Chapter 177: Aftermath

Chapter 177: Aftermath

The village was ravaged by a rampant flood, alongside the vigorously growing vines and trees that were still sprouting from the earth. Yellow sand and pollen filled the air, creating a hazy atmosphere.

Countless villagers lay fallen in pools of blood. Starting from where the Sand Village ninja summoned the giant serpent at the village entrance, all the way to the Chunin Exam venue, any building taller than three meters had essentially vanished. Corpses of both ninjas and villagers were strewn haphazardly across the ground.

The head of the Konoha Hospital's traditional medicine department was organizing rescue efforts. Ino's fifty Shadow Clones, accompanied by Katsuyu-sama's clones, immediately joined the ranks of those providing aid. Anyone showing signs of pollen allergy was advised to purchase medicine at the Yamanaka Flower Shop – it was important to treat ailments early.

Villagers spontaneously rose to action, with the owners and staff of the Barbecue Restaurant, Ichiraku Ramen, Sweet Chestnut Shop, Manten-do, and Shueisha all mobilizing to help save lives.

Even the older students from the Konoha Ninja Academy emerged from the shelters. Witnessing the devastation of their village, these youngsters did not hesitate to lend a hand.

Naruto, seeing Ino's fifty Shadow Clones, was greatly inspired. "I know this trick!" he thought. "Five hundred Shadow Clones, here I come!"

Sasuke and Sakura also joined the rescue efforts.

Everyone, including Asuma, who was the Third Hokage's own son, believed that the Third Hokage, having used the Reaper Death Seal, had perished. The two advisors, while directing the rescue operations, were quietly discussing potential candidates for the next Hokage.

Much like Shikaku, they had a clear understanding of their own limitations. They were good at offering suggestions and making cynical remarks from the sidelines, but making crucial decisions was not their forte.

Neither of them had any desire to become Hokage. They simply wanted to continue their roles as advisors, a position they wouldn't mind holding for another thirty or even fifty years.

Being an advisor was ideal! During wartime, the Hokage bore the brunt of the responsibility, while in peacetime, they held significant power and influence. If anything went wrong, they were merely offering suggestions and held no real accountability.

"Perhaps... Danzo?" Koharu Utatane whispered.

Homura Mitokado slowly shook his head. Danzo antagonized everyone. The only person in their "F4" group he showed any semblance of respect to was Koharu Utatane, the village beauty of their younger days. The other two male members had been on the receiving end of his sharp tongue countless times.

Homura had no desire to see Danzo's grim face every day.

Furthermore, Danzo's methods were too ruthless and unconventional.

"The Daimyo would never approve of Danzo as Hokage," he said, slightly tilting his chin towards a white-haired man in a bright red coat in the distance. It was Jiraiya, who had just arrived from the village entrance to offer support.

The unspoken question was, "What about this guy?"

As a woman, Koharu Utatane naturally held no fondness for Jiraiya, a notorious pervert. The Third Hokage, that old geezer, was constantly peeping through his crystal ball, even forcing her to use barriers just to take a bath. "And now what? Do I have to continue guarding against this kind of behavior?" she thought.

The old woman shook her head vigorously. "No way!"

Tsunade, Kakashi, and even Shikaku were within their range of consideration, and the two advisors continued their hushed discussion.

As it turned out, Naruto truly possessed the heart of an innocent. Seeing the Third Hokage lying on the ground like a corpse, he immediately rushed over, wailing in distress.

Before he could even finish a couple of cries, he realized that the Third Hokage was still alive, though his breathing was incredibly faint.

"Um...?" With everyone else caught up in the chaotic rescue efforts, he wanted to call someone to treat the Third Hokage, but he didn't know who to ask.

Kakashi hadn't returned to the village yet. Asuma had just led a team to the village entrance. Iruka and others were busy saving people. Ino? He was afraid her healing jutsu might accidentally kill his beloved Third Hokage Grandpa.

Gesturing frantically, he called Sakura over.

Sakura-chan's healing abilities were remarkable. She had graduated from Tsunade's tutelage in just two years, and her talent in medical ninjutsu was undeniable. However, she had only just acquired the "First Hokage's" medical ninjutsu, having bought a fish just the night before. She certainly didn't know any actual medical ninjutsu yet.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Jiraiya, seeing Naruto's urgent expression, immediately came to help.

Naruto's trust in "Perverted Sage" at this point was nowhere near as high as it would be three years later. If Jiraiya were to take his wallet now, buy a popsicle, and then only give him half, he would absolutely lose his temper.

But at least Jiraiya was someone he knew. So, he quickly explained that the Third Hokage was still alive.

Jiraiya examined the Third Hokage and also detected the incredibly faint pulse.

He quickly summoned Ino's Shadow Clone and Katsuyu-sama. While Ino's skills were not in question, Katsuyu-sama's healing abilities were undoubtedly trustworthy.

More and more people gathered in the area. Konohamaru, weeping and calling out, along with the Third Hokage's loyal subordinates – Morino Ibiki, Tatami Iwashi, Shiranui Genma, Uzuki Yugao, and other Jonin – all rushed to the scene.

The two advisors finally came to their senses. "What? The Third is still alive? Alive after using the Reaper Death Seal? That's unheard of for a ninja!"

Their expressions were awkward, but they still hurried over to watch Katsuyu-sama heal the Third Hokage.

As a large amount of Sage Chakra was poured into him, the Third Hokage's heartbeat finally became audible to those nearby.

Time quickly moved into the evening. Many villagers and ninjas who had lost their homes and loved ones had no choice but to spend the night in tents.

The fifteenth and sixteenth generations of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio gathered together to discuss the three clans' next steps. In other words, they needed to decide who to invest in as the new Hokage and how much resources to allocate.

In reality, for the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, Shikaku's ascension to Hokage would have been the most beneficial, as he was definitely one of their own. However, he himself had declined the position.

"I believe Lady Tsunade would be the most suitable," Shikaku said.

As soon as Tsunade returned to the village, he had taken Shikamaru to "report for duty." Additionally, the Nara clan's long-standing provision of deer antlers to the Konoha Hospital demonstrated a good personal relationship between the two parties.

The Akimichi clan had good relations with everyone.

The Yamanaka clan's relationship with Tsunade had been average, but with Ino's presence, it had instantly become much closer.

If Inoichi were to retire now and Ino were to inherit the headship of the clan, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Yamanaka clan would be directly aligned with the Hokage.

Seeing all three of them nod in agreement, Ino said, "I will leave the village tomorrow to persuade Master Tsunade to return."

Shikaku was very adept at reading people's expressions and possessed a wealth of information. He noticed a hint of something in Ino's expression and couldn't help but frown as he asked, "Could it be that Lady Tsunade's condition... hasn't healed after all these years?"

Shikamaru and Choji had no idea what illness they were talking about, so they remained silent.

Inoichi and Choza's expressions changed slightly, as this was indeed not good news.

No matter how much criticism Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado received as advisors, they were still willing to go to the battlefield and kill when necessary.

How could a ninja who couldn't bear the sight of blood become Hokage?

Shikaku didn't bother explaining to his son and nephew, pressing further, "How severe is it?"

"Let's just say it's very severe."

The three clans immediately adjusted their plans. Ino would still go to persuade Tsunade, at least to show that "we thought of you first." If Tsunade refused, they would then ask who she would support for the position.