"Everyone, you should be generally aware of yesterday's situation. A Village cannot be without a Hokage for a single day. So now, everyone can democratically choose a suitable person to become Konoha's Fifth Hokage!"
Inside the conference room, the clan heads of the major clans and the elite Jonin of the Village gathered to discuss the Hokage issue.
Listening to Bai Ye's words, everyone couldn't help but inwardly complain.
How else could they choose?
Did they even need to choose?
Everyone knew that it was clearly Uchiha Bai Ye who would be the next Hokage.
"For the Fifth Generation, I recommend Bai Ye!"
Uchiha Setsuna took the lead, as their Uchiha's long-cherished wish could finally be realized today.
"I agree."
Hyuga Hiashi looked up at the others, then said faintly.
Before coming, he had a secret conversation with Bai Ye. If Bai Ye became the Fifth Generation, and if the Hyuga Clan had a suitable candidate for the Sixth Generation, they would be chosen from among them.
Furthermore, Bai Ye also promised that as long as he got old and his strength weakened, he would abdicate and not cling to the position like Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hyuga Hiashi believed him on this point.
However, given Bai Ye's age, he would likely be the longest-serving Hokage in Konoha's history, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
"We agree too!"
The Ino–Shika–Chō were on the same side. The three of them had discussed it yesterday. Given that Hyuga had chosen Uchiha, and Bai Ye's strength far surpassed everyone else's, and Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were suitable for Hokage, probably didn't want to return, choosing Bai Ye at this time was the best option.
Now that the Village had just lost its Hokage, whether other Villages would attack was unknown. It was imperative to have a stronger combat force step up, and what Bai Ye said yesterday was also true: if Senju could be Hokage, and Sarutobi could be Hokage, why couldn't Uchiha be Hokage?
With the Ino–Shika–Chō's agreement, the surrounding clans also began to raise their hands in agreement one by one, and the Jonin had no objections. Bai Ye's strength displayed yesterday was sufficient to convince them.
[Ding! Changed Senju Tsunade's fate, rewarded with one lottery chance!]
After the Fifth Hokage was confirmed, Senju Tsunade's fate immediately changed.
"Everyone, I won't beat around the bush. Since you've chosen me, I won't disappoint you. Let's start by discussing the matter of changing Konoha!"
Bai Ye looked around. He wouldn't feign humility. Since everyone here approved of him becoming Hokage, why continue to be modest?
His inauguration ceremony hadn't begun yet, but since it had been confirmed internally, the inauguration ceremony was just a formality.
Next, he was going to make drastic changes to some things.
"First, I won't dwell on yesterday's events. First, Naruto's title as the hero's son must be restored, and Naruto's background must be revealed to the people of the Village. At the same time, I will take Naruto as my disciple, along with Sasuke. Later, you can choose one person from your clansmen for me to take as a disciple."
Forming a three-person squad or a six-person team like the Second Generation was also a means for Bai Ye to win over others.
He was an Uchiha. In the past, the Uchiha already had conflicts with many clans, so his idea of taking disciples was also to reassure these clans. Everyone was in the same Village. Although Bai Ye was very strong, governing the Village couldn't rely solely on himself and the Uchiha.
After listening to Bai Ye's words, the people around him couldn't help but have their eyes flicker, clearly a little moved.
Leaving aside Bai Ye's identity as the Fifth Hokage, the combat power he displayed yesterday alone was enough for them to select disciples to hand over to Bai Ye.
"Does Naruto also need to graduate early?"
Shikaku asked curiously.
"Yes, his talent is very good; it's just that his grades suffered because of the seal."
Naruto's talent was definitely top-notch. However, due to the seal, later on, if the Nine-Tailed no longer interfered with Naruto, allowing Naruto to cultivate peacefully, that would be enough.
After listening to Bai Ye's words, Shikaku fell silent.
The Ino–Shika–Chō had always been staunch supporters of the Hokage. His son was a bit young, but he could also graduate early. This was an opportunity, but it was troublesome. Should he do it?
Doing so would mean being completely tied to Uchiha, at least for this period.
"You can go back and discuss this thoroughly later. When you send them over, I will assess their talent and whether they are suitable for my guidance. I won't accept those who aren't suitable."
To avoid taking in people who were just filling a quota or who weren't suited to his system, he would screen them.
