All the Hokages present knew that Akihara Kagura was very strong.
However, in this battle, Akihara Kagura utilized his most proficient techniques and defeated them in the domains the four Hokages took pride in.
"This kid is really strong, even stronger than me and Madara!"
Hashirama, reminiscing about his past life, openly acknowledged his inferiority: "Even during my time alive, I was no match for this kid…"
"Even though Kagura only transplanted the First's cells…"
Hiruzen, standing nearby, had witnessed Kagura's gradual increase in strength: "But Kagura's talent and diligence are the real keys to his success…"
"That cunning little brat's scheming is the scariest part…"
Tobirama coldly added, suggesting that more dangerous than Akihara Kagura's physical power was his cunning and strategic mind.
"I still have a long way to go…"
Akihara Kagura appeared before them, shaking his head and saying, "I will continue to work hard in the future, striving not to let down the Second Hokage's expectations…"
"There's no need for such effort."
Tobirama turned away with a cold expression.
With Kagura controlling Konoha's former Hokages like puppets, was there even a future for Konoha if he continued to exert himself this way?
"Later on…"
Akihara Kagura, undeterred by Tobirama's stern attitude, smiled and negotiated with them, "I hope all the Hokage lords will support my work in Konoha…"
The faces of the four Hokages present turned odd.
"Ah, actually, there's no need for you and Tsunade to fight…"
Hiruzen sighed, persuading, "I know Tsunade's character; the two of you can get along well, there's nothing that cannot be reconciled…"
"That will depend on Lady Tsunade's decision."
Akihara Kagura chuckled lightly, adding, "I also wish to get along with my new boss, if she supports my work as well… For instance, her acquiescence in reviving the previous Hokages has made our collaboration very pleasant."
The four Hokages couldn't help but feel bleak about Tsunade's path as Hokage—how could such actions even be supported or condoned?
Isn't this just walking into a trap?
However…
Tsunade didn't even see it as falling into a trap.
As the newly appointed Hokage, Tsunade's hands were full of troubles. The presence of the four Hokages could help her a lot and stabilize the situation in Konoha.
Clearly.
Tsunade saw Akihara Kagura, who had revived the previous Hokages, as a strong ally, as long as she could gain his approval, he could assist her in protecting Konoha in the future.
The next day.
In the village of Konoha.
A summons was sent by the Daimyo to convene a meeting for appointing the Hokage, an event the Konoha higher-ups must attend.
Similarly.
This meeting would also face the scrutiny of the nobles.
When Tsunade saw Akihara Kagura, she didn't inquire about the progress of the Edo Tensei but pondered how to make this subordinate recognize her as a worthy Hokage.
At the Daimyo's residence.
The residence of the Daimyo, also the capital of the Land of Fire.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire sat in the conference room, holding a fan to his mouth, smiling as he listened to the ministers' opinions, occasionally nodding his head.
The ministers of the Land of Fire sat on one side, the Konoha high-ranking officials on the other—this was the ruling class of the entire Land of Fire, with guards standing behind them.
A minister of the Land of Fire, looking at Tsunade and a group of Konoha ninjas, couldn't help but blast them: "Recently, you Konoha ninjas have been a bit too domineering, Lady Tsunade. I can understand owing debts, but cleaning up the gambling dens under my jurisdiction..."
"After the meeting, I'm going to kill him."
Akihara Kagura waved at his back to Karin, greeting, "Send someone to check what this minister has done wrong before the meeting ends, so I can have the charges ready, lest anyone accuse us of killing the innocent in Konoha."
"This is too domineering!"
The minister was startled.
How could anyone not make mistakes in this world?
Especially as a noble or minister of the Land of Fire, isn't it a mistake to slightly mistreat some lowborn to enhance one's luxurious life, to embezzle some lowborn's money, to sell some information to enemy countries?
"This is indeed a bit too domineering..."
Another minister started criticizing Konoha.
