Konoha: From the moment I was adopted by Tsunade

Chapter 127 Hokage Election in Progress

The next day.

Ichiraku Ramen.

"Boss, give me a bowl of tonkotsu ramen."

As Natsume jumped onto the high stool, he said, "Order Naruto another bowl of his favorite chashu pork rib ramen."

"Okay!"

The man smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, sir."

Natsume glanced around and saw that the restaurant was doing good business, and it was almost full.

However, Ichiraku Ramen itself is not very big.

After reserving a seat for Naruto, he asked with a smile while waiting, "Boss, do you have another surname?"

"No, sir, why do you ask?"

She was cooking ramen by hand, without turning around to look at him.

"I think you have an extraordinary air about you, boss. Maybe you're a descendant of some powerful family."

Natsume explained casually.

"Hahaha."

He smiled broadly and said, "You flatter me, sir."

"Uncle!"

The sound came from afar.

"Hey? Big brother's here too."

Naruto Uzumaki climbed onto the high stool and said, "Good morning."

"Naruto, your ramen is already being made."

He said with a smile.

He was one of the few ordinary people who never discriminated against the fox spirit's identity from beginning to end.

That's right, he's not a ninja, and his surname isn't Otsutsuki.

"Thank you, big brother."

Naruto Uzumaki naturally knew who had made the order.

Are you going to the hospital later?

Natsume suspected that he had not heard about the incident involving the Uchiha clan.

Because nobody wants to chat with him.

"Hospital?"

Naruto Uzumaki paused for a second, then asked, "Big brother, are you going to see a doctor?"

"It wasn't me."

Natsume shook his head and said, "It's Sasuke. He's in the hospital right now."

"Sasuke?!"

Naruto's eyes widened, and he instinctively tried to run away.

"Don't worry, he's fine. You should eat first."

Natsume pressed down on his shoulder and said.

"Oh, oh."

Naruto breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "How did he get hurt? Did he fall on his way home last night?"

Is Sasuke really that outrageous in your mind?

Can you even fall flat on your face?

She's not some romance novel heroine.

"Don't say that in front of Sasuke."

Natsume hesitated for a moment, then whispered in his ear the general situation of last night.

He'll find out anyway.

Moreover, if he doesn't say anything, and Naruto asks Sasuke directly later, that would just be asking for trouble.

"How could this happen?"

Naruto's smile froze instantly.

He was the most qualified to speak about the experience of being an orphan, and therefore could understand Uchiha Sasuke.

"Big brother, I'm not eating anymore, I'm going to see Sasuke."

Naruto jumped off the high stool and hurriedly left.

Natsume hesitated, but ultimately said nothing more.

Because he was worried about Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki moved very fast.

But after walking for a while, he suddenly stopped.

He heard people chatting in a restaurant not far away.

"How pitiful, the most powerful Uchiha clan was wiped out overnight."

"I heard it's because they kidnapped and killed the Hokage's son, Zai Xian."

"Good riddance! Those arrogant bastards were so annoying! They punished everyone for the smallest things!"

"Indeed! The Konoha Police Department always manages to make everyone complain."

Naruto Uzumaki clenched his fists instinctively.

It's happening again!

Gossip all over the world.

He took a deep breath and rushed to Konoha Hospital.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto Uzumaki pushed open the ward door and saw Sasuke Uchiha wearing a hospital gown.

"Keep your voice down, he's not awake yet."

The nurse reminded her.

"Feel sorry."

Naruto Uzumaki walked to the bedside as he spoke.

Sasuke Uchiha suddenly awakened his Sharingan, and due to the overwhelming emotional fluctuations and his body's inability to withstand the strain, he fainted.

Not long after.

He woke up.

He stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling for a few seconds.

Memories of last night flooded back.

Sasuke Uchiha immediately stood up, ignoring Naruto Uzumaki, and left the ward at top speed.

The nurse didn't even realize what had happened.

"Sasuke!"

Naruto Uzumaki quickly got up and followed.

The two chased each other until they finally stopped in front of the Uchiha clan's encampment.

Uchiha Sasuke looked dazed as he stared at the empty room, which still reeked of blood.

It's real, not a dream.

The Uchiha clan no longer exists.

He was left all alone.

No, there's also Uchiha Itachi.

Suddenly, a tomoe appeared in each of Uchiha Sasuke's eyes, and a chilling aura spread out from them.

"Sasuke, your eyes?"

As soon as Naruto arrived, he saw those eyes that gleamed with a scarlet blood color.

"Shut up!"

