Hokage: Ryo's Path

Terumi Mei rubbed her forehead. “Ah, this is troublesome. Now we have to change our attitude towards Konoha again. Fortunately, we sent someone over for the Chunin Exam. By the way, how’s our Genin doing in the Chunin Exam?”

“Only one of the two teams advanced and promoted. And the Nuibari Master that you planned to focus on was eliminated.”

Hearing this, Mei was startled. “What?! Nuibari Master was eliminated? Who was it?!”

Ao pondered, recalling what Sasuke said that day. “It’s a young Genin from the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Sasuke. He’s about 12-13 years old and already awakened 2 Tomoe Sharingan, and had a special Body Flicker Technique.”

“Konoha is really the cradle of genius. Twelve years old with Tomoe Sharingan. Maybe in the future...”

“Mizukage-sama, no one can tell what will happen in the future! Let’s just focus on the present! I have other information for you.” Ao spoke in a serious tone.

Ao always put on a smile all the time. So, If he turned serious, it must be something big. Terumi Mei quickly asked. “What is it? Tell me.”

“Well... I don’t know why Iwagakure sent a lot of Genin to take this Chunin Exam. Konoha Ninja seems to really put up their guards against Iwagakure. They always observe Iwagakure every time.”

“That’s nothing new. Of course, Konoha should be prepared for the arrival of so many Iwagakure Ninja.”

Ao shook his head. “If that’s really the case, then I won’t report this to you. But... the thing is, our Genin saw Kurotsuchi from Iwagakure intercepted Konoha’s Kyuubi Jinchuuriki.”

Mei couldn’t sit still now. “What? Iwagakure dared to try to kill the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki? Does Onoki want to take advantage of this Chunin Exam?”

“I think so. Mizukage-sama, what should we do?”

Terumi Mei’s brows furrowed, pondering. She raised her head and spoke. “Ao... Konoha has Yamanaka Ryo, Hatake Sakumo, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Hatake Kakashi, and the retired Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. The Third Hokage is strong. But among them, Yamanaka Ryo’s strength is bottomless. If Iwagakure dared to make a move against Konoha, they must have a trump card.”

“Un! That’s what I’ve been thinking. But I didn’t know what their trump card was.”

After hesitating, Mei bit her lips and made her decision. “Let’s do this. Take Yugao and two Elite Jounin Anbu to Konoha. Only we know Yugao’s Jinchuuriki identity. If Iwagakure is on the winning side, let’s help them. If Konoha could resist, then we attack Iwagakure. By then, Konoha will owe us a favor.”

Ao nodded, agreeing with Terumi’s idea. It’s the best and safest way for Kirigakure.

“Ao, be careful not to get hurt by Iwagakure’s preparation.”

“I understand. Mizukage-sama, please rest assured!”

.........

At the same time, Sunagakure. Pakura was discussing with Rasa about the Chunin Exams.

Ryo didn’t tell her about Iwagakure’s plan. But she’s not stupid. Although Ryo didn’t tell her anything, she could guess it in a short time.

After Pakura told Rasa about the news, Rasa had the same thought with Terumi Mei, that Iwagakure had some kind of trump card against Konoha.

Rasa hesitated for a moment and decided he will be the one who would go to Konoha in the next Chunin Exam.

While Pakura will stay in the village to look after Sunagakure while he’s away. Pakura agreed.

She thought Rasa was the Kazekage. His presence will have more impact than her presence as a consultant Elder.

Unfortunately, she guessed wrong. The reason why Rasa personally went to Konoha was exactly the same as Terumi Mei. He would take advantage of someone else’s misfortune.

..........

Time went by, and the Chunin Exam was finally getting closer and closer.

The village representatives arrived at Konoha.

At this time near Konoha Forest, Kakashi was training Sasuke.

Sasuke turned on his Sharingan and exuded his Raito Chakra. For the past month, he had been learning Chidori and three other Chidori-derived Ninjutsu.

He also learned how to stimulate cells with Raiton Chakra.

He had learned Ryo’s ordinary transients from Naruto. After learning how to stimulate his cells with Raiton Chakra, his Body Flicker Technique speed was faster.

Unfortunately, Sasuke couldn’t learn Instant Lightning because he didn’t have Raiton Chakra Mode from Hatake Clan’s Taijutsu.

Even so, his speed already reached the degree where ordinary eyes couldn’t capture his movement. If someone were to watch Sasuke’s training with Kakashi in the forest, they would only see two lightning striking each other.

After a while, Sasuke slumped on the ground, panting heavily. Kakashi was flustered but didn’t pant.

He looked at Sasuke with ease. “Sasuke, you’re doing great over this month. Just from your strength alone, you can fight a Special Jounin. But you still lack combat experience. You’ll learn them from missions and stuff. Alright, training’s over. Tomorrow is the Chunin Exam. We should get back to the village.”

On the other side, Naruto had finished his training with Jiraiya. For the last month, Naruto’s impression of Jiraiya gradually changed.

Jiraiya’s words and actions made Naruto respect him.

Originally, Jiraiya was going to treat Naruto to a bowl of ramen, and then he would be on his way.

But after they ate the ramen, Naruto invited him to his house. After hesitating, Jiraiya agreed.

Jiraiya had been wandering outside the village for years. On the one hand, he needed to gather enough materials for his writings from all over the world (he will be killed if he was caught peeping in a place over and over again). On the other hand, he didn’t dare to face the people he once knew.

Standing outside Minato Namikaze’s house again after years, Jiraiya’s heart was troubled.

Naruto’s reckless attitude didn’t notice Jiraiya’s anxiety. He opened the front gate and reached for the door when suddenly the door was opened from the inside.

Naruto froze as he saw Kushina behind the door. “Mother, are you here to greet me?”

Instead, Kushina ignored Naruo, walked towards Jiraiya, and bowed. “Welcome home, Jiraiya sensei.”