Chapter 169: The Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya

It's a strange thing.

Those who engage in combat often end up losing an arm.

From Obito, Danzo, Jiraiya, to the Fourth Raikage, it's always the case.

Now, Tsunade has joined the list.

However, unlike the others, Tsunade broke her own arm.

Ignoring Dan's taunts, Tsunade focused her attention.

She held her right arm with her left hand, twisted it hard, and with a "crack", her dislocated right arm was reattached.

Then.

Yin Seal: Release!

As Tsunade formed a seal, black patterns crawled across her face. A surge of chakra was released from the diamond mark on her forehead, healing her injuries.

Soon.

Tsunade's complexion returned to its rosy hue, and her right arm moved freely, as if nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Dan's eyes flashed.

The Yin Seal, an S-rank sealing jutsu.

This jutsu allows the user to store excess chakra in their forehead, forming a diamond mark. Over time, the stored chakra accumulates.

When the user ages, the accumulated chakra in the mark can be slowly released, subtly adjusting the user's appearance and physical functions, achieving the effect of eternal youth.

Just like Tsunade.

She's over forty years old, yet she still looks young and beautiful. Her skin is fair, smooth, and elastic, her body is firm, and her figure is curvaceous. There's not a trace of aging.

In the original story, even in the Boruto era, Tsunade was over seventy years old, but she remained as youthful and beautiful as ever.

This is all thanks to the Yin Seal.

Moreover, in emergencies, such as on the battlefield, the Yin Seal can be released to unleash a large amount of chakra at once, achieving instant healing, enhanced attacks, and increased speed.

In the original story, Tsunade was able to recover from being cut in half, thanks to the chakra accumulated by the Yin Seal.

Dan had noticed this jutsu long ago.

Because.

Ever since he completed his body modification, his appetite had decreased significantly. No matter how much he ate, he couldn't store the excess energy, and it was all wasted.

The Yin Seal, on the other hand, is a jutsu that allows for long-term storage of one's own chakra, greatly extending the peak period of physical functions.

It's a technique of longevity.

For Dan, who seeks eternal physicality, how could such a jutsu not tempt him?

As Dan's eyes flickered.

"Don't ask me for such a spar again in the future, I'm not interested."

Tsunade walked towards him, coldly dropping a sentence, and passed by him, leaving the training ground.

Dan turned around and followed her, walking side by side with Tsunade, and asked:

"Not interested? Then why did you steal my Phantom Body Technique?"

Upon hearing this, Tsunade gave a cold smile and retorted: "Don't forget, you were the one who first used the Sharingan to steal my monstrous strength. If you can steal from me, why can't I steal from you?"

Dan also smiled and shrugged:

"Stealing is fine. But you haven't mastered it yet. Why don't I teach you the real Yin Release Phantom Body Technique?"

Huh?

Upon hearing this, Tsunade couldn't help but stop in her tracks, looking at Dan with a puzzled expression:

"Are you really that generous? Tell me, what's the price I have to pay?"

"It's simple. In return, you have to teach me the Yin Seal."

Dan didn't beat around the bush, pointing directly at the diamond mark on Tsunade's forehead, stating his terms.

He had thought about learning the Yin Seal before, but he knew that this technique was Tsunade's closely guarded secret, and she wouldn't easily teach it to others.

Now, seeing Tsunade's interest in the Phantom Body Technique, he planned to seize this opportunity to make a trade with her.

Hearing Dan's words.

Tsunade frowned, instinctively wanting to say "no". After all, she was still upset with Dan.

However, Dan saw through Tsunade's thoughts and quickly said:

"Don't rush to refuse. I'm serious about my proposal. Consider it carefully."

With that, he left without waiting for Tsunade's response.

"..."

Watching Dan's retreating figure, Tsunade fell into deep thought.

The Yin Seal was taught to her by her grandmother - Mito Uzumaki, the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha, and it's an S-rank sealing jutsu of the Uzumaki clan.

The learning threshold for this technique is high, requiring the user to have a large amount of chakra and precise control over it. Even within the Uzumaki clan, only a few people could master it.

However, if it's Uchiha Dan...

The Yin Seal should not be a problem for him.

As for the Yin Release Phantom Body Technique that Dan proposed to exchange.

Without a doubt, it's also an S-rank secret technique, its value is not inferior to the Yin Seal.

