Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too arrogant

Chapter 438 Inheritance

"Ahem," Jiraiya cleared his throat, bringing his thoughts back to the main point, "Anyway, what I want to say is not about whether the resurrection itself is right or wrong. That was your choice, I respect it, and I believe you have the sense to act accordingly."

He then changed the subject.

"You know, right? Minato... rejected my offer."

Jiraiya's tone carried a hint of regret, "I originally hoped that he could take over the position of Fourth Hokage again."

Jiraiya sighed and looked at Naruto with a complicated expression.

"I understand him. After all... he owes you so much." Naruto listened quietly, his eyes softening slightly.

"So..." Jiraiya suddenly stood up, walked around to the desk, and took out a set of neatly folded clothes from an exquisite box that had been prepared in advance.

It was a well-made, tailored formal ninja outfit—a dark-colored stand-up collar shirt, matching trousers, and a tactical vest.

"Here, Naruto." Jiraiya handed the clothes to Naruto. "You've been a Jonin for several years now, and you've been wearing the same old clothes all along. They might not fit anymore, right? I had someone prepare a new set for you. See if it fits."

Naruto paused for a moment, then took the clothes somewhat bewildered. He hadn't expected that Jiraiya had made such a solemn trip to the Hokage's office just to... give him new clothes.

Although a little surprised, he nodded: "Oh... I understand, thank you, Jiraiya-sensei."

He looked down at the clothes in his hand, preparing to put them away and try them on again later.

However, Jiraiya's next move completely stunned him.

Jiraiya then carefully took out a perfectly folded robe from the bottom of the wooden box.

The robe was entirely white, with flame-like patterns at the hem, giving it an air of both solemnity and elegance. On the back were written several large characters: [Sixth Hokage].

God's robe.

Moreover, it's the Hokage-style divine robe!

Jiraiya held the white divine robe in both hands, gazing intently at the blond youth who was still somewhat bewildered, with the authoritative air of the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.

"Naruto Uzumaki"

Jiraiya's voice echoed in the spacious Hokage's office, carrying an undeniable formality.

"I, Jiraiya, in the name of the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, hereby formally declare—"

He paused briefly, then handed the white divine robe in his hand forward, suspending it in front of Naruto.

"—You are hereby appointed, Naruto Uzumaki, as the sole designated successor to the Sixth Hokage of Konoha!"

"When the time is right and the procedures are complete, you will officially assume the position of Hokage, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting Konoha and leading the village forward!"

"...Can I refuse?"

The moment the words fell—

"Why?!"

The Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, who had just been so dignified and solemn, instantly lost his composure!

All the formality and authority vanished in an instant.

His expression changed from solemn to a mixture of disbelief, collapse, and intense bewilderment, his eyes wide as he stared intently at Naruto.

"Naruto! My good student! The hope of Konoha! Look at me!"

Jiraiya's voice rose, carrying a sense of indignant accusation.

"The entire Hidden Leaf Village! From top to bottom! Young and old! Who else but you could be the Hokage?! Huh?!"

"Strength? You're as strong as a monster now! Reputation? You're the hero who saved the village! Legacy? The son of the Fourth Hokage! Lineage? My direct disciple, the Fifth Hokage! Tell me, who's more suitable than you?!"

Naruto was a little confused by his master's sudden "change of expression" and barrage of questions, and he tried to come up with a "reasonable" alternative.

"Uh... isn't there Kakashi-sensei? He's been training his Sharingan continuously for a year, so his strength should have reached the Kage level, right? Besides, he's experienced and calm..."

"Kakashi?"

Jiraiya pursed his lips, his expression slightly more subdued, but still carrying an air of disdain.

"Kakashi... he's alright. His strength is passable, he's smart, and he's reliable."

He paused, then refocused his gaze on Naruto, his tone becoming earnest.

"But aren't you right here?!"

He emphasized it again.

"If the Hokage position were passed to Kakashi, I guarantee the entire village would be unhappy! It's not that they have a problem with Kakashi, but everyone's convinced that the position will eventually be his!"

"If you put Kakashi in that position, how much pressure would he be under? Would the people below be willing to accept it? There would be all sorts of rumors and power struggles; wouldn't that just make things difficult for him?!"

Jiraiya became more and more agitated as he spoke, finding an outlet for the fatigue and resentment that had accumulated over the years.

"And...and..."

His voice lowered, and his face revealed genuine, overflowing weariness and vicissitudes.

For Jiraiya, who was used to a free and easy life, traveling around and pursuing "art" and "materials," these past few years as Hokage have been nothing short of hellish torment.

It is no exaggeration to say that these were the most difficult years of Jiraiya's life.

Unable to leave the village at will, he was like a prisoner nailed to a chair, confined to the small space of the Hokage's office, facing mountains of tedious documents that he could never finish processing.

Sleeping in late and even working overtime all night are commonplace, making strong tea a lifesaver.

He can't drink freely anytime, anywhere, and he can't go to hot springs whenever he wants... cough cough, "source material," and even his intimate series has been on hiatus for a long time due to busy political affairs and a lack of inspiration!

I'm so tired!

This feeling of physical and mental exhaustion has even left its mark on his demeanor. This once spirited "Toad Immortal" now always carries an inescapable weariness between his brows, and there are faint dark circles under his eyes caused by years of lack of sleep.

He looked at Naruto with eager anticipation and disbelief that he thought, "You actually want to run away?"

"..."

Naruto looked at his master's "miserable state" and listened to his heartfelt advice, then fell silent.

next moment--

"Whoosh!"

A faint golden flash suddenly lit up the office!

Naruto's figure vanished instantly! Leaving only a small patch of space in front of the desk with slightly distorted air ripples.

[Flying Thunder God Technique]. Naruto immediately ran away.

"Naruto... Naruto?!... Sigh."

Jiraiya's outstretched hand, still holding the white divine robe, froze in mid-air. He looked at the empty space before him, his expression shifting from anticipation to astonishment, and finally settling into a deep, weary sigh.

He slowly withdrew his hand, folded the imperial robe again, and put it back into the wooden box, his movements somewhat sluggish.

The office returned to silence, with only the unchanging sound of the wind outside the window and the faint murmur of the distant village.

Jiraiya slumped back into his large Hokage chair, one hand supporting his forehead, staring at the mountain of documents awaiting approval on the table, feeling only a bleak future.

When will this dark and hopeless period, this loss of freedom and "art," ever end...?