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 3rdâs office to report on his mission.
As he entered, what surprised him most was the fact that in the 3rdâs office, Minato was sitting at the Hokageâs desk. The 3rd himself was on the side leisurely drinking tea.
The 3rd smiled to Ryo saying: âHey, youâre back! Now, report to Minato and donât bother me.â
âHokage sama, I remember Ni-san is scheduled to succeed you after this time. Are you leaving office ahead of schedule?â
The 3rd put down his cup of tea and said: âWell, you could say that. Minato had made great progress, and heâs at a stage where I could let him handle everything with my mind at ease. So yeah, for now, Iâm giving him to position for a while, until he succeeds me officially in a few days and I officially retire!â
Ryo still had a lot to ask about, and he was for once liking the 3rdâs choice and feeling some trust in the old man, when he was interrupted by Minato: âRyo, donât disturb the Sandaime Sama! Donât you have a task to report on?â
Ryo looked at Minato in surprise; didnât 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: âWhatâs going on Ni-san?â
âRyo, after you leave the office, go to the west of the country, and find Tsunade sama!â
The first thing that came to Ryoâs mind was Tsunadeâs medical capabilities. He immediately asked: âAre there any serious injuries requiring treatment? I can go and see!â
âNo, 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.â
âYeah, the usual political marriage, so whatâs wrong?â Ryo asked.
âSo the groom to be the the Daimyoâs son; and the proposed optimal bride is none other than the new Hokageâs disciple: Rin!â Minatoâs thoughts sounded very helpless to Ryo.
âWhat? How could this be?â Ryo almost became visibly agitated.
âI donât want this to happen as well, so I want you to go to Tsunade sama.â
âHow could she solve this matter?â Ryo didnât think of Tsunadeâs status.
âWell, Princess Tsunade is the 1st Hokageâs granddaughter and the Senju clanâs 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.â With this explaination, Ryo finally understood why Tsunade was needed.
âSo, 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.â
âDonât worry Minato Ni-san! Such people donât matter to me.â
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: âMinato, is this your final decision?â
Minato nodded firmly: âHokage sama, sacrificing Rin would be too unfair to her.â
The 3rd said nothing, just showing a smile of satisfaction.
In fact, he himself did not want to agree, but the higher-ups of the Fire Country were putting too much pressure on him. The 3rd then had to cooperate with them on the matter, and used that as pretext to give the governing of the village to Minato. This way, he actually thought he would give him the most optimal position to interfere.
However, after many days of being in the position, Minato did nothing. Therefore, the 3rd feared that he might have given up, and was rather disappointed; he never thought that he was just waiting for Ryo! (T/N: Poor Hiruzen; always misjudged!)
After leaving the office, Ryo left immediately to Ryoâs place.
Sure enough, like Ryo warned, Rinâs place had three quasi kages and 7 Jonins surrounding it. They all thought they were hiding in secrecy, but Ryo had long been aware of their position.
His Ice-Lightning Chakra Mode broke out, and like a lightning bolt, he rushed into her place.
Before the 10 Ninjas had any time to react, the thunderbolt that had passed before their eyes disappeared again, along with Rin who was inside on her sofa.
âRyo, you are finally here!â Rin said excitedly to Ryo.
For the past few days, she had been monitored by Root, and therefore was very anxious. With Ryo there she could finally relax.
âWe have no time to waste Rin, we must immediately find Tsunade sama. Minato Ni-san said that sheâs the only who could help you. Otherwise, if you just leave after the marriage is officially arranged, youâll become a rogue Ninja!â
Rin did not want to have to leave the village, and said anxiously: âThen, letâs go Ryo!â
Ryo nodded, and the two disappeared outside the village.
At the same time, in Rootâs headquarter, Danzo looked at the 10 Ninjas and said: âYou good-for-nothings!You canât even guard a single person!â
They all muttered random words, of which one was clear to his ears: âRyo Yamanaka! That brat is getting more and more presumptuous! Heâs disregarding Konohaâs interests for him own damn whims!â
âWhatâs more problematic is that this marriage was never announced officially. So, technically, we have no legitimate reason to sanction him.â added Homura, who was in the office.
âThe only way we have no is to tell the various families of Konoha about this, getting them to pressure the Ino-Shika-Cho to take the initiative to surrender Ryo.â Danzo said.
âIndeed, thatâs all we could do!â Homura nodded in agreement.
Indeed, all the heads of clan received news of Ryo taking away the one whoâs supposed to marry the Daimyoâs son, within minutes of their agreement.
This marriage was to be very beneficial to all of Konoha, so Ryoâs behavior actually harmed many people interests.
Along with some incentives from Danzo, this was enough to get all clans to put pressure on the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance.