HTP: Ch. 73

Inside the temporary Raikage's office, Mabui looked across at Shikaku and said, "This kind of opportunity for revenge… we simply can't refuse."

Standing nearby, Killer B wiped down his blade and sang, "Kumo's hatred~ when will it end~"

Shikaku's hand trembled slightly as he held his teacup. He said in a low voice, "If that's the case, I'll take my leave now."

Mabui nodded. "I'll see you out."

"No need to trouble yourself, Raikage-sama."

Shikaku stood and politely declined, saying, "I have other tasks to attend to. The intel documents will be delivered to your secretariat shortly."

With that, he left, as the busiest man in Konoha, he had other responsibilities waiting.

Once the door closed and no outsiders remained, Mabui stood up and frowned. "If Konoha successfully takes down Akatsuki this time, their prestige will rise even further."

Although she had been reluctantly crowned Raikage, it seemed in private Killer B still held more authority, one might even call him the hidden Raikage.

Killer B continued wiping his blade. With both his brother and Darui dead, he had been forced to mature greatly. His formerly carefree demeanor was gone.

"That's true," he said.

He sheathed his long sword and added, "But it doesn't really matter, does it? At this point, both Suna and Kumo are practically their vassals. And Kiri doesn't look far behind."

Mabui paced back and forth, thinking. "About this operation to eliminate Akatsuki—"

"I know." Killer B walked to the window and squinted into the distance toward the Hokage Rock.

"I'll keep it under control."

His hatred wasn't just for Akatsuki, it was also for Konoha.
If not for that conflict in which A died and most of Kumo's elite forces were wiped out, how could Akatsuki have broken through Kumo so easily?

In a foreign land, the loneliness was overwhelming.

---

"I don't want to be Kazekage. I want to be Hokage."

When he heard this, Kankurō's ears buzzed. He couldn't help but turn to look at his brother, mouth open, wanting to say something, but unsure how to begin.

Across from them sat a Konoha ninja, who was equally stunned. After a moment, Shikaku tried another approach.

"Well, you can be Kazekage now, and then aim for Hokage later. Right now Lady Chiyo is managing everything in Suna. She'll be leading the troops to invade Ame. Her only concern is the matter of succession, and as the child of the former Kazekage, you're the most suitable successor."

That was indeed true. Chiyo's only condition for leading the expedition was that a proper heir be appointed, which happened to align perfectly with the Hokage's wishes. At this point, it was clear: Gaara really was the most suitable choice for Kazekage.

Kankurō wanted to say, "I could do it too."

But before he could speak, Temari cautiously said, "Did anyone say only boys can become Kazekage?"

Shikaku thought for a moment and said, "No, no one said that."

Temari immediately responded, "Then I'll do it."

"Ahem." Shikaku cleared his throat and explained, "Strength is also important. Right now, Gaara is the only one strong enough to become Kazekage."

Kankurō and Temari both clicked their tongues in annoyance.

Gaara said, "Isn't there anyone else in the village? I still want to study with Naruto at school."

Shikaku had no choice but to respond, "You can still study in Konoha even as Kazekage. Look, the Raikage is also here in Konoha, isn't she?"

Only then did Gaara nod in agreement.

Seeing the matter settled, Shikaku immediately got up and rushed off to the next scene. He still had to deliver the Devil Fruit to Sasuke.

He was simply too busy.

At Yakiniku Q, meat sizzled and dripped with fat as it grilled over charcoal.

Today's treat was on Yamato. He was pouring drinks for Kakashi and Guy, saying, "Have you heard? The Hokage is selecting commanders for the upcoming expedition to Ame."

Kakashi nodded. "Yeah, I got the news too."

Guy stroked his chin. "Yamato, are you planning to volunteer?"

Yamato sighed. "Last time, I let the surviving Eight-Tails remnants escape, missed my chance at promotion… and now that war's breaking out again…"

He raised his cup and downed it in one gulp.

"Time to make my mark, the moment is now."

Such spirit, that's Yamato for you.

Kakashi, inwardly impressed, asked, "What's your plan, Yamato?"

Guy stuffed several pieces of grilled meat into his mouth and mumbled, "You want to be Hokage too, huh?"

"I want to improve so badly," Yamato sighed again. "Ever since last time, especially after you two got selected, I just can't stop replaying it in my mind at night, wondering where I fell short."

Well, Orochimaru came back, that basically squeezed you out.

Kakashi thought to himself, but out loud he offered, "Lately I heard… besides the Five Generals, even the Grand Strategist and Konoha's Shadow are being considered as Hokage successors."

"I know!" Guy suddenly looked up and held up a finger. "The Grand Strategist is Shikaku, right? He's super famous now, whoever gets him on their side could rule the world."

Looks like Konoha's Shadow title is mine. Yamato refilled his cup, raised it solemnly, and said, "Please, lend me your strength."

Kakashi and Guy raised their cups without hesitation.

"We'll support you with everything we've got."

Yamato nodded with satisfaction. This dinner was worth it.

Since they had agreed to help, Kakashi immediately began analyzing, "I suggest we take down Akatsuki's most valuable target, Obito."

Guy chimed in at once. "Last time we let him get away, this time, let's finish him together!"

---

Meanwhile, Jiraiya was eating ramen with Naruto. It was "father-son" bonding time.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked, "How's your Flying Thunder God training coming along?"

Naruto already had three empty bowls stacked in front of him. He patted his stomach and laughed, "Hahaha, still haven't mastered it, but Sasuke hasn't either!"

"You really take after your mom," Jiraiya said with a touch of sentimentality. Maybe Naruto was more suited to a brute-force approach. "Alright then, let's shift your focus, it's time to start training in Sage Mode."

Naruto grumbled, "I haven't given up yet! We even formed a Flying Thunder God study group! I've already improved a lot since before!"

"Oh?" Jiraiya didn't want to discourage him. "Alright, then let's give it more time. Sage Mode training isn't something you can rush anyway."

Just then, an ANBU with a fox mask suddenly appeared.

"Jiraiya-sama, this is from the Hokage."

He handed over a scroll of intelligence and vanished immediately.

Jiraiya took it, unrolled it, and his brow instantly furrowed.

Seeing Jiraiya's serious expression, Naruto couldn't help but ask, "Pervy Sage, what's wrong?"

Jiraiya closed the scroll and said in a low voice. "I have to make a trip to the Hokage."