"Kakashi, I need to go see the Hokage first. If you don't mind waiting at the ramen shop, Naruto and the others are there too. I'll treat you all to ramen."
Li Chuan didn't explain much to Kakashi. After a brief conversation, he went upstairs to the Hokage building alone with Shinuki Izumo.
He didn't bring Zabuza and White, leaving them downstairs, mainly because he was worried that the Third Hokage might see through their disguise.
In his previous life, he vaguely remembered a Hokage joke where when all four of Konoha's Hokage were resurrected by Edo Tensei, the First Hokage asked the Fourth Hokage how he died. The Fourth Hokage said it was because he sealed the Nine-Tailed beast.
Then the First Hokage was shocked, asking if that thing could kill people.
At this point, the Third Hokage looked ashamed because he died in a more frustrating way; the reason for his death was sealing Orochimaru's arms.
Although it was a joke, it also showed the gap in strength between the First Hokage and the Third Hokage. The title of the Third Hokage being Konoha's strongest generation of Hokage was naturally impossible.
However, it cannot be denied that while the Third Hokage's raw strength couldn't compare to the First Hokage, this was only in terms of pure power and didn't mean his understanding of Ninjutsu and application of various Ninjutsu was weaker than the First Hokage's.
The Third Hokage was known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, mastering five-element Ninjutsu and composite Ninjutsu. Coupled with his age and experience, it was indeed possible for him to spot flaws in Zabuza and White's Transformation Technique.
On the second floor, in the Hokage's office, Li Chuan stepped inside. The Third Hokage, wearing the Hokage hat, immediately stood up and warmly greeted him with a smile:
"Welcome, Your Highness Prince. I was just busy dealing with the Chunin Selection Exams and couldn't go to greet you. I hope you won't blame me."
Li Chuan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then immediately showed a humble expression:
"The Hokage is too kind. My uncle already instructed me when he ordered me to come here that once I arrived, everything would be arranged by the Hokage. However, I have always admired Konoha, which is why I came over a month early.
I hope this won't cause you any trouble, Hokage!"
Li Chuan knew in his heart that the Third Hokage not coming to the gate to greet him was understandable. He wasn't the Daimyo, so how could the Third Hokage, as the Hokage, lower himself to greet him at the door.
Saying that was just being polite. If he took it seriously, he would be foolish.
He was just stunned for a moment because after he entered the door, the Third Hokage didn't ask Shinuki Izumo about his identity at all and recognized him very naturally, as if someone had told him in advance.
This also reminded him of the faint feeling of being watched that he felt as soon as he entered the Village.
He figured that from the moment he stepped through Konoha's gate, he had been monitored by Konoha's Anbu members, and perhaps even Danzo's Root personnel were also monitoring him.
After all, coming to Konoha a month early by himself made it difficult for the Third Hokage and Danzo, these high-ranking officials, not to be suspicious and wary.
"So that's how it is. Perhaps I was thinking too much."
Hearing Li Chuan's words, the Third Hokage's mind turned, and he immediately smiled:
"Your Highness Prince is joking. How could it be troublesome? This is a great honor for Konoha. Your Highness is tired from your journey today, so have a good rest tonight. I will send a Jonin to accompany Your Highness to tour Konoha later."
When he received the message from the Land of Fire three days ago, he had discussed with a few Advisors why the Prince would come to Konoha a month early. This didn't make sense.
Danzo speculated whether the Daimyo wanted to test something again, or had some ideas about the concept of the "Jade."
Although he immediately rejected Danzo's judgment, it was impossible to say that he had no doubts at all.
Back then, the matter of who was the real "Jade," the real leader of the Land of Fire, between the Daimyo and the Hokage, caused quite a stir. Later, he personally went to the Land of Fire and had a heart-to-heart talk with the Daimyo to completely resolve it.
He believed that given the Daimyo's personality, he shouldn't go back on his word, but he couldn't be completely unprepared either.
Therefore, everything that had happened from the moment this Prince walked into Konoha until now had been promptly reported to him by Anbu Ninja.
This also let him know that this Prince was the same person as the disciple of the Fire Temple mentioned in Kakashi's mission report after returning from the Land of Waves mission.
Based on this, the Prince saying he came early just out of curiosity about Konoha was plausible.
Because the Prince himself also practiced Ninjutsu, and his Master, Chiriku, and his own son, Asuma, were also good friends, it was normal to be curious about Konoha, the strongest Ninja Village composed of Ninja.
Moreover, Naruto and the others had invited him to visit Konoha before.
"Hokage, won't that be a bit too wasteful? I've already caused you a lot of trouble by coming early, and specially sending a Jonin to accompany me is really overkill."
Li Chuan's eyes darted, and he politely refused upon hearing this.
He didn't want a Jonin following him, because while they said they were accompanying him, it was actually surveillance.
But the Third Hokage was clearly firm on this, explaining with a serious expression:
"Your Highness Prince, this is not ordinary times. If it were ordinary times, there would naturally be no problem. Currently, due to the Chunin Selection Exams, many Ninja from other Villages have entered the Village, and there will inevitably be some security issues.
Having a Jonin by your side, on one hand, can help you better tour the Village, and on the other hand, can also protect your safety and avoid unnecessary conflicts with Ninja from other Villages."
"In that case... I will trouble you then, Hokage."
Li Chuan nodded and agreed with a smile.
The Third Hokage had explained to this extent. If he refused again, it would clearly show he had something to hide. At that time, even if they didn't send Ninja to follow him openly, there might be even more Anbu Ninja sent to monitor him secretly.
Moreover, arousing the Third Hokage's suspicion was not conducive to his plans in Konoha.
But at the same time, it also confirmed something in his heart, which was that the Third Hokage could not be saved.
Regarding his plans after coming to Konoha, he had considered two directions for development.
The first direction was to save the Third Hokage when Orochimaru launched the Hidden Leaf Village Destruction Plan, in order to gain the Third Hokage's favor and thereby learn advanced Ninjutsu from Konoha.
The second direction was to take advantage of the Hidden Leaf Village Destruction Plan, when Konoha's defenses were at their lowest, and seize the sealing scroll amidst the chaos.
Through this meeting with the Third Hokage, he felt it would be better to choose the second option.
Given the Third Hokage's personality, even if he made a significant contribution during the Hidden Leaf Village Destruction Plan, his identity as the Prince of the Land of Fire meant he would never gain the Third Hokage's complete trust.
He might get some Ninjutsu from the Third Hokage, but those advanced secret Ninjutsu were definitely out of the question.
Furthermore, if the Third Hokage didn't die, Orochimaru's arms wouldn't be injured, Tsunade wouldn't return to take over as the Fifth Hokage, and the money he lent out would be wasted.
The key is that the Third Hokage is too cunning and difficult to deal with, and also very suspicious, which could be felt from the conversation just now. The room for manipulation after Tsunade becomes Hokage is much larger.
Therefore, Li Chuan felt it would be better for the Third Hokage to die next.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"