Other than the Sarutobi Clan and a few minor families, nearly every major clan in Konoha—
Without exception—
Supported Uchiha Yusuke's proposal.
They strongly approved of Tsunade becoming the village's Fifth Hokage.
With that, the meeting could essentially be declared a complete success.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu—the so-called "elder duo"—had no choice but to leave in frustration, slinking away in humiliation.
And Sarutobi Asuma left as well, his mood clearly heavy.
Within Konoha's seven major departments—
The Administrative Division, ANBU, the Medical Division, and the Academy/Education Division were traditionally held under the Hokage and the two advisors' authority.
But with the Third Hokage dead, the Administrative Division and ANBU only needed Tsunade to officially assume office.
The Intelligence Division was currently controlled jointly by several clans led by the Yamanaka—meaning it was effectively already within Yusuke's sphere of influence.
As for Yusuke himself—
He controlled the Konoha Military Police Force and Root.
Once Tsunade officially became Hokage, she would take back the Medical Division and the Education Division as well, and send Homura and Koharu back into "retirement."
At that point, their consent wouldn't matter.
...
"In two days, it'll be your Hokage inauguration ceremony," Yusuke reminded her. "Make sure you're ready."
Tsunade nodded.
"I know. I already told Shizune—she'll handle everything."
Yusuke: "..."
Impressive.
Everything dumped onto Shizune, while Tsunade played the hands-off boss.
Lazy to this extent… truly worthy of the name Tsunade-hime.
"Let's go. The rain's getting heavier. Being soaked is annoying," Yusuke said.
"You go ahead," Tsunade replied. "I want to stay here a little longer… just quietly."
"What's there to look at with those stupid statues?" Yusuke scoffed. "Come on. Let's go home and eat hot pot."
Tsunade swallowed instinctively.
"I… I'm not hungry."
"Oh? What a shame. I even prepared a few bottles of good liquor. Looks like you won't get to enjoy them."
Tsunade's expression stiffened.
"Suddenly I feel… a little hungry."
Such a stubborn, contradictory woman.
Yusuke couldn't even be bothered to mock her anymore.
As he turned to leave, Tsunade grabbed his arm.
"Wait, Yusuke…"
Yusuke looked back, confused.
"What is it?"
In the fine mist, raindrops slid down Tsunade's hair and soaked against her pale, pretty face—adding a strange kind of softness to her beauty.
She didn't speak.
Instead, she reached up and unhooked the pendant from around her snow-white neck.
Then—
She carefully fastened it around Yusuke's neck.
This pendant was one of Tsunade's most treasured personal items.
Ever since Yusuke had known her, he had always seen her wearing it.
That alone showed how much it meant to her.
Maybe it held some special significance…
"You're giving it to me?" Yusuke asked, slightly surprised.
The pendant rested against his chest. He could still feel a faint warmth clinging to it.
Clearly, it wasn't an ordinary item.
Tsunade acted as if she didn't care, speaking casually.
"Consider it repayment for supporting me."
Yusuke didn't refuse.
"Then thanks. It's a nice gift. I like it."
Hearing that, Tsunade felt a quiet thrill of satisfaction.
"Come on," Yusuke said. "Let's go."
"Mm."
They turned to leave—
Only to find Kurenai, Yugao, Mitarashi Anko, Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui, Nono, Might Guy, Gekkō Hayate, Shiranui Genma, and the others…
Standing not far away, waiting.
Yusuke raised an eyebrow.
Well damn—almost all of his people were here.
If there were this many, they might as well eat together.
Yusuke waved a hand.
"Since everyone's here, come on. Let's all go to my place and have hot pot."
Eating hot pot on the very day of the Third Hokage's memorial—
And taking a whole group along for it—
In the entire village, nobody else could pull that off.
If anything, it only proved how unpopular the Third had been.
As a superior, Yusuke often brought his subordinates over for a meal.
"Red, Tsunade, Anko—you three come with me to buy ingredients."
"The hell are you dragging me into this for?" Tsunade clicked her tongue, annoyed. "You go."
Anko immediately fanned the flames.
"Yeah! Why are you calling me too?"
Yusuke rolled his eyes.
"Enough. Stop whining. Tsunade—don't you want to drink?"
Tsunade immediately went silent.
The liquor Yusuke brewed could be described as divine.
Ever since she tasted it, every other drink felt bland.
On that front, Yusuke had Tsunade completely in the palm of his hand.
"And you, Anko," Yusuke added. "Why are you making noise? Don't you want your three-color dango?"
Anko also shut up instantly, suddenly very obedient.
Kurenai couldn't help covering her mouth as she chuckled.
...
The Land of Lightning.
Kumogakure.
"Raikage-sama," Darui reported, "according to the intel we've received… Konoha's Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is dead."
"What?!"
The Fourth Raikage, A, widened his eyes and shot up from his chair.
He could hardly believe it.
Also present were the Jōnin Samui, the sensor-type Jōnin C, A's secretary Mabui, and Omoi—Killer B's disciple.
Hearing the news, all of them looked just as stunned.
Killer B, wearing dark sunglasses, remained relatively calm—though there was a hint of confusion on his face.
"How did Konoha's Hokage die all of a sudden?"
"The Third Hokage was old, sure, but we never heard of any health problems. How exactly did he die?"
"And if he's dead… doesn't that mean Konoha is leaderless right now?"
Voices rose one after another, all of them finding it hard to accept.
The Fourth Raikage frowned deeply.
Something felt off.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had been known as "The Professor." His strength was no joke.
Who could assassinate a Hokage?
Could it have been that man from the Uchiha?
It wasn't impossible.
After all, A knew very well about the conflict between that man and Konoha's Hokage faction.
A's voice dropped, heavy and sharp.
"Darui. How did the Third Hokage die? And what exactly happened in Konoha?"
Darui answered,
"It was Orochimaru who killed the Third Hokage…"
Orochimaru did it?!
Everyone present looked even more incredulous.
Wasn't Orochimaru Hiruzen's student?
Darui continued,
"Orochimaru impersonated and killed the Fourth Kazekage, then launched the 'Konoha Crush' plan…"
After hearing the full report, the room fell silent.
The Sand Village attacking Konoha.
The Third Hokage dying in battle.
This was a major event.
It would shake the entire shinobi world soon enough.
At that moment, Omoi spoke up.
"If the Third Hokage is dead, and Konoha is leaderless, things must be chaotic there… isn't this a good opportunity—"
His voice grew smaller and smaller.
Because he realized—
C, Mabui, and the Fourth Raikage were all looking at him.
Their eyes were… strange.
Almost like they were staring at an idiot.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Did I say something wrong?
Omoi complained inwardly.
Killer B suddenly broke in with his odd rhythmic cadence.
"Big bro, chance—this is a chance! A chance for revenge!"
"Konoha must be in chaos. If we strike now, we could just—go in and kill—"
But before he could finish—
Mabui cut him off sharply.
"No. Absolutely not."
Want More? Get up to +60 Extra Chapters on Patreon!
➤ https://www.patreon.com/aureliusstudios
➤ +300 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter Drop!
Thanks for the support!