"This can't be right..."
"Konoha should also reason, right?"
Some ministers, seeing they were many, also began to speak up.
"You all are right."
Akihara Kagura nodded and waved at Karin again, brazenly instructing, "Check everyone who spoke, and after the meeting, I will kill them all…"
"Do you think this can intimidate us?"
"That's a joke!"
"Are you threatening the nobles of the Land of Fire?"
"This isn't a threat."
Akihara Kagura interrupted them, speaking softly, "I'm serious about what I said, those who just spoke, I will kill them after the meeting…"
"!!!"
The ministers immediately shut their mouths.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire shrank back a bit, reminded of Konoha's former fearsome Shimura Danzo by this youngster named Akihara Kagura...
No.
This person was even more extreme than Shimura Danzo.
Even Danzo didn't shout about killing in such meetings; at most, he released a fierce glare that made people dare not speak.
"Kagura…"
Tsunade sternly stopped Akihara Kagura.
"Lady Tsunade."
Akihara Kagura looked at Tsunade puzzledly, continuing, "Lady Tsunade, are you trying to protect the law-breaking noble ministers?"
"..."
Tsunade was immediately at a loss for words.
"Well, let's talk about killing after the meeting…"
Koharu Utatane quickly tried to smooth things over, volunteering, "This meeting's purpose is to select Konoha's Fifth Hokage. We propose Lady Tsunade for the position of the Fifth Hokage…"
"Does anyone disagree?"
Akihara Kagura surveyed the noble ministers present, repeating Koharu Utatane's words, "We propose Lady Tsunade for the position of the Fifth Hokage, if there are any objections, please speak up now, since the Hokage's selection still needs to be approved by the Daimyo…"
"..."
None of the noble ministers present dared to make a sound.
This woman, Tsunade…
Killing creditors is one thing, but bringing a killer to force her way into power!
Who would think that this was Akihara Kagura acting on his own, since he has always been defending Tsunade's interests, and Tsunade happens to be his superior...
"It seems there are no objections..."
Akihara Kagura scanned the room, his gaze landing on the Daimyo.
"Kagura, let me say this."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead, deeply feeling how much help her aide could bring and how much trouble he could cause.
"Please don't take Kagura's joke seriously."
Tsunade looked at the noble ministers present: "If anyone has objections, feel free to refute, I can answer any questions about Konoha and the Hokage…"
"Then I want to ask…"
One minister clearly didn't quite understand.
Clang!
The sound of a sword being sheathed was so piercing that it made everyone shiver!
The minister immediately became compliant, carefully asking, "I would like to know when Lady Tsunade will hold the Hokage succession ceremony…"
"..."
Tsunade fell silent.
The Daimyo used his fan to cover his face, not daring to make a sound.
The meeting ended with everyone in a state of panic, and all the noble ministers of the Land of Fire knew that the newly appointed Fifth Hokage was not one to be trifled with; not a single person dared to raise any objections about Tsunade's succession as the Fifth Hokage.
However…
The ordeal was not over yet.
After the meeting ended.
Everyone was planning to leave immediately.
Akihara Kagura stopped those who wanted to leave, asking, "Can't we extend the meeting a bit longer? Our people haven't brought over the charges for those few yet, it seems a bit excessive to kill now, doesn't it?"
"!!!"
Everyone was a bit shocked!
"Wait…"
The Land of Fire's Minister of Finance looked at Akihara Kagura incredulously, hastily asking, "Didn't we not raise any objections to Lady Tsunade's succession as the Fifth Hokage?"
"That's a different matter."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, reminding, "Your attitude towards Konoha today was not respectful enough, I'm very suspicious that you might obstruct Konoha's financial budget, especially now, when Konoha is about to launch wars against the Sand Village and the Mist Village…"
"!!!"
This statement was like a thunderbolt!
Many people in the room turned to look at Akihara Kagura!
"I didn't know about this!"
