Naruto entry

Page 495

Chapter 344 Hokage Selection, First Speaker: Orochimaru Has Gone Mad, Wants Immortality!

Snapped!

Kiyoshi suddenly patted Minami's buttocks.

Xiao Nan covered her mouth in shock, her body trembling.

She was so nervous that she didn't dare to turn around, only daring to slowly look at the long gate behind her through the reflection in the glass.

After seeing that Nagato was still fast asleep, Konan covered the painful spot.

"What are you going to do?"

Xiao Nan suppressed her anger and spoke.

"Learn the 'Paper' Release ninjutsu."

Kiyoshi spoke up as a matter of course.

The expression on his face made it seem like he was stating a simple and easy-to-understand piece of common sense.

Pain can focus a person's attention. If Konan can improve her concentration, wouldn't she be able to better teach the "Paper" Release ninjutsu?

Xiao Nan suddenly felt a pang of regret; she shouldn't have gone to see Qing Si alone.

If there were more people, Kiyoshi certainly wouldn't risk ruining his reputation by doing these things.

Xiao Nan cautiously retreated, only to find herself with her back against a pillar, with nowhere left to go.

"Okay, let's get started."

Kiyoshi reached out and pressed down on Konan's neck.

Xiao Nan's pupils contracted, as if she wanted to do something.

Kiyoshi turned her hand around again, so that she was facing the glass and her back was to Kiyoshi.

Wow…

The curtains, rising and falling with their movements, covered them, leaving only a tiny gap.

Minami could still see Kiyoshi's face and the view behind him through the reflection in the glass.

She braced herself against the glass with both hands, her back forming a concave curve that outlined her graceful figure.

Kiyoshi grabbed Konan's short blue hair, and a white paper flower could be faintly seen between his fingers.

At this moment, it was mercilessly held in Qing Si's hand, like something that no one cared about.

"Konan, I've actually learned a little bit of the 'Paper' Release ninjutsu."

Kiyoshi formed hand seals and used chakra to create a strip of white paper.

The white paper formed shackles, binding Xiao Nan's hands, forcing her to brace herself against the wall at an awkward angle.

Xiao Nan frowned, clearly uncomfortable with her current posture.

This is practically interrogating her like a criminal!

"See? Haven't I learned it?"

Seiji smiled.

Then, he demonstrated other "paper" ninjutsu one by one.

Of course, the help of spirit beasts also played a role.

It wasn't the White Snake, but another spirit beast that was even more closely connected to Kiyoshi.

…………

Another half month has passed, and after this period of reflection, the day for selecting the Hokage has arrived.

One suitable person will be selected from among the Hokage candidates.

Orochimaru, are you confident?

In a dark laboratory, Shimura Danzo spoke to Orochimaru in a deep voice.

If the Hokage position were given to Kiyoshi Uchiha or Minato Namikaze, his status would be greatly affected.

A new broom sweeps clean, and his foundation lay in controlling the roots.

Since being removed from his position as leader of Root, he has only held the nominal title of Hokage.

Besides assisting the Hokage, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado each manage their respective departments.

He was the only one in command, with no authority to access any resources from the root organization except for a few loyal followers.

Although there are many checks and balances in the Hokage system, ultimately, the person with the most power is the Hokage.

Unless the newly appointed leader has an unstable foundation and lacks his own team.

The longer a Hokage holds the position, the more power and connections they can cultivate.

"Heh heh, the most likely candidate for Hokage is Minato Namikaze."

Orochimaru's tone inevitably carried a hint of emotion.

How could he not have genuine feelings for Hiruzen Sarutobi?

It's just that his teacher, Sarutobi, didn't think highly of him.

Orochimaru could foresee this situation to some extent; he and Minato Namikaze were both geniuses.

The difference lies in the former being positive and easy to control.

She was a deep thinker and always had a passion for experiments.

"Most likely does not mean certain."

Danzo Shimura snorted.

If he were truly the Hokage, he would only choose a successor like Orochimaru.

A character like Minato Namikaze is only suitable to be a tool called a ninja, not a "Kage" who leads everyone.

Where there is light, there is bound to be darkness. Minato Namikaze, because of his kindness, inevitably hesitated when confronted with darkness.

