Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

Shisui's lips twitched slightly. Although Orochimaru's words sounded rather sarcastic, he knew Orochimaru's personality.

Orochimaru, the cold-blooded one of the Three Legendary Sannin, doesn't have such low-level perverse tastes; he's simply interested in scientific research and experiments.

But when did Orochimaru join Kirigakure, during the time he was in Hollowfication?

Shisui didn't know, but since Orochimaru was able to appear here, he understood the current identity of this top-tier Konoha rogue ninja.

However, he did not sense any spiritual power from Orochimaru, which suggests that Orochimaru has not yet been recruited into the Seireitei.

“I thought you would miss this grand event.” Tsunade looked at Shisui’s figure, her gaze sweeping over him. “His spiritual power is very stable, but there’s a peculiar, violent, and negative energy in his aura… You must have succeeded by now.”

"Well, it can be considered a success."

Shisui nodded and sat down on a tatami mat in the room.

There's nothing to hide. His Hollowfication isn't a secret among the Shinigami, or rather, Mizuki Yoru never even considered concealing it.

Now that he has returned safely, it naturally means that the etherealization experiment on his body has been successful.

"The fusion of Hollow and Shinigami, wielding the power of Hollows with the body of a Shinigami." Orochimaru licked his lips incessantly. "It's something that's really interesting to think about. And your eyes... Shisui-kun, may I study you?"

He joined the Akatsuki organization because he valued the organization's resources and Nagato's eyes.

Unfortunately, even after joining Kirigakure, he hadn't had many close encounters with Nagato.

In Nagato's words, although everyone is a member of Akatsuki, humans should keep their distance from gods!

"Research……"

Uchiha Shisui's body trembled slightly, then he raised his head to look at Orochimaru, his cold Rinnegan revealing an undisguised chilling killing intent.

Damn it, Uzumaki Yuumi has Minazuki Yoru's backing, and he's also Kirigakure's top researcher and the chief person in charge of soul experiments. Almost all of Kirigakure's Shinigami transformations, including his own, are handled by Uzumaki Yuumi.

She's studying me, and I won't complain. But Orochimaru, you're just a Konoha rogue ninja who hasn't even become a Shinigami yet. What right do you have to study me?!

"Those are truly captivating eyes..."

Shisui's warning look did not frighten Orochimaru; instead, it deepened the curiosity and greed in Orochimaru's eyes.

He could sense the special nature of the Rinnegan in Shisui's eyes. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he even felt that these eyes were far more powerful than the ones in Nagato's eyes.

Is it because after becoming a Shinigami, the power of the soul replaced the chakra?

Orochimaru was filled with curiosity and even wanted to start researching immediately, but fortunately, the importance of his life suppressed his desire for scientific research, and he forced himself to calm down.

Of course, his eyes remained fixed on Uchiha Shisui, never leaving him for a moment.

Orochimaru's glare, as if he wanted to devour him alive, was truly unbearable for Shisui. Suppressing the urge to unleash a torrent of abuse, he looked at Tsunade: "Lady Tsunade, what was the grand event you mentioned earlier...?"

"The Hokage election."

Tsunade said, "The election for the Fifth Hokage, and thanks to you, it's highly likely that your Uchiha clan will be elected."

It's also possible that the Uchiha clan will be elected in the Hokage election.

This sentence seems perfectly fine, and the tone and meaning are very clear, but why does it always sound off when read together?

As for the Uchiha clan being elected... Fugaku clan leader, have you finally taken that step in your heart?

While Fugaku Uchiha was fighting against Kumogaku in Konoha and shining brightly on the battlefield, Shisui had already entered a state of intangibility, so he was unaware of everything happening outside, but he had some premonitions in his heart.

The reason he initially agreed to Mizuki Yoru's request to become intangible was to help Konoha overcome the Kumogakure crisis. Now, it seems that Konoha has not only overcome the crisis, but the outcome has far exceeded his expectations.

Will the Uchiha clan ever be able to rise again?!

"Oh, looks like everyone's here."

With a sudden sound, Mizuki Yoru's figure appeared in front of the four of them in an instant, greeting them with a smile: "It's quite rare for old friends to get together. Even though we're all under the same roof now, this open and aboveboard gathering is no less precious."

