"Konoha's current peace is the result of years of effort. How dare Tsunade? If she takes this position, there will inevitably be new conflicts between the major cns and civilian shinobi. When that happens, Konoha will lose its stability..."

  For the first time, Koharu Utatane lost her composure in front of everyone. The shock brought by the possibility of Tsunade inheriting the Senju name was too overwhelming.

  "Enough! Look at yourself—where's the dignity of a Hokage advisor now?"

  Seeing Koharu's outburst, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in a rare moment, sternly reprimanded her.

  The sharp rebuke snapped Koharu back to her senses. Observing the gazes of the others, she took a deep breath.

  "It seems these powerful cns won't stop. First, we had White Fang, and now we have the even more terrifying Senju Tsunade. They're going to bring unrest to the vilge!"

  Koharu's words weren't unfounded. Konohagakure had grown to its peak over the years. Currently, the vilge has over 20,000 active shinobi—a military strength unmatched in the ninja world, far surpassing the ter years when Kumogakure and Iwagakure overtook them.

  "Hiruzen, Koharu may have lost her calm, but what she says isn't wrong. It hasn't been easy for Konoha to develop this far under our combined efforts. With the current instability in the ninja world, if the Hokage is repced, the vilge could fall into turmoil."

  Mitokado Homura, after some contemption, voiced his concerns. Although his motives weren't entirely selfless, he also appealed to the greater good.

  This was Konoha's golden age. Among its top-tier combatants, the vilge had Hiruzen and Danzo, as well as the deceased White Fang, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—all Kage-level fighters. This didn't even account for the Jinchūriki or the elite members of the major cns.

  Six Kage-level fighters, nearly 30,000 shinobi—this was Konoha's pride and strength.

  Unfortunately, this golden age began to decline with White Fang's fall, and the Third Great Ninja War's costly victory knocked them off their pedestal.

  "Hiruzen!"

  If Koharu and Homura were hesitant to relinquish their power, cloaking their arguments in the guise of righteousness, then Danzo Shimura was opposed to the Senju resurgence. Tsunade's youth alone meant she could outst him in power!

  Danzo's face was filled with malice as he spoke gravely:

  "Tsunade is entangled with that Uchiha Shirou. She's likely already been influenced by the Uchihas. While the Senju may have declined, the families behind her—Uchiha, Hyūga, Aburame, and others—are not to be underestimated."

  Watching his three old comrades voice their concerns, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, felt a rare sense of helplessness. Letting out a hoarse sigh, he muttered:

  "Yes, you all make valid points, but Tsunade's position is unique!"

  This was the crux of the issue. Tsunade's identity had always been significant, but now, inheriting the Senju name made it even more so.

  The name "Senju Tsunade" alone was enough to unify Konoha's various cns. After all, Hiruzen was well aware of the actions they had taken over the years.

  Divide, manipute, weaken—actions aimed at maintaining a bance within the vilge.

  "Do you think I don't know?"

  Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and shook his head:

  "Over the years, we've indeed done many things that were unfriendly to the major cns for the sake of the vilge's growth. Weakening their influence while giving more opportunities to civilian shinobi... even developing our cns was a necessary measure to counterbance the rger families."

  This wasn't unique to Konoha; the entire ninja world operated simirly.

  During the Warring States period, the strongest were the Kekkei Genkai cns, followed by those with secret techniques. But after the establishment of the ninja vilges, these once-powerful cns became obstacles, prompting every major vilge to instinctively curtail their influence.

  By the time the story began, Konoha had only the Hyūga cn left as a major Kekkei Genkai cn. In Kirigakure, it was even worse—most of their Kekkei Genkai cns had been eradicated. The other vilges weren't much better off.

  "Hiruzen, will you just stand by and watch the vilge fall into chaos?"

  Danzo's voice rose in anger. He still aspired to become Hokage! If Tsunade took the role, he had no confidence in outsting her youth.

  More importantly, there was Root!

  Would Tsunade, as Hokage, tolerate the existence of Root? And what of Danzo's ambitions to research Wood Release and the Sharingan? The alliance between the Senju and Uchiha posed a direct threat to his pns.

  "Think about all we've done to the Senju and Uchiha over the years. If they dig up the past, it won't just be about losing power."

  Danzo's sinister tone sent a chill down Koharu and Homura's spines, their eyes fshing with fear. The consequences of old grievances being revisited were far more severe than mere loss of influence.

  "Hiruzen!"

  The three stared intently at Hiruzen, but to their surprise, the Hokage's expression turned calm.

  "Look at yourselves—panicking at the first sign of trouble. If other vilges caught wind of this, wouldn't they mock Konoha?"

  Hiruzen's light chuckle echoed in the room as he lifted his Hokage hat from his head and pced it on the table. At that moment, his demeanor exuded boldness and confidence.

