"No, building the village is actually quite simple, but no Hokage has ever done it like this before."
Uchiha Yoichi shook his head and said, "I'm the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Race, which means I can bring benefits to all the Uchiha clan members. If I were Hokage, I could change the entire village. The Food District and the supermarket are just the initial steps in that change."
The evidence was right before Tsunade's eyes. Even as night approached, there were still many villagers coming and going, and those coming out of the supermarket all had smiles on their faces.
When they entered the village earlier, they had seen the notice board put up by the Security Team. Besides a system of rewards and punishments, there was also a recruitment notice from the Security Team.
At the time, Tsunade was surprised, and now it seemed obvious to her that the person across from her had seen it all.
'That perverted kid has really grown up....'
Thinking of this, Tsunade remembered the first time they met when he remarked on her size, but she no longer cared about that and laughed lightly.
"Even if what you say is right, becoming Hokage won't be easy, right? Can you get elected as the Fourth Generation Hokage?"
After speaking, Tsunade poured herself another glass of sake. A few glasses in, and a rosy flush appeared on her pale cheeks. She continued,
"If I stayed, I might really be convinced by what you just said and support you in becoming Hokage."
"It doesn't matter if I don't become the Fourth Generation Hokage. My aspirations are the same as Senior Sakumo's. If he becomes Hokage, he will support me all the same."
Uchiha Yoichi paused, then continued with a smile, "But if someone else becomes Hokage, they'd definitely target the Uchiha, so it's better if Senior Sakumo becomes Hokage."
"I'm just saying, I could never stay in the village. How can I, a person with hemophobia, become a ninja..."
Tsunade stopped mid-sentence, realizing that the kid before her already knew her weakness, so she didn't bother to hide it.
"Just take it as some time to relax and unwind. Come back when you feel better."
Uchiha Yoichi said.
But upon hearing this, Tsunade's expression darkened slightly. She set her sake cup down on the table with a bit of force and said, "That's not going to happen...."
"Don't say things like that. Experiencing broken beliefs twice is indeed incredibly painful..."
Uchiha Yoichi looked at Tsunade and said, "It's not hemophobia. You're just looking for a pillar to help you break the curse and believe again. If you can't find it outside, I'll be that pillar."
Upon hearing this, a sudden, inexplicable fury arose in Tsunade's long-avoiding heart. Was she supposed to experience that a third time!?
"Kid, what do you know...."
"Why don't you place a bet?"
"What...."
"Tsunade-sama loves gambling, right? Why not place one last bet on me? If you win, you'll overcome hemophobia. If you lose, I'm afraid no one can cure it. Tsunade, are you willing to bet with me?"
"Bet that I will become Hokage and change the entire Ninja World!"
Upon hearing these seemingly cursed words and seeing Uchiha Yoichi's confident expression, which exuded an aura of unbeatable confidence,
She found herself wanting to take a step forward, to rid herself of hemophobia, and at the same time see that moment when the dreams of those two people came true; yet the scenes of Nawaki's and Dan's deaths replayed in her mind, filling her with fear of yet another body lying in a pool of blood....
"I....."
Tsunade didn't know whether to go left or right. She wanted to retreat, but the chair was behind her.
"Then place your bet, Tsunade-sama!"
Uchiha Yoichi suddenly took Tsunade's hand, sealing the bet, and continued, "Losing just means one more irrelevant person dies, but if you win, you can rid yourself of hemophobia..."
"Who said you're irrelevant, you damned kid? Do you want to become the shackle I can never remove!?"
Tsunade angrily stood up and bent over to grab Uchiha Yoichi by the collar. Her white bosom shook slightly due to the abrupt movement.
If another person were to die due to such a foolish dream, Tsunade felt she wouldn't even be able to sleep anymore.
"Cancel the bet, I won't....."
"It's too late, and I won't lose. Plus, I will definitely become Hokage."
Uchiha Yoichi removed Tsunade's hand. Despite her anger, she hadn't used much force.
"When you receive my Hokage order, remember to return to the village promptly, Jonin Tsunade."
With that, Uchiha Yoichi glanced at the Strategy Guide, then stood up and left the room.
Tsunade remained standing there, her gaze somewhat dazed. It was as if she could already see herself losing, with the figures of the two people she cared most about appearing on this Uchiha kid.
After a while, Tsunade heard Shizune's voice calling.
"Tsunade-sama, what happened earlier.... Did you have a fight?"
Coming back to herself, Tsunade saw Shizune and recalled what had just happened, leaving her a bit drained as she sat back into her chair; if she had known such a thing would happen, she might have left straight away.
But deep down, Tsunade couldn't help but hope: 'You little rascal, don't let me lose this bet.....'
Tsunade wanted to win this time, at least to prove that Nawaki's and Dan's dreams weren't wrong; if she lost again, she feared she'd never recover...
"Tsunade-sama, Tsunade-sama, are you alright?"
Tsunade suddenly turned her head, seeing Shizune. Then she noticed the empty plates before her and angrily said, "It's all because you wanted to eat, Shizune, which led me to make a bet with that annoying kid!"
"What? How can that be my fault..." Shizune's face immediately showed grievance, then she suggested, "Should I run after him and tell Lord Yoichi to cancel the bet?"
"Don't make things more complicated for me."
Tsunade sighed, then just as she was about to tell Shizune to pack up and leave, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open, and a tall ninja with spiky white hair entered.
"Tsunade, it really is you; just now, I thought I was mistaken!"
Jiraiya greeted Tsunade with joy, "When did you return to Konoha? How long will you stay in Konoha? I just...."
"Jiraiya, I'm not in the mood. I'm just passing through and will be leaving soon."
Tsunade interrupted Jiraiya and sighed. Her mind was a mess, and she had no desire to chat or drink with Jiraiya.
"I'm leaving!"
"Hey? Tsunade...."
Before Jiraiya could say more, Tsunade and Shizune took their things and left.
"What, how could this....."
Jiraiya, still reaching out, found that Tsunade had already left. Turning his head, he noticed three pairs of chopsticks and two sake cups on the table.
Shizune was too young to drink sake, so who was drinking with Tsunade just now?
——————————————
"I should be right, but why does this affection fluctuate?"
After leaving, Uchiha Yoichi checked his Strategy Guide. He had been like a machine just now, but even if it's 'low,' it's still much higher than before.
That speech just now had pushed Tsunade's affection towards him to a high of 86 and a low of 74, finally settling at a value of 82.
Judging from these numbers, the relationship is akin to that among the Sannin, but his situation is different from friendship.
"This guide is amazing. Now, it's just the final step..."
The final step isn't hard for Uchiha Yoichi. Once he fulfills his promise, he can completely win Tsunade over, as the guide suggests is the fastest strategy for her.
If Hatake Sakumo really becomes the Fourth Generation Hokage, it might be only a few years before the Fifth is chosen.
As Hatake Sakumo himself said, even though he's suited to be Hokage in many ways, he personally doesn't want to. It's just that he doesn't want to see the village and Uchiha at odds, causing the village companions to be affected, which is why he consented to become the Fourth Hokage.
If Uchiha Yoichi's performance is beyond his expectations, even without any faults, Hatake Sakumo might choose to step down from the Hokage position.