The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
He remembered that Kakashi's bounty was very high, almost double his own.
Perhaps Kurenai was using bounties as a standard to measure a Ninja's ability?
Indeed, a high bounty not only proved strong power but also made a name for oneself in the Ninja World.
Except for special missions, in most cases, a Ninja's bounty was proportional to their power.
In that case, pursuing Kurenai wasn't that difficult after all.
"Kurenai, I understand what you mean."
"Don't worry, I won't disappoint you. I'll increase my bounty as quickly as possible."
"Before, I just wasn't serious."
With that, Asuma Sarutobi turned and left, full of drive and momentum.
Kurenai Yuhi was in the living room pouring juice for Anko when Asuma's shout startled her.
"What is that guy yelling about now?" Kurenai Yuhi handed the juice to Anko and picked up a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
"Who knows?" Anko said nonchalantly, "The Sarutobi family are all full of weird ideas, just ignore him."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely stay far away from him." Kurenai Yuhi nodded seriously.
At this time, Mei Terumī and the others also learned of Asuma's bounty from other channels and couldn't help but laugh.
Look, first there was Kakashi, who judged heroes by Chakra, and now Asuma Sarutobi, who judged worth by money.
What kind of oddballs were the people of Konoha Village?
"Byakko, you're not thinking of having me go after Asuma, are you?"
In Hidden Rain Village, Kakuzu had just handed a sum of money to Konan, and his brow furrowed unconsciously.
Asuma's bounty was considerable, a full thirty million Ryo, enough to tempt him.
But Asuma was the son of the Third Hokage, and the Old Monkey was still alive, so the risk of making a move was too great.
If they brought the entire Konoha Village to deal with him, it would be more trouble than it was worth.
In short, this deal wasn't profitable, and Kakuzu didn't want to take it.
"No, I was just asking about the recent situation." Konan told a small lie with a poker face.
"Oh." Kakuzu grunted in response, then said with some hesitation, "The money we entrusted to you, could you let me see it…"
"Kakuzu, Pain has a mission for you." Konan interrupted before Kakuzu could finish.
"What mission?" Kakuzu had no choice but to swallow his remaining words.
He truly dared not provoke this leader; that oppressive feeling was as terrifying as the god of shinobi he had "fought a battle" with back then.
"Read it yourself, and destroy it when you're done."
Konan casually pulled out a piece of paper and controlled it to fly in front of Kakuzu.
"Understood. And the money…"
After reading the mission, Kakuzu wanted to bring up the money again.
But when he looked up, Konan was already gone.
"Forget it. Men earn money, women manage money. That's how money accumulates more and more."
He consoled himself and then turned and disappeared into the darkness.
There was important business to attend to next.
After he left, Konan reappeared, looking relaxed.
She had used all that money to buy special Chakra paper, which she then transformed into talismans using her Secret Technique, creating a trump card.
However, she would never tell Kakuzu about this.
"Hmm, I need to figure out a way to get some money to appease Kakuzu for now."
In the Hokage Tower, Yūgao Uzuki, hiding in the shadows, almost couldn't resist rushing out to ask Kushina what she was doing.
Her emotions today were truly out of control.
Was this Kushina an undercover agent sent by Lin Mo?!
Even if you wanted to build a closer relationship or write more in your diary, you didn't need to be in such a hurry!
"Hokage-sama."
Yūgao Uzuki walked to the desk.
"Oborozuki, is there something you need?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been standing by the window contemplating the retreating figures of Uzumaki Kushina and the other three, turned his head and offered a natural smile.
Oborozuki was Yūgao Uzuki's codename.
"I want to secretly observe Lin Mo." Yūgao Uzuki said directly.
"Oh?" Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and asked curiously, "What are your thoughts?"
"As someone responsible for looking after the Jinchuriki, and who might even live with the Fourth Hokage's wife, I think this matter needs careful consideration and thorough evaluation," Yūgao Uzuki said with a serious expression, "The Jinchuriki is too important to Konoha, and indeed to every Village, to allow for any mistakes."
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened, didn't respond immediately, but remained silent for a moment.
After a while, he nodded and said with emotion, "It seems I truly am old; I didn't even think of this point that you did."
"That's right, the Jinchuriki matter can be big or small; even a slight mishap would be irresponsible to the Village."