  "Becoming Hokage isn't so easy. Anyone who can't handle the delicate bance between the cns and the vilge will not be allowed to take the position! I won't let a new Hokage bring instability to the vilge."

  As he finished his statement, Hiruzen's tone turned resolute, radiating the commanding presence of a true warrior.

  He was the Ninja Hero of Konoha, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, at the peak of his power. Guided by unyielding determination, he vowed to lead Konoha through this crisis.

  "Contact the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka cn leaders, as well as... the smaller families."

  Hiruzen's confident smile carried an air of composure. No matter the Senju's return, he intended to show the vilge that he was still its Hokage.

  Seeing Hiruzen's commanding presence, Koharu and Homura seemed to find their footing again. They nodded with smiles:

  "Hiruzen, as long as you're here, we can rest easy."

  "That's right. We've worked tirelessly for Konoha for over twenty years to reach this peak!"

  Even the usually stoic Danzo showed his support, nodding firmly:

  "With the current instability in the ninja world, handing the vilge to someone as impulsive as Tsunade... who knows what disasters might follow."

  At that moment, the four of them seemed to return to the days when they worked together tirelessly for Konoha. Hiruzen's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia as he nodded resolutely:

  "Haha! We old folks still have another twenty years in us. Let the young ones see how we'll lead Konoha to rise from the ashes once more!"

  With unwavering determination, Hiruzen resolved to remain in power during his prime. He envisioned handing down a peaceful and strong vilge to the next generation.

  This was not the Hiruzen of ter years, worn down by age and paranoia. At this moment, he still brimmed with ambition and hope.

  ...

  Meanwhile, Tsunade's inheritance of the Senju name awakened the long-dormant presence of the Senju cn in Konoha.

  At the Senju Cn Compound.

  "What?! What do you mean by that, Shirou?"

  In the main hall, Tsunade stared in shock and confusion at Shirou, who had come to persuade her. She had considered many scenarios, but never that he would try to dissuade her.

  "Shirou, are you out of your mind? Don't you realize that if I take the position of the Fourth Hokage, it would be a huge advantage for the Uchiha—even for you personally?"

  Tsunade's straightforward nature meant she didn't hide her thoughts from those she trusted, ying out the reality directly.

  However, Shirou nodded solemnly.

  "I know that if you, Sister Tsunade, take on the role now, it would bring tremendous benefits to the Uchiha cn and even to me personally! But what about you, Sister Tsunade?!"

  Shirou's words, spoken with concern for her, left Tsunade stunned for a moment. Then, a warm feeling rose in her heart as she smiled and teased,

  "What is it, Shirou? Are you pnning to take me home and get married? Don't forget my current identity…"

  Tsunade's teasing smile carried a faint trace of complexity in her eyes. After inheriting the Senju name, she knew the only way forward for her was for someone to marry into her family. But Shirou… well, he wasn't entirely out of the question.

  Maybe in the future, she could use the title of Hokage to tempt him. Surely, the Uchiha cn wouldn't be able to resist such temptation.

  However, seeing Tsunade seemingly overthinking things, Shirou fell into speechless exasperation and couldn't help but gre.

  "Sister Tsunade, what are you imagining? I'm talking about a serious matter right now! Do you even understand what's happening in the vilge?"

  Looking at Tsunade, Shirou took a deep breath and spoke seriously:

  "I won't deny the contributions of the Third Hokage over the years. But, Sister Tsunade, don't tell me that the peace of the st twenty years came solely from the sacrifices made during the First Great Ninja War."

  "The vilge has developed to this point. Whether it's popution, economy, or military strength, it can now be called the strongest in the ninja world. But if you, Sister Tsunade, try to impose the Senju ideals now to cim the position of Hokage, do you think the vilge will accept it?"

  Shirou's calm analysis left no room for argument. Forget about the fact that Konoha was founded by the Senju and Uchiha cns—who in the vilge even remember that anymore?

  There aren't many of the older generation left!

  "Nowadays, most of the younger ninjas in Konoha only remember that it was the Third Hokage who led the vilge to its peak!"

  Shirou spoke as a cool-headed observer, and Tsunade, hearing this, let out a self-mocking ugh. She pyed with the empty wine gss in her hand as she said with a hint of sarcasm,

  "Yeah, it's not like it was twenty years ago. Konoha has already forgotten the Senju cn of the past."

  Forget the Senju—before the story even begins, the whole vilge had pretty much forgotten about the legendary Sannin. Only among the Jonin do their stories still circute.

  Sure, ninja lifespans are short, but this is downright ridiculous.

  "If you announce your candidacy for the Fourth Hokage now, what will people say? How will the other major vilges view it? Do you think they'll let this opportunity slip by?

