SWNOVELXO Chapter 86: Chapter 096
[Senju Tobirama]: Look at Kitahara Kaede's approach.
[Senju Tobirama]: Even though a lot was held back this time, it was still useful.
[Senju Tobirama]: It stirred up the enthusiasm of the genin and also received praise. If we hold a few more of these, eventually all the shinobi villages will only recognize Konoha's Chunin Exams.
[Senju Tobirama]: However... I'm not in a good mood right now.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Uh... is it because of the Third and the others?
[Senju Tobirama]: ...
[Senju Tobirama]: Yes.
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm very disappointed.
[Senju Tobirama]: For the past three days, I had them write down every decision they've made over the years, and also all their actions during the two Shinobi World Wars.
[Senju Tobirama]: And then... I was left speechless.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: ...
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Is Konoha going to collapse now?
Hashirama looked at his brother's dejected soul form and asked tactfully.
[Senju Tobirama]: ...
[Senju Tobirama]: I can't explain it all in the group. It's better if you all see it for yourselves.
As Tobirama spoke, everyone noticed that the small group's livestream had started.
Or rather, Tobirama had gone to invite Kitahara Kaede to the Hokage's office.
"I can't write anymore…"
"Didn't Second Hokage-sensei say that Orochimaru had already undone the Edo Tensei, so he shouldn't last long?"
"It's been three days and he still hasn't disappeared…"
Walking toward the Hokage's office, voices could be heard coming from inside.
Tobirama was bringing Kitahara Kaede toward the room. Hearing the voices, he stood at the door and then pushed it open with a loud bang.
"What, are you all really that eager for me to disappear?" Tobirama's voice boomed across the room.
Koharu Utatane, who had just been speaking, immediately shut her mouth.
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses as sweat beaded on his forehead.
Perhaps because Tobirama didn't want to be swayed by seeing a group of old folks remorseful before him, he had Danzo, Koharu, and Homura return to their younger appearances when they re-entered the office.
After all, looking like that wouldn't garner any sympathy.
Tobirama had always seen himself as a cold and rational decision-maker, but he feared that seeing these aged, pitiful elders might shake his resolve.
So it was better to let them appear in a form he could face coldly.
"No…"
"No…"
Koharu quickly shut her mouth.
Kitahara Kaede glanced at the table. Apart from the Will of Fire, the Hokage's office itself was also a legacy of Konoha. The vintage desk was once used by the First Hokage.
The chair, too — perhaps even sat on by Konoha's first rogue ninja, Uchiha Madara.
But what mattered wasn't the décor, but the three massive stacks on the desk — and countless papers already stacked on the floor.
Each page was filled with past actions.
These were likely what the Second had asked the so-called Konoha F4 to list out in detail — everything they had done after his death.
"Second Hokage-sensei…"
Just then, a voice came from outside — it was the voice of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
His voice had also become younger.
And sure enough, when he entered, he appeared young and far more beatable — just like Danzo and the others.
[Kakashi Hatake]: So this is what Danzo and the Third Hokage looked like when they were young?
[Minato Namikaze]: I've never seen them young either.
[Future Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: I didn't expect Danzo to have such a bad reputation and yet still be a handsome guy.
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: Hah!
The Nine Tails snorted in disdain.
What was the big deal?
As someone who had been imprisoned four times by Konoha, he had even seen a young Uzumaki Mito.
"As the Second Hokage, I have always passed down my big brother's ideals."
Tobirama looked at his once-familiar but now estranged disciples.
"I wanted to train you, and then entrust Konoha to you."
"And in the end, you managed to turn the number-one ranked village into second-to-last. I'm honestly impressed."
"And now…"
"You've written out so many problems…"
"I'm very disappointed…"
"Or rather, I feel like I've failed," Tobirama said.
"And now." Tobirama looked at Kitahara Kaede. "What do you think we should do about these issues?"
"They were involved in the Uchiha Clan's massacre," Tobirama sighed.
"And then…" Tobirama continued, "If it were you, I believe you could read all of this in three days."
Tobirama knew about Kitahara Kaede's Rinnegan genjutsu space — meaning time spent training or reading in there would pass quickly, while only a second went by in the real world.
So no matter how big the workload, Kitahara Kaede could handle it.
"My Edo Tensei state won't last much longer," Tobirama said.
"..." Kitahara Kaede.
Kitahara Kaede didn't reply.
So basically, Tobirama had brought him here to take away his happy time?
Even though he had already made sure Tobirama had his own fun?
Sigh.
These Hokage were never satisfied.
"No need to read it all," Kitahara Kaede said.
"Cut through the mess with a sharp blade," he added. "Pick out the most important issues and make them public."
"And then…"
"Pick a scapegoat. Public execution."
"That way, the villagers will accept it, and so will those who feel wronged."
"People's hearts will naturally settle."
"..."
[Descendant Chat Group (^_-)
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: What's wrong, Tobirama?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Isn't Kitahara Kaede's method pretty reasonable?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Reading through all that and matching it up... it's not realistic. Some things are just too far in the past to deal with.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Some of the people involved may have passed on generations ago.
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: Big Brother, I'm not denying his decision.
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm just speechless.
[Senju Tobirama]: Because this guy always seems to be thinking about how to slack off.
[Senju Tobirama]: Yet it still works so well.
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm getting a bit worried now.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Worried about what?
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm worried that if we name this guy the next Hokage, he'll really find it too troublesome and refuse.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
[Minato Namikaze]: Isn't Kakashi still around?
[Senju Tobirama]: No.
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm worried about something very important.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: What is it?
[Senju Tobirama]: I'm worried Kakashi won't be able to satisfy him.
[Future Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: …
[Future Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: Second Hokage, please don't say strange things.
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: And don't call me the Second Mizukage in this mess.
[Senju Tobirama]: Once again, I am the Hokage, the Hokage!
[Kakashi Hatake]: …I think I kind of understand what Second Hokage is thinking.
[Minato Namikaze]: How so?
Minato actually thought Kitahara Kaede's solution was quite good.
When he was the Fourth Hokage, he felt that the workload was overwhelming, so streamlining things was for the best.
And if he had to deal with all the information the Third and the others had written down, even a man who mastered Flying Thunder God would be buried in it for a long time.
Also, with Kaede's method, he was sure Naruto's issue would be brought up.
That was what he cared about most.
As long as Naruto was properly and fairly evaluated, he would be satisfied.
Unlike just now at the evaluation center — Naruto earned his Chunin rank and was moved to tears, because it proved how hard he had worked.
But he held back his tears.
Because there were still people jeering at him.
Only then did Minato truly understand how unpopular Naruto had been in the village as the Nine Tails' jinchūriki.
When Sasuke earned his Chunin rank, people praised him as a genius.
But when it came to Naruto, people either stayed silent or changed the subject.
So Naruto was never treated fairly.
That made Minato feel silent regret — had he even saved the village at all?
All he wanted now was for Kitahara Kaede to give Naruto a just evaluation. That alone would satisfy him.
[Senju Tobirama]: …
[Senju Tobirama]: How should I put it? I think Kitahara Kaede is the kind of person who…
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