Thinking about the Hokage Advisor system he had created, and his two old comrades, Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before speaking a little awkwardly:
"The Hokage Advisor system was something I set up to counterbalance the powers I had previously delegated. Now that you're able to take those powers back, the system naturally has no reason to exist anymore. It's just…"
After struggling internally for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and continued:
"Koharu and Homura—back in the day, they truly did shed blood and sweat for the stability of Konoha. Yes, now after holding power for so long, they've become somewhat stubborn, but they are still my comrades. And unlike Danzō, they don't have that kind of dangerous ambition. So… could you at least leave them some dignity in the end?"
At these words, Hoshiyomi and Tsunade exchanged glances. Out of respect for him, they decided to give him some face.
Tsunade spoke directly:
"If you, old man, can persuade them to voluntarily give up their posts as Hokage Advisors, we can reassign them to other positions.
For example, Elder Koharu—her medical ninjutsu isn't bad. She could serve as deputy head of the Medical Division, in charge of developing medical equipment and training med-nin.
As for Elder Homura, while he is power-hungry, he is also diligent and meticulous. He could serve as deputy head of the Finance Department, overseeing taxes and commercial regulation in Konoha.
As long as they don't overstep their bounds or do anything shady behind the scenes, we will absolutely not target them. Of course, if they think the positions I've arranged aren't to their liking, they're free to resign voluntarily, and I won't say a word."
Hearing this, Hiruzen let out a long sigh of relief. He had been worried Hoshiyomi and Tsunade would crush them outright the way they had done with Danzō. But with Tsunade's approach, he agreed a hundred percent.
He took a deep puff on his pipe, then said:
"Leave Koharu and Homura to me. I'll handle them…"
After speaking, Hiruzen paused for a moment, then couldn't help but sigh:
"Sigh… I once thought that even if I couldn't match the First and Second Hokage, I could at least count as being of average level. But now, compared to the two of you, I see it clearly—my Hokage tenure truly was a failure."
Hearing his lament, Tsunade and Hoshiyomi exchanged another glance but kept silent. It wasn't that they had grown arrogant as the new Hokage; they just couldn't bring themselves to lie and praise Hiruzen's terrible political track record.
Hoshiyomi smoothly shifted the topic:
"By the way, old man, I've got a position that would suit you perfectly. Would you be interested?"
Hiruzen, who had been about to leave, paused in his tracks. Curiosity and anticipation flashed in his eyes. To be honest, while stepping down from Hokage meant freedom from burdens, suddenly having nothing to do at all was rather unsettling.
After so many years as Hokage, and at his current age, it wasn't practical to return to active duty as a jonin instructor. But if he were simply to sit idle at home… he knew he couldn't stand it.
Seeing the eager look in his eyes, Hoshiyomi smiled and said:
"Let's not talk about us six. Minato, Kuugetsu, and those two brothers from the Hyūga—you were the one who discovered all of them. I think it would be a waste to bury your talent for spotting and nurturing people."
As Hiruzen's eyes grew brighter and brighter, Hoshiyomi finally revealed the position he had in mind:
"What do you think about becoming the principal of the Ninja Academy?"
This was a role Hoshiyomi had planned for Hiruzen long ago. Thinking carefully, the position of Academy Principal truly seemed tailor-made for him.
Hiruzen himself was already something of a scholar among shinobi. In education, he even had the achievement of having trained the Legendary Sannin. With such a broad and profound knowledge base, using it for teaching and nurturing the next generation couldn't be more fitting.
More importantly… when it came to spreading the Will of Fire and fostering a sense of belonging among the clans' children, Hiruzen was an expert.
Hearing Hoshiyomi's proposal, Hiruzen's eyes suddenly blazed with excitement. This position really did seem perfect for him. No need to face the open and hidden daggers of elders and department heads, yet he could still contribute to Konoha's future—and even keep an eye on his youngest son once he entered school.
Who needs to be Hokage? Being principal sounded far better!
That very day, the forty-four-year-old Hiruzen Sarutobi found the work he was willing to devote the rest of his life to.
Watching Hiruzen leave the office in high spirits, Hoshiyomi and Tsunade exchanged a triumphant high five. Their first move as Hokage had gone off perfectly. Next, all they had to do was wait for Hiruzen to settle the matter with Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and then they could move on to their third fire.
On the third day of Tsunade's tenure as Hokage, news spread from the Hokage's office:
The First Hokage's grandson, Nawaki, possessed extraordinary talent. Through his own efforts, he had successfully awakened the Wood Release kekkei genkai. He had requested to restore the Senju surname and formally revive the Senju clan.
This news was like a signal flare. Within just three days, the Hokage's office had approved over a hundred requests from hidden Senju descendants to reclaim their family name.
The entire village of Konoha was shaken. Ordinary civilians, not knowing the deeper implications, simply rejoiced at the return of the Senju clan's glory.
But among the shrewder members of Konoha's leadership—and the elders of the Uchiha clan—faces paled. Their worst fear had come true: the Senju clan had truly returned!
With this, Tsunade not only had three Kage-level shinobi and the Uzumaki clan at her back, but now she also possessed the powerful support of the reborn Senju.
Just as these figures were panicking and plotting whether they should form an alliance with Koharu and Homura for one last desperate struggle, another bombshell dropped:
Hokage Advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had voluntarily resigned.
Out of respect for their past contributions, the Fourth Hokage chose not to cast them aside. Instead, they were reassigned: Koharu became deputy head of the newly established Medical Division (with Tsunade herself as the division head), while Homura became deputy head of the Finance Department ( headed by none other than Gekko Hoshiyomi).
Two consecutive bombshells left the Konoha leadership reeling. On one side, the Senju clan had been revived. On the other, the two "leaders" they had hoped to rally behind had surrendered without resistance.
It was like their opponents had dropped a straight flush with two bombs, while they were left with 3-4-5-6-8-9-10 with no 7. How were they supposed to play this hand?
Of course, there were some hotheads who tried to rebel. But that very night, their homes were raided by ANBU. Captain Hatake Sakumo uncovered piles of incriminating evidence.
By the next morning, the village's walls were plastered with bold posters: "Elder So-and-so murdered fellow Konoha shinobi! Elder So-and-so embezzled funds and betrayed the village!"
With that cautionary example set, any other elders with similar ideas immediately went silent. After so many years entrenched in power, none of their records were clean.
Against the lonely and politically weak Hiruzen, they might have dared to jump and stir up trouble. But facing Tsunade—backed by three Kage-level fighters and two great clans— all they could do now was burn incense, pray, and hope that Hoshiyomi and Tsunade might spare their lives.
The Konoha leadership that had plagued Hiruzen for twenty years was utterly crushed in a single stroke by Hoshiyomi and Tsunade.