[Konoha Guest Quarters— The Third Tsuchikage]
"The entire body is laced with preservatives. The Kazekage had obviously died a long time ago." Onoki muttered as he analysed Kazekage Rasa's dead body while the other three Kages watched silently.
Since the Kazekage's dead body had been found in the Guest Quarters at a time where all Five Kages were present in Konoha, his dead body could obviously not be given to Konoha Medical Corps for analysis due to political reasons.
As such, Onoki had offered to perform the analysis of the dead body himself since he was also a Kage like the dead Kazekage. Given his old age and vast experience, Onoki was more than well equipped for the job.
"When did you find the body?" Onoki asked Baki, the leader of the Team Baki which consisted of all three children of the Kazekage.
Baki was a tall man with light brown skin, with only the right side of his face visible as the rest was hidden behind a seat of cloth extending from his turban.
Onoki knew from the information obtained by the Iwagakure spies that Baki was one of the strongest Jounin of Sunagakure, practically Kazekage's right hand man.
"When Lord Kazekage returned from the stadium, he went into his room for some rest after questioning the Suna Genin who participated in the Battle Royale. Moreover, he asked not to be disturbed.
It was then that Lady Temari arrived and requested to meet Lord Kazekage. I relayed Lord Kazekage's words but she said that it was about Gaara.
I knocked on the door to ask Lord Kazekage but received no answer. Realising that something had happened, I immediately broke down the door only to find Lord Kazekage's dead body lying on the bed."
Baki truthfully relayed everything that had happened since he knew how disastrous the death of the Kazekage was for Sunagakure. Suna was already a rather weak Hidden Village, only stronger than Kiri because of the Rebellion Kiri had suffered.
*Well, your dear Kazekage has been dead for quite some time. The Kazekage we met on the stage was an imposter."
"Even we could tell that something was wrong with the Kazekage after talking with him for but a few minutes. How could you, his right hand man not realise this when you were basically his shadow?" A, the Raikage said, mocking Baki's incompetence.
"I had some doubts regarding Lord Kazekage's recent behaviour but it was not my place to question him." Baki answered with humility.
"Loyal much, huh! Look how it ended." Onoki said with a mocking laugh as he pointed at the Kazekage's dead body.
"Any idea who the Kazekage's imposter or murderer could be?" Minato asked Baki.
"No idea. If I had, I would have already told you." Baki replied in negative but Onoki knew that he was hiding something.
"The Kazekage was killed with poison. And this will answer who murdered him." Onoki said as he showed the Kazekage's neck to everyone. On Kazekage's neck were fang marks which looked like snake bites.
"Orochimaru!" Minato exclaimed, knowing that the only Shinobi who was strong enough to kill the Kazekage and used snakes was Orochimaru of the Sannin, a traitor of Konoha.
"But how did Orochimaru get close enough to the Kazekage to not only kill him but even replace him?" Onoki questioned as he looked at Baki, causing a bead of sweat to trickle down his face because of his nervousness.
"Boy, I have been ruling Iwagakure from before you or your Lord Kazekage were even born. I know that you are hiding something." Onoki said seriously as he looked directly into Baki's eyes.
"So, speak boy! Speak for Sunagakure's dignity. Speak so that your dear village can weather through this tragedy safely."
"Around half an year ago, Orochimaru contacted Lord Kazekage with an offer of collaboration. Since Sunagakure was not receiving as many missions as before because of Konoha's greater popularity, Lord Kazekage decided to accept his offer."
Baki started speaking everything upon hearing Onoki's words, realising that his silence would only be harmful for Sunagakure at this juncture.
"However, a few months ago, Orochimaru gave another offer to Lord Kazekage, an offer to attack Konoha during the Chunin Exams Finals and Lord Kazekage unfortunately accepted it."
"What?" Minato immediately shot up from his seat upon hearing that Sunagakure was planning to attack Konoha.
"Wonderful! I didn't know that Shinobi from Sunagakure were so much idiotic and suicidal. Attacking Konoha while all the Kages were present, did you want Sunagakure to be destroyed?" Onoki said, mocking their stupid plan.
"We were only supposed to be the supporting force in the attack. The main force was going to be Orochimaru and his men. It was only because of this agreement that Lord Kazekage had agreed to attack Konoha." Baki explained the entire attack plan, which force was going to attack when and where.
