Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 319 Secret Talk

"You are not allowed to take on any overseas assignments for the next period of time."

The Hokage ruthlessly announced the high-level verdict.

"Oh."

The person being sentenced had no objection and remained very calm.

Tsunade felt a vein throbbing on her forehead and struggled to suppress the urge to flare up.

"Naruto, take this time to reflect on why you always manage to come up with something interesting every time you go out."

"Is it wrong for me to have such good sensory abilities?" Naruto not only didn't reflect on his actions, but also dared to talk back. "If I hadn't discovered the situation at Hozuki Castle in time, that box would definitely have caused even greater harm..."

The Hokage's disposable desk cracked at one corner, and Tsunade's smile vanished. She coldly reprimanded, "Do you think your lame excuse can fool many people? The higher-ups all suspect that you sent the amulet to plant a spy in Hozuki Castle. If they didn't think it was necessary, they wouldn't have given you such a light punishment."

"But a talisman is really just a talisman, isn't it? Being able to summon me is more practical than praying to a god." Naruto was indeed very wronged in a certain way. No one stipulated that a talisman could only be an ornament with a blessing meaning. Wouldn't it be better to give him a real talisman with the Flying Thunder God symbol? Besides, Granny Tsunade clearly knew that his landing point at Hozuki Castle was Sasuke, so why did she insist on clinging to the talisman?

“That’s the biggest problem. You can actually offer real protection to others, and you’re far more practical than those guys who just talk the talk.” Tsunade’s words were cold, but every sentence spoke the truth.

"Orders have been issued that you are no longer allowed to give Flying Thunder God Marks to non-Konoha ninjas."

Naruto blinked, finally understanding after such an obvious hint. It wasn't the Konoha leadership that forbade him from leaving the country, but the Daimyo! They'd sent Shisui to deal with the Frost Country's ruler, yet he'd been caught out by this small detail? The Fire Country's ruler was indeed no ordinary person; truly worthy of praising Konoha's achievements in resisting foreign invaders while simultaneously offering him poisoned wine without batting an eye.

"Understood, I will keep a low profile for a while."

"I hope you really understand." Tsunade pointed to a stack of documents on the table without any guilt and said, "Here, this is your current task. Take it."

"...Um, Granny Tsunade, I'm just an inspector from the mission allocation department..."

"I'm planning to set up a real oversight department. While the Anbu also has oversight capabilities, their responsibilities under the rules lean more towards the Hokage, which inevitably creates a bias, making them relatively weaker in open confrontations. If we establish an absolutely neutral and impartial oversight department, perhaps we can find a balance between the two..." Tsunade "inadvertently" revealed some of her intentions. She actually knew very well that this department might drag on for years before it was even established, but she could still use the name of the oversight department to plant her own people in various other departments.

Everyone likes compromises, right? As long as the Ministry of Supervision isn't established, there has to be some leeway on both sides.

However, she was personally quite satisfied with the idea and was saying it in the hope that Naruto would agree.

Naruto's reaction was much calmer than she had expected. He was neither extremely shocked nor overjoyed, but instead lowered his eyes and pondered for a while.

“That’s a good idea, but the department shouldn’t be absolutely neutral.” Naruto agreed with some points and rejected others. “Whether in terms of law or in practice, the Hokage is the highest leader of Konoha, bearing the heaviest responsibility and should also enjoy the highest rights. We cannot deny our rights because of deviations from the old system. Even if an Inspection Department is to be established, that department must be accountable to the Hokage.”

To be honest, Tsunade herself was a little stunned. She truly hadn't expected Naruto to speak so logically and ambitiously. This kid had indeed talked about becoming Hokage from a young age, openly sharing his wish with everyone, including her. This was common; what child didn't dream of becoming Hokage? No one would take a child's wish to heart. However, she hadn't expected Naruto's wish to be more than just a simple aspiration; he clearly understood the weight of the title "Hokage."

He is very likely to know perfectly well the responsibilities, obligations, and rights of the Hokage!

The thought of this possibility made Tsunade's lips unconsciously curl up, and she suddenly began to look forward to her retirement.

Honestly, anyone who's in that Hokage position knows how frustrating it is. She's tired of saying "suffocating"; this is completely different from the Hokage she remembers. When her great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were Hokage, there weren't so many troublemakers under their command. There wasn't a council of elders ostensibly as advisors. Which clan would dare disregard Konoha's future for their own benefit? If they saw Konoha now, they'd probably be so angry they'd purge the entire clan on the spot!

Taking back what's lost isn't easy, and the next Hokage might take everything for granted because of the so-called "old system," not feeling that their rights are being lacking. But Tsunade knows this is wrong, which is why she tries so hard to fight for it, to reclaim it. If even she forgets, Konoha might remain like this forever. No matter how unwilling she is to face it, she's no longer young, lacking much of the youthful vigor. When interacting with those gloomy old folks, she always seems less sharp.

However, hasn't this produced an unexpectedly amazing junior? If those old guys were to face off against Naruto... the scene would definitely be quite a spectacle, wouldn't it?

"Since you agree, let's get started on getting familiar with the work quickly." Tsunade was even more cheerful, tossing the documents around without any burden. Following Naruto's way of thinking, becoming Hokage was only a matter of time; wouldn't it be better to get familiar with the job as soon as possible?

Naruto, who was inexplicably conscripted, left completely bewildered. He genuinely didn't think there was anything special about his statement just now, but he was inwardly lamenting that Granny Tsunade's capriciousness had intensified. Was Granny Tsunade like this before?

He hadn't finished speaking: the Hokage's power certainly couldn't expand indefinitely. But checks and balances could only be limited to internal matters, not to a power struggle between several equally powerful departments, which would inevitably lead to chaos.

But it's too early to talk about this now. Let's wait until that department is actually likely to be established before making any decisions.