Uchiha Sasuke suddenly erupted in emotion.

"Sasuke..."

Naruto stepped forward with a touch of sympathy and said, "I understand how you feel right now, but you..."

"Understand? How do you understand?!"

Sasuke Uchiha instantly stepped forward and locked his neck in a grip. "See that? That's the Sharingan! You'll never be my match again!"

"Sasuke, don't do this."

Naruto Uzumaki looked at his ferocious face and felt a pang of pity.

It has lost all its former vibrancy.

Previously, although Sasuke Uchiha had a cold face, his true emotions could be felt from his eyes and actions.

Now all that remained was gloom and indifference, as if the person exuded a dark and ominous aura.

"Dead, all dead, all dead! They were all killed by my dear brother!"

Sasuke Uchiha grinned and burst into wild laughter, "Hahaha, do you understand? How could you possibly understand?"

He appeared to be insane.

Naruto Uzumaki suddenly broke free of his restraints, punched him in the face, and yelled, "Wake up!"

The battle between the two then began.

Natsume, who was not far away, shook his head.

After awakening the one-tomoe Sharingan, Sasuke Uchiha's strength did indeed increase significantly.

They are comparable to ordinary Chunin.

But would Naruto Uzumaki be afraid of Chunin?

Because of his enormous chakra, and the absence of the Nine-Tails' interference, he learned Wind Release from Seinosuke Sarutobi and trained in taijutsu with Rock Lee and Might Guy, making him extraordinary.

I didn't use my full strength before, but in this situation, I can't subdue Uchiha Sasuke without using it.

The fight lasted for more than ten minutes.

In the end, Sasuke Uchiha was pinned to the ground by Naruto Uzumaki.

Giving up on yourself won't solve the problem.

Sasuke Uchiha's maniacal laughter had long since disappeared, replaced by something extremely complex.

Why couldn't he beat Naruto Uzumaki even after activating the Sharingan?

What's wrong with this guy?

His intense resentment caused the magatama in his eyes to tremble once more.

"Since our enemy is still alive, let's take revenge."

Naruto Uzumaki, who hangs out with Natsume, is more mature than he was in the original work.

There's nothing he can do; even if it's not intentional, his older brother always says strange things.

"You can't even beat me, so how can you waste your time here? Sasuke, come with me to train."

Naruto Uzumaki continued his talk-no-jutsu.

As he was held down, Sasuke Uchiha's blood pressure soared.

The one-comma jade quietly split into two-comma jade.

Both the awakening and advancement of the Sharingan require emotional stimulation.

But emotions come in many forms.

Natsume believed that what Uchiha Sasuke needed was not stimulation from his family, but from his lifelong enemy.

In other words, Naruto Uzumaki.

Their destiny had long surpassed so-called kinship, and it was undoubtedly the most effective.

In the original work, Itachi Uchiha released a huge amount of sea before Sasuke Uchiha awakened his Sharingan.

Is it really that bad to be a reincarnation of Indra's chakra?

Obviously not.

The problem is that we haven't found the right method.

[Because of your actions, Naruto's fate has changed. You have gained 77 Fate Points.]

[Because of your actions, Sasuke Uchiha's fate has changed. You have gained 77 points of Fate Value.]

Is this the bondage of fate?

Natsume watched as the two reconciled, then turned and left.

He activated Sage Mode and reached the outer window of the Hokage's office.

Consider it a rehearsal for the future, to familiarize ourselves with the escape route.

After all, once Tsunade becomes Hokage, he will likely be frequently visiting the Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen, you know me."

Danzo Shimura, leaning on his cane, said with a calm expression, "I would never do anything that would be detrimental to Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed his forehead wearily.

In the past few days, he seemed to have aged more than ten years, and he could clearly feel the signals his body was sending.

It's time for him to retire.

The son and grandson died unexpectedly one after the other.

There are now rumors circulating that the Uchiha clan was wiped out because he wanted revenge, which is why he sent Uchiha Itachi.

Moreover, this claim is quite popular.

Because normal people wouldn't believe that Itachi Uchiha would kill his father and then wipe out his entire clan.

Unless ordered by the Hokage.

As a ninja, I had no choice but to comply.

"Hiruzen, take a few days off. If you keep going like this, your body will break down."

Koharu Utatane glanced at Danzo Shimura and said with concern, "Leave the rest to us."

"Have you found the source of the rumor?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved to her, then looked at the ANBU ninja in front of him.

"We couldn't find it; we need more time."

The ANBU ninja replied, "This person is very clever; he chooses lively places like izakayas to spread his message, involving too many people."