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Yūgao Uzuki with an appreciative gaze, but this wasn't because of her new discovery, but rather because of her loyalty to the Village.
See, the people he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, nurtured with the Will of Fire were truly different.
"Hokage-sama, I don't think it's appropriate to monitor Lin Mo as an Anbu member." Yūgao Uzuki continued, "What if the Fourth Hokage's wife finds out…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly.
This was indeed a problem; if Uzumaki Kushina were angered, it would be troublesome.
He actually trusted Lin Mo quite a bit; having Yūgao Uzuki monitor him was more about secretly keeping an eye on the Jinchuriki.
But Kushina's power and her Kagura Mind's Eye were always a hidden danger.
"You should first withdraw from Anbu, resume your Jonin status, and interact with Lin Mo normally."
"If possible, you can try to date him, and I'll help you."
You are both inheritors of the Will of Fire; wouldn't it be more suitable for you two to be together?
Perhaps before you get married, you might even have to pray to his photo.
"Of course, if you don't want to, you don't have to consider it; I won't…"
Yūgao Uzuki didn't really hear the rest of his words because she was a bit stunned.
She stepped forward not because she genuinely wanted to monitor Lin Mo for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
She understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's temperament and knew that the Old Monkey must have already arranged for someone to act.
That's why she volunteered, so she could provide cover for Lin Mo when needed, and also gain some presence for herself.
Moreover, she also wanted to keep an eye on Kushina, to prevent her from causing trouble unsupervised.
Finally, she could also use this opportunity to leave Anbu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't become suspicious.
Four birds with one stone.
She never expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to actually tell her to pursue Lin Mo.
"Did I just sell myself out?!"
"Although Lin Mo's Ninjutsu isn't top-notch, he's handsome and knowledgeable."
"If you two are together, you can handle the important matters outside, and he can manage the small matters at home."
"He comes from a commoner background; he can even marry into your Uzuki family."
"I have high hopes for him and plan to make him the head of the cultural department at the Ninja Academy."
"Then, with one of you handling external affairs and the other internal, it will be a beautiful story in Konoha."
"When you two get married, I will personally officiate your wedding."
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi kept praising Lin Mo, as if he were truly looking out for Yūgao Uzuki.
But Yūgao Uzuki felt something strange about it, especially when she remembered Lin Mo often cursing the "Old Monkey" in his diary; she almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.
If the Old Monkey knew that his true colors had been revealed, and that even Kushina's return to the living was Lin Mo's doing, who knows how he would thank him?
That expression would definitely be very interesting.
"This subordinate will do her utmost to complete the mission."
Yūgao Uzuki neither nodded nor shook her head.
She wouldn't listen to Hiruzen Sarutobi about finding a partner.
But her attitude towards Lin Mo was different, so she didn't directly refuse either.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard this, he was delighted, thinking she had agreed.
"Danzo, this is what true skill is. You are still not as good as me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a kind smile, "Hand over your mask. From now on, there will be no Oborozuki in Anbu; you are still Jonin Yūgao Uzuki."
"Yes!"
Yūgao Uzuki placed her mask on the desk, revealing a beautiful face.
Her purple hair reached her waist, and she carried a sword on her back, exuding an indescribable aura.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was famously lecherous, and he was momentarily stunned by Yūgao Uzuki's appearance, but he quickly hid it, thinking, "This kid Lin Mo has truly found a treasure."
Being Hokage was great; you got to taste all the good things first.
Others shouldn't even think about it.
"Jonin Uzuki, continue to contribute to Konoha from now on." Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Yūgao Uzuki placed her left hand over her chest.
Having left Anbu, she and the Hokage were no longer in a direct superior-subordinate relationship, but rather colleagues, both members of Konoha Village.
"Dismissed."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, allowing her to leave, and she immediately did so.
As soon as the office door closed, Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes.
"In four days, Naruto will graduate from the Ninja Academy. Kakashi will be responsible for training him and keeping an eye on him."
"In daily life, Lin Mo will be responsible for taking care of Naruto, and he can also inquire about Kushina's news."
"By having Yūgao Uzuki get closer to Lin Mo, the guardianship and intelligence gathering will be more secure."
"Kushina should be able to accept this arrangement."
"There won't be any flaws on the Jinchuriki's side for now."