The key is, just as Dan is interested in the Yin Seal, Tsunade is indeed very interested in the Phantom Body Technique.

So.

Should she exchange knowledge with him?

For a moment, Tsunade was hesitant.

...

Unknowingly, another day passed.

News came from the Daimyo's office.

According to the rules, the selection of a new Hokage requires the Konoha higher-ups to visit the Daimyo's office for discussion.

But Konoha had just experienced a civil strife, and the village couldn't be without the Third Hokage and other higher-ups at this special time.

Therefore, the appointment of the Hokage this time was conducted via a remote video call.

Dan arrived at the Hokage building and entered the conference room.

As soon as he entered, he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the candidate for Hokage - Jiraiya.

When Dan appeared, the expressions of the three old men obviously became tense, and their faces became somewhat uneasy.

Jiraiya looked even more serious.

A day ago.

He was lying in the Konoha hospital bed, flirting with the nurse, when he suddenly heard the news of Uchiha Dan's return to the village. He immediately sat up from the bed, feeling very surprised.

Then, Jiraiya learned that the Konoha higher-ups had collectively nominated him to be the Fifth Hokage, and he was even more stunned.

He didn't want to be Hokage.

As everyone knows, Jiraiya, the perverted hermit, is a free and easy-going man. For many years, he has been traveling around the ninja world, writing books, and living a carefree life.

How could such a man be interested in the position of Hokage?

But, the current situation in Konoha is not good. The Third Hokage's retirement is a foregone conclusion, and there is an urgent need for a capable and responsible person to stand up and lead the village out of the trough.

If Jiraiya doesn't take on the role of Hokage...

The Hokage, that position of Hokage, might very well fall into the hands of Uchiha Dan or even someone like Danzo.

By then, Konoha might truly be doomed.

So, the Third Hokage, Koharu, and Homura all unanimously pleaded with Jiraiya—

For the future of the village, he must become the Fifth Hokage.

In addition, there was another reason that made Jiraiya change his mind.

That was his student, Nagato.

Nagato harbored hatred for Konoha because his own experiences led him to firmly believe that large ninja villages like Konoha were the root cause of disrupting peace and causing wars in the ninja world.

In order to dispel his student's prejudice and misunderstanding towards Konoha.

Jiraiya finally decided to take the position of Hokage and fulfill his promise in the future with practical actions to maintain peace between Konoha and Amegakure.

However, the thought of having to deal with Uchiha Dan, the "Hokage's Assistant," after becoming Hokage gave Jiraiya a headache.

At this moment.

Squeak.

Dan pulled out a chair and sat down next to the Third Hokage.

As he sat down, the conference room fell into a brief silence.

While everyone was lost in their thoughts.

Zzz.

The television screen on the opposite wall suddenly showed static, and after a few seconds of signal transmission, the blurry image gradually became clear.

On the TV, a man dressed in elegant clothes appeared.

He had a soft face, held a folding fan in his hand, and wore a long hat with three flame patterns on it, symbolizing his noble status.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

The Daimyo was also sitting at a long table, with several ministers of the Land of Fire wearing black tall hats on either side of him.

"Greetings, Lord Daimyo!"

In an instant, everyone in the conference room stood up as if conditioned to do so, bowing to the Daimyo in unison.

Although the Daimyo was an ordinary person who didn't know any ninja techniques, he had noble blood and was the ruler of the Land of Fire, and he also controlled the economic lifeline of Konoha.

If they upset the Daimyo and he stopped funding Konoha's military, many Konoha ninjas would probably have to go hungry.

Therefore, no Konoha ninja dared to disrespect this benefactor.

Except for Dan.

He still sat in his chair, unmoving, as if he had no intention of bowing to the Daimyo.

Huh.

Through the television screen, the Daimyo noticed Dan, whose disrespectful behavior made him frown slightly, and then he said:

"You must be Uchiha Dan.

I heard that the Uchiha clan has severed ties with Konoha and defected from the village en masse. As the Hokage's Assistant, you chose to stand with Konoha, which is a wise decision."

Although the Daimyo's office was far from Konoha, the Daimyo had his own intelligence channels that allowed him to keep abreast of Konoha's situation.

He knew that Uchiha Dan was a very powerful individual, but he was arrogant and looked down on others.

Very similar to Uchiha Madara from back in the day.

