tsunade's fierce glare, Kurenai and the others reluctantly spoke up: "That is... a new organization established by Nishikawa Makoto... that is said will rule the Ninja World."
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune's eyes widened, each one larger than the last.
The next second,
Tsunade said nothing, turned around, and headed straight for the direction of the rear mountain.
Jiraiya followed behind, and Shizune trotted after them, holding Tonton.
Meanwhile, inside the unfinished palace on Konoha's rear mountain.
Makoto looked at the palace whose foundation had just been laid, then turned his head and asked an Anbu member wearing a cat-faced mask: "Ninja Yamato, about how much longer until construction is finished?"
That Anbu's body stiffened noticeably.
"Sir, during missions... please refer to my code name, Tenzo."
His voice came from behind the mask, tinged with helplessness.
"And besides, why do you have to add the word 'Ninja' before my name? It's so weird..."
That's right, this Anbu was none other than Yamato, whom previous-generation Naruto readers jokingly called 'First Hokage's Wood Release conquers the land, Yamato's Wood Release does landscaping'.
After deciding to build the palace for the Ninja World Government, Makoto immediately summoned him from the Anbu to serve as the chief architect for the government palace.
And to distinguish him from his own wife 'Pirate' Yamato, Makoto called Wood Release Yamato directly as 'Ninja Yamato'.
Yamato strongly protested this, but was ignored by Makoto.
Just then, Shikaku walked up, holding a document, his expression serious.
"Makoto-kun, oh no, Makoto-sama. Sunagakure has investigated and found that their Fourth Kazekage had already been killed by Orochimaru before the Konoha Crush Plan."
"They claim that this incident was not Sunagakure's intention and hope that Konoha will return the imprisoned three children of the Kazekage."
Before Makoto could answer, on the other side, Saeko also walked over, arms crossed, expressionless.
"Makoto, Kirigakure has also sent word. They say they've investigated and that their Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, had been under the Genjutsu control of a mysterious person all these years. They claim Kirigakure was unaware and hope to hold peace talks with Konoha."
That's right, because Konoha was truly short on people, Makoto had enlisted his own wives into the 'establishment'.
Hearing the reports from the two, Makoto couldn't help but smile like a villain.
'Whether you knew or not, you still acted. Don't play innocent now!'
'I'll definitely skin you alive.'
Just as Makoto was calculating whether to next dig out Ao's Byakugan or capture Terumi Mei—
His brow suddenly twitched, as if he had sensed something.