Chapter 236: Hatake Sakumo Praised by the Daimyō, Danzō's Hidden Resentment

The Third Hokage's fears didn't come true. Although Tsunade took over the Logistics Department, aside from changing some personnel, she didn't make things difficult for Koharu and Homura.

As long as they presented properly stamped documents from the Hokage's Office, they were able to access supplies without any issues.

Koharu and Homura sighed in relief. It seemed Tsunade wasn't interested in causing trouble and making things awkward for everyone.

However, while Koharu and Homura could relax, Danzō wasn't as lucky.

With Tsunade in charge of the Logistics Department, it became significantly harder for the Root to move supplies as freely as before.

Many of the resources that Root required had previously been quietly diverted, but with Tsunade in charge, Danzō lost the ability to casually requisition them.

Even Koharu and Homura, who used to help him, were now of little assistance.

Even after the war ended and the Third Hokage returned Root to Danzō, he couldn't be happy about it.

With Danzō's personality, he was bound to start scheming to get Tsunade out of the way.

However, after the war, an unexpected move by the Fire Country Daimyō forced him to suppress his ambitions.

His attention shifted to Konoha's greatest hero of the Second Ninja War—Hatake Sakumo.

Tsunade's takeover of the Logistics Department was simply to balance the power of Danzō and the Elder Council. The fact that Tsunade didn't cause them trouble was proof that she didn't want to create any conflict.

As long as they didn't stir up trouble, they wouldn't find themselves at odds with Tsunade anytime soon.

But Sakumo was different. As the biggest hero of the Second Ninja War, his reputation skyrocketed after the war.

He even earned the admiration of the Daimyō.

After consulting with the Third Hokage, the Daimyō granted Sakumo the right to wear the Hokage's half-sleeve.

This was already a significant signal.

It led many in Konoha to believe that the Fourth Hokage would undoubtedly be the man known as the White Fang—Hatake Sakumo.

Little did Sakumo know that the numerous achievements he made for the village, combined with the Daimyō's bestowed half-sleeve, would soon attract the attention of the higher-ups.

"Check it out! Doesn't it look cool?"

Nawaki proudly patted his new Jōnin vest, smugly showing it off.

You look like a complete idiot!

Minato gave him a sideways glance, flashing him a look that said: "Figure it out yourself."

Takuya, sitting off to the side, didn't hold back his critique:

"To be honest, wearing that just makes you look even more ridiculous. You're a walking green flag."

Nawaki wasn't pleased by the comment. What do you mean by "walking green flag"? I'm just wearing a standard Jōnin vest!

Besides, the vest isn't the point.

The point is that I passed the Jōnin exam, alright?

"It's called having presence!"

This kid is beyond saving.

Takuya sighed, covering his face in exasperation. Since when did Nawaki start tying a headband around his forehead like his grandfather, Hashirama Senju?

And if you insist on wearing one, couldn't you pick a different color?

At least Hashirama wore a red headband. But no, Nawaki went with dark green...

And to top it off, after passing the Jōnin exam, he happily threw on his green Jōnin vest.

So now Nawaki's outfit consisted of a dark green headband, a green vest, green pants, and green shoes.

Takuya wasn't exaggerating when he said Nawaki was a "walking green flag."

"Sigh~~~ I never thought our team would eventually look like a ragtag bunch. One's a walking green flag, and the other's a bright yellow mess."

Minato, who had been quietly reading, froze for a moment, his handsome face flushing red.

"Don't bring that up again! I don't wear yellow anymore!"

Just imagine Minato, with his bright blonde hair, dressed in all yellow—it was blindingly bright.

Minato only wore that combination once, and never touched yellow clothing again.

Thank goodness Takuya didn't have the habit of wearing all white, or they'd truly have looked like a team of misfits.

Three people: Nawaki dressed in green, Minato dressed in yellow, and Takuya dressed in white.

If they ever stood together...well, you can imagine the scene...emmmm.

"Alright, enough showing off. How about we celebrate at the hotpot restaurant tonight, sound good?"

"That's more like it."

Nawaki grinned widely, plopping down and giving Minato a friendly elbow jab. Minato's book fell to the ground as he rolled his eyes in exasperation.

He picked up the book, set it aside, and gave up on reading.

With Nawaki the fool around, he had no chance of reading in peace.

"Oh, by the way, when I was getting my Jōnin credentials, the Hokage called me in for a chat."

"Is it about becoming a Jōnin instructor?" Minato chimed in.

"The Hokage asked me about it too—if I had any interest in becoming an instructor."

Minato had passed the Jōnin exam six months earlier, and the Third Hokage suggested that he join the Anbu for further training.

But Minato had declined, and the Third Hokage didn't push him.

Instead, the Hokage proposed that Minato become a Jōnin instructor.

And now, Nawaki had been roped in as well.

"What do you think, Takuya?"

Both of them turned to look at Takuya, who was leaning against a tree with a toothpick in his mouth.

"Why are you looking at me?"

Takuya spat out the toothpick.

"The Hokage suggesting you become instructors to guide new talents shows he has faith in both of you."

Yeah, right. Nice try.

Nawaki and Minato exchanged looks of skepticism.

Takuya Yagami was the first of them to become a Jōnin instructor. Did they not know why he had taken up the position?

So please, go on. We'll just sit back and watch you spin this story.

"Alright, I can't keep pretending."

Takuya burst out laughing.

After everything that had happened, both Nawaki and Minato didn't have much goodwill left for the higher-ups.

When the Third Hokage asked them to become Jōnin instructors, their first instinct was to refuse.

Because what came to mind wasn't being valued or promoted, but rather the fear of being targeted.

Clapping his hands, Takuya laughed:

"What else could it be? Three Jōnin just hanging around, each one lazier than the next, not bothering to take or complete any missions.

Do you think the Hokage can just sit back and let that happen?"

It had been over two years since the war ended, and during that time, Takuya had rarely left the village, let alone gone on missions.

The Third Hokage's promise to Tsunade had finally come true—he hadn't interfered in Takuya's affairs at all.

Even the Elder Council had been keeping their heads down.

As for Danzō, he had teamed up with Orochimaru for some unknown project, and it was clear nothing good would come of it.

Takuya couldn't understand why Orochimaru insisted on working with Danzō.

Was the lure of immortality really that strong?

With no one bothering him, Takuya had been living a leisurely life.

Not only that, Nawaki and Minato had grown just as lazy.

One was busy honing his skills, the other refining the Flying Thunder God Technique.

For a short while, it was fine. But after some time, the Third Hokage couldn't stand it anymore.

And so he suggested that Minato and Nawaki become Jōnin instructors, to train the next generation. This way, they'd leave the village and go on missions.

"After the war, the village lost a lot of top-tier strength. There's a backlog of A-rank and S-rank missions that no one's taking.

In a situation like this, do you really think you can keep avoiding missions?"

"Now that you mention it, it has been a while since I went on a mission."

After hearing Takuya's words, Minato felt a little embarrassed.

He recalled that the last time he went on a mission was two months ago.

If every Jōnin in the village were as lazy as they were, Konoha would be doomed.

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