Chapter 20: Chapter XIX
Almost a week has passed since the death of the third Hokage. Everything was returning to normal after the attack on the village. A small group of ninjas, most made of Jonin, were allowed to leave the village on missions while the rest remaining helped repair the town.
Sand Village "Suna"
The Sand Village Council had gathered to discuss the terms of surrender and possibly sign a peace treaty with the Village of the Leaf.
Council member #1: We can not agree to the terms of the surrender from Konohagakure. We will be left entirely bankrupt. Plus, they have taken most of our jobs thanks to our Wind Daimyō passing them out. If this continues, the village will be doomed.
Council member #2: Since we were allowed to be tricked like fools into going to war by Orochimaru pretending to be our Kazekage, we have no choice but to pay reparation for the damage caused by us.
All of the members of the Council continued to fight over whether they should agree or disagree with the terms of Konohagakure's surrender. It had been hours, but nothing had changed; there was still no consensus on what course of action they ought to take. The eldest council member slams her hand onto the table, gaining every attention.
Eldest Council member: I've had enough of listening to grown men fight like children, and I demand an end to it. I believe the suggestion I have will be more beneficial. Let's make a counteroffer to the agreement, shall we? We will deliver a Treaty of Perpetual Peace in addition to offering ten percent of what they want.
Council member #2: Who are we offering to, and what are we offering?
Eldest Council member: I thought maybe have the boy who defeated Gaara.
Council member #1: If I remember right, in Baki's report, the one who beat Gaara was a boy named Naruto Uzumaki.
Eldest Council member: No, he's not the one. Tamari mentioned in her report that a young boy by the name of Son Kakarot or Goku was the one who had beaten Gaara and caused him to lose control before retreating to the village after he was able to sense the Third Hokage's life was in danger, leaving Naruto to finish off Gaara.
Council Member #1: I believe it was in one of Baki's reports that it mentioned that Son Kakarot, also known as Goku, is the final Saiyan known to be alive. It is hard to think that Konoha could keep this formidable secret from the rest of the world. Not even our spy could find anything on him before the Chuunin Exams.
Council member #2: Okay, it seems as though we are all in agreement that this Goku kid will be the one who represents Konoha in the marriage proposal pact; however, who will we choose to be our representative? It is crucial to keep in mind that if this young boy turns out to be the very last Saiyan male to be alive, Konoha will not permit just any individual from our village to take part in the marriage proposal pact.
Before she began speaking, the Eldest Council member inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
Eldest Council member: We would get an up-and-coming powerhouse ninja to protect us during challenging times. So, we must act in the same manner. I propose that Princess Tamari, daughter of our late fourth Kazekage, serve as our representative.
During the discussion of the proposal, which suggested that Tamari marry Goku as part of a marriage covenant between the two villages, everyone in the room took some time to think and consider in silence. Because no members of the Council objected to the marriage act, they gave the order to Baki to tell Tamari that she had been selected to marry someone from the Leaf Village. At the same time, the Council was preparing to dispatch a hawk to present Konoha's Council members with the counteroffer.
After a few moments, Baki entered the chamber in which Tamari and her brothers were conversing and proceeded to explain the issue. The council members have agreed on a Marriage pact between her and someone else from Leaf Village to prevent a war between the two nations. But Tamari was clear that she would not accept it since she did not desire the kind of lifestyle that it entailed.
Baki: I'm sorry, Tamari, but since you are a ninja, you must serve your village. Look, I know you don't like it, but this is the most important mission you will ever have to complete in your life, Tamari.
Tamari inhaled as she wiped away the tears in her eyes.
Tamari: Find them, but at the very least, could you tell me who I must marry against my will?
Baki: Yes, his name is Son Kakarot, although you know him better by Goku.
After two days had passed, in a room where the Konoha council met, there were three people: Danzō Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. They were discussing the counteroffer that Konohagakure had presented.
Homura: So, what is it that the Konohagakure council wants? Is there an agreement among them on the peace treaty for our two countries to have peace?
Danzō: They made a counteroffer.
Koharu: What exactly do you mean by a counteroffer?
Homura: We should turn down the offer and go to war with the people who attacked us.
Koharu: Before we make any decisions, let's wait and see what they have to say in response to our offer.
As Danzō read the letter that the Konohagakure council members sent, he could not help but wear an arrogant grin on his face. Koharu Utatane was the only one who observed that Danzo's facial expression had changed as he continued reading, and she was the one who pointed it out.
Danzō: They turned down our offer since it would have resulted in us leaving Konohagakure bankrupt. As a result, the Konohagakure counteroffer is a peace treaty through political marriage between Son Goku and Tamari, the daughter of the fourth Kazekage Rasa. This marriage will serve as the basis for the peace treaty.
Koharu: By the smile on your face, I can tell you had this plan all along, didn't you, Danzō?
Homura: What do you mean, Koharu?