"Then, I'll continue with the second point. I plan to develop the Village's economy. Similarly, we must cultivate the arable land around the Village. We need to establish our own economic system and food supply!"
To break free from dependence on the Land of Fire, the most crucial thing was to have their own productivity.
Ninja themselves did not produce, so they relied on the great nations economically. This was why Ninja cooperated with Daimyo who had no combat power. Ultimately, a Ninja Village was essentially a large, violent military organization.
Without an economy, it would collapse on its own.
Moreover, Ninja only focused on killing, nothing else. Naturally, this led to cooperation with the Daimyo. But in fact, the three Ninja World Wars were all due to resource issues, and other great nations undoubtedly played a role behind the scenes.
Ultimately, if Ninja weren't given something to do, they might attack the Daimyo. The Daimyo themselves had no combat power, and those nobles would be lying if they said they weren't afraid.
"We'll handle the economy ourselves?"
"How would we even do that?"
It was easy to send them to battle and kill enemies, but how were they supposed to handle production and the economy themselves?!
"Actually, Ninja Villages and clans are somewhat similar. A Ninja Village is just a larger clan. I will provide a plan later. Shikaku, you're in charge of this, no problem, right?"
"I can try."
A glint flashed in Shikaku's eyes. Listening to Bai Ye's words, he suddenly realized that Bai Ye seemed to be planning something big this time.
He was actually very much looking forward to the Ninja Village developing a good economy, mainly because the Uchiha had given too many surprises recently. A large clan whose economy was gradually declining had been revitalized under Bai Ye's methods. It had to be said that this also filled Shikaku with anticipation for the economic changes Bai Ye was about to implement.
"Thirdly, many past matters that need to be clarified should be fully explained. The dirty deeds they committed can all be exposed, but without exaggeration, just state the facts normally. Additionally, Ninja who have left the Village must be recalled. Those who don't return will be considered rogue Ninja!"
There were still Ninja outside. Bai Ye was about to make a move, so those two combat forces naturally had to be recalled.
"Tsunade and Jiraiya?"
Was Bai Ye referring to those two people?
Currently, those two seemed to be the only ones worth noting outside the Village; they were quite special existences.
"That's right. I want to rebuild Konoha's medical system, and Jiraiya is also a good combat force. Of course, if Jiraiya is unwilling, he can stay outside to gather intelligence. As for Tsunade, let her come back to train Medical Ninja."
"..."
Big Brother!
Was it that they didn't want Tsunade to come back?
If they could have gotten Tsunade back, they would have acted long ago. Why wait until now?
Speaking of which, although Konoha's medical system hadn't collapsed, it was much weaker than when Tsunade was around.
They actually wanted Tsunade to come back too.
"It's not easy to invite her back."
"Then we'll see later. Anyway, there's no rush. There are still many things in the Village that haven't been sorted out yet!"
Listening to Bai Ye's words, everyone inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Bai Ye wasn't forcing them to do it immediately.
Bai Ye then continued to discuss his reforms for the Village. Later that afternoon, Bai Ye, in front of everyone in the Village, put on the Hokage's special Sacred robe (Gomikagami) on the top floor of the Hokage Building.
Standing there and becoming Hokage, Bai Ye suddenly realized why so many people coveted the position of Hokage.
Within the Uchiha Clan.
After Bai Ye became Hokage, the clan was also filled with joy. After waiting for so many years, they finally had a Hokage.
Receiving gifts from other clans in the Village, many within the clan also sent gifts for Bai Ye becoming Hokage.
"Shisui, are you trying to die?!"
Bai Ye opened Shisui's gift; inside were various styles of underwear, all brand new. Did this guy really think he had such a hobby?
He casually tossed the stuff directly into Kamui Space. Obito, who was currently in Kamui Space, looked at the various styles of underwear above his head and fell into deep thought.
What the hell?!
Did Kamui Space get dirty stuff in it?
"Kakashi, why the hell are you throwing everything in here!!!"
Obito now felt like killing Kakashi. He even wanted to retrieve his Sharingan at this moment.
Last time, Kamui Space was full of trash, and he spent half a day cleaning it. Now, Kamui Space was filled with various styles of underwear again.
Did you watch too much Icha Icha Paradise and go insane?
"No, wait, can Kakashi use Kamui now?"
Obito suddenly thought of something. Perhaps Kakashi could already use the Mangekyo.
