Konoha 36th year, June.
The climate in the forest began to become a bit hot and irritating.
It has been three months since Baishi left the village to perform a mission.
During this period, a total of eleven waves of enemies were encountered. Except for the lineup of five Jonin encountered in the first month, the combat effectiveness of the Sunagakure troops encountered later was very weak.
Sometimes there is no need for Sakumo, the jounin, to take action. He only needs to hold down the formation from the side, and Shiraishi and the three of them cooperate to wipe out several times the number of enemies.
As the number of battles increases, the combat experience of Shiraishi and the three of them is also increasing, and their cooperation is getting better and better.
In order to study new tactics, Shiraishi used local materials and searched for materials for making smoke bombs in the wild.
Fortunately, when it came out, some simple small instruments were sealed in the scroll. During normal breaks, Shiraishi would take them out and make smoke bombs.
Sakumo was already used to this kind of thing.
If Ruri and Ayane focus on the accumulation of hard power, then Shiraishi is undoubtedly the one with the best knowledge and the most flexible mind among the three.
Sakumo admired him very much for being able to study and enrich himself with a calm and non-anxious attitude during the war.
So Sakumo brought up the matter of special training for Shiraishi.
Teach Shiraishi some practical knife skills.
In the field of medical ninjutsu and research, he could not help Shiraishi, but as a jounin who was good at sword skills, Sakumo felt that he could teach Shiraishi sword skills so that he would have a certain fighting ability.
In this way, combined with Ruri and Ayane, the overall combat effectiveness of the three of them will be greatly improved.
Shiraishi was slightly surprised when Sakumo proposed special training, but he did not refuse.
When he had nothing to do, he would practice sword skills with Sakumo.
The weapon he used was a standard ninja sword, slightly longer than the White Fang dagger, but in terms of chakra transmission, it was several levels worse than the White Fang dagger.
After all, ordinary weapons cannot conduct chakra that changes in nature. Once they encounter sophisticated weapons that can conduct chakra, they will be easily broken.
In the afternoon, when the sun is strong.
"Hey, remember not to come over and peek."
Liuli and Ayane brought clean new clothes to prevent anyone from peeking in while they were bathing, so they came here specifically to remind them.
Shiraishi promised to answer: "Don't worry, you can go ahead, I will keep an eye on Mr. Sakumo even if I risk my life."
"I'm talking about you, not Mr. Sakumo."
"..."
No matter how naughty he is, he will never peek at a twelve-year-old girl taking a shower.
Liuli's wary look in her eyes made Shiraishi feel a little hurt.
"It doesn't matter if Shiraishi-kun comes over to take a peek, because I will make it impossible for Shiraishi-kun to become a qualified man physically."
Ayane smiled softly, as if she meant something.
While it makes people feel like a spring breeze, they can't help but shiver.
Watching Liuli and Ayane leave, Shiraishi sighed and said, "Really, what time is it? I still have to take a shower, and I'm not going out to camp."
"There's no other way. They've been either fighting or on the road for the past few months. It would be nice to let them relax a bit. And it's very close to a sentry point in Konoha, so it's safer than other places."
Sakumo added on the side.
Shiraishi had no choice but to nod, agreeing with Sakumo's view.
In the dense forest, a gentle breeze came, and the breeze was mixed with a little irritating heat.
Under this situation, Shiraishi almost wanted to take a peaceful nap under the shade of a tree.
"Is the situation on the front line still unclear?"
Shiraishi sat under the shade of a tree and took out a water glass to drink water.
"Ah, although Orochimaru and the others are here, the opponent is the Third Kazekage himself, so it is not easy to win."
Sakumo also sat down and said to Shiraishi.
Although the quality of Konoha ninjas on the front line is generally better than that of Sunagakure ninjas, the lack of decisive and powerful ninjas on the same level as the contemporary Five Kages is also the reason why the front line has been in a stalemate.
"In this case, if Hokage-sama appears, he might be able to turn the tide of the battle around."
Regarding Shiraishi's opinion, Sakumo shook his head and said: "Konoha is different from the four ninja villages. The Land of Fire is located in the center of the continent and is surrounded by four big countries. There are too many things to consider. The Hokage himself rushed to the battlefield in person. This is an emergency of last resort.”
"It's not easy to be Hokage..."
"Yes, he is Hokage after all."
"Sakumo-sensei, have you ever thought about becoming Hokage?"
Shiraishi suddenly asked.
Since I have nothing to do, I hope to talk about some interesting topics to pass the time.
Sakumo smiled bitterly and said, "Forget it, spare me. I'm not the type to be a Hokage. I don't understand politics at all."
"That's wrong to say. The appeal for Sakumo-sensei to become Hokage is louder than that of the Sannin."
"Having said that, Hokage-sama is still strong. I have never considered this issue."
Shiraishi nodded in understanding.
The Third Hokage's reputation in Konoha Village is indeed very good. According to Liuli, even the Uchiha clan has a harmonious relationship with the Third Hokage, and they have good business dealings with each other.
It can be imagined that the Third Hokage is still very broad-minded.
But...how many years can this kind of ambition and courage last?
The Third Hokage is already forty-six years old this year. After another ten years in the position of Hokage, he will be at the age to abdicate in favor of others.
The older you get, the more things you worry about.
The ambitions you have when you are young will become less and less powerful as you grow older.
The power of the Uchiha Guards is even greater than that of the ANBU directly under the Hokage.
This is not only trust in Uchiha, but also vigilance and advice to him.
The Third Hokage doesn't care now because he is strong enough and has enough prestige. Even if something unexpected happens to Uchiha, he is confident that he can solve it, even by using force.
But this kind of confidence cannot last forever.
Therefore, selecting a new Hokage within ten years to take over the position of the third Hokage is the real way to strengthen Konoha's village.
At that time, Sakumo was only in his thirties, the golden age when a ninja's strength was at its peak.
It is estimated that the strength at that time was stronger than now.
With his reputation, strength, loyalty, and character, even if he himself doesn't want to be Hokage, everyone will try their best to force him to become Hokage.
"In short, if Sakumo-sensei is willing to fight for the position of Hokage, he will definitely bring new trends of thought to the village."
"You said I'm not interested in Hokage anymore. I think my life is very good now. Because once I become Hokage, I won't be able to go out on missions and fight side by side with my companions in the village like this."
"what a pity……"
Shiraishi sighed.
"Let me go find something to eat. There is not enough food in the backpack. I will leave the task of protecting the flowers to you."
"learn."
Looking at Sakumo's retreating back, Shiraishi looked away for a while.
