Pot-kage Ninja (TL)

The village was ravaged by floods, while vines and trees with unnaturally vigorous life force continued to sprout relentlessly from the earth. The air was thick with swirling yellow sand and pollen.

Countless villagers lay in pools of blood. From the village entrance where the Sunagakure ninja had summoned the giant snake, all the way to the Chunin Exams arena, nearly every structure taller than three meters had been obliterated. The ground was littered with the bodies of ninja and civilians alike, scattered haphazardly.

The Hanfang Director of Konoha Hospital was organizing emergency medical teams. Ino's fifty shadow clones immediately joined the rescue efforts alongside the Slug Sage's clones. Whenever they encountered someone suffering from pollen allergies, they directed them to the Yamanaka Flower Shop for medicine—after all, early treatment was crucial.

Villagers spontaneously mobilized to help. The owners of the barbecue restaurant, Ichiraku Ramen, and Sweet Chestnut Sweetness, along with staff from Manten-do and Shueisha Hall, all pitched in to assist with the rescue.

Older students from the Konoha Ninja Academy emerged from the shelters. These teenagers, witnessing the devastation firsthand, didn't hesitate to lend a hand.

Naruto, inspired by Ino's fifty shadow clones, thought, I know this move well—time for 500 shadow clones!

Sasuke and Sakura also joined the rescue efforts.

Everyone, including Asuma—the Third Hokage's own son—believed that the Third Hokage had perished after using the Reaper Death Seal. The two advisors, while coordinating the relief efforts, quietly discussed potential candidates for the next Hokage.

Like Shikaku, they had a clear understanding of their own limitations. They were adept at offering opinions or making snide remarks from the sidelines, but when it came to making decisive calls, they fell short.

Neither harbored ambitions to become Hokage themselves; they were content to remain advisors—thirty years wasn't too short, fifty wasn't too long.

Being an advisor was ideal! During wartime, the Hokage bore the brunt of responsibility, while they enjoyed prestige and influence. In peacetime, they could offer suggestions without bearing the consequences if things went wrong.

"What about... Danzo?" Koharu Utatane whispered.

Mitokado Homura shook his head slowly. Danzo had a habit of antagonizing everyone. The only person he ever spared was Koharu—back in the day, she had been the village belle. But within the "F4" group, the other two male members had endured his relentless criticism countless times.

Homura had no desire to face Danzo's grim visage every day. Moreover, Danzo's methods were too ruthless, too unbound by rules.

"The Daimyo would never approve Danzo as Hokage," he murmured, subtly gesturing toward a white-haired man in a bright red haori—Jiraiya, who had just arrived from the village entrance to offer support.

What about him?

As a woman, Koharu naturally harbored no fondness for a notorious pervert like Jiraiya. The Third Hokage, that old fool, had spent his days peeping through his crystal ball—she'd even had to erect barriers just to take a bath in peace. Now, was she supposed to keep guarding against such behavior?

The elderly woman shook her head vehemently. Absolutely not!

Tsunade, Kakashi, even Shikaku—all were within their consideration. The two advisors continued their hushed deliberations.

As it turned out, Naruto's pure heart shone through. Upon spotting the Third Hokage lying motionless on the ground, he rushed over, wailing in grief.

But after just a few cries, he realized the Third was still alive—barely, his breath faint.

"Uh...?" Seeing everyone else swamped with urgent tasks, Naruto wanted to call for help to treat the Third, but for a moment, he wasn't sure who to turn to.

Kakashi still hadn't returned to the village, and Asuma had just led people to the village gates. Iruka and others were busy rescuing people. Ino? He was afraid Ino's healing techniques might accidentally kill their beloved Third Hokage.

After much gesturing, he called Sakura over.

Sakura-chan's healing abilities were exceptional—she had graduated under Tsunade's tutelage in just two years. Her talent in medical ninja techniques was indeed remarkable. But she had just obtained the "First Hokage's" medical ninjutsu and had only bought a fish yesterday evening. How could she possibly know any medical ninjutsu now?

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Jiraiya noticed Naruto's urgent expression and immediately came to help.

At this point, Naruto's trust in the "Pervy Sage" wasn't nearly as high as it would be three years later. If Jiraiya were to take his wallet now, buy an ice cream, and then break it in half to cheat him out of the full portion, Naruto would absolutely lose his temper.

But at least Jiraiya was a familiar face, so Naruto explained that the Third was still alive.

Jiraiya examined the Third and also detected the faintest trace of a pulse.

He quickly summoned Ino's shadow clone and the Slug Sage. Leaving Ino aside, the Slug Sage's healing abilities were trustworthy.

More and more people gathered—Konohamaru crying and shouting, the Third Hokage's close associates, Jonin like Morino Ibiki, Raido Namiashi, Shiranui Genma, and Uzuki Yugao all converged.

The two advisors finally realized—what? The Third was still alive? Surviving after using the Reaper Death Seal? That wasn't ninja-like at all!

Their expressions were awkward, but they still hurried over to watch the Slug Sage treat the Third Hokage.

With a massive infusion of Senjutsu Chakra, the Third's heartbeat was finally audible to those present.

Evening soon arrived, and 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 Formation gathered to discuss how their three clans should respond—in other words, whom to invest in as the new Hokage, and how many resources to commit.

For the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, Shikaku's ascension would have been most beneficial to all three clans—he was absolutely one of their own. But he had voluntarily stepped aside.

"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 on work." Combined with the Nara family's long-standing supply of deer antlers to Konoha's hospital, these were clear signs of their close personal ties with her.

The Akimichi family had good relations with everyone.

The Yamanaka Clan had originally been on neutral terms with Tsunade, but now, with Ino in the picture, their relationship had suddenly grown much closer.

If Inoichi were to retire now and Ino inherited the clan head position, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the Yamanaka Clan had become the Hokage's inner circle.

Seeing all three nod in agreement, Ino said, "I'll leave the village tomorrow to persuade my teacher to return."

Shikaku was highly perceptive and well-informed. He noticed something in Ino's expression and couldn't help but frown. "Could it be... Lady Tsunade's condition... hasn't been cured after all these years?"

Shikamaru and Choji didn't know what illness was being referred to, so they remained silent.

Inoichi and Choza's expressions darkened slightly—this was indeed not good news.

No matter how much criticism advisors Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura faced, they still fought on the battlefield and killed when necessary.

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

Shikaku had no intention of explaining to his son and chubby nephew, pressing further: "How serious is it?"

"All I can say is very serious."

The three clans immediately adjusted their plans. Ino would still go to persuade Tsunade—at the very least, they needed to show the attitude of "we thought of you first." If Tsunade refused, then they would ask who she supported instead.