We common people are really, really happy today~"
Humming a song that no one else could understand, Kawakaze leisurely strolled to the Sarutobi Clan's territory.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi had neither the heart nor the face to attend to work. It seemed as if he was waiting for someone at home.
"Who are you?"
Before long, Kawakaze was stopped by several Sarutobi Clan ninjas. Their expressions were unsettling, and their tone was laced with arrogance, clearly feigning ignorance of who he was.
"Kawakaze Hatake, here to see Lord Hokage," Kawakaze replied calmly. "Please go and announce my arrival."
He didn't let their attitude bother him. These were just lowly minions, unworthy of his frustration. Kawakaze even managed a polite smile.
"These days, just about anyone comes to see Lord Hokage," one of the ninjas sneered.
"Where does he find the time? I'm sorry, but today Lord Hokage is not feeling well and is not receiving visitors," said the leader, his tone mocking.
The group exchanged smug laughter, using the excuse to dismiss Kawakaze. They knew exactly who he was and what he had done, but they had no intention of showing him respect.
"Oh, really?" Kawakaze replied, still composed.
Their disdain didn't faze him, but that didn't mean he was willing to tolerate being bullied. His eyes narrowed, and a powerful killing intent engulfed the group.
"I told you to announce my arrival as a favor to the Hokage, and you really think you're something?"
The Sarutobi Clan ninjas froze, a chill running down their spines.
"What do you—what do you want?" stammered the leader, his voice trembling. "This is the Sarutobi Clan's territory."
"I'll give you a chance. Hurry up," Kawakaze said, stepping forward. His imposing aura caused the group to stagger back in fear.
"You just wait—" the leader muttered before turning and running, his earlier arrogance evaporating.
As they fled, the ninjas recalled Kawakaze's terrifying reputation, realizing their backs were drenched in cold sweat.
"What is this?" Kawakaze muttered, watching the retreating backs of the Sarutobi ninjas, a sneer playing at the corner of his mouth.
If it weren't for his desire to avoid making a big deal out of it, who in the Sarutobi Clan could possibly stop him?
Before long, the same ninja returned, his expression betraying reluctance.
"Lord Hokage requests your presence," he said stiffly.
It was obvious he wasn't pleased to deliver the message. When he went to report earlier, he had likely tried to stir problem, but Hiruzen had simply replied, "Please come in," with a calm, detached tone.
"How nice," Kawakaze said casually as he walked forward. Though he had never visited Hiruzen's house before, he clearly knew the way.
As they approached, the ninja hurried ahead of Kawakaze to knock on the door.
"The door is unlocked. Come in," came Hiruzen's voice from inside.
"Then I'll come in."
Kawakaze pushed the door open and stepped in. He found Hiruzen seated alone in the living room, his face haggard, as if he had aged several years overnight.
The Sarutobi ninja quickly left, having fulfilled his duty.
"You've finally come. Let's sit down and talk," Hiruzen said, gesturing for Kawakaze to take a seat opposite him, his expression blank.
"Lord Hokage, I think Tsunade can take your place. What do you think?" Kawakaze said bluntly as he sat down without hesitation.
Hiruzen had clearly been expecting him, so politeness felt unnecessary.
"Haha, that's pretty straightforward. Tsunade is lucky to have you by her side," Hiruzen replied with a soft chuckle, his composure unshaken.
"There's nothing to hide, and you know it."
"Don't you?" Kawakaze picked up a cup from the table and poured himself some tea.
Then Kawakaze glanced at Hiruzen.
"Tsunade is good, with a soft heart under her tough exterior. As long as she doesn't gamble, she'll make a good Hokage."
Hiruzen, in the mood for a joke, spoke with a light tone. To anyone unaware of the context, it might have seemed like two old friends sharing a laugh.
"She will," Kawakaze replied, his tone full of certainty.
In the original story, Tsunade had taken over as Hokage during a time of internal and external turmoil, guiding the village out of crisis. For that alone, she deserved to be called an excellent Hokage.
"I'm curious, when did you start thinking about helping Tsunade take the Hokage position? Don't you have any thoughts of your own about becoming Hokage?"
Hiruzen lit his pipe and took a deep drag. The two men didn't argue but instead fell into casual conversation.
"I'm not cut out for it," Kawakaze replied. "As for helping Tsunade, I think it was probably from the moment I met her."
He knew he couldn't handle the constraints of the role. Just imagining the mountains of paperwork made his head spin. Tsunade, it seemed, would need a reliable secretary—or she wouldn't even have time to bear his children.
"I didn't expect it to be that early," Hiruzen said, seeming surprised as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"In fact, at first, Tsunade didn't have confidence in herself," Kawakaze said pointedly. "You were the one who let everyone down."
Hiruzen didn't deny it. "Yes, I let everyone down. After so many years as Hokage, I can't even remember what I was like at the beginning."
He tilted his head slightly, lost in thought. At the start, he had been dedicated to serving the village. When had he begun living like the very person he once despised?
Kawakaze looked at him, feeling a pang of sadness.
Hiruzen had undoubtedly poured his heart and soul into Konohagakure. Yet, as his selfish desires grew, he had stopped being the man he once was.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh," Hiruzen said after a long silence, raising his hand to brush away the faint, unsightly smile lingering at the corner of his mouth.
"Have you ever thought about killing me?" he asked calmly, looking directly at Kawakaze.
"Believe it or not, I haven't," Kawakaze replied. "You should have figured it out by now, especially after what happened in Kumogakure."
He spoke the truth. While he had no respect for Hiruzen, he also didn't hate him. The simple fact was that Hiruzen was no longer suited to be Hokage.
"Yes, any trump card is also useless now," Hiruzen said, nodding without feigning ignorance.
In this situation, there was no need for evidence. Kawakaze only had to spread the news, and the scandal of Hiruzen attempting to assassinate a village hero would consume Konoha. A tarnished reputation needs little to crumble further—people will always believe it.
"You should abdicate voluntarily and pay back the money you owe," Kawakaze said plainly. "I'll handle the rest."
He laid out the terms he had prepared. Whether Tsunade officially took the nomination or not was of little importance.
"Hm. What are you going to do with us?" Hiruzen asked without much emotion.
"You can have the police force. Staying away from the village won't do you any harm."
Kawakaze's earlier words to Fugaku had now become a reality.
"Haha, it's actually not a bad arrangement," Hiruzen said, pouring himself a cup of tea and taking a slow sip. "Thank you."
"I'll be going then," Kawakaze said, standing up to leave. Hiruzen's calm acceptance surprised him, but on reflection, it made sense.
"Is there still a way to turn this around?" Hiruzen asked, watching Kawakaze's retreating figure.
"No." Without hesitation, Kawakaze left. He soon disappeared from Hiruzen's view as he stepped out of the house.
"Homura, this is the only explanation I can give you," Hiruzen muttered to himself, his tone resigned.