"The reprimand letter from the Daimyo, you can read it yourself."
Inside the Hokage's office.
Shikaku, with dark circles under his eyes, looked at Bai Ye, who had just entered, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.
He handed the letter in his hand to Bai Ye, suddenly feeling a bit of regret.
When Bai Ye first approached him to handle this, he thought it was a sign of Bai Ye's trust and also an attempt to win over their Ino–Shika–Chō, as well as to show the other clans of Konoha that he would never monopolize power.
However, after Shikaku agreed, he realized that this guy was just lazy and didn't want to deal with anything at all.
He only understood later that Bai Ye only needed the title of Hokage; as for other matters, he would absolutely pass them off to others if he could, never handling them himself.
"Those guys really think they're big shots!"
Bai Ye pouted unhappily, then without even looking, he burned the letter directly with a single flame.
He didn't even need to read it to know its contents; it was nothing more than a demand that he report the matter to the Land of Fire before becoming Hokage, and let them decide whether to approve Bai Ye's succession to Hokage, rather than Bai Ye unilaterally announcing it as he had done.
"They have money now, so of course they're big shots. Many things in Konoha now rely on the Land of Fire. There's also a hint of threat in it. In short, there are two main things: the first is about resources, they might express their dissatisfaction later and reduce them, and they also want you to meet them. The second is about Asuma; Asuma will not return for trial at the moment—that's the Daimyo's intention!"
Shikaku looked at the envelope, which had already been burned to ashes on the ground, and gazed at Bai Ye with some distress.
Sure enough, nothing good would come after this guy took office. No wonder the Second Hokage didn't let Uchiha Madara take power back then. If Uchiha Madara had, wouldn't there have been only one Ninja Village in the entire Ninja World?
And now, Bai Ye was even more ruthless, intending to deal with all Five Great Nations.
"I'm not going. Just give them one message: if they dare to stop my supplies, I'll take people to seize them!"
"…"
Bandits?
He was even more of a bandit than bandits.
But this method was surprisingly effective, after all, would the Daimyo really dare not to give them?
Firstly, if Bai Ye really took people to seize them, then the capital of the entire Land of Fire would probably be wiped out by Bai Ye, but the relationship between the two sides would likely plummet to its lowest point.
However, thinking about what Bai Ye said before, that war between the two sides was inevitable later, there was no need to bow to the Land of Fire now. It just meant there would be no room for maneuver.
"Actually, if we go to war with the Land of Fire, perhaps not that many Ninja will support you?"
Shikaku reminded him that if war broke out, perhaps not all Ninja Villages would choose to go to war with the Land of Fire.
Was he being overly optimistic now?
"I alone are enough."
Bai Ye had never hoped that others would stand with him. Even a powerful figure like Uchiha Madara was betrayed by the Uchiha Clan in the end, wasn't he?
"Moreover, if in the end no one stands behind me, wouldn't I be a very unsuccessful Hokage?"
If in the end no one chose to stand with him, then this Hokage would indeed be a rather pathetic one.
"That's true."
Shikaku nodded, feeling that Bai Ye seemed to be right, and he himself had overcomplicated things.
Even in external wars, there were always compromise and radical factions within the Village. The opinions of most people within a clan were different; how could they all have a unified stance?
"Hokage-sama, Lady Tsunade and Jiraiya have returned."
They returned?
Listening to the Anbu's words, a hint of shock flashed in Shikaku's eyes. Bai Ye had actually summoned both of them back, and it seemed he hadn't even specifically summoned them before.
"Tell them to come directly here."
"No need, this old woman is already here!"
The door was kicked open, and Tsunade burst in. Upon seeing Bai Ye inside, she instinctively paused. Although she had heard before coming that Bai Ye was not old, she hadn't expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to have lost to such a young child.
"Ah, so this is the new Hokage."
Jiraiya quietly slipped out from behind, followed by Shizune, who cautiously observed Bai Ye.
This was a formidable individual who had even taken down the Third Hokage.
Upon seeing Bai Ye, all three of them had rather complex feelings.
