Chapter 214 - 214 (1/2)

After leaving the Waterfall Village, Ryo took Pakura back to the Sand Village, and then returned to Konoha together with Shisui. When reaching the village, he went straight to the 3rd's office to report on his mission.

As he entered, what surprised him most was the fact that in the 3rd's office, Minato was sitting at the Hokage's desk. The 3rd himself was on the side leisurely drinking tea.

The 3rd smiled to Ryo saying: ”Hey, you're back! Now, report to Minato and don't bother me.”

”Hokage sama, I remember Ni-san is scheduled to succeed you after this time. Are you leaving office ahead of schedule?”

The 3rd put down his cup of tea and said: ”Well, you could say that. Minato had made great progress, and he's at a stage where I could let him handle everything with my mind at ease. So yeah, for now, I'm giving him to position for a while, until he succeeds me officially in a few days and I officially retire!”

Ryo still had a lot to ask about, and he was for once liking the 3rd's choice and feeling some trust in the old man, when he was interrupted by Minato: ”Ryo, don't disturb the Sandaime Sama! Don't you have a task to report on?”

Ryo looked at Minato in surprise; didn't he always urge Ryo to make his relationship better with the 3rd? Why stop them from talking now?

Thinking of that, Ryo felt that there might be something wrong. He telepathically asked Minato: ”What's going on Ni-san?”

”Ryo, after you leave the office, go to the west of the country, and find Tsunade sama!”

The first thing that came to Ryo's mind was Tsunade's medical capabilities. He immediately asked: ”Are there any serious injuries requiring treatment? I can go and see!”

”No, this matter is completely different. This matter is related to the village having a new Hokage. The Daimyo would usually have someone from his family marry a Ninja from Konoha, to strengthen the relationship between both sides.”

”Yeah, the usual political marriage, so what's wrong?” Ryo asked.

”So the groom to be the the Daimyo's son; and the proposed optimal bride is none other than the new Hokage's disciple: Rin!” Minato's thoughts sounded very helpless to Ryo.

”What? How could this be?” Ryo almost became visibly agitated.

”I don't want this to happen as well, so I want you to go to Tsunade sama.”

”How could she solve this matter?” Ryo didn't think of Tsunade's status.

”Well, Princess Tsunade is the 1st Hokage's granddaughter and the Senju clan's most prominent figure, on top of being one of the Sannin. Her word holds great weight. If she goes against the marriage, the matter could be forgotten.” With this explaination, Ryo finally understood why Tsunade was needed.

”So, Ryo, please take care of the matter. The 3rd had put me in this position, probably to get me too tied up with duties, and to keep me from stopping this marriage that should benefit the village. There are also other people in the village siding with this decision; you might have some people in your way, so be careful.”

”Don't worry Minato Ni-san! Such people don't matter to me.”

Ryo cut the link with Minato and gave him a scroll about the mission, and then immediately teleported out of the office.

Seeing Ryo leave, the 3rd sighed and said: ”Minato, is this your final decision?”