"You should investigate and release the truth as you go, so that the villagers are not completely deceived."

Hiruzen Sarutobi actually suspected Danzo Shimura.

Because not many people can do this.

Or rather, it's impossible for one person to spread so many rumors overnight.

There is a likely force behind this.

For example, the Root or the Ninja Clan.

But he had no evidence.

Moreover, Danzo Shimura was right; he did not do anything detrimental to Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

Physically and mentally exhausted.

He remained silent for a long time before saying, "It is indeed time to find someone to share the burden with me. The Fifth Hokage has been vacant for quite some time."

Upon hearing this, Danzo Shimura almost couldn't contain his joy and burst out laughing.

Koharu and Homura also exchanged glances.

According to normal procedures, the Fifth Hokage should have been elected long ago.

After all, it's been almost four years since the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, died.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage position, he publicly stated that he would temporarily take charge of Konoha until a suitable candidate was found, at which point he would step down.

But this management lasted for four years.

There is no doubt that his mindset has changed.

"Tsunade..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was interrupted as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Hiruzen, this matter should be decided jointly by the higher-ups of Konoha."

Koharu Utatane spoke up promptly, saying, "It would be best to call Jiraiya back again, so everyone can vote for a new Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at her expression; something was wrong.

But her suggestion did meet the requirements.

Normally, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade would first choose a candidate, then let the Jonin vote, and finally announce it to see how the villagers would react.

If it involves the person in question, it will be removed for now.

For example, Orochimaru didn't participate in the discussion for the Fourth Hokage because he was a candidate.

Of course, those who do not participate are considered to have abstained.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha three years ago because of a prophecy, but he couldn't find the mysterious Wood Release master.

Given his personality, he naturally couldn't stand staying in one place for too long, so he eventually went to wander the ninja world to find the prophesied child.

"How about we come up with some candidates first?"

Seeing his silence, Mitokado Homura spoke again, "I propose Jiraiya."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

Jiraiya would be a good choice as Hokage.

He was his first choice from the start.

But this guy is obsessed with prophecies every day, so it's probably going to be difficult for him.

"Tsunade, you should join too."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and said.

"Um."

Tsunade did not refuse.

To be honest, Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite pleasantly surprised by her recent changes.

In the past, Tsunade was incredibly lazy, let alone being Hokage, or even just a ninja.

"And there's me."

Danzo Shimura spoke calmly.

"Why are you getting involved?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag of his cigarette and said, "You're getting old too, why don't you retire like me?"

"I'm still very young."

Danzo Shimura, without changing his expression, countered, "Furthermore, Konoha doesn't have a rule regarding the age of the Hokage."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi twitched the corner of his mouth.

It was as if I was pointing at him and asking, "Have you no shame?"

Suddenly his eyes narrowed slightly.

Something's not right.

Could it be that he, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado have joined forces?

Two votes alone are not enough to secure a decisive victory.

Besides, Danzo Shimura wouldn't be able to pass the Jonin election either.

Compared to Tsunade and Jiraiya, his reputation is far worse.

What exactly makes him so confident?

As Hiruzen Sarutobi was deep in thought, a knock sounded at the door.

An ANBU ninja entered, knelt down, and said, "Lord Hokage, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire has arrived and wishes to see you."

"...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously looked at Danzo Shimura.

He did not invite the daimyo of the Fire Country.

They wouldn't normally come over for a visit.

And it just so happened that it coincided with the time when the new Hokage was being chosen.

The most likely explanation is that Shimura Danzo secretly invited him.

In theory, the appointment of the Hokage is done through the approval of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

He also has the power to make suggestions.

Danzo Shimura kept his eyes down, his nose up, his mouth down, and his mind down, giving off an air of aloofness.

Natsume, who was listening in from the sidelines, couldn't help but sigh.

He underestimated Guo Ying.

However, the outcome is still uncertain.

He possesses the Mangekyou Sharingan, and the arrival of the Fire Country Daimyo is, ironically, a voluntary delivery of food.

In addition, there is Orochimaru.

He currently supports Danzo Shimura, but it's hard to say what will happen in the future.

Of course, Natsume didn't intend for him to support Tsunade, as that would be too obvious, so the best way was to lure him out.

If he doesn't have time to participate, then he will abstain from voting.

In addition, Jiraiya would definitely support Tsunade.

In this way, Danzo Shimura lost his advantage.

Tsunade could use this to become Hokage.

The sixth and seventh updates. Combined into one, 4,000 words. Bonus chapter for 400 monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)