After thinking about this, Obito suddenly wanted to execute his plan quickly. If the Mangekyo was ruined by Kakashi, then even if it was transplanted back, it seemed useless, although Obito hadn't actually thought about retrieving it until now.
Because it was something he had given to Kakashi. Since it had already been given away, he had no reason to take it back. Otherwise, Obito could have retrieved his eye many times.
But if the plan went awry, he could only take the eye back.
Thinking of this, Obito directly left Kamui Space and arrived in the Hidden Mist Village. It seemed he had to accelerate his plan.
However, it just so happened that the younger generation in the Village seemed to be impatient, and he had already messed with the Hidden Mist Village enough. He had played enough, and next, he would abandon the Hidden Mist Village.
After cleaning up various sundries and severely warning Shisui once, Bai Ye was also thinking about how to annoy Obito.
Last time, through an experiment, Bai Ye discovered that his Kamui Space was connected to Obito's.
He was also looking forward to seeing Obito's reaction when he saw himself seeking refuge in Kamui Space.
Next, according to intelligence, a coup d'état in the Hidden Mist Village was about to begin, but the Hidden Mist Village might not give him a lottery chance, and the Kekkei Genkai that interested him were also gone.
Let's do the lottery first. There's still one lottery chance.
[Ding! Used one lottery chance, congratulations on obtaining: Sage Art (Optional)]
[Sage Art]: After use, you will gain the Sage Art of Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave, and Mount Myōboku, as well as Perfect Sage Mode.
Ah?!
Sage Art?
And he could choose?
And he didn't need to sign contracts with those guys.
The Sage Art of the three places each had their own characteristics.
"No, it's never been said that you can only cultivate one type of Sage Art. If I choose one now, and then get another Sage Art selection scroll later, can I choose another one?"
Bai Ye really wanted the Sage Art from all three places, mainly because each had its own characteristics, and they were all Perfect Sage Modes.
At this moment, Bai Ye felt as if he was already invincible, unless Madara was revived.
Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Sage Body, Sage Art, Byakugan, Bone Pulse, Flying Thunder God, and his abilities from other worlds.
"Hokage-sama, Shikaku-sama is here to see you."
Just as Bai Ye was agonizing over which Sage Art to choose, Uchiha Izumi cautiously knocked on the door and reminded him.
"Let him in."
He's looking for me?
Bai Ye had someone bring him in. Nara Shikaku spoke directly and to the point: "Fifth Hokage, I want to know if you intend for the Village to break free from the Daimyo's control?"
Bai Ye's series of actions earlier were all aimed at making Konoha independent of the Land of Fire.
And this was very dangerous. He didn't know if Bai Ye was doing it intentionally or unintentionally.
"You're a smart man."
Bai Ye didn't expect to hide it from Nara Shikaku. In fact, many people would probably realize it later.
"Hokage-sama, forgive my bluntness, but if we do this, we might be besieged by the four Ninja Villages later. First, if we break away from the Land of Fire, putting aside the economic issues, assuming we manage to establish our own economy, the Daimyo of the other four great nations and other countries will likely be afraid when they see a Ninja Village breaking free from a great nation's control and becoming independent, right? Therefore, the four Ninja Villages and even the Land of Fire will not hesitate to attack Konoha!"
This was no longer just about the Village's interests, but the Daimyo of the other great nations would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.
It was a resistance against the old order, and the beneficiaries of the old order would not allow Bai Ye to succeed.
"Your worries are unnecessary. It won't be them attacking us, but us attacking them first. Shikaku, have you ever thought about creating a world with me where there are only Ninja Villages and no Daimyo above them?
These years, haven't the wars between the Ninja Villages actually been manipulated by those Daimyo behind the scenes?
When the Ninja Villages become strong, they cut off resources, force them into war, and then they can continue to control the Ninja Villages, maintaining their rule. The essence of Ninja Village wars is the imbalance of economic development. Our Konoha occupies so many resources, but in all these years of war, what have the great nations lost? Only the lives of our Ninja. These rulers continue to enjoy themselves high above, they are the greatest culprits of war!"
During the Fourth Ninja World War, while Ninja fought on the front lines, the Daimyo of several 'enemy' Ninja Villages were playing mahjong together, and judging by their familiarity, they seemed to have known each other for a long time.
They fought on the front lines, while those behind enjoyed themselves, controlling everything. Every aspect of the Ninja Villages had to be controlled by their hands.
Why?