43 Exploring the Festival (2/2)

We then spent another half an hour talking our time getting to the cookie stall, once we got there though we were shocked, or at least I was, there was an older boy holding a sign saying 'Cookie line starts here' and had an arrow pointing downward. I decided to see just how long the line was and threw a paper ball into the air, teleported to it quickly, then flashed back down to Tsunade. This line was hundreds of people long... I regret not getting here sooner now...

I tell everyone what happened and let everyone go explore the stands nearby while I power through the line. While I was there everyone actually came up asking me for a bit more money, and since I couldn't leave the line and see what they wanted I just gave them another thousand each. Eventually, after 2 hours of just standing in the line I ended up at the front of the line, and hearing the kids at the front going and calling my name woke me from my daze. I stepped up and put in my order for 4 dozen cookies. Seeing the kids pause I smile and tell them, I want to have 48 cookies and that it'll cost 96 Ryu.

They cocked their heads at me before adding it all together before nodding, so I smile and hand them 200 Ryu, I told them that it was a bonus for doing such a good job. I then grabbed my cookies and promised to see them tomorrow and see how they all did. After waving them goodbye I went and picked up everyone again, only to see them going and playing the same street game. It is a cup and ball game.

Oh god did they all get conned?

I walk up and take a look only to see Olivier point at a cup, the man smiles and picks up the cup revealing that there is in fact a ball underneath. I sigh and see that the man doesn't hand her any money back, what?

I pull Ezio aside, ”Why are you guys dealing with a con man? I thought you had high perception and could deal with them?”

Ezio laughed at me, ”I can, I had him made almost immediately. However this man offered to show us some tricks for 1k Ryo, and these tricks aren't just simple ones for games like these, they are so much more.” He then turns around and goes back to watching him.

Heh? So the Con man is teaching them ninja stuff? I sigh and decide to join in, I pay the man 1k Ryo (yes, every time that something is in the thousands, unless I feel it is needed, I will say k. I am a lazy bastard, bite me. I'm busy being a protagonist.)

After watching for about 10 minutes I realize what Ezio meant by the tricks, he was showing how to conceal the ball into his sleeve in smooth motions, multitasking, keeping a straight face and talking, and also being able to put the ball back into the cup. All at a high speed that was almost too fast to keep track of. He even had times that the ball would stick to the bottom of the cup, or to the side so that it wouldn't be shown. I assume he was using Chakra to go and manage that, he is indeed an interesting person, but by all means he looks average and not like a ninja. Hmm.

Well no matter, I have his face in my memory, as do I all the techniques that he is showing us. After a couple more tricks and techniques he packed up, bowed to us, and walked away. I guess we learned everything he was willing to offer?

Shortly after watching the man walk away an Anbu arrived before me, asking for me to meet the Hokage, he also noticed the group I was with and told them to get to a certain area relatively close to where the Hokage was meeting me. Oh so he's giving them some close up seats huh? Well I am going at assume that it's for Sarutobi officially making me Hokage.

I give everyone some more money to go and have fun along the way while I just flash over to Sarutobi (A/N: I usually just describe the flying thunder god technique with flash or teleport since it'd be a pain to put, 'I use the flying thunder god technique to...' or switch it with Raijin and it's still complicated. I hope nobody minds too much since this is something I don't think that I will go and do, even if it would give me a bit extra word count, I don't need it.) since he is in a place where the space isn't locked down. After seeing me appear he sets down his tea and motions for me to sit down where another cup is located.

After taking a seat and sipping some of the tea he starts speaking, ”Hope you're not too nervous. Being Hokage is pretty easy, just... well you'll see, heh. I'm going to go and give the speech in a few moments so if there is anything else you want to do you should say so.”

I don't like that laugh, but I shake my head. He's probably talking about the absurd amount of paperwork that the Hokage goes and works on. It's not like he can hide it either, his desk is littered in it constantly. I shake my head and he sets his tea down before standing up and stretching, ”Alright, the sun is right where it needs to be. Come out once I say your name, okay Joseph?”

I smile and nod, trying to keep my cool while sipping the tea. It is sadly scalding so I have to drink it extremely slowly so I don't scald my tongue. I watch as Sarutobi exists the room and opens a door, leading to a patio. I can see it but I hear a lot of people going and cheering/screaming about him showing himself.

I put my feet up onto an ottoman and watch as he begins his speech.

”Greetings to everyone in the leaf! I have been your Hokage for many years! I have seen many of you be born, seen more grow up, and I shared sorrow with you when one of our own died. I would be lying if I said I didn't think I was betraying many of you by choosing a new Hokage to take over for me.” He then takes a small break to let it sink in for a bit.

”The world is changing though, I have been trying to keep up with it, but we have almost suffered greatly due to my own blind following of remaining peaceful. You even witnessed my fight some time ago, if that isn't evidence that I am getting old then maybe my wrinkling skin will show you that I am. Now, I know better than most how hard change can be, especially if you don't welcome it. So to smooth change along I would like to introduce the next Hokage of the leaf, a man I feel will be able to bring prosperity not just to our lives, but everyone in our world! Joseph Walner!”

Heh? Isn't that putting me on too high of a pedestal Sarutobi? Well, I don't want to keep then waiting so I push past the curtain that separated me from the leaf while holding a smile on my face. Looking around I almost froze, there was a sea of people, some people were on others shoulders to get a view of me, there was someone sitting on the awning of a shop, and there were many ninjas in various places, a few even had their children in their arms and showing them me. I grin a bit and grab the back of my head before seeing Tsunade, Darkness, and Jiraiya all in a group together. Oh I even see Alucard off to the left Can't see ezio then... must be that thing where he blends into crowds of people.

I start waving around and the Hokage hands a small device to me before whispering to me, ”This will let everyone hear you easier. Good luck!” He then steps back to the side and nods at me.

I smile, turn to the people, and click the button on it and keep it in my hand, ”Hello everyone-” hearing my voice amplified and all around me makes me jump back a bit, ”Uh, sorry. Thats a new thing for me. Well as I'm sure you can apply guess, I'm Joseph! Now I can't tell you for sure if I'll be a good Hokage, I don't think anyone can until they try, but I can tell you that I will try my best to be the best that I can be at it! I want to enhance our science, improve the health care, and make sure that everyone can live a good life and bring forth more trades for people! It is hopeful, and it could just be a dream of mine, but I want to try my best! So please!” I bow down slightly, ”Give me a chance!”

Hehe, I did that because I want them to go and out more trust in me, I made myself be more down to earth, I also wanted to go and show everyone some of the ideas I've had, and then I showed everyone how humble I can be. Will it work? Who knows, does it have a high chance? Well seeing as how psychological things still are true in this world like in my own, it has a high chance. People want their leaders to be about to understand their problems and seem more approachable, I am fine doing that.

After I raised myself from my bow some people started cheering, this then made more and more people start cheering until everyone was joining in. I smiled and started eating around when suddenly a Kunai was thrown straight at me, I caught it before it got me, saw the explosive tag attached to it, and threw it straight up into the air where it then exploded. I point at one of the buildings where there is an open window, making the Anbu nod and Jump off.

The people all started screaming (Well the ones that weren't Shinobi) so I spoke to them, ”Everyone, do not worry. This cowardly attacker will be punished accordingly for attacking on our celebration today, I have already sent forces to subdue the assailant. I request of you, don't let then spoil the mood that everyone worked together to make cheerful since that is what they want, go an celebrate! Let us handle this person!” I smile and wave after giving the speech. Seeing that everyone stopped freaking out I sigh a bit before turning around to go back into the room that the tea was in. Hopefully the Anbu will get them.