"What Jutsu did Orochimaru use on all of you that you gave him the main command for an attack which could define Sunagakure's future!" Onoki expressed his disbelief about how Sunagakure seemed to just be a puppet moving under the strings of Orochimaru.
"If Orochimaru had somehow managed to kill people close to us Kages and pinned it on Sunagakure, you would have to face the wrath of four entire Hidden Villages while you have no Kage level Shinobi to defend your village."
"Thankfully, the System arrived before the attack could begin and Orochimaru abandoned the entire plan because of it. As the representative of Sunagakure, at this moment, we can only receive whatever penalty you may impose upon us without any resistance." Baki said with humility, knowing that Sunagakure couldn't escape the responsibility for the part they were about to play in the Konoha attack plan.
"Well, I will leave it to Lord Hokage. After all, it was Konoha which was your target." Onoki said, sharing a nod with Minato.
"Go and take some rest, Mr. Baki. We will talk about this matter tomorrow. You deserve some rest after everything you have went through." Minato said as he left the room, ready to address some other matters which needed his attention.
"Lord Hokage!"
It was at this moment that Onoki called Minato.
"What do we need, Lord Onoki?" Minato asked respectfully.
"I know that Iwa and Konoha have been bitter enemies almost since their conception. However, I want to better the relations between our Hidden Villages. With the advent of the System, the Elemental Nations are about to enter a new era. As such, it would only beneficial for our villages to be allies rather than enemies." Onoki said, surprisingly proposing an alliance between Iwa and Konoha.
"That's a brilliant idea, Lord Onoki. Both Konoha and Iwa would benefit a lot from this alliance." Minato, ever the advocate of peace, welcomed Onoki's proposal with open arms.
"Good! I saw your son Naruto's performance in the Battle Royale. That boy is as much of a genius as you, perhaps even a greater one. You see, I have a cute granddaughter his age, Kurotsuchi..."
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[Hokage Mountain— The Children of the Hokage]
"I can't believe that you were given a marriage proposal for the Tsuchikage's granddaughter herself, brother. You really can't escape marriage proposals whenever you go." Narumi said to Naruto as she laughed at the mere thought of it.
Their father had told Naruto of Onoki's proposal and asked Naruto to think about it.
The siblings were currently on top of the Hokage Mountain, a mountain facing Konoha on which the faces of all the Hokage were carved.
This was the siblings' favourite spot where they often talked with each other for hours about how their day went, how was the training going, their difficulties in life and so on. There was almost no secrecy among the siblings.
"This marriage proposal is likely just a way for Iwagakure to show how willing they are to be allies. After all, it is not easy for two life long enemies to suddenly become friends." Naruto said, believing that the marriage proposal was not serious.
"How can you be so sure?" Narumi expressed her doubt.
"I have read about that girl Kurotsuchi in the records. She is in line to be the next Tsuchikage and the most likely one now that their new ace Deidara has gone rogue. Iwa would never offer such a girl to me." Naruto explained his reasoning.
"Seriously, you need to go out and talk to some girls, bro. Otherwise, you are never going to get a girlfriend at this rate." Narumi said, knowing how serious Naruto was regarding his Shinobi career.
There was a reason Naruto was already at mid Chunin level while Narumi could only be considered a half Chunin because of her lack of tactical awareness.
"I have an idea! Why don't you come with me to Ino's girls party tonight?" Narumi suddenly offered jokingly. Ino had thrown a party for all her friends to help them get through their experience in the Battle Royale.
"A boy in a girls' party? Stop joking!"
"Alright, alright! Anyways, I am going down first. If I delay any longer, I am going to be late." Narumi said goodbye to Naruto as she descended the Hokage Mountain, having a girls' party to attend.
Once Narumi left, Naruto took out the Character Card he had obtained in the Battle Royale, ready to experiment with it to see how he could use it to enhance his skillset.
It was at this moment that Naruto heard a voice he had hoped not to for a long time.
[Congratulations, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze! You have been selected for the great position of Junior Moderator in the System.]
"What the fuck!"
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Chapter Title— Junior Moderator
Looks like Naruto can't escape marriage proposals no matter how much he tries!
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