Three days later in Konohagakure.
Hiruzen stood atop the tall Hokage office building, looking down at the villagers and ninja gathering below. His face was filled with resignation.
Not far behind him stood the extremely benevolent-looking Yusuke.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen couldn't help but shudder. He might as well quietly hand over the position of Hokage to Tsunade. Between the position of Hokage and his own life, he would naturally choose the latter!
After all, while alive, one still has something to look forward to. If dead, there's truly nothing left.
"This is infuriating... If this continues..." Tsunade had already donned the Hokage robe, but her face was filled with anger!
Just thinking about how Yusuke personally helped her put on the Hokage robe this morning made her seethe with rage!
[ Ding! Tsunade currently wants to bite you to death! Congratulations, host, you've gained 20,000 Villain Points! ]
Yusuke felt her "friendly" gaze at this moment and gave her a slight smile in return.
'Hmph!! If this continues... He'll control Konoha. I'm afraid...' After seeing his smiling response, Tsunade's fists began to clench and crack!
At this rate, he wouldn't even need three months to control Konoha. At most, he'd only need a month's time — maybe not even that!
If that's the case, wouldn't she lose their bet? Thinking about the consequences of losing, her cheeks immediately began to feel warm.
When they made the bet, Tsunade hadn't expected Yusuke to move so quickly! It had barely been two weeks, and he had already completely taken control of all the clans within Konohagakure.
All that remained was for her, this puppet Hokage, to take office, and he could swiftly control the entire Leaf Village.
Realizing this, Tsunade immediately stomped her foot!
'Damn it! Could it be... I've completely fallen for his trap?' She still couldn't figure it out.
At this moment, Hiruzen cleared his throat. He stepped onto the rooftop and addressed the gathered Leaf ninja below with a solemn voice.
"Everyone, you've likely received the news I released two days ago. Yes... I have grown old. So, I will now vacate the position of Hokage for the younger generation. The candidate for the next Hokage is one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha — Tsunade!"
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Tsunade beside him. Their eyes met, both revealing extreme helplessness.
"Lady Tsunade?"
"One of the Legendary Sannin, Lady Tsunade!"
"Yes!"
"Lady Tsunade! Lady Tsunade!"
"..."
Tsunade held considerable influence in Konoha. She had established the Leaf Hospital and made significant contributions on the battlefield since the latter half of the Second Great Ninja War.
She had ensured that every combat squad included a medical ninja as standard, significantly reducing Konoha's casualties. Other ninja villages soon emulated this team formation.
She walked to the edge of the platform. Looking at the excited villagers and ninja below, she felt a deep sense of helplessness wash over her.
'These people don't know, do they? That I'm nothing more than a puppet Hokage!'
This thought fueled her anger towards Yusuke, causing it to rise to new heights.
"Hello everyone! I am the new Hokage of Konohagakure — Tsunade!"
Despite her inner turmoil, she had to observe the formalities. Soon, the atmosphere in the venue reached its peak.
What followed was a lengthy handover ceremony.
Fortunately, Yusuke had brought Mikoto with him. She constantly gave him a shoulder massage to help him relax, passing the time. Without her, such a lengthy ceremony might have put him to sleep.
Finally, after more than an hour, the handover ceremony concluded.
Tsunade had officially secured her position as the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure!
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News spread rapidly: Tsunade Senju had become the Hokage of the Leaf Village. Within half a day, word reached Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
Both villages were shocked. Why would Hiruzen relinquish such power? Wasn't he the one who cherished being Hokage the most?
The Kage of both villages were left utterly stunned.
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Konohagakure. Inside the Hokage's office.
Yusuke smiled as he looked at Hiruzen, who had already removed his Hokage robes, standing before him.
"Hiruzen, you've handled this matter very well! I'm at a loss for how to reward you adequately. You may go now. From this point on, I guarantee you won't have any worries at all. After all, I never go back on my word."
After he finished speaking, Hiruzen, standing respectfully in front of him, immediately smiled, his aged face brightening.
"Yes, yes, I understand. Then... Lord Yusuke, I'll take my leave now."
"Mm." Yusuke smiled and waved his hand, "Go ahead."
"Mm!" Hiruzen's heart swelled with joy.
Although he hadn't had much interaction with Yusuke, he knew one thing for certain: He had never once gone back on his word.
He said he would have no worries, so he truly wouldn't have any worries at all. Thinking of this, Hiruzen relaxed slightly.
Deal with Yusuke? Forget it!
Just as when he had first arrived in Konoha, Tsunade had notified him that the Leaf Village should no longer oppose this man. They should just obediently listen to him. At the very least, they could still live. Otherwise, they would end up just like Danzo Shimura... and his clan.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
Yusuke's methods were too ruthless! It was like being struck by lightning!
After Hiruzen left the office.
Inside the Hokage's office, only Tsunade and Yusuke remained.
Tsunade glared at him, gritting her teeth in anger as she looked down at the Hokage robe she was wearing.
"Hmph!"
Yusuke chuckled softly.
"Tsunade, now that all the clans in Konoha are under my control, isn't it time for you to fulfill our previous bet?" He smiled leisurely as he sat down on a nearby sofa, eyeing Tsunade who stood not far in front of him.
She clenched her fists, seething with rage. She wanted nothing more than to punch him into oblivion!
"You... you haven't won yet!" Tsunade sputtered, her voice growing softer as she continued, "After all... the villagers... they haven't truly accepted you yet... I..."
Her voice trailed off as the bitter realization sank in. With his methods, he would likely gain complete control over Konohagakure within a week. By then, she would still be the loser...
Yusuke sighed softly, pinching the bridge of his nose, "You really won't believe it until you see the coffin, huh?"
He stood up, stretching lazily. He had said before that he preferred when others took the initiative. It saved him energy. But he didn't mind taking charge himself.
"Alright then. Since you're unwilling, I'll go find Mikoto and Kushina." He paused, a smirk playing on his lips, "After all, you can't escape, my Princess Tsunade."
Yusuke approached Tsunade, towering over her. He gently brushed her cheek with his right hand before turning towards the office door.
This wasn't a race for him. She was the one who should be anxious.
As he reached for the doorknob, an internal struggle erupted in Tsunade's mind. On her left shoulder perched a white angel, on her right, a black demon.
"Tsunade, just agree already!" The black demon urged, "After all, the sooner you buy in, the sooner you enjoy the perks, right?"
"Go away!" The white angel protested, "We can't agree! If we do, won't that man get his way?"
The black demon countered, "But how long can you hold out? In the end, won't the result be the same? If you ask me, it's better to give in early. You might even score some benefits in return! Don't you think so, Tsunade?"