Koharu: Our old friend Danzo planned all this as soon as Hiruzen died. You planned on making a ridiculous offer to Konohagakure, and that they would decline it and instead push for a Political Marriage.
Danzo: You should know, Koharu, that all I do is for the best of Konoha. Soon, it will have the resurrected Saiyan Clan, and possibly more quickly, it will also have the
Kekkei Genkai Magnet Release in the Future.
Danzo quickly made a hand gesture, and two Root Anbu appeared.
Danzo: I need one of you to contact all of the clan's leaders and elders, as well as the Civilian Council, and have them report to the Hokage tower as soon as possible for an emergency meeting. I need the other of you to search for Jiraiya and Son Goku and inform them that they need to be at the Hokage tower in the afternoon.
Following these instructions, a cloud of smoke would envelop Root Anbus and cause him to vanish.
No more than thirty minutes had passed, and all of the Clan's Leaders, including the Civilian Council, had arrived at the Hokage tower.
Danzo stood in the middle of the room, explaining why he had ordered an emergency meeting. He first spoke about choosing the next Hokage and volunteered for the role, but was rejected by the clan's leaders and Koharu, while Homura and the civil council supported Danzo as the next Hokage.
Danzo: I was aware that something like this could occur. Therefore, I want to establish Jiraiya as the next Hokage.
Regarding Jiraiya, one of the three Sannins and the teacher of the previous fourth Hokage, no one voiced opposition to the concept or argued against it. Jiraiya's election as the next Hokage was backed by unanimous support from the Clan Leaders and the Civil Council.
Danzo: Okay, we have no disagreement regarding Jiraiya's status as the next Hokage. The following issue is the peace pact between The Leaf and The Sand. We have reached an agreement on the conditions of the Treaty, which will result in a political marriage between Son Goku and Tamari. Since Son Goku is believed to be the last Saiyan male still alive, I will also use an ancient law and include him in the Clan Restoration Act.
After learning that Danzo had reinstated the Clan Restoration Act, many of the clan's leaders exhibited a shift in expression. That prevents a Clan from becoming extinct and enables its members to have two or more spouses each. Many of the clan's leaders were aware of what that phrase signified. They would have given up some of their kin and been forced to marry Goku without any say.
Elsewhere in the Village.
As they go to Ichiraku's for lunch, Goku can be seen walking alongside some of the Rookies. Ino follows closely behind Goku at all times, even though many people find this behavior peculiar, given that, not very long ago, she was head over heels in love with Sasuke. There are still some people who don't have a lot of information regarding Goku. They started by asking about a few things.
Kiba: Who are you, Goku? We don't even know you. You were never a part of our attendance at the academy because we never saw you there. Then, a few days after graduation, you show up and are assigned to go on a mission with team seven that later turns dangerous.
Goku: Well, there's not much to tell. I became a ninja three years ago at the age of twelve. It could have been sooner, but my mom denied it. During those three years, I did missions outside the village with my mom and older sister.
Sakura: You only mentioned your mom and sister. What about your father?
Goku: He's dead. My father died about two months before I was born.
Sakura: I'm sorry. I didn't know.
Goku: It's okay. I'm not sad or anything.
Ino: Really, why not?
Goku: Please don't misinterpret what I'm saying. Although I regret not having the opportunity to know my father and not having him here with me, I do not feel regret since I know he gave his life to protect not only myself and my mother but also many other people. That's the kind of person I aspire to be: one who defends those they care about and stands up for those who can't protect themselves.
Shikamaru: What does your family do when they are not here with you?
Goku: My mother and sister both have extensive knowledge of medicine. They travel the country to assist people who require medical aid in towns that are either small or poor and do not have any doctors.
Naruto notices Hinata is nervous and falling behind everyone else.
Naruto: Hey Hinata, why so quiet? Say something; don't just stare at Goku.
Because of this, Sakura and Ino struck Naruto in the head with their respective fists. Anbu suddenly shows up in front of Goku and demands that he report to the Hokage tower immediately since the village elders have called upon him.
Goku says his goodbyes and starts running toward the Hokage tower, leaving everyone wondering what it was for. As Goku arrives at the Hokage tower, he notices Jiraiya at the front entrance.
Goku: Jiraiya, were you summoned here too?
Jiraiya: Yeah.
Goku: Do you know why?
Jiraiya: No, but I had a bad feeling. Let's go in and find out.
Upon Jiraiya and Goku's arrival in the room in which the Council convened, they were respectfully received by the highly regarded heads of the Clan, alongside the representatives from the Civilian Council and the ancient three people who made the village elders.
Danzo: Jiraiya and Goku, we have called both of you here today regarding an essential matter of the future of The Leaf Village. First is that Jiraiya is that we and the Clan's Leaders, including the Civilian Council, have agreed to...
Jiraiya stopped Danzo before he could finish his sentence.
Jiraiya: Let me make a guess and say that you are all pushing for me to succeed you as the next Hokage. I am sorry, but I cannot accept your offer under these circumstances.
