Chapter 265: Dragged into the Water
"In the blink of an eye, Hiruzen is already 53 years old. He has been Hokage for about... 18 years, hasn't he?"
Masahiko pondered for a moment, digging out some scenes from his messy memories.
"It seems Hiruzen is already thinking of stepping down and wants to choose a successor. Some people cannot sit still anymore."
Masahiko didn't even need to investigate who was playing tricks. "Just blaming Danzo is the right way to go."
Masahiko would only be surprised if this wasn't Danzo's doing.
First, using Orochimaru's "leaving a comrade to die" to spark a debate on whether the mission or comrades are more important, then using Nawaki's naive hot-bloodedness to pit him against Orochimaru. If things went smoothly, he could eliminate two competitors at once, and the two biggest ones at that.
"It seems Minato hasn't 'flashed' yet, making Danzo neglect him a bit." Masahiko smiled and shook his head.
In Masahiko's heart, he still preferred Minato to be the Fourth Hokage, no matter from which angle.
Everyone has people they are closer to or further from, and Masahiko's judgments often combined his past and present lives.
Just like before, when Nawaki competed with Fugaku for Mikoto, Masahiko neither opposed nor supported it. But when it came to Nawaki competing with Minato for Hokage... whether from personal inclination or from Kushina's perspective, Masahiko would definitely stand on Minato's side.
"Besides, with Nawaki's personality, he is probably not very suitable to be Hokage." Masahiko decisively found an excuse for himself.
As for Kushina saying before that she wanted to abduct both Minato and the Nine-Tails back to the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko just laughed it off. Looking at her, would she bear to let Minato give up his dream?
"But for Danzo to play like this, he is taking this Great Ancestor too lightly." Masahiko muttered. He walked out of the Taobao Shop again, deciding to cause some trouble for Danzo.
He didn't do anything else first but completely circled Konoha in his identity as the Taobao Shop owner, using Wind attribute chakra to eavesdrop on conversations in the streets and alleys.
He ignored all the gossip. Masahiko didn't care whose cat went missing, who lost a person, or even what sweet nothings were whispered. He really didn't care... truly.
He simply tallied the number of people supporting saving comrades versus those supporting completing the mission.
To his gratification, the number of people who believed saving comrades was correct was indeed much higher, although most of these people were civilians.
"Ninjas must prioritize completing the mission."
This was a sentence Tobirama had added to the Ninja Academy textbooks back in the day, but now it had become the root of the conflict.
Actually, even now, Masahiko didn't know whether this sentence was right or wrong. It had different interpretations in different situations. However, a person who didn't cherish their comrades couldn't possibly gain everyone's approval to become Hokage.
In other words, if Orochimaru didn't clearly explain his "leaving a comrade to die" incident, he would have no chance at the Hokage position.
With this thought in mind, Masahiko first sought out Orochimaru, wanting to interview him for his "acceptance speech."
"Boring tricks," was Orochimaru's reply.
As Masahiko expected, right now Nawaki might still be clueless as to why he had become the center of attention, but Orochimaru could see through it at a glance.
Masahiko smiled. "Then what do you plan to do? Just let it be?"
Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth. "Elder Masahiko, would you just let it be?"
Masahiko rolled his eyes. How could this guy look so completely unbothered?
However, sensing him slightly, Masahiko revealed a surprised expression.
"Has your strength improved again?"
Orochimaru was already thirty-four years old, exactly the peak age for a ninja. For an improvement to be sensed by Masahiko, it had to be a relatively obvious one.
"Just a small improvement," Orochimaru replied.
Masahiko waved his hand and walked out.
No wonder Orochimaru didn't care much about this matter. It turned out he had found another way to enhance his strength...
"It seems Sage Mode has helped him a lot. Otherwise, with his current strength, without undergoing human body modification, he'd be about at his limit."
Having gained nothing from Orochimaru, Masahiko didn't mind. He just came to confirm Orochimaru's view. The rest of the matters still needed to be accomplished through the Senju.
Strolling leisurely to the Senju clan compound, Masahiko found Nawaki directly in the Clan Head's hall. Tsunade was also there.
"Great-Great-Grandpa." Tsunade greeted him first, then wore a joyful expression. "During this time, two Senju clansmen have already had offspring."
Masahiko was startled, then smiled. "That is natural. When I make a move, there will definitely be... results." He thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a more suitable word.
Tsunade nodded repeatedly, then suddenly sighed. "Great-Great-Grandpa, you came for that matter regarding Nawaki, didn't you? You've heard too?"
Nawaki pulled a long face. "Sister, I really never said that."
"But that is indeed what you think, isn't it?" Masahiko asked with a smile.
Nawaki pursed his lips, unable to refute.
Tsunade sighed. "It is fine to just think about these things. Prioritizing the mission for a ninja was said by Second Grandfather Tobirama. Orochimaru's approach is understandable. If he had chosen to save the person, the criticism he would be facing now would probably be even greater."
Tsunade's words actually made Masahiko see her in a new light. He originally thought she would firmly support saving people, but surprisingly, she implicitly stood in Orochimaru's camp.
"As expected, being able to become the Fifth Hokage in the original story wasn't just because she was Hashirama's eldest granddaughter."
Seeing Nawaki scolded by Tsunade to the point he couldn't lift his head, Masahiko bailed him out. "You cannot say it like that either. I do not know the specific situation of the mission, but I feel both choices are fine. The difference only lies in the status of the captured comrade in your heart. Someone like Nawaki, who puts comrades first, would naturally choose to save them."
Nawaki nodded repeatedly.
Masahiko continued, "Tsunade, think about it. If the one captured was Jiraiya, what would Orochimaru choose?"
Tsunade looked at Masahiko expressionlessly.
Masahiko's expression stiffened. This was awkward.
"Orochimaru probably really wouldn't necessarily save Jiraiya. The ship of friendship sinks just like that."
The room fell into an eerie silence. Masahiko was thinking about how to switch to another example, but then he felt that no matter who was captured, Orochimaru's choice probably wouldn't change.
"Nawaki, you are right! Orochimaru's actions should be fiercely refuted!"
Nawaki nodded, then suddenly froze. "Great-Great-Grandpa, I really didn't openly..."
"I know!" Masahiko sighed and interrupted. "This is the start of a new round of competition for Hokage. Certain people are using petty tricks. Your Great-Great-Grandpa has eyes like torches; I saw through it at a glance."
Nawaki nodded in confusion.
"Then what should I do, Great-Great-Grandpa?"
Masahiko paused, revealing a mischievous smile. "Right now, only you and Orochimaru are dragged into this. Letting certain people just watch the show wouldn't be good."
"You should do this..." Masahiko leaned close to Nawaki's ear and gave instructions. Tsunade rolled her eyes on the side; this Great-Great-Grandpa was probably going to cause trouble again...
A day later, the direction of the discussions in the streets and alleys of Konoha shifted slightly again: The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, publicly supported Nawaki, while Konoha Elder, Danzo Shimura, publicly supported Orochimaru.
Two heavyweights were simultaneously dragged into the water by Masahiko!
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