Both Jiraiya and Tsunade had been wondering on their way back what their reaction would be when they met Bai Ye.
Did they want to avenge Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Or just go with the flow?
However, as Bai Ye revealed Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions one by one, and as they spread throughout the Ninja World, they knew very well that some things truly couldn't be blamed on the other party. It seemed they had indeed been too ruthless, not giving any chance at all.
So, if they were counter-killed due to insufficient strength, there really wasn't much to say.
However, compared to Tsunade, Jiraiya was more melancholic. In his eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi was his esteemed teacher, but now he had no way to avenge his teacher. He had no reason to seek revenge.
"So, I've taken down your teacher. Do you want a chance to avenge him?"
Bai Ye smiled as he looked at the two, seeing that they were suppressing their emotions upon seeing him. If they were displeased with him, he would give them a chance to avenge their teacher.
"Cough, cough, it's all over. I think we should just let it go!"
Shikaku quickly tried to smooth things over. Jiraiya and Tsunade had just returned, and you wanted to fight them right away.
Are you a maniac?
Shikaku felt that dealing with Bai Ye's affairs truly meant walking on thin ice his entire life.
"Heh heh, that old man brought it upon himself!"
Tsunade pouted. Compared to Jiraiya, her feelings for Hiruzen Sarutobi were somewhat complex.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was indeed her teacher, but the Senju Clan never lacked resources. Regarding Nawaki and her grandfather, she found it very difficult to forgive Hiruzen Sarutobi.
She had only left Konoha because she saw it as corrupt and hopeless.
"Speaking of those things, the old man really did make mistakes…"
Jiraiya sighed, thinking of Naruto, and a wave of sadness washed over him.
What could he say?
He couldn't even take good care of Naruto, and he was even worse than Bai Ye. When he returned today, he heard that Bai Ye had not only cleared Naruto's name but also taken Naruto as his disciple.
Many things in the Village had even been clarified by Bai Ye. Jiraiya didn't claim to know everything the old man had done over the years, but he couldn't say he knew nothing at all.
"So, why have you summoned us back?"
Jiraiya no longer had much attachment to Konoha. Perhaps in the past, he had a teacher and a Naruto.
But now, his teacher was dead, Naruto was being taken care of by Bai Ye, and he could wander freely.
If it weren't for not wanting to become a Konoha rogue Ninja, he wouldn't have even returned.
"I need Tsunade's help to rebuild Konoha's medical system. As for you, you can stay in Konoha as a teacher or whatever else you like. Of course, you're welcome to stay outside as well; summoning you back was mainly just to have you return once."
Essentially, it was to see if the two were obedient. If they didn't return when summoned, it would mean they didn't acknowledge him as Hokage, and then Bai Ye would indeed label them as rogue Ninja.
However, since they had returned, and given that they didn't seem overly prejudiced about the Hiruzen Sarutobi matter, Bai Ye naturally wouldn't give them a hard time.
"Are you kidding me? This old woman is not staying in Konoha!!"
Tsunade slammed her hand directly on the table, which split into two with a loud crack.
"Lady Tsunade, please speak properly…"
Shizune weakly tugged at Tsunade's sleeve. Would they really start fighting in a moment?
"Shikaku, charge that to her. And the cost of the door."
Bai Ye turned to look at Shikaku, then faced Tsunade and said, "The Senju Clan wouldn't default on a debt, would they?"
"…"
Tsunade clenched her fists, feeling an urge to punch Bai Ye in the face.
She was most afraid of this kind of soft approach; if he went head-to-head with her, she wouldn't be afraid at all.
"What exactly do you mean? I said I'm not staying in Konoha!"
Tsunade gritted her teeth. She was currently penniless, having gambled away all her last bit of money. Where would she get money for Bai Ye now?
She certainly wouldn't stay here. As for Bai Ye asking her for money, she would just run away overnight. Could Bai Ye really chase her down to demand money?
She, Senju Tsunade, didn't mind one more creditor!
"You only need to teach some medical Ninjutsu knowledge. You don't need to go on missions."