Tsunade was shocked, looking at Akihara Kagura incredulously.
"Why start a war?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire was also somewhat astonished, looking at Akihara Kagura.
"Why not start a war?"
Akihara Kagura appeared even more shocked than them, bewildered as he responded, "The Mist Village and the Sand Village colluded with Orochimaru to kill the Third Hokage; shouldn't we punish them?"
After saying this, Akihara Kagura's gaze fell on the two Hokage advisors: "Both Hokage advisors also agreed with Konoha's decision to wage war against the Sand Village and the Mist Village…"
"This…"
Koharu Utatane hesitated, not knowing how to speak.
Homura Mitokado, on the other hand, nodded slightly, taking more responsibility, quietly said, "Regarding Hiruzen's sacrifice, we indeed need to discipline the past allies, the Sand Village and the Mist Village, but it's too early to talk about this now, as these villages have been continuously sending envoys wanting to negotiate…"
"Looks like we can solve the problem through negotiation then…"
Tsunade rubbed her chin, thoughtfully pondering.
"Even if we want to negotiate, we need to apply necessary sanctions against the two villages."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, casually pulling in the two Hokage advisors again, "This is also the opinion of the two Hokage advisors, the Third Hokage's long-standing policy of peace in the ninja world has predictably become inappropriate, we must make some changes…"
"This…"
Koharu Utatane hesitated again and then slowly nodded, adding, "We did discuss this matter indeed, and Kagura made some valid points at the time…"
"We'll discuss it back home."
Tsunade nodded, cutting off Koharu Utatane's words.
"Well, I'll start killing…"
Akihara Kagura immediately stood up, drawing his ninja sword.
"No no no!"
A group of Land of Fire ministers quickly raised their hands, gesturing for Akihara Kagura to sit down: "We can sit down and slowly talk, let's discuss the matter of disciplining the Mist Village and the Sand Village here, war is ultimately no small matter…"
The conference room suddenly became lively.
The ministers of the Land of Fire whispered among themselves, discussing the war issues, and from a financial perspective, they were able to support it.
These ministers, perhaps seeing that both the Hokage aide and the two Hokage advisors were in favor of war, believed that Konoha had already decided it was necessary to wage war against the two villages, occasionally sneaking glances at the Konoha ninjas, did not question the war itself, but discussed what problems the war would bring, and what situations might occur during the war.
"..."
Tsunade watched this scene, feeling a headache coming on.
Tsunade looked at Akihara Kagura, who was just interestedly listening to the ministers' discussions, then at the two Hokage advisors, who were just frowning, not raising any objections.
"Is there something not quite right?"
Tsunade massaged her forehead, feeling that her first day as Hokage was filled with troubles, even the Hokage ceremony hadn't been held yet, and she was already facing the possibility of initiating a war.
Especially since…
The other two villages were already seeking negotiations.
Haven't these people experienced the cruelty of the great ninja wars?
As someone who has endured the pain of two great ninja wars, Tsunade was reluctant to initiate a so-called war at this time, not to mention she was not yet fully aware of Konoha's situation.
"Stop arguing!"
Tsunade, looking at a group of noisy ministers, slammed her fist on the table, immediately splitting it into pieces, and everyone fell silent, not daring to speak.
Tsunade glanced at Akihara Kagura and the two Hokage advisors, and commanded sternly, "We'll discuss the matter of war back home, I'm the Hokage!"
"This... is possible."
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances.
Because Tsunade's proposal also aligned with their thoughts, they had merely been pressured by Akihara Kagura's speech to agree at the time; this was a good opportunity to stall.
"Okay."
Akihara Kagura nodded, surprisingly agreeing smoothly, "The Root is also preparing the offerings, tomorrow I should be able to revive several Hokages through the Edo Tensei, then we can let the deceased Third Hokage speak…"
"After all…"
"The Third Hokage was the real victim of this turmoil."
~~~
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