In response to the Daimyo's inquiry.

"In response to Lord Daimyo, in my heart, the Will of Fire is far more important than my clan. To protect Konoha and the Land of Fire, even if it means abandoning my clan, it's no big deal."

Dan said indifferently, with a righteous look.

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen and the others couldn't help but twitch their faces.

"Heh, well said. Worthy of being the Hokage's Assistant, your awareness is high."

The Daimyo opened his fan, laughing in praise at Dan. Whether it was sincere or not, no one knew.

Afterward.

The Daimyo also exchanged pleasantries with the Third Hokage, the two advisors, and Jiraiya.

Then, the meeting officially began.

"I've heard that due to this upheaval, many people in Konoha have died, and a large part of the village's buildings have become ruins. Don't worry, the Daimyo's office will provide compensation for the deceased and support the reconstruction of the village."

The Daimyo said leisurely, fanning himself.

"Thank you, Lord Daimyo!"

The Third Hokage stood up again, expressing his gratitude to the Daimyo. Now with the economic support of the Daimyo's office, the reconstruction work of Konoha would be much easier.

Of course, the most important part of this meeting was to select the new Hokage.

"Huh, where's Danzo? Weren't there two candidates for Hokage?"

The Daimyo suddenly asked.

"Danzo has disappeared and has not been found yet." The Third Hokage answered truthfully.

The Daimyo nodded, fanning himself and saying:

"In that case, there's only Jiraiya left, huh. Hmm, I like Jiraiya, what about you?"

The last sentence was asked to the ministers of the Land of Fire on either side of him.

Upon hearing this, the ministers expressed their opinions one after another.

"Jiraiya is one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, he has both strength and fame, and he's the student of the Third Hokage and the teacher of the Fourth Hokage. No matter how you look at it, he's the most suitable candidate for the Fifth Hokage."

"And Jiraiya is also a great author."

"I've read his books, they're indeed well written..."

It seems everyone was quite satisfied with Jiraiya.

Swish.

The Daimyo closed his fan, and the voices of the ministers stopped, all closing their mouths and saying no more.

Just when everyone thought that the Daimyo was about to make the appointment.

His gaze once again fell on Dan:

"Dan, what's your opinion? You nominated Danzo, and Danzo is nowhere to be found, so do you want to nominate again?"

The Daimyo obviously valued Dan's opinion.

Because.

According to the information he had, Uchiha Dan was practically lawless in Konoha.

Many people in Konoha were dissatisfied with Dan, but they couldn't do anything about him.

If Dan wasn't satisfied with the Hokage candidate and interfered, then this appointment would most likely be ruined.

The Daimyo didn't want to waste his time, after all, he had to play mahjong in the afternoon.

"My opinion?"

Dan glanced at the Third Hokage and Jiraiya, and under their tense gaze, he shook his head and leaned back in his chair, "None."

He wasn't in a hurry at all.

Dan had cast a Genjutsu on Danzo, who would do anything to become Hokage.

The reason Danzo hadn't shown up yet was definitely because he was plotting something big in the shadows.

So, all Dan had to do was wait and watch the show.

His statement made the others in the conference room breathe a sigh of relief.

"Then it's Jiraiya."

The Daimyo didn't dawdle any longer, he directly announced the appointment, then yawned and went back to his room to rest.

Zzz.

The television screen once again showed static, and the remote video conference ended like this.

Dan didn't say a word, he was the first to stand up and leave the conference room.

"We won."

The Third Hokage and the others saw Jiraiya's election as a victory for their side, their faces showing relief.

However, they still couldn't let their guard down, because there was one last step.

The vote of confidence from the Jonin.

Most of Konoha's Jonin come from various ninja clans, and what they represent are the interests of their respective families.

As the new Hokage, if you want to get the support of most Jonin, you have to listen to their interests and move these people with promises.

For example.

The reason why the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was able to pass the Jonin vote was largely due to the support of the Uchiha clan.

Minato's wife, Kushina, was best friends with Mikoto, the wife of the Uchiha clan leader, so Minato also had a close relationship with Fugaku and was on good terms.

Minato had promised that after he took office, he would work to improve the relationship between the Uchiha and the village and help the Uchiha clan integrate into the village.

Unfortunately, after the Nine-Tails' attack, with the death of the Fourth Hokage, this promise was also buried.