A confident Tsunade had returned.
That put Yusuke at ease.
Her ascension as the Fifth Hokage was already set in stone.
The decision had been finalized at yesterday's high-level Konoha meeting.
Yesterday—
Yusuke and Tsunade had jointly convened a meeting with the heads of Konoha's major clans to determine the next Hokage.
The Third was dead. The village could not remain leaderless.
A new leader had to be elected immediately.
Present at the meeting were representatives and clan heads from:
The Uchiha Clan.
The Hyūga Clan.
The Nara Clan.
The Yamanaka Clan.
The Akimichi Clan.
The Aburame Clan.
The Inuzuka Clan.
The Sarutobi Clan…
And various other prominent families.
Also present were the two elders of the advisory council—Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
As well as several leaders of key village departments.
The moment they entered the meeting room—
The so-called "elder duo" immediately took the main seats at the head of the table, relying on their seniority.
Shizune, who was maintaining order for the meeting, quickly stepped forward.
"I'm sorry, Elders, but your seats are not here. Please follow me."
Utatane Koharu remained seated without the slightest intention of moving.
"What's the matter, girl? Are we not qualified to sit here?"
Mitokado Homura also showed no sign of standing up.
"Elders, that's not what I meant," Shizune explained patiently. "These seats have already been assigned. They belong to Lord Yusuke and Lady Tsunade."
"If you don't believe me, please look at the nameplates."
The two elders glanced down.
Sure enough.
The nameplates read:
Uchiha Yusuke.
Senju Tsunade.
"Hmph. Pointless formalities," Mitokado Homura snorted.
Koharu waved dismissively.
"Then change the nameplates to ours."
Shizune's expression stiffened.
"That… wouldn't be appropriate."
"Please understand. Don't make this difficult…"
At that moment—
"The two advisors are here early."
Yusuke's voice rang out calmly.
The moment Uchiha Yusuke appeared, the two elders who had been posturing moments ago visibly faltered.
Their imposing air diminished instantly.
Like quails shrinking under a hawk's gaze.
If Sarutobi Hiruzen were still alive, they might have dared to openly oppose Yusuke.
But times had changed.
They no longer had that confidence.
"Shizune, what's going on?" Yusuke asked casually.
Shizune looked relieved.
"Lord Yusuke…"
Yusuke waved a hand lightly.
"Don't just stand there. The two elders are old—perhaps their eyesight isn't what it used to be. Please guide them to their proper seats."
"Yes, Lord Yusuke. Elders, this way."
Koharu and Homura nearly exploded in anger.
Arrogant! Disrespectful! No regard for elders!
But faced with Yusuke's cold, faintly dangerous gaze, they swallowed their fury.
Not a word escaped their lips.
They followed Shizune to their assigned seats, looking distinctly humiliated.
Soon, everyone had arrived.
Yusuke and Tsunade sat at the main seats, presiding over the meeting.
"The village cannot remain without a Hokage," Yusuke began calmly. "We've gathered today for one purpose—to elect the Fifth Hokage as soon as possible."
"Does anyone object?"
He swept his gaze across the room.
No one spoke.
"Very well. We move to the next agenda."
"Does anyone have a suitable candidate to recommend? Present the name, and we will discuss and vote."
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere subtly shifted.
At the front of the room, the major clan heads—Hyūga Hiashi, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza, Aburame Shibi, Inuzuka Tsume—exchanged looks and nodded subtly.
These clans were now aligned with Uchiha Yusuke's faction.
Their candidate had already been decided internally.
Tsunade.
"Cough, cough…"
Just as Yusuke expected, the elder duo wasted no time stirring trouble.
Koharu cleared her throat.
"For the position of Hokage, I recommend Sarutobi Asuma."
"Asuma is the son of the Third Hokage and the current head of the Sarutobi Clan. His capabilities are well recognized."
"He participated in the Third Shinobi War with notable achievements."
"Additionally, he once served as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, protecting the Fire Daimyō."
"Therefore, I believe Sarutobi Asuma is fully qualified for the position of Hokage."
Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement.
"I also recommend Asuma."
As for Sarutobi Asuma himself—
Now newly appointed as head of the Sarutobi Clan, he sat quietly.
The death of the Third Hokage had clearly weighed heavily on him. His demeanor was far more solemn than before.
With the elders taking the lead, several minor clans voiced their support as well.
Yusuke glanced at the elder duo.
"Very well. Since the two advisors recommend Sarutobi Asuma, we will proceed to a vote."
"All in favor of Sarutobi Asuma as Hokage, raise your hands."
A few hands rose.
Sparse.
Aside from Homura, Koharu, the Sarutobi Clan, and a handful of small families—
No one else.
Yusuke surveyed the room, his expression almost regretful.
"Less than ten percent. Unfortunately, the motion fails."
"After all… the position of Hokage is not hereditary."
The words struck like a slap.
Homura and Koharu's faces darkened instantly.
Asuma's expression grew grim.
Yusuke sneered inwardly.
When the Third was alive, they could still posture.
Now that Sarutobi Hiruzen was gone, the Hokage faction had effectively collapsed.
And yet these two still couldn't read the room?
Foolish.
"Does anyone else have a recommendation?" Yusuke asked again.
Silence.
"Very well. Then I will make a recommendation."
"I nominate Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage."
"Her ability, achievements, and reputation are well known to everyone here. There is no need for me to elaborate."
"Let us proceed to the vote."
The response was immediate.
Hyūga Hiashi stood.
"On behalf of the Hyūga Clan, we support Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage."
Nara Shikaku followed.
"On behalf of the Nara Clan, we support Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage."
Yamanaka Inoichi:
"The Yamanaka Clan supports Tsunade."
Akimichi Chōza:
"The Akimichi Clan supports Tsunade."
Aburame Shibi:
"The Aburame Clan supports Tsunade."
Inuzuka Tsume:
"The Inuzuka Clan supports Tsunade."
One after another—
Voices rang out across the chamber.
The momentum was overwhelming.
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