Chapter 288: Don't Want to Be Hokage? Then Don't!
Bang! Tsunade slammed her hand fiercely onto the table.
"I want to know exactly what happened in Konoha—Jiraiya, you tell me!"
Tsunade scanned Akiyama Makoto, Jiraiya, and Naruto, finally choosing Jiraiya to narrate.
The reason was simple: she couldn't bear to hit Makoto, and couldn't beat him anyway, and hitting little Naruto was obviously inappropriate.
But hitting Jiraiya? Tsunade had absolutely no psychological burden.
"Ah, that... it's a long story."
Jiraiya sighed softly, then recounted how Orochimaru launched the Konoha Crush plan, and at the critical moment, Makoto stepped forward, instantly killing almost the entire main forces of the Sand and Sound Villages on his own, preserving nearly all of Konoha's ninja and civilians.
Although Jiraiya had been brief enough, by the time he finished recounting Makoto killing Rasa and ruining Danzō's reputation, the sky had already darkened.
Jiraiya hadn't even mentioned that Makoto had many girlfriends yet—actually, he had thought about mentioning it, but he couldn't treat Makoto as a young junior; he had to treat Makoto as a peer and a powerhouse.
So he chose not to make things difficult for Makoto on this matter, even though Makoto seemed to have become very close to Tsunade.
Of course, there was also a trivial reason: Makoto held quite a bit of evidence of him peeping on women's bathhouses in Konoha.
Jiraiya didn't value his reputation very much, but in front of the folks in Konoha, he still wanted to keep a shred of dignity.
Tsunade sat on the sofa in a daze.
She had already learned of Hiruzen Sarutobi's death from Orochimaru and guessed that chaos might have occurred in Konoha.
However, she never imagined that Orochimaru had actually waged war on Konoha!
Even if it was just a sneak attack, if Konoha didn't handle it well, another heavy blow would await them.
Perhaps the top-level combatants wouldn't suffer too many casualties, but what about the Genin and civilians?
Tsunade had wandered outside for so many years and hadn't returned to Konoha once.
This didn't mean she didn't have Konoha in her heart.
Especially since many old people from the Senju clan had changed their names and integrated into Konoha village. Now they had become Tsunade's few precious memories of the village.
If all these people died, what connection would Tsunade have with Konoha?
Tsunade didn't know. She only knew that she would become a forgotten wandering ninja, never able to return to the home she longed for.
After a full half-hour of silence, Tsunade sorted out the information and calmed her emotions.
Konoha had reached a critical moment of survival. Someone had to stand up and become the Hokage to bring Konoha back on track.
Who was this person?
Tsunade looked at Jiraiya. Jiraiya understood Tsunade's thoughts and waved his hand quickly. "Tsunade, you know me. Letting me be Hokage will only corrupt the entire atmosphere of Konoha."
"As for other candidates in the village... there are almost no ninja who possess strength, prestige, and ability all at once. Kakashi barely counts as half, but he's still too immature."
"After much thought, only you can be this Hokage."
Tsunade didn't move, but she acknowledged Jiraiya's thoughts in her heart.
She was just unwilling, because she knew very well that once she entered Konoha and became Hokage, leaving Konoha again would be a luxury.
"What about you?"
Tsunade bit her lip lightly and looked at Makoto. "The new Yellow Flash of Konoha. With your strength, being Hokage should be more than enough, right?"
"Me?"
Makoto spread his hands, using that all-purpose excuse: "I'm not even a Konoha ninja yet."
Tsunade covered her face. She had remembered his identity just after asking that question.
Then she had a hundred questions about his identity. "You have such strength despite being a commoner? Fine, let's say you awakened a strong enough talent."
"But during the Chūnin Exams, you—"
Tsunade recalled the time Makoto appeared beside her, and then realized.
So when Makoto claimed he had to leave temporarily to handle some affairs, he was handling the Chūnin Exams.
And when he lamented the death of a senior and an elder, that was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In an instant, Tsunade understood everything.
But it would have been better not to know. After understanding, Tsunade had mixed feelings.
