Chapter 260: The Third Hokage's Letter

After mastering the Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, Natsuro had no intention of leaving just yet.

His true body had no urgent matters to attend to, and ever since his proposal had been passed, the Hokage's administrative duties in Konoha had been fully handled by his Senjutsu-empowered Shadow Clone.

In fact, his clone even had enough spare time to train alongside managing official affairs.

So there was no real need for Natsuro's main body to return, he planned to stay in Shikkotsu Forest until he had mastered Sage Mode to perfection.

Once he did, he had other experiments to conduct as well.

For example, Could Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode and Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode be used simultaneously?

And if they couldn't, was it possible to merge them into an evolved Sage Mode, combining the advantages of both?

This was one of hiss long-term research projects, one that would require a massive investment of time and energy.

And after that, there was still Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode to explore.

Compared to the other two, the Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode was relatively simpler.

Unlike Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, which had no living users that he could study, Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode had Sasuke as an example, he could access it through the Curse Mark.

Even if he didn't want to experience it through Sasuke, he had previously helped Sasuke condense its chakra, so he already had a solid understanding of how it worked.

Thus, it wouldn't take him long to figure it out.

Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode specialized in sensory abilities, and if he could combine the strengths of all three Sage Modes, then...

From any angle, it would be a near-perfect technique.

At that point, even against Six Paths-level enemies, he wouldn't be at a major disadvantage.

Natsuro could only speculate for now, but he would take things one step at a time.

With these thoughts, he resumed his training.

.....

Konoha, Hokage's Office

After Hiashi had left, Shikaku had returned to the office.

"I didn't expect the Hokage to intervene in the Hyūga Clan's affairs," Shikaku remarked, somewhat surprised.

Natsuro smiled. "I just found it displeasing to watch. Besides, I didn't need to take direct action, just planting a seed was enough."

Shikaku nodded. He was also curious to see what kind of change this seed would bring in the future.

He only hoped it wouldn't disappoint the Hokage's expectations.

Shikaku had a fair understanding of the Hyūga Clan and didn't hold a particularly favorable opinion of them.

In recent years, they had become more tolerable, but in the past, their arrogance had been no less than the Uchiha's.

Perhaps, after witnessing the Uchiha Clan's fate, the Hyūga had gradually set aside their pride and chosen to integrate into the village.

Nowadays, most of the Hyūga Clan members could coexist peacefully with their comrades in the village. Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

Shikaku understood Natsuro's approach, if that talented young Hyūga named Neji could truly succeed in his goals, then it would be a beneficial outcome for both the village and the Hyūga Clan.

As he thought about this, Shikaku glanced at Natsuro once more.

Only someone like him could pull off something like this.

The more Shikaku worked with Natsuro, the more he realized how true his words had been.

This world ultimately respects strength.

Even in matters of political power, the results were becoming increasingly clear.

Certain people had gained more authority than before, yet rather than using it to further their own interests, they had instead become more restrained.

And the reason for this?

They were afraid that Natsuro might hold them accountable.

After all, Natsuro had executed Danzo, a man with such a high status, without hesitation.

If he ever decided that someone else needed to die, who could possibly stop him?

But this was fine.

At the very least, it had significantly reduced Shikaku's workload and even given him time to go out drinking with his old friends again.

Of course, Natsuro had no idea what Shikaku was thinking at the moment.

Right now, he was focused on handling some routine affairs.

Nothing too difficult, he would probably be finished in a short while.

However, at that moment, someone completely unexpected arrived at the office.

"Hiruzen-sama, what brings you here?" Shikaku asked in surprise.

Hearing this, Natsuro finally looked up.

He had sensed someone approaching, but he hadn't expected it to be the Third Hokage himself.

A look of curiosity appeared on his face.

"Hehehe, I just came to check in, and to deliver a letter on someone's behalf," Hiruzen said with a smile, watching Natsuro and Shikaku busy at work.

For the first time in a long while, Hiruzen felt genuinely happy.

After Danzo's death, he found that there were far fewer problems for him to worry about.

In the past, he had always been concerned about Danzo's actions, knowing Natsuro's hostility toward him.

He had hoped to prevent a tragic outcome.

But when it finally happened before his very eyes, he had initially struggled to accept it.

Yet afterward…

He couldn't deny the sense of relief he felt.

With Danzo gone, he no longer had to constantly keep watch over him.

Now, all he had to do was teach his grandson Konohamaru and watch over Konoha's growth.

And truth be told, even though Natsuro hadn't been Hokage for long, Hiruzen could already see the changes in Konoha.

The changes in the Hokage's daily responsibilities didn't matter much to him. As long as the foundation of the village remained intact, that was enough.

What mattered more to him was the fact that when he walked through the village, he could see the expressions on people's faces, the hopeful smiles of the villagers. That alone was enough to put his heart at ease.

Even the resentment he had felt over Danzo's death was slowly fading.

If sacrificing Danzo, or even himself, could lead to such a thriving Konoha, then perhaps… it was worth it.

Hiruzen thought back on his entire life. He had spent his whole existence enduring, sacrificing for the sake of the village.

But in the end… What else could he have done?

When his teacher entrusted him with the position of Hokage, Konoha was already in a precarious state. What choice did he have but to endure?

Later, just when Konoha seemed to be at its peak, he passed the mantle to Minato, hoping for a new era. But who could have predicted that only a year later, he would be forced to return to the Hokage's seat once again?

And this time, was the situation any better than before?

Internally, the Hyūga and Uchiha clans posed looming threats. Externally, the Third Shinobi War had not yet fully ended.

Once again, he chose to endure. And so, he endured for a lifetime.

Now, even though the Akatsuki Organization threatened the world, the Third Hokage once again saw hope for Konoha's rise, and this made him genuinely happy.

At this moment, he wished to live a little longer.

Not to cling to life, but to witness the moment Konoha soared to new heights.

And, of course, to watch over Konohamaru's growth.

Hiruzen smiled.

When that time finally came, when he departed from this world, he would have no regrets.

After delivering the letter to Natsuro, the Third Hokage did not linger for long. Soon, he left the office.

Natsuro immediately opened the letter, and his expression changed slightly.

Seeing this, Shikaku couldn't help but ask curiously,

"Hokage-sama, is something wrong?"

What could possibly make him react like this?

Natsuro did not conceal anything, he simply handed the letter over to Shikaku.

After reading it, Shikaku's expression changed as well.

Because this letter…

Was from the Akatsuki Organization.

More specifically, it was a letter from Itachi Uchiha, addressed to the Third Hokage.

Its purpose was obvious. It was about Sasuke.

At this point, Itachi's body was on the verge of collapse. He no longer had the time to set up an elaborate plan.

Moreover, with Konoha's current strength, even Itachi himself had no viable approach left.

In the end, he had no choice but to use the hidden channel he had once established with the Third Hokage and ask for one last favor.

Of course, Itachi couldn't directly send the letter to Sasuke, so it was addressed to Natsuro instead.

"Do you need me to go to the Uchiha district and call Sasuke over?" Shikaku asked.

Natsuro shook his head, placing the letter back into the envelope.

"I'll go there myself," he said.

"You handle the rest of the paperwork for me. It's nothing urgent."

Once finished, you can call it a day."

Shikaku smiled.

"Got it."

Honestly, compared to before, his workload had become ridiculously light.

In the past, he never would have dreamed of leaving work this early.

Natsuro nodded, and in the next moment, his figure vanished from the Hokage's office.

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Currently on Chapter 315 - Natsuro vs Naruto's Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Comparing Strengths