Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 67 A Perplexing Choice

The hot spring was shrouded in mist and steam. Immersing oneself in the water brought a deep, comforting warmth, like returning to the embrace of the womb, bringing relaxation and peace. After blowing bubbles for about half an hour, Jiraiya leaped up, still staring blankly.

He felt as if he were witnessing the return of the Watergate.

Considering Naruto's previous performance, even mastering bloodline-based techniques like Kekkei Genkai through precise control of elemental chakra, then creating a Rasengan would indeed be a piece of cake. He might even be able to incorporate elemental transformations, completing the ninjutsu that Minato couldn't achieve.

The analysis after careful consideration ultimately couldn't withstand the onslaught of the shock. Jiraiya still felt that it was simply outrageous that Naruto could use the Rasengan on their very first encounter! He even had an urge to go to the Third Hokage and retrieve Naruto's biographical file, both the overt and covert parts. But at this moment, he was the sole judge of whether the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was stable. Retrieving the file would inevitably lead those old fogies to speculate. As someone skilled in intelligence gathering, how could he not know the attitude of the vast majority of Konoha towards Naruto? Naruto had already worked hard enough to grow into a cheerful person; he couldn't add to the boy's troubles.

...Sigh, if Minato were still alive... Konoha wouldn't have become such a mess, and Naruto... wouldn't be having such a hard time... I should think more about how to teach that kid tomorrow! Should I continue teaching him ninjutsu? Or his combination techniques with the toads? This kid can't possibly lose in the Chunin Exams, right? I forgot to ask who his opponent is. I really should find out more about him...

Then let's have a fight!

"Currently, the known number of Sunagakure ninja is 570, with an average strength of Chunin to Jonin level, including the One-Tailed Jinchuriki. The Sound Ninja number around 1200, whose average strength is not as high as the Sunagakure elite, but is still in the upper-middle level. Their tactics can be summarized in five words: capture the leader first..."

While most people were fast asleep, Hui was holding a meeting. This meeting consolidated all the intelligence gathered so far and provided a preliminary summary of the so-called "Konoha Crush Plan." At every intelligence meeting, even though Izuna prepared the data, Tobirama always ended up presenting it, and this time was no exception. Tobirama's summary, devoid of any personal emotion, should have been tedious, but this time, with Konoha at stake, regardless of what everyone was thinking, the result was an unusually focused concentration.

"...With so many ninjas, it's impossible for them all to infiltrate Konoha. So they decided to use summoning beasts to attack Konoha's barrier and walls, letting in the army that was lying in ambush outside. Meanwhile, the Kazekage would hold off the Hokage's movements, buying time for the army. The best outcome would be to join forces with Orochimaru to kill the Third Hokage. As we all know, the Kazekage is already dead, so the most likely person to impersonate the Kazekage is Orochimaru."

"Without considering any external assistance, the most likely outcome of this battle is mutual destruction and the death of the third generation. After all..."

"The monkey is old."

It wasn't until the very last sentence that Tobirama couldn't help but feel a touch of melancholy. If it weren't for the unique nature of the modified Edo Tensei, his physical abilities wouldn't have been able to remain at their peak around the age of thirty. He knew all too well the feeling of aging and declining strength. If he had been ten years younger, the battle that led to his death would never have ended in mutual destruction.

"This report combines information from Makina's interrogation, intelligence gathered by spies from the Land of Rice Fields, information provided by Naruto, and information intercepted by Hashirama Senju through the 'tree,' so its accuracy is basically certain." Izuna briefly explained the sources of the report's information. "Next, shouldn't we discuss 'what to do'?"

Hashirama's brow remained furrowed. For the past few days, he had tirelessly guarded the "tree" to ensure no Sunagakure personnel were missed, and had even deployed numerous clones to share the workload, which was how he obtained such accurate figures. Even having experienced death, he was still the First Hokage of Konoha, and could not completely sever ties with his hometown. At this critical moment, he was the first to speak.

"Konoha's response was clearly insufficient, and they greatly underestimated the enemy's ambition. The Sound Ninja have mobilized almost all of their forces, yet they are still playing coy about which subordinates to send—it's utterly ridiculous! We must find a way to stop the ninjas outside the walls from infiltrating Konoha. We can secretly intercept some of the ninjas responsible for summoning."

“That’s easy to say, but the location of the summoning point hasn’t been found yet. We can start preparing a few days in advance.” Tobirama rarely nodded in agreement with his older brother’s suggestion.

"Konoha has over six thousand standing ninja. Even if some are dispatched elsewhere, they can't possibly lose. It's just a matter of how many they'll lose." Although Fugaku was ostracized by the higher-ups, he still firmly held onto a corner of power. As the protagonist who once planned a rebellion, he had seriously studied Konoha's defenses. Given the nature of those old fogies, even after seven or eight years, their defenses wouldn't have changed much.

"So it seems the most troublesome thing is the enemy the 'Hokage' has to face." Izuna stared at Hashirama opposite him with a forced smile and said coldly, "Considering the current situation and history of Konoha, I personally believe that the Third Hokage's death in battle is the best outcome for Konoha. At least his name would have a reason to be engraved on the memorial stone. What do you think?"

These cold and arrogant words instantly shattered the facade of harmony. As soon as the question was posed, all five people fell silent. Silence permeated every inch of the air in the conference room, and even the only sound of breathing was almost inaudible.

If we judge guilt by the outcome, then all five of us present are victims of the three generations of rule, without exception.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Facing the leader who was almost single-handedly responsible for the Uchiha clan's annihilation, the wicked side of Izuna's personality was stirring. He turned to Tobirama and teased, "Tobirama, aren't you going to save your 'good disciple'?"

"Izuna... stop talking." Tobirama was speechless. He had already made his stance clear by not immediately refuting those words. He was undoubtedly conflicted, but the one who had the upper hand was... letting the situation unfold.

Hashirama sighed and said, "Thank you for expressing your opinion, Izuna. So, Fugaku, what about you?"

"The Uchiha will not negotiate with the living Third Hokage." Fugaku stated firmly, which was expected.

Hashirama then turned his gaze to Naruto. He was somewhat hoping that Naruto could give a different answer, but when he met a pair of lifeless blue eyes, he knew that was unlikely.

"I'm sorry." Naruto seemed to have just come out of his long daze and said, "As a leader, I should be pointing the way, but I don't think I have a say in this matter. Everyone here has paid a greater price than I have, and I think your answer can represent the collective will."

"I abstain."

"Whatever choice you make, I will support you unconditionally. After all, that was the original intention of forming this conference group."

Elected representatives, who in turn elect other representatives, then form a meeting group to vote on the final solution. This process ensures that decisions benefit the collective to the greatest extent possible. The collective must implement any solutions decided by the meeting.

Even leaders are no exception.