Homura: What? Why are you refusing this offer?
Jiraiya: I do not possess the qualifications necessary to serve as Hokage. If I were to accept the position of Hokage, I would be required to discontinue my participation in my spy network and my unique research. In addition, if you are searching for a Hokage, there is someone else who would be a better choice than I would be for the position.
Koharu: Who might that be?
Jiraiya: Tsunade is the only one who qualifies. She is a Sanin, just like I am, and in addition to that, she has ties to the first three Hokages. Her presence at the Leaf Village would be welcome, and there is no doubt about it. Plus, she's almost seen as royalty by the people.
As Tsunade's name was dropped to be appointed as the next Hokage by Jiraiya, there was complete silence across the room. Goku couldn't help but show a hint of a grin as he thought about his mother's reaction to the fact that she was being coerced into playing a role she didn't desire, and whispered to Jiraiya.
Goku: She's going to kill you, Ero Sennin.
Jiraiya's face turned pale by the words of Goku.
Danzo: We don't know where Tsunade is at this moment, so she being the next Hokage is out of the question.
Koharu: Sorry, Danzo, you don't have any right to say if she should be the next Hokage. By the looks of the Clan Leaders and the council, they have agreed on choosing her as the next Hokage. But Jiraiya, if you want her to be the next Hokage, you'll need to find her.
Homura: You'll have one month to find her and convince her to be the next Hokage. If not, you'll take the Hokage role.
Jiraiya: I'll be back in less than three weeks. I'll be taking two others with me.
By laying his palm on Goku's head, Jiraiya gave the impression that he would bring him along on his mission to find Tsunade as a traveling companion. Goku displays his displeasure at the fact that Jiraiya is rubbing his head with his palm and at the point that Jiraiya will use him in his search for his mother.
Danzo: Why the boy?
Jiraiya: I have known the kid ever since he was just a little child. I was a contributor to his training. His abilities in tracking and sensing would be of great assistance in locating Tsunade.
After Jiraiya revealed that he had assisted Goku in his training, there was a return to the previous level of silence in the room. Many people are beginning to comprehend why he is so powerful at such a young age and was able to get the upper hand over Gaara.
Koharu: And who's the other person that you're taking?
Jiraiya: Naruto Uzumaki.
Danzo: Absolutely not. You can take the Demon Fox with especially outside the village.
Both Jiraiya and Goku glared at Danzo as he called Naruto a demon.
Jiraiya: Due to the fact that my surveillance network has discovered that the Akatsuki will begin to capture all tail beasts, Naruto needs to undergo training as soon as possible, since the village neglects to teach him, I'll be taking him.
Jiraiya targeted Danzo with a glare and made it clear to him that he would bring Naruto and Goku along with him regardless of what anyone else thought.
Koharu: Enough, both of you. Jiraiya, you can take the boys with you if it will help get Tsunade back. Now we also have a matter to discuss with you.
Koharu stated while looking at Goku.
Goku: What is the nature of my being summoned here by an Anbu ninja? I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of meeting with any of you in the past.
Danzo: We have called upon you to come here due to the Peace Treaty with the Sand Village and the Leaf Village.
Goku: Okay.
Homura: We have come to the conclusion that the only way for us to achieve lasting peace between the two nations is to arrange a political marriage between Tamari and you, Son Goku.
When Goku found out that he would be marrying Tamari in a political marriage, he was taken by complete surprise.
Goku: She is going to kill everyone in this room when she finds out.
Danzo: That's not all. Since you are part of the Saiyan Clan and possibly the last surviving member, you are being placed in the Clan Restoration Act. That means you'll need to take a minimum of four wives.
Goku broke into a loud gut laugh while the rest of the room, except for Jiraiya and Hiashi Hyga, looked at him in confusion. Both of them were aware of the identity of Goku's mother and the actions she would take upon learning what was about to happen to her only child.
Goku: Sorry about that. It's funny that you all dug your graves when someone finds out what I'm being forced into. But okay, Danzo, I'll expect that offer, but first things will be run my way. Neither you nor the Village Council nor the Hokage can tell me what to do regarding my family. Second, I will never force someone to marry by force, only if they genuinely have feelings toward me. Third, if at any time a girl wishes not to be part of this thing, she can leave and go back to her family. The fourth and final thing is.
Goku maintained his silence and took in his surroundings before beginning to speak again.
Goku: Never mind, I just realized I forgot to account for the fourth condition. Therefore, the Council must comply with these terms. If that does not work out, I will make an escape for it to another village, and if I'm lucky, Hidden Cloud will take me in.
Goku's condition was beyond Danzo's and the rest of the Council's ability to dispute; nevertheless, Danzo did find himself wondering about the identity of the boy's mother, which made Goku laugh out loud.
Danzo: Find. I don't care what happens as long as it benefits the Village, regardless of the circumstances. But you haven't told me anything about your mother. Who is she?
Goku: Don't be alarmed. Everyone will have a chance to meet and talk to her soon.