Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 421 Now I am the Hokage

"Long time no see."

Orochimaru's gaze fell on the child beside Jiraiya, his laughter tinged with teasing: "But speaking of which, when did you become a babysitter?"

"What are you doing here?"

Ever since Orochimaru's betrayal, Jiraiya has been investigating his whereabouts, but he never expected to come looking for him today.

Orochimaru said casually, "Just getting used to your new life in advance."

Jiraiya frowned and asked, "What do you mean by 'adapting'?"

"I think the warrant for my arrest will be lifted after a while," Orochimaru said with a smile. "Until then, I'll just live quietly in the village."

With Aokiji's current power, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to drop the warrant for his arrest.

Jiraiya was surprised to hear that Orochimaru wanted to return to the village, and suddenly it made a connection: "Aokiji has been in contact with you."

Orochimaru didn't deny it: "Yeah, more or less."

Jiraiya's face darkened: "You were involved in the murder of high-ranking officials?"

Orochimaru shook his head and said regretfully, "Although I had this idea, it seems that Aokiji doesn't intend for me to participate directly, probably because he doesn't want me to bear the name of a slayer."

Jiraiya chuckled self-deprecatingly. He had once longed to bring Orochimaru back to the village, but he never imagined it would end this way. He couldn't help but lament that fate had played a cruel joke on him.

"What do you plan to do when you get back to the village?"

If Orochimaru continues his human research, given Aokiji's current state, he will probably choose to let it go.

Orochimaru didn't hide anything: "I will help Aokiji revive Tsunade."

Revive Tsunade?

Jiraiya was taken aback.

Such an illogical thing will inevitably be accompanied by many sacrifices in the process.

Orochimaru scrutinized Jiraiya's expression: "Once Aokiji and I revive Tsunade, would you like to return to the village?"

Having said that, he extended his hand, making an inviting gesture: "Let's be like we used to be."

Jiraiya remained silent, his attitude clear: after what had happened, he could never go back to the way things were.

Orochimaru understood and withdrew his hand: "Is that so? That's a real shame."

Jiraiya asked, "Are you so confident in reviving Tsunade?"

Orochimaru shook his head: "If it's just me personally, of course I'm not confident, but if it's Aokiji, I think it should be possible."

In Jiraiya's view, Orochimaru's trust in Aokiji was almost blind: "Why do you still trust Aokiji so much after all this time?"

"Being with him is fun, something you and Sarutobi-sensei can never give me."

"What?"

"truth."

Jiraiya shook his head: "As expected, I still can't understand you, no matter how long I've been with you."

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer, and left with Hiruzen Sarutobi's grandson to wander the world.

◎

The first thing Aokiji did after becoming Hokage was to enter the forbidden library and study various techniques. From the catalog, he learned that two ninjutsu were missing: the Impure World Reincarnation and the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique.

This perfectly corresponds to the two ninjutsu that Orochimaru took away.

Aokiji looked at the Flying Thunder God Technique in his hand, not quite understanding why Orochimaru hadn't taken it with him back then.

He tucked the Flying Thunder God Technique into his robes, left the Forbidden Technique, and returned to the Hokage's office.

A mountain of documents lay on the table, waiting for him to return and review them. Aokiji casually flipped through them and then tossed them aside.

He rubbed his chin, wondering if he should hire a secretary to share his workload.

As far as I can remember, the Raikage, that roughneck, only hired a secretary for himself. The secretary handled all the miscellaneous tasks, while he himself was busy lifting weights. He would only glance at important matters.

When choosing a secretary, competence is secondary; the most important thing is that she has a good mind and is someone trustworthy.

Aokiji plans to find a secretary from within his clan to help him organize documents.

He was considering choosing Itachi; he was smart enough, and that way Aokiji could constantly teach him by example.

However, Itachi's fighting talent is too high; it would be a waste of his abilities to be a secretary.

Just then, a knock came at the door, interrupting my thoughts. I had to put aside finding my secretary for the time being: "Come in."

A moment later, two middle-aged men entered; they were Fugaku and Nara Shikaku.

"Lord Hokage, there's something I need to report to you."

When Aokiji became Hokage, Fugaku's way of addressing him also changed.

"What's wrong?"

Needless to say, Fugaku knew something about it, and Aokiji knew more or less about it as well.

One of the orders he issued after becoming Hokage was to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the four major clans. Among those sent were members of the Uchiha clan and others, to supervise each other and prevent accusations that the Uchiha clan was abusing their power for personal gain.

"We discovered that these families, relying on their connections with high-ranking officials, engaged in numerous kickback activities, including the Yuan Fei family."

Aokiji looked surprised and specifically glanced at Nara Shikaku: "Are you sure?"

Nara Shikaku nodded.

"Hokage-sama, how do we do this?"

"This matter must not be leaked in the slightest; anyone who leaks it will be severely punished."

Aokiji wasn't trying to save face for the higher-ups, but rather because revealing certain things would erode public trust, which would hinder subsequent management.

Both were intelligent individuals; Aokiji didn't need to explain too clearly, as they both understood the meaning, and should simply say "Yes."

Aokiji crossed his hands and placed them on the table: "Fugaku, you can go back to your work now. I have something I want to talk to Shikaku about alone."

Fugaku understood and withdrew, giving the others a chance to talk privately.

"Walk with me for a while."

Aokiji got up from his seat, and Nara Shikaku, unable to figure out what he meant, could only follow him.

The news of Aokiji becoming Hokage had already spread throughout the village. As the two walked down the street, they were quickly recognized, and people stopped and nodded in respect.

Not long after, the two arrived at the ninja academy and visited the children.

