Obito possessed a significant amount of Hashirama cells within his body; things that were impossible for others were not necessarily impossible for him.
The effects of Hashirama cells had already been demonstrated by Madara Uchiha.
No matter how formidable or uncontrollable a power might be, it had to obediently bow down before Hashirama cells.
And these... were things Hiruko did not possess.
"By the way, for our future success, I need to conduct research." Hiruko stood up and looked at Zetsu before him. "I need research funding."
Hiruko had no ulterior motives regarding this; after all, research was an incredibly expensive endeavor. That was precisely why he was willing to cooperate with Obito Uchiha.
After all, in a sense, Black Zetsu already controlled Kumogakure.
"You can rest assured about that." Zetsu nodded.
If funding was insufficient, they would simply ask the Land of Lightning Daimyo. As long as it was to enhance the nation's military power, that Daimyo was never stingy.
In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had returned to Konohagakure from the Land of Fire Daimyo's residence, successfully bringing back a large sum of research funding for Chakra Armor, as well as rewards for Konoha's recent victory in the Great Ninja War.
As the Land of Fire was the most prosperous nation in the ninja world, its Daimyo was naturally not stingy; his generosity was extreme.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had been gone for less than half a month, yet he had brought back billions in funds.
The entire upper echelon of Konoha was grinning from ear to ear at Hiruzen Sarutobi's results.
Everyone except Sakura Haruno and Danzo Shimura.
Sakura Haruno was disdainful.
To think that the military budget of the strongest and largest nation was only a few billion, and half of that was research funding—how stingy.
In her previous world, a military budget of a few billion for a country wouldn't even be enough to fill the gap between one's teeth.
However, remembering that this was a world of ninja, she had to accept it.
Fortunately, the war reparations from the Land of Water and the Land of Wind would be arriving soon.
With that, Sakura Haruno could have Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately begin cultivating a team of administrative personnel and law enforcement officers.
"Sakura, you've done a good job."
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked with relief at the completed government affairs on the desk and nodded with satisfaction.
It was good to be young; in less than half a day, she had finished what would have taken him a full day.
Moreover, everything was handled with sound logic and reasoning, making the decisions convincing.
There was just one downside.
Every document contained Sakura Haruno's scathing remarks about the incompetence of her subordinates, complaining that even the most trivial matters required the boss's personal attention.
Over the past few days, the entire Konoha administrative system had been scolded thoroughly by Sakura Haruno. Everyone was walking on eggshells, terrified of making a mistake, for fear of provoking this Lord Hokage-to-be.
"Then you can handle the rest, Old Man. I'm heading out."
Sakura Haruno pursed her lips in annoyance as she looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was nitpicking over the details.
"Tsk, alright, alright. If things don't go smoothly with Naruto, you can come back first, Sakura."
"After all, there's no rush."
Now that the war was over, the Nine-Tails was not as critical. Post-war Konoha had a greater need for Sakura Haruno's excellent administrative capabilities.
"Are you just trying to slack off?"
Sakura Haruno saw through Hiruzen Sarutobi's little scheme at a glance.
When she agreed to this, it was supposed to be only two hours of official business a day. Instead, it turned into half the day, and he wouldn't let her go until all the work was finished.
"Er, haha, well..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a bit awkward. Sakura Haruno knew him too well; he couldn't hide his little schemes from her at all.
"Alright, I'm off."
"Take care of yourself, Old Man."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi wanting to refute but unable to find the words, Sakura Haruno waved her hand and leaped out the window without a backward glance.
Watching that pink hair depart, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head helplessly.
She was such a well-behaved and cute child back then; why did she prefer using the window now that she was grown up?
Her personality really did happen to coincide with Jiraiya's and Tsunade's.
Pitch-black eyes stared at the reparation list and the funding list from the Land of Fire Daimyo. A hand covered in age spots clenched tightly.
Then it slammed viciously onto the desk!
Mine!
Mine!
This money was supposed to be mine!
Billions!
If I had this money, Root could expand several times over!
A dark look appeared in Danzo Shimura's eyes.
But even so, he was helpless.
He was not the Hokage, and the next Hokage seemed to have nothing to do with him either.
"Someone come!"
At Danzo Shimura's command, a Root member immediately appeared before him and knelt respectfully.
"Go to the Land of Fire Daimyo!"
As it stood, the seat of the Fifth Hokage seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with him.
He was already seventy years old; if he couldn't become the Fifth, he would have to wait for the Sixth.
However, the successor for the Fifth Hokage was that brat, Sakura Haruno.
Sakura Haruno was only thirteen years old; how could he possibly outlive such a young Hokage?
No matter how well he took care of his health, he couldn't outlast her!
Now, his only choice was to take a risky, unconventional path—to approach the Land of Fire Daimyo and undermine her from the side, blocking Sakura Haruno's nomination as Hokage.
And...
A sinister glint flashed in Danzo Shimura's eyes.
If possible...
That damned pink-haired brat had better die on the way back to Konohagakure from the Island of Turtles!
Danzo Shimura stood up and strode out!
Hokage...
The Hokage...
The position that was once only a step away from him!
Why was it now so impossible to grasp!
I am the true Hokage!
Only I can lead Konohagakure back to its former glory!
And I am the only one qualified to become Hokage!
Teacher Tobirama!
You were wrong to choose Hiruzen back then!
Now, let me prove everything!
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