Taking the initiative to pursue the Hokage position would make the current Hokage feel threatened. However, if the situation arose passively, Konoha would face one of two outcomes:
Either the current Hokage passed away, or the Hokage lost the people's trust and was forced to step down.
At that point, Tsunade becoming Hokage would be a natural and accepted transition.
After listening to Shinki's analysis, Tsunade felt a sense of relief.
"You and the old man really didn't discuss such an important matter with me. It scared me to death. By the way, how about barbecue later?"
Now that the weight was lifted from her mind, the exhaustion she'd been ignoring hit her all at once.
"Are you treating?" Shinki asked skeptically.
Tsunade responded with a lazy yawn, half-smiling but clearly dodging the question.
Shinki sighed. "I knew it. You want barbecue but don't want to spend your own money. Fine. I'll treat you, seeing how tired you are."
News of Tsunade's candidacy as the next Hokage spread rapidly throughout Konoha, then radiated outward across the Land of Fire, eventually reaching other nations and villages.
The ninja world reacted with little surprise. As the Hokage had anticipated, Tsunade was a solid choice in terms of strength, lineage, status, and prestige. She was also perceived as non-threatening politically—no one believed she had aspirations for power.
Even those who dreamed of becoming Hokage themselves could only step aside in the face of Tsunade's overwhelming qualifications.
At the prison, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before Shimura Danzo.
"I've reached an agreement with Shinki. I will release you, and we won't oppose or target you—but Tsunade is now the Hokage candidate," Hiruzen informed him, his tone calm but firm.
The news hit Danzo like a thunderclap. For a man whose dreams revolved around the Hokage seat, this announcement was nothing short of catastrophic.
Danzo froze. His thoughts spiraled.
The current Hokage wasn't stepping down anytime soon, and by the time he did, Danzo himself would be too old to take the position. With Tsunade as Hokage, his dream would be postponed indefinitely—until the grave, most likely.
"Bang!"
Unable to contain his fury, Danzo slammed his fists against the bars of his cell, gripping them tightly as his face turned red with rage.
"Sarutobi! How could you agree to such absurd terms?!" he roared.
Hiruzen met his outburst with calm resolve. "Because I believe Tsunade is the right choice."
Danzo felt his anger boil over, but there was no arguing with this outcome. The world saw Tsunade as the rightful successor. His own hopes were dashed unless some disaster befell her—an unlikely prospect, given her strength and lineage.
"What about me?" Danzo demanded, his voice tinged with desperation. "What happens to me?!"
Hiruzen simply watched Danzo's tantrum. For a fleeting moment, he wanted to say, "Danzo, you'll never become Hokage. Accept it." But he held his tongue, knowing such words might push Danzo toward even more reckless actions.
Danzo Shimura had proven capable of anything when desperate. Hiruzen was all too aware of his old friend's dangerous tendencies.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said after a pause, "Tsunade's candidacy has nothing to do with you. Why are you so worked up about it?"
Danzo froze, momentarily stunned.
Hiruzen's words cut deeper than any insult. Objectively, the Hokage was correct—Tsunade becoming a candidate had nothing to do with Danzo. His anger seemed irrational, even to himself.
"Sarutobi, you'll regret this!" Danzo growled, his grip on the bars tightening until veins bulged on his hands.
"Perhaps," Hiruzen said with a sigh. He had heard this threat countless times before, every time Danzo failed to get his way.
Moments later, as Danzo exited the cell, Hiruzen delivered a final warning.
"After your release, do not interfere with Tsunade or Shinki. And let me be clear—stay away from Kushina."
Danzo snorted derisively. "Fine. Where are you planning to place me?"
"For now, you'll be the captain of the Hokage Guard. I'll find a more suitable position for you later," Hiruzen replied, though he knew this would hardly satisfy Danzo.
High-ranking positions in Konoha's leadership were limited, and every significant role was already occupied by capable individuals. Danzo's ambitions left little room for compromise—he wouldn't accept anything less than a role of real influence.
The logistics department? Out of the question.
The medical corps? Impossible, unless Koharu Utatane wanted a meltdown.
The finance department? Too critical to entrust to someone like Danzo.
ANBU? Tsunade and Shinki would never allow him anywhere near it.
That left one realistic option: the leader of the ninja corps. But this position held too much power—it was a direct line of command over all Konoha's shinobi. Granting it to Danzo would be inviting disaster.
For now, Hiruzen decided to let Danzo wait, hoping to later transfer him to a less influential role, like Hokage's assistant.
Currently, that position was held by Akimichi Torifu, a genial man more interested in cooking than politics. The role was mostly ceremonial, with little actual power—a far cry from what Danzo desired.
Even so, prying it away from Torifu would come at a cost. Even idle positions carried prestige, and no one in the upper echelon would give them up lightly.
Hiruzen sighed. Balancing Danzo's ambitions against Konoha's stability would be a challenge. For now, at least, he had bought some time.
>>>>>
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A/N: Hey Guys,
I was going over the discount code and saw that it wasn't toggled on for all the tiers. I fixed it now, sorry about that. ;)