On the school rooftop, Aokiji remarked with emotion, "These children are truly the flowers of the village, aren't they?"

Nara Shikaku couldn't help but ask, "Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly did the Hokage want to say to me?"

Aokiji paused for a moment, then said, "I plan to expand the enrollment of the Ninja Academy and change the six-year system to nine-year compulsory education."

Nara Shikaku's expression froze for a moment: "What did you say?"

Aokiji opened the skylight and said, "I know you have a problem with me, but I think it's best for us to get along peacefully. It's better for both of us, and even for the village."

"..."

"I will not touch any of the rights you currently possess, and I will even give you more," Aokiji promised.

"...Why do we have to go to such extremes?"

"Whether for public or private reasons, of course I have to do this."

Nara Shikaku watched as Aokiji spoke.

Aokiji first explained his "selfish" part, which roughly meant that since the higher-ups were planning to exterminate the Uchiha clan, they shouldn't blame him for being so extreme and eliminating them completely to avoid future trouble.

"I simply chose the most direct and effective method. I think you have the brains to judge for yourself whether what I'm saying is a lie."

Nara Shikaku, upon learning the truth, remained silent for a long time.

To outsiders, Aokiji's actions seem extreme, but the Uchiha clan's current predicament is also due to the harsh suppression from higher-ups; the principle of "things reaching their extreme will inevitably reverse" applies here.

Nara Shikaku asked, "Then what do you mean by 'public'?"

He had expected Aokiji to spout some profound principles, but to his surprise, the other man was able to speak eloquently and logically.

Aokiji directly copied the welfare policies from his previous life, such as ID cards, social insurance and housing fund, etc. In this backward era, these things were like a game-changer.

This completely baffled Nara Shikaku, who was known for his wisdom.

Although it was the first time he had heard these things, there was no doubt that the policies Aokiji was talking about were extremely profitable.

One can imagine the prosperity and peace the village would achieve if these policies were fully implemented.

However, there is a fatal problem with doing this: where does the money come from?

Nara Shikaku told the other party about his concerns.

You have to understand that Konoha's purse strings are all in the hands of the Daimyo. At most, the Daimyo allocates funds for military expenses. How could the Daimyo possibly do something like this?

Nara Shikaku's concerns were not without merit, but this only made Aokiji laugh: "Then they have no choice but to accept it."

Nara Shikaku vaguely discerned some subtext in her words.

Aokiji slaughtered the entire families of the high-ranking officials, so it would be strange if he didn't take the mere Daimyo of the Land of Fire seriously.

"Are you trying to threaten me...?"

Aokiji's face darkened, and his expression was not very happy.

Nara Shikaku was taken aback when he saw his expression.

What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?

Are you underestimating me?

Aokiji said in a deep voice, "Do I, Uchiha Aokiji, need to resort to such a pathetic act? To use such a boring trick as threats."

Nara Shikaku was taken aback, wondering if he had been judging the other person by his own petty standards and misunderstood him.

"I'll just wipe them all out, and all their money will be mine?" Aokiji scoffed. "Why would I need to threaten you?"

Nara Shikaku's frustrated expression froze instantly.

The Uchiha on the other side is a complete terrorist.

Aokiji glanced at him sideways and said coldly, "What, you have a problem with that?"

Nara Shikaku, risking his life, pleaded, trembling, "Hokage-sama, please calm down. Your idea is too dangerous!"

Aokiji asked, confused, "Danger? Where is it dangerous?"

"that is……"

Nara Shikaku tried to find a reason, but suddenly realized he couldn't.

"A bunch of weaklings who can't even kill a chicken." Aokiji sneered, then retorted, "I can kill them like slaughtering chickens and dogs. Tell me, what danger is there?"

Nara Shikaku racked his brains and tried to persuade him, saying, "But this would draw condemnation from various countries, and might even give them a reason to attack."

"It doesn't matter, I'll take action."

"???"

Aokiji crossed his arms and scoffed, "This gives me a perfect excuse to fight these countries. A nation's dignity is earned through fighting, not through constant compromise. The previous Hokage's policies were too weak, which is why the neighboring countries are acting so aggressively towards Konoha."

The persuasion not only failed to work, but also added fuel to the fire. Nara Shikaku's mouth twitched, and his head throbbed with pain.

Aokiji's style of governance is the complete opposite of the Third Hokage's.

The former was submissive and hesitant, while the latter launched a powerful attack.

Aokiji said in an unquestionable tone, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Nara Shikaku thought to himself, "What's the point of saying anything? Anyway, this terrorist won't listen to any advice. He might as well go somewhere else and stay there."

"Since you have nothing to say, then it's my turn." Aokiji raised his arm and clenched his fist, his expression arrogant: "The old system of one country and one village is outdated. This is a new era. I will take over the Land of Fire and create a brand new country."

Nara Shikaku widened his eyes, never expecting Aokiji to be so ambitious. Not content with just becoming Hokage, he also wanted the position of Daimyo.

"Whether you want to follow me to create new glories, or cling to the same old ways and go to your coffin, you should think it over carefully."

Aokiji turned to leave, leaving the other person with his back turned.

Nara Shikaku lowered his head.

Before leaving, Aokiji seemed to remember something and said leisurely, "Oh, right, in a while, I'll have Orochimaru return to the village. I'll let you, the Jonin class leader, know beforehand."

Orochimaru?

Nara Shikaku paused, then exclaimed in surprise, "Wait, isn't Orochimaru a rogue ninja?"

"So what? Just cancel it, won't you?"

"But……"

Aokiji said domineeringly, "There are no 'buts' about it. I am the Hokage now."

Nara Shikaku:......

(End of this chapter)