"Kiyoshi-kun, that's quite possible too."

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth.

She thought of a man she longed for day and night.

If that perfect body were given to her, how dazzling would it be?

The thought that Kiyoshi not only possessed the perfect Uchiha bloodline but also various other bloodline limits made Orochimaru unable to suppress his desires.

She must have this body!

In her quest for immortality and even further, she even abandoned her true body and replaced it with her new one.

There's no turning back now.

She needs to continuously improve and perfect "Reanimation Jutsu" so that he can truly live forever in the ninja world.

"Just perform at your normal level then. I've been building momentum for you during this time."

Shimura Danzodo.

Some of the Root's spy ninjas remained loyal to him, making it easy for them to spread information.

Ordinary civilians are a bunch of stupid people; they don't know the real inside story, and all the information they receive is just what's being spread from above.

Among them, only those powerful ninja clans have the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

……

It was morning.

The Hokage Building was once again packed with ninjas, so much so that it was impossible to move.

Besides the ninjas, there were also officials from the Land of Fire.

This time, His Highness the Daimyo also came here.

Even the daimyo of the Land of Demons came here to witness the birth of the new Hokage.

After all, the Five Great Nations are the five strongest nations in the ninja world.

The "Kage" of the five great ninja villages is the supreme ruler who reigns over countless ninjas.

Of course, "Shadow" can also be seen as a position similar to that of a general.

They took control of the army and handled wars on behalf of the daimyo.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire provides the economy for the ninja village, develops the country, and governs the nation.

Therefore, in most cases, although they are said to be equal, the "Shadow" actually has a lower status than the "Daimyo".

With the divine right of kings deeply ingrained for thousands of years, the ninjas also believed that it was only natural for the daimyo to rule the world.

Therefore, the status of others is naturally lower.

"Heh heh, Uchiha Kiyoshi is here too?"

The daimyo of the Land of Fire sat on a magnificent chair, with guards standing behind him.

The "Twelve Guardian Ninjas" hold a high position. As their personal protectors, they are responsible for ensuring the safety of the daimyo and also enter some confidential locations to prevent accidents from happening.

"Your Highness, Kiyoshi is also here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly.

The fact that the daimyo was so concerned about Kiyoshi gave him a strange sense of unease.

How did Kiyoshi manage to cultivate a good relationship with the daimyo?

Could it be due to his medical skills?

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a while. The daimyo of the Land of Fire was of noble status and had never suffered from any serious illness. At least there was no need for Kiyoshi to be of use to him now.

"Ahem, Miroku, who do you think will be the next Hokage?"

The daimyo of the Land of Demons coughed as he spoke.

"I have no idea."

Miroku shook his head.

There were only three candidates for Hokage this time: Kiyoshi, Orochimaru, and Minato Namikaze.

None of the three of them are simple characters. Kiyoshi and Minato Namikaze are both considered rising stars in the Third Shinobi World War.

Even beyond the Land of Fire, it enjoys a great reputation.

Some ninja villages even gave their ninjas orders to run away as soon as they saw Kiyoshi or Minato Namikaze, without it being considered a mission failure and without any punishment.

Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, is a figure of great renown among ninjas from other countries, having already made his name known during the Second Shinobi World War.

He was active in the Third Shinobi World War and had a high reputation.

"So...who do you hope it is?"

The daimyo of the Land of Demons inquired.

The Land of Demons has no ninja villages of its own, only a few guards who control secret techniques.

Every year, many missions are assigned to the ninjas of Konoha, asking them to help complete them.

If the new Hokage of Konoha adopts any new policies, it will inevitably affect and radiate to the surrounding countries.

Even the remote Land of Demons is no exception; it's just that it's remote, not that it's cut off from the ninja world.

"clear……"

Upon hearing this, Miroku bit his lip, and the first image that came to mind was Kiyoshi.

It wasn't that she supported Kiyoshi becoming Hokage; it was that Kiyoshi had a very deep impression of her.

Whenever Miroku hears Kiyoshi's name or anything about her, he can't help but think of Kiyoshi's face.

"I do not know."

After uttering a syllable, Miroku realized he had almost blurted out Kiyoshi's name and quickly said he didn't know.

"Yeah."