"Heh heh, who do you think I am? You say teach, and I teach?"
Tsunade's face flashed with a disdainful smile. Leaving aside her hemophobia, even without it, she wouldn't stay in a Konoha where an Uchiha was Hokage.
"Work five days a week, nine to five, weekends off, food and lodging provided, and you'll get a salary. Overtime pays triple."
"Money is everything? Do I, Tsunade, lack your meager salary?"
She could borrow money easily; why would she need Bai Ye to pay her a salary?
Did he really think money could hire her?
If that were the case, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have invited her back to Konoha long ago!
"Konoha has paid off your previous gambling debts."
"I will not sell my integrity for these material possessions! I, Tsunade, can pay off my own debts!"
But…
Lady Tsunade, could you please not sound so much weaker now?
Shizune muttered inwardly. From her initial strong stance, Tsunade's tone was becoming softer and softer.
"Konoha will not interfere with your free time. Also, besides teaching, you can do whatever you want. Every month, we'll provide you with five million yen to spend at the casinos."
Gulp.
Tsunade swallowed, her hands trembling uncontrollably. She felt that this Uchiha before her was like a demon.
Why?!
Why could he so perfectly grasp her weakness?
Not interfering with her, providing food and lodging, helping her pay off debts, and even providing gambling funds later, all she had to do was occasionally teach a class, then assign homework and just slip away.
Money for nothing. Wouldn't refusing this also be ungrateful?
"Really, food and lodging provided, and no interference?"
"Yes!"
"All my debts paid off?"
"That's right!"
"And five million yen provided every month later?"
"Of course!"
Phew!
Tsunade's internal scales gradually tipped. In her mind, she unconsciously recalled her great-grandfather's frequent catchphrase: "Ah, those naturally evil Uchiha!"
They truly were too evil!
She calculated her travel time. It would take about one day to reach Tanzaku Gai at full speed. She could assign homework on Tuesday, let them self-study on Wednesday, have them intern at the hospital on Thursday, and write a summary on Friday. This way, she would only work one day a week and could still spend the rest of her time at the casinos, just like before.
Now that the Village no longer had those corrupt practices, she could observe it first. If it still didn't work out, she could always just run away again.
Whether it was to trick Bai Ye into paying off her old debts first, or to trick him out of a few months' salary later.
In short, she admitted she was tempted.
"Okay, I agree. If you don't follow through on what you said, I'll leave immediately!"
Tsunade quickly said, agreeing first, knowing she had nothing to lose.
Whether she left later would depend on her mood.
"Cough, cough, actually, I also need some funds for my travels. My expenses at those entertainment establishments aren't small either. Can the Village reimburse me too? I can also be listed, and I love the Village too!"
Jiraiya lightly coughed. This free money business, he felt he absolutely had to fight for it.
Lately, prices had risen too much, and he also liked to tip generously. At this rate, he would soon be unable to afford it!
These three Sannin really were dabbling in gambling, prostitution, and drugs, each a bit.
"No money. The Village only has so much. I heard you're also a bestselling author? Any thoughts on paying some taxes to the Village?"
"Farewell!"
Jiraiya left directly. Since there was nothing else, he just left without getting any money. Bai Ye actually had his eye on the meager contents of his pockets.
"Let's go, Shizune."
Tsunade glanced at Bai Ye, then pulled Shizune and left without looking back.
Since she was back in the Village, she planned to visit the Senju Clan's compound.
Speaking of which, she would probably be staying there for a while.
"Are you just going to agree to Tsunade like that?"
Shikaku asked with some concern. Tsunade owed a lot of money!
"The casinos are all ours. Her losing is just money moving from our left hand to our right. I'm just waiting for her to lose all her salary and everything else later!!"
Free is the most expensive.
Letting her gamble for free simply meant that Bai Ye would take over those casinos later.
This was just a matter of moving money from one hand to another. The current concern was Tsunade running away later.
Listening to Bai Ye's words, Shikaku was speechless for a long time. Truly a naturally evil Uchiha!