When Konoha was holding a funeral for Hiruzen, she and Makoto were probably enjoying the joy of traveling together, right?
Although Tsunade didn't think she owed Hiruzen anything, thinking of Hiruzen dying with regrets still made her feel a little uneasy.
The room fell silent. Even Tonton dared not make too much noise.
Everyone was waiting for Tsunade's contemplation. Her next decision would affect the fate of the entire Konoha and the ninja world.
In fact, the current Tsunade had already made a decision.
Although her youth was only at its tail end, the hot-blooded youthful aura from her battle against Orochimaru was still rolling in her chest.
But Tsunade was trying hard not to show this attitude, because she felt that if she agreed to become Hokage just like that, it would be tantamount to letting herself be led by the nose by Makoto completely.
Even if Makoto hadn't played with her feelings, he had played with her body, and used the opportunity of her rejuvenation to reshape her mind.
So Tsunade decided that Makoto must show some sincerity before she would return to Konoha.
"No, I still can't be this Hokage."
Tsunade shook her head and said seriously, "What Konoha needs is a stable and energetic person who can lead Konoha out of the mud, not an old antique like me."
"Jiraiya, find someone else."
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade in astonishment, seemingly not expecting her refusal.
He wanted to persuade her, but Tsunade raised her hand to stop him. "Jiraiya, don't waste your breath. We know each other very well. You know that once I make a decision, few people can shake it."
Translated, this meant that Jiraiya wasn't qualified to change Tsunade's determination.
Jiraiya instantly felt hurt. Was he so unimportant in Tsunade's heart?
Well... even when he, Tsunade, and Orochimaru fought side by side, he was just a partner in Tsunade's eyes.
Back then, Jiraiya couldn't walk into Tsunade's heart. Now that they had wandered outside for so many years, they had long become strangers to each other.
Helpless, Jiraiya could only look at Makoto. "You persuade her. I see you have a good relationship with her."
Before Makoto could speak, Naruto slammed the table and stood up. "I couldn't stand it just now! Why let this old—"
Before Naruto could say "hag," Tsunade's fist was already pressed against his forehead.
Naruto quickly corrected himself. "This big sister is obviously not as steady and reliable as the Third Hokage. Can't we find someone like the Third?"
"Also, the person who becomes Hokage must love the whole village and be accepted by everyone in the village. I don't think Big Sister has such an aura. She's clearly a gambler and a drunkard!"
Veins popped on Tsunade's forehead. She wished she could punch Naruto right now.
But Naruto's words were irrelevant. The core person was still Makoto. Tsunade's eyes had already drifted to him, expecting him to stand up and speak for her.
However, Makoto looked at his nose and nose at his heart, as if all this had nothing to do with him.
On one hand, Makoto knew that Tsunade had already made a decision. He could sense this from the subtle changes in her breathing frequency.
On the other hand, since Jiraiya asked him, after successfully persuading Tsunade, he would definitely make Jiraiya pay a price.
So what price would be appropriate?
Makoto already had an idea.
Jiraiya shook his head. "Makoto-kun, you persuade her. This guy Naruto is talking complete nonsense."
Naruto jumped up in anger, wanting to argue with Jiraiya, but Jiraiya pressed him onto the sofa, rendering him immobile.
Jiraiya's tone also carried a rare heaviness. "Naruto, if Konoha had a second Third Hokage, we naturally wouldn't need to discuss such things here."
"Konoha can't withstand another round of sneak attacks. Tsunade is the most suitable candidate after comprehensive consideration."
Jiraiya didn't explain further, because Naruto wouldn't understand even if he said more.
Naruto was still very unconvinced. Then Tsunade pointed outside the door. "If you're unconvinced, want to spar with me?"
Naruto instantly quieted down.
He hadn't forgotten the terrifying scene where Tsunade's every punch and kick shook and shattered the earth.
Although Orochimaru could handle Tsunade's attacks leisurely, Naruto knew his little strength was completely inadequate in front of Tsunade's fists.
After suppressing Naruto, Jiraiya looked at Makoto again and issued an invitation.