"Next, I need to figure out how to take over the Root."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze grew deeper and deeper.
Danzo was skilled at manipulating people and at applying pressure.
Kushina killed Danzo, so some people in the Root would definitely cause her trouble.
He didn't want to save these people; he could just use Kushina's hand to clean them out and, at the same time, test her limits.
He planned to incorporate the remaining people.
If the Fourth Hokage really returned, he would have to hand over Anbu.
The Root, on the other hand, could serve as his eyes and blade behind the scenes.
"I'm getting old. Leaves fall, become fertilizer, and nourish the big tree. This is the Will of Fire."
"Danzo, you'll never be able to compare to me in this lifetime."
Meanwhile, to the southwest of the Hokage Tower.
Kakashi, with Lin Mo, Kushina, and Naruto, walked for less than three minutes before arriving at a three-story villa. The house covered over two hundred square meters and had a sizable garden, at least one hundred square meters.
This villa didn't look particularly luxurious; one could only say it was quite distinctive, but its true value lay in its location.
Imagine, if you looked down from the sky, the residential area of Konoha Village resembled two-fifths of a large fan shape. It was situated south of a massive rock mountain, and the center of that fan shape was precisely the Hokage Tower. Directly above the tower was the Hokage Rock, carved with the portraits of past Hokage.
In front of the Hokage Tower was a huge open space. This open space connected to five wide main roads, dividing the Village into six large sections. Between each main street were winding small paths, further dividing these large sections into smaller ones. (I have an illustration for this area.)
The road directly to the south led all the way to the main gate of Konoha Village. Anyone entering through the main gate would first see the Hokage Rock and the Hokage Tower below it.
The closer to the Hokage Tower, the more likely the residents were Ninja clans or powerful Jonin, and the property prices were naturally astonishingly high.
This villa was in a VIP location in a prime area, unobtainable even with money.
"The place where the Nine-Tailed appeared back then wasn't far from here."
"It rampaged through Konoha Village, and this area suffered the most."
"Big sister boss, your and Teacher's house also had bad luck back then, but Hokage-sama later had a new one built on the original site and regularly sent people to clean and maintain it, planning to give it to Naruto when he grew up."
Kakashi found a key under a flowerpot nearby, opened the door, and handed it to Kushina.
"It's so big, so big! Is this going to be my home now?"
Naruto excitedly ran into the house, looking around everywhere.
Lin Mo surveyed the place with interest, then walked to the window to check the surroundings, and turned to ask Kakashi, "Who lives nearby?"
Kakashi glanced at him, initially not wanting to bother answering.
But seeing Kushina's warning gaze, he immediately said, "The west and northwest were formerly the territory of the Senju Clan. Only a small part was destroyed back then, and not many people live there now. Most of it has been rented out by Lady Tsunade for hot springs and inns."
"The southwest is the Hyuga Clan's territory. The south and southeast were originally the Uchiha Clan's, but after the Nine-Tailed incident, that area was distributed to several commoner Jonin."
"The east is South Main Street, the busiest commercial area."
"The Ino–Shika–Chō, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans are all southeast of the Hokage Tower."
Upon hearing this, Lin Mo's mind instantly understood a lot.
No wonder Minato Namikaze's former house was destroyed.
Obito Uchiha summoned the Nine-Tailed, whether to observe or to frame, he definitely deliberately released it near the Uchiha compound.
At first, the Nine-Tailed relied on its large size to smash everything around. When Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with his team and used the Adamantine Staff to push it out of the Village, it prepared to fire a Tailed Beast Ball at the Hokage Rock, but Minato Namikaze stopped it.
"This is for you too. You can live here from now on."
Kushina didn't care who the neighbors were and casually tossed the key to Lin Mo.
This scene made Kakashi's brow twitch again.
He didn't know why, but he kept feeling like something bad was going to happen.
He looked at his teacher Minato Namikaze's head, and it seemed to be shrouded in a strange color.
"No, Big sister boss Kushina definitely isn't that kind of person."
"I've probably been reading too much icha icha paradise lately, which is why I'm overthinking things."
Kakashi tried to convince himself not to think too much.
But just then, Kushina impatiently called out from beside him, "Kakashi, we've found the house, you can leave now."
Kakashi thought: See, I wasn't overthinking it!