The role of the Elder Council was to assist the Hokage.
"We understand that," Nara Shikaku said after a long pause, nodding slowly.
He naturally understood that Shiki would not hand them power so easily. After all, the current Elder Council had become corrupt precisely because they possessed too much authority.
They had overstepped their purpose and committed actions that harmed Konoha itself.
The elders were meant to assist—not to rule.
If they held absolute power, then what was the point of having a Hokage at all?
"So," Shiki continued calmly, his gaze steady, "do you have any intention of becoming elders of Konoha?"
Konoha could not function without elders. The Hokage was only one person, and the responsibilities of the village were endless. The Elder Council existed to share that burden.
But Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane had long since lost their usefulness. Keeping them in power was nothing more than allowing rot to spread further.
Once Tsunade became Hokage, new elders would be needed—elders worthy of the position.
"This…"
This time, Shikaku did not refuse immediately.
Not just him—Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza, who stood beside him, also reacted subtly.
This was the position of Konoha elder.
The Ino–Shika–Cho alliance held great prestige within the village, but prestige alone was not the same as true authority. They had influence—but no decisive power.
If one of them became an elder, everything would change.
Their clans' standing would surpass nearly every other noble clan in Konoha.
Shikaku couldn't help but glance toward Inoichi and Choza. This decision was too important. He could not decide on behalf of all three clans alone.
Noticing his gaze, Inoichi and Choza exchanged smiles.
"It's alright," Inoichi said calmly. "Shikaku, make the decision."
Choza nodded firmly. "We trust your judgment."
Though they did not say it outright, the desire in their eyes was unmistakable.
They wanted this position.
Taking a slow breath, Shikaku steadied himself before looking back at Shiki. His expression became solemn.
"Lord Shiki," he said respectfully, "what would you have us do?"
A faint smile appeared on Shiki's face.
He had succeeded.
Shikaku was intelligent enough to understand that nothing came without a price. Becoming elders was not a gift—it was an exchange.
Even if their duty was to assist the future Fifth Hokage, Senju Tsunade, there would still be a responsibility attached.
Shiki leaned back slightly, his tone casual.
"Don't you think," he said lightly, "that the Third Hokage has remained in that position for a bit too long?"
He did not say it outright.
But the meaning was clear.
Even Akimichi Choza, who was not known for political maneuvering, understood the implication.
Shikaku froze briefly.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had already agreed to step down—but if he chose to delay, he could easily remain in power for another year or two. No one could force him without overwhelming pressure.
Shiki wanted him to step down immediately.
The Ino–Shika–Cho alliance alone did not possess the power to compel the Hokage.
But if every major clan in Konoha united…
If the entire village's will stood together…
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi could not resist.
"I understand," Shikaku said at last.
Shiki had not needed to explain further. Shikaku's mind had already pieced everything together.
They were to take the lead.
They were to rally the clans.
They were to ensure the Third Hokage stepped down.
"We'll handle the other clans," Shikaku said calmly. "Please leave this matter to us, Lord Shiki. Lady Tsunade."
Shiki nodded with satisfaction.
"Very well. I'll leave it to you."
"Yes."
Shikaku wasted no time. He turned and departed with Inoichi and Choza beside him.
Once they were gone, Tsunade stared at Shiki silently.
Her gaze was filled with something unfamiliar.
Shiki shifted slightly, feeling strangely uneasy.
"…What are you looking at?"
"You're incredible," Tsunade said honestly.
Shiki paused.
Even though Tsunade possessed overwhelming strength and intelligence, she had never imagined leveraging the collective power of Konoha's clans to pressure the Hokage into stepping down.
It was bold yet undeniably effective.
Shiki smiled faintly.
"Am I incredible or not?" he said lightly. "You already have a pretty good idea, don't you?"
He raised an eyebrow teasingly.
Tsunade immediately rolled her eyes.
"Idiot."
She knew exactly what he was doing—teasing her.
But even so…
The admiration in her eyes did not fade.
After sitting together for a while longer, they left.
As they walked home, Tsunade found herself glancing at him again and again from the corner of her eye. That quiet confidence and commanding presence he carried—even after living together for so long—still made it impossible for her to look away.
It stirred something deep inside her.
Nothing was more reassuring than knowing the man beside her could control the future itself.
But the moment they arrived home—
Tsunade's expression darkened.
Standing beside the gate of Shiki's house was Yugito Nii.
The moment she saw Shiki, Yugito's eyes lit up instantly.
She completely ignored Tsunade's presence as she walked forward with a bright smile.
"Shiki-kun! Long time no see!"
Shiki blinked.
"…We saw each other yesterday."
Yugito froze slightly.
She immediately realized how awkward that sounded and quickly recovered.
"Well! I, um… made some desserts," she said, holding out a neatly prepared food box. "I wanted you to try them."
Shiki looked at her in surprise.
She could cook?
But thinking about it, it made sense. Even as a jinchūriki of Kumogakure, Yugito had lived independently for most of her life. She wouldn't have survived otherwise.
Before Shiki could respond—
Tsunade stepped forward, positioning herself directly in front of him.
"There's no need," Tsunade said coldly. "My husband and I already ate outside."
The word husband hung in the air.
Shiki blinked in surprise.
Tsunade had never willingly called him that before.
Her ears turned slightly red, but she did not back down. She stared directly at Yugito, refusing to yield even an inch.
Yugito's smile faded.
Her expression became calm.
"So you ate outside?" she said innocently. "That's unusual. Unless…"
Her eyes flicked toward Tsunade.
"…the famous Princess Tsunade doesn't know how to cook?"
Tsunade froze.
Yugito hadn't expected to hit the truth—but Tsunade's reaction confirmed everything.
A small smile spread across Yugito's lips.
"Well, that makes sense," she continued sweetly. "After all, you're the princess of Konoha. Cooking isn't something someone like you would need to learn."
Her gaze shifted subtly toward Shiki.
"A man usually hopes his woman can cook for him."
Tsunade clenched her fists, her lips parting as she tried to argue back, but no words came out, leaving her standing there in frustrated silence.
Yugito saw it clearly—the hesitation in Tsunade's eyes, the frustration she was trying to suppress, and the unspoken truth she couldn't deny.
In that moment, a quiet sense of victory rose within her, and she couldn't help but feel that she had completely won.
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