Jiraiya had already asked three times. Makoto knew it was time to act; dragging it out any longer would only affect his relationship with Jiraiya.
"I can find a way to persuade Sister Tsunade to return to Konoha and become Hokage, but afterward, you have to agree to a condition, Jiraiya."
"Condition? What condition?"
Jiraiya perked up.
As long as Tsunade became Hokage, he didn't care about paying a price.
"We'll discuss this later. Anyway, don't worry. If you feel that what I ask you to do violates your conscience and morality, you can refuse me."
Hearing this, Jiraiya felt completely relieved. He still trusted Makoto's character.
Although Makoto's performance was vastly different from a real ninja, Makoto wasn't a ninja to begin with. He was protecting Konoha in his own way.
At least for now, Makoto was a trustworthy teammate and one of Konoha's most important guardians.
"Alright, I agree!"
"Wait a minute!"
Tsunade slammed the table with both hands, almost breaking it.
She looked at Jiraiya and Makoto angrily. "What's with this tone of treating me like a done deal, a trade item?"
"Also, Akiyama Makoto, do you dare say you can persuade me to become Hokage? If you harbor such thoughts, then I absolutely won't agree!"
Makoto looked at the determined Tsunade and said with a smile, "Then let's make a bet."
"I will make you become Hokage, and I will propose conditions you cannot refuse."
"As for the bet—"
Tsunade's face changed slightly.
She didn't want to gamble with Makoto on life issues anymore.
Previously, she had lost a bet and almost lost herself to him. In the end, she gave away the necklace left by her grandfather to barely settle the matter.
If they bet again now, she didn't know what she could pay.
"What? Does the dignified Sannin, Princess Tsunade, not dare to bet?"
"I... I've quit gambling!"
Tsunade shouted this excuse with a fierce appearance but a weak heart. Shizune on the side laughed out loud, clearly not believing a word of it.
"Alright then. Since you've stopped gambling, I won't persuade you."
"As long as you don't gamble for a day, you can move freely in the ninja world. As for Konoha, Jiraiya and I will handle it."
"Sister Tsunade, starting tomorrow, you can freely travel and play!"
A look of joy appeared on Tsunade's face, but then her expression fell.
She had just traveled the ninja world with him. Although they hadn't gone to many big countries, he had given her wonderful times that she would remember for a lifetime.
Now letting her experience a similar life alone, and not being able to gamble to pass the time... how boring would her life become?
Tsunade liked gambling not only because she used it to numb herself after leaving Konoha.
In fact, Tsunade had learned to gamble when she was a child, gambling with the First Hokage. Therefore, gambling was an indispensable lifestyle in her life.
Quitting gambling to avoid becoming Hokage—why did Tsunade feel like she had lost twice in a row?
"Let's go, Jiraiya, Sister Tsunade. Let's go for a drink."
"After we part this time, I don't know when we'll meet again."
Makoto took the lead, and Jiraiya hesitated for a moment before choosing to follow.
If Makoto was prepared to share the burden for Konoha, then Tsunade not being Hokage wasn't unacceptable in Jiraiya's view.
At that time, Konoha's government affairs would be handled by the two Hokage advisors, and Makoto would be the example for high-end combat power. As for the vain title of Hokage, they could totally find a senior ninja to temporarily fill in.
If the only requirements were sufficient reputation and good popularity, there were actually a few such ninja.
Like Torifu Akimichi, or Kosuke Maruboshi.
Seeing the two of them leaving her, a trace of panic appeared in Tsunade's eyes.
She quickly followed, pretending to drink warmly with Makoto and Jiraiya, but in reality, she was carefully observing their expressions, trying to find signs of guilt on their faces.
But until the three of them were slightly tipsy, Jiraiya and Makoto were still chatting and laughing.
As long as it involved writing, the two had many common topics. Even just complaining about publishers could keep them chatting all night.
Tsunade, on the other hand, was like a little girl forgotten in the corner, with a few drops of alcohol gradually appearing at the corners of her eyes.
Bang!
Tsunade knocked on the table again. "Don't ignore me! Do you have nothing to talk about with me?"
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