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Speaking of this, Hatake Kakashi was filled with anguish.
If it were the usual case, if time went back a few years, and he were asked to become Hokage, then Hatake Kakashi would have gladly accepted; after all, it's the dream of every Konoha shinobi.
But now, things were different. Times had changed!
Now, the position of Hokage held more symbolic than practical significance. If that were all, it would be fine, but the current Hokage also had the responsibility of patrolling the land to maintain peace.
How could he accept this when he had long planned to live a quiet life, doing as little as possible until old age?
Haruno Sakura smiled awkwardly, thinking of the Hokage's current duties, and scratched her cheek unconsciously.
"Kakashi-sensei... you're quite suitable to become Hokage. After all, your reputation is enough—the son of Konoha's White Fang, the White Lightning of the Ninja World... ahhh."
She trailed off, unable to continue under Kakashi's deadpan stare.
"Tch."
Uchiha Sasuke sneered, turning his head without a word. Only Naruto was still shouting, "Why should you be Hokage, Kakashi-sensei? It's my dream to become Hokage!"
"Really? Naruto!?"
Kakashi perked up, his eyes lighting up.
He put out his cigarette and stopped reading his book.
He grasped Naruto's hands, forced a smile, and said, "If you really want to be Hokage, I can help you."
"By the way, you might not know, but the transfer student from the Land of Wind—your former classmate, Gaara—is now Kazekage! I remember you're about the same age, right? If he can become Kazekage, you can become Hokage too!"
As he spoke, it seemed he had convinced himself, releasing Naruto's hands and striking his palm with his fist. "Why didn't I think of it? No one from my generation is willing, but the next generation can do it! I need to head back quickly—I can't sit in the Kage's seat any longer!"
Haruno Sakura's mouth twitched as she watched from the side, and even Uchiha Sasuke, usually the most stoic, couldn't help but look at Kakashi as if seeing him for the first time. "Kakashi-sensei, this behavior... is too much."
Haruno Sakura couldn't help but speak.
"..."
Kakashi's expression stiffened, as though he'd realized something, then he waved his hands weakly, as if all his energy had drained away.
"Forget it, forget it. Let's just get moving. No rest—straight to the destination."
With that, he walked ahead without waiting for the three.
Naruto looked a bit confused, while Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke exchanged a glance, seeing the same strange expression in each other's eyes.
The Land of Wind was now known as the Wind District.
After the end of the Third Ninja World War, the entire Ninja World had gradually unified.
Starting with the United Ninja Village proposed by the Fourth Hokage, Ishigami Hara, the system gradually de-nationalized and formed a centralized force—the Ninja World Union, referred to as the Ninja Union.
Under the Ninja Union, the United Ninja Village became the center. Based on Konoha, this village expanded significantly and is no longer a village in the traditional sense. It has transformed into a mid-sized modern city with a population exceeding three million!
In addition to the United Ninja Village, there are five cities: Wind City, Fire City, Thunder City, Water City, and Rain City.
As expected, the original Konoha has also changed its name to Fire City as the united ninja village, though most people still use the old name and call it Konoha.
The same renaming applies to the other five cities. The current Wind City is the former Sunagakure, which is also the destination of Hatake Kakashi's team.
"Wow, is this Sunagakure? It's so unique!"
Naruto yelled as usual, then pointed at a spot and exclaimed, "Didn't you say there's no desert left in the Ninja World? Then what's that?"
The place he pointed to was a desert, yet everyone saw an endless oasis.
Within the oasis were houses in various colors, densely packed and neatly arranged.
There were houses similar to those in other parts of the Ninja World, alongside large, oddly-shaped tents and some stone sculptures with a rustic charm.
At first glance, it looked like a desert city set within an oasis.
"Hey, how could this be? Didn't we learn in geography class that all deserts were removed?"
Haruno Sakura couldn't help but express her surprise.
Just then, a passing tourist overheard and explained, "Young lady, don't you know this? You must be from outside, right? Oh, or perhaps a ninja. I guess you still don't know—this is the work of Lord Kazekage."
"Lord Kazekage? Is it that guy Gaara?" Naruto asked hurriedly.
The four were at the main gate of Wind City, one of several gates surrounding the city, and this particular gate was larger, attracting a crowd.
The man was surprised when he heard this, "Yes, indeed, Lord Gaara. Do you know Lord Kazekage?"
"Of course! I know all about him!" Naruto replied.
The man quickly bowed in apology, "I see, my apologies."
"Hey, it's fine, it's fine," Naruto responded quickly.
Haruno Sakura asked, "Could you tell us more about these deserts?"
"Oh, that."
The man smiled and said, "I heard that Lord Kazekage proposed it at a meeting in Fire City, advocating for each area of the Ninja World to retain its unique local characteristics."
"For example, the cloud sea in Thunder City, the rocky mountains in Earth City, and the deserts in Wind City."
"I see," Haruno Sakura nodded, then added, "No wonder I've heard that there are deserts in the Wind District. It looks surprisingly good from here."
"Of course! These deserts were created by Lord Gaara himself. I saw it with my own eyes. Lord Gaara waved his hand and created a vast desert. The sight was indescribable!"
"Haha, it's just some Earth Style ninjutsu, nothing impressive!"
Naruto laughed, only to be immediately punched by Haruno Sakura.
"Shut up, idiot Naruto!"