Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

This time, it wasn't Sasuke who called out to him, but Naruto.

"Naruto, is there anything else?"

Baiyun Qingye looked at Naruto with some doubt, wondering if Naruto was also going to challenge him.

But Naruto was just focused on rummaging through his pockets, his expression showing a hint of urgency.

"If I have money, will Aoba continue to play with me?"

"This……"

Baiyun Qingye was at a loss for words, wondering how to explain herself.

Then Naruto suddenly pulled out tens of thousands of ryo from his pocket.

Shirokumo Aoba's eyes widened: "Naruto, what are you doing...?"

"Thank goodness I brought it!" Naruto looked at the money in his hand with relief, then looked at Shirokumo Aoba with expectant eyes.

"Aoba, if these aren't enough, I have plenty more at home. I want Aoba to play with me."

Baiyun Qingye stared blankly at the money in Naruto's hand.

"But how do you have so much money?"

Naruto chuckled foolishly.

"Normally people are unwilling to sell me their things, so I've saved up quite a bit."

Meeting Naruto's sapphire blue eyes, Shirokumo Aoba saw the pleading and reluctance in them.

He probably hasn't been this happy in the past five years.

Baiyun Qingye couldn't help but sigh softly.

-

Inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been feeling quite pleased watching the three children bickering, suddenly felt a chill.

He turned around and saw Tsunade staring at him with a hostile expression.

"Tsunade... Tsunade..."

"Old man, I want to know how you usually treat Kushina's children?"

“Uh… Tsunade, even though you’ve been away all the time, you should know that Naruto is the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki. The damage the Nine-Tails caused to the village was immense, so the villagers have some misunderstandings…”

Hiruzen Sarutobi also showed a helpless expression.

But Tsunade didn't care about that; she remembered the rumors she had heard when she first returned to the village.

"How did the villagers find out about the demon fox? Naruto is Kushina and Minato's child. You can refuse to reveal his identity, but why spread rumors about the demon fox?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and decisively shifted the blame to Danzo.

"This is all Danzo's doing. He spread rumors on his own, and by the time I found out, it was too late to stop him!"

Tsunade couldn't help but scoff, her tone dripping with sarcasm: "Shimura Danzo, is that it? Everyone in Konoha knows you and that Shimura Danzo are in cahoots. If it weren't for you..."

boom!

Before Tsunade could finish speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as if triggered by a sudden reaction, slammed his hand on the table.

"Who told you that I'm in cahoots with that guy Danzo Shimura!"

"When I see that guy Danzo Shimura now, I want to skin him alive!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's sudden outburst startled even Tsunade.

"Old man, are you planning to shift all the blame onto Shimura Danzo?"

After a moment of surprise, Tsunade frowned again, clearly not believing that Hiruzen Sarutobi would really be so angry with Danzo Shimura.

Last time, Danzo planned to assassinate him, but in the end, he just withheld some of Root's funds and that was the end of it.

He didn't believe that these two didn't have something going on.

"You... cough cough cough!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed violently, his voice hoarse from anger.

The main problem was that he didn't know how to explain it to his disciple.

Recently, a rumor has suddenly spread among the village's ninja circles that he and Danzo are having an affair, and the rumor is getting more and more outlandish.

There are already more than a dozen versions; if this continues, it could become a whole collection of stories.

Therefore, he is quite sensitive to anything related to Danzo.

He didn't want to end up disgraced at his advanced age.

How could the pure and innocent Hiruzen Sarutobi have his reputation tarnished by something like this!

He now empathized with Naruto's feelings to some extent; being stared at by so many strange eyes was truly unpleasant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to give an explanation.

With a bang.

The door was kicked open again.

"Hiruzen! How could you allow a Jinchuriki to come into contact with the Uchiha clan!"

Before you see him, you hear his voice.

Without a doubt, it was Shimura Danzo who walked in. However, his previously excited expression immediately calmed down after seeing Tsunade.

"Tsunade? Why are you back?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, looking at Danzo with a mocking expression: "What? I can't go back to Konoha?"

Danzo's expression darkened; he was very displeased with Tsunade's tone.

If we were to ask who in the entire Hidden Leaf Village least wanted Tsunade to return, it would undoubtedly be Danzo.

If you were to ask who in Konoha today would be the most likely to become the next Hokage if Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly died, you would be inquiring.

One of them must be Tsunade, who has impeccable lineage and a renowned reputation.

The second is Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin who was on par with Tsunade.

Only as a last resort could it be Shimura Danzo; even a one percent chance is possible.

Therefore, Danzo would certainly not give the other party a friendly look.

"That's not what I meant. It's just that I have important matters to discuss with Hiruzen right now, and you're just an idle person, so please excuse us."

"Ah!"

Tsunade was so angry she laughed, but before she could retaliate, Hiruzen Sarutobi struck first.

"Danzo! How many times have I told you, when you're at work, you have to use your job title!"

"And remember to knock!"

Upon hearing what Hiruzen Sarutobi emphasized, Danzo Shimura's expression became somewhat strange. He tentatively asked, "Hiruzen, are you concerned about that rumor?"

Click!

This was the sound coming from the pipe in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand. At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was as dark as a pool of stagnant water.

He regretted his long-standing indulgence of the other party; he never expected to encounter such humiliation at the end of his Hokage career.

Danzo Shimura noticed the change in Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression and quickly said, "Hiruzen, our relationship..."

Danzo!

Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted sharply.

Danzo Shimura was also startled; the skin on his face twitched, and he quickly shut his mouth.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his old pipe and said indifferently, "I don't want to see you again anytime soon. You can leave now."

"Also, Tsunade will become Shirakumo Aoba's teacher. As for the Jinchuriki, if you still want your Root, you'd better control yourself!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi has proven himself in front of his disciples. If he can distance himself from Danzo now, he might be able to quell the rumors.

Upon hearing this, Tsunade frowned, but remained silent, which was tantamount to acknowledging the matter.

Danzo Shimura stared wide-eyed, looking as if he had been betrayed.

This is like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose!

"Damn it... Third Hokage, your decision was too hasty. I think it's necessary for everyone to have a meeting to discuss the matter of becoming a disciple and the matter of becoming a Jinchuriki."

"Danzo, I am the Hokage, and I have the right to decide this matter."

"you!"

You'll regret this!

Seeing that there was no way to turn things around, Shimura Danzo planned to slam the door and leave, as he always had done.

"Danzo! Don't slam the door!"

Danzo Shimura turned back and gave Hiruzen Sarutobi one last deep look. The complex emotions in his eyes sent a chill down Tsunade's spine.

Finally, Danzo Shimura gently closed the door, turned around, and left.

After Shimura Danzo left, an eerie atmosphere filled the entire office.

"To be honest, I'm quite curious about what kind of rumor it is. Why don't you tell me, old man?"

Tsunade looked quite interested, but Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched, and he changed the subject.

What do you think of Baiyun Qingye?

"It's not certain whether he'll accept me as his teacher. I'll go see him again tonight."