  And there's another very real issue: the growing conflict between noble cns and commoner ninjas in the vilge!"

  Shirou didn't hold back as he id out the current state of Konoha.

  Tsunade could inherit the Senju name, sure. But as soon as she formally announced her candidacy for the Fourth Hokage, the implications would change entirely.

  At this time, the Third Hokage had the highest support rate and the greatest prestige.

  If she were to enter the competition for Hokage now, countless commoner ninjas within the vilge would begin to voice their discontent, the conflicts between noble cns and commoner ninjas would intensify, and the other major vilges in the ninja world wouldn't let the opportunity pass.

  What's more, Shirou was keenly aware of how brutal the Third Great Ninja War would be. Konoha was once again on the verge of facing an alliance of the other four great vilges.

  If Tsunade were to take the position now and shoulder the responsibility for Hiruzen's mistakes, the aftermath of a brutal war would likely force her to step down in disgrace, leaving Hiruzen to recim the position.

  This wouldn't help her at all—it would only drag the Senju and Uchiha cns into the mud.

  A pair of Mangekyō Sharingan wouldn't be enough to solve this problem. Unless, of course, he could summon a giant Gundam and steamroll the opposition—which, unfortunately, wasn't an option right now.

  "I thought you were going to say something important."

  Tsunade snorted disdainfully, narrowing her eyes as she looked at him. Though she toyed with the wine gss in her hand, the upturned corner of her mouth betrayed her amusement. Her heart was full of warmth.

  Shirou prioritized her over his cn.

  "Sister Tsunade, you can't act impulsively. The ninja world is tense right now. If conflict breaks out within the vilge, it will only give enemy nations an opportunity!"

  Shirou spoke earnestly, and there wasn't a single falsehood in his words.

  Konoha was at its peak in terms of development—be it its economy, popution, or military strength, it was the strongest in the ninja world.

  But this also meant that the benefits had already been divided, and no gaps remained. If Tsunade were to take the position now, any changes she made would provoke a backsh.

  On the other hand, after a Third Great Ninja War that left all the major vilges severely weakened, Konoha would also suffer tremendous losses, creating new opportunities.

  That would be the best time to take the position.

  Just like when the Third Hokage took over, everything was in disarray, and the major cns were left battered and bruised. By simply focusing on stable economic development, he earned unprecedented support.

  "I get it, you nagging brat."

  Tsunade huffed lightly. Just as she reached out to pour herself another gss of wine, Shirou frowned and snatched the bottle before she could.

  "Sister Tsunade, this is your st gss."

  Looking at the vivid red wine in her gss, Tsunade smiled brightly. Seeing this, Shirou nodded silently.

  As he expected, Tsunade might have ambitions, but she also deeply loved Konoha. There was no way she would stand by and watch the vilge fall into turmoil.

  Now was not the right time for her to become Hokage, and even Tsunade could see that.

  Besides, he didn't even need to act. The arguments he had presented earlier, which seemed to support the Third Hokage, would inevitably turn against Hiruzen once the Sunagakure started the war.

  When that time came, it would be impossible for Hiruzen's reputation to remain unscathed.

  And with how brutal the Third Great Ninja War would be… well, the higher Hiruzen flew, the harder he'd fall.

  "Alright, I'm heading out."

  "How are you going to expin this to your cn when you get back?"

  As Shirou got up to leave, Tsunade swirled the wine in her gss and looked at him curiously.

  Without turning back, Shirou waved his hand and replied with a ugh,

  "Isn't this exactly what you wanted, Sister Tsunade? If I fail to convince you, I'll lose my chance to compete for the cn leader position and end up coming back to be your little lover."

  His lighthearted self-deprecation made Tsunade burst into ughter as she held her wine gss.

  "Fine, then this future Hokage will be waiting for you, my little Shirou. Your sister's surname is reserved just for you."

  Tsunade, in high spirits, teased him again, even making a pyful kissing sound as he left.

  Standing at the door, Shirou felt a wave of exasperation at her teasing. But then his eyes gleamed mischievously.

  Swish!

  A sharp sound echoed through the room. Tsunade froze for a moment, then touched her now-wet lips and pretended to be angry as she shouted at the disappearing figure:

  "When the time comes, I will discipline you at home!"

  It turned out that, just before leaving, Shirou had used the Flying Thunder God technique to appear in front of Tsunade and pnt a firm kiss on her lips before vanishing again.

  Sitting in the room, Tsunade touched her lips and couldn't help but ugh, her ughter ringing out clearly.

  "Grandma, he's gone now. You don't need to worry anymore, do you?"

  As Shirou's figure disappeared, Tsunade lightly sipped her wine and spoke to the space behind the door with a hint of helplessness.