"The real show is about to begin! Would you all like some melon seeds, peanuts, and sashimi?"

The four people had different expressions. Tsunade snorted and clapped her hands: "Stop whining and get it clean. As for those things, I already had the elites prepare them!"

"I'm sorry, I'm late." A weak voice came from the doorway. Shizune, carrying a lot of bags, said breathlessly, "I bought Tsunade-sama's favorite tender chicken, sake, and ramen."

Tsunade showed a satisfied expression, Kushina chuckled, took the things from Shizune's hands, and immediately discovered that there were several fish and some fresh fruit inside.

There's even a small oven!

"These are fresh Misty White Pomfret and Mizukuni Big Oilfish; I'm thinking of grilling them. There are also apples and eggs..."

Shisui was taken aback, while Orochimaru snorted and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile.

Who could resist having their favorite food served right when a grand show begins?

Watching Shizune quickly prepare the ingredients, and the others whose emotions were gradually heating up, Mizuki Yoru's expression was quite strange.

Holding a reunion of old friends from Konoha in front of me, the Fourth Mizukage?

This is a gross underestimation of me, the Water Shadow!

"Make way, make way! I still have to enjoy my hot pot while watching the show!"

Under the stunned gazes of the others, Mizuki Yoru waved his hand and pulled out a copper pot, a portion of beef tallow hot pot base, and countless pieces of meat that had already been cut and frozen from the scroll.

These meats are frozen using the power of the Hyōrinmaru at night, absolutely frozen, and will never spoil. Once they are cooked, they are no different from freshly cut meat!

With a gentle activation of chakra, the entire hot pot was immediately put to a boil. Regardless of whether the Konoha election had started or not, let's start by cooking two slices of beef!

"Mmm~ This is the taste~"

After finishing two slices of fatty beef, and feeling the speechless gazes of the people around him, Mizuki Yoru coughed lightly, waved his hand, and a spiritual energy screen immediately appeared in front of him.

He had already planted surveillance bacteria in various locations in Konoha. What was appearing on the screen at this moment was definitely a super-high-definition Blu-ray VVVIP level movie-like effect!

Figures moved within the light screen, and familiar, long-lost faces appeared, causing strange expressions to appear on the faces of the four people present.

Whether in a daze, reminiscing, feeling regret, or feeling helpless.

"Kacha."

That's the crisp sound of Orochimaru biting into an apple.

Night glanced at Orochimaru, the only Konoha rogue ninja among the four present. Orochimaru paused, then reluctantly took an apple from his bag and tossed it to Night.

"...Crunch, hmm, quite sweet."

Ye silently took the apple, took a bite, and then turned her gaze to the light screen.

Several figures had already ascended the high platform of the Hokage Building, where the election of the Fifth Hokage of Konoha Village in the Land of Fire was underway, accompanied by a speech from the Acting Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The curtain opens!

Chapter 186 The Fifth Hokage Election! Is the Uchiha Clan Guaranteed?

The Hokage election is the grandest event in Konoha.

No one expected that in just two years, they would have to choose a completely new Hokage to govern Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing atop the Hokage Building, wore a complex expression.

He doesn't understand.

During these past few days of campaigning, why is the entire village of Konoha discussing what will happen to Konoha after the Uchiha clan comes to power? It's as if the Fifth Hokage is already a sure thing for the Uchiha clan.

Two years ago, during the election for the Fourth Hokage, although he was not the Hokage, the entire election was completely under his control.

The election process and rules, the personnel, and the final results were all completely under his control.

Although there were some minor changes during Minato Namikaze's tenure as the Fourth Hokage, the final selection did not slip out of his control.

That feeling of having absolute power and complete control is still vivid in my mind.

But now?

In just two short years, the entire Hidden Leaf Village underwent a tremendous transformation.

Is the entire Hidden Leaf Village, the ninja village controlled and governed by the First and Second Hokage for decades, really going to become the domain of the Uchiha clan, whom they have been suppressing all along?!

No matter what, I am the Third Hokage, and our Hokage lineage is still the largest force in the entire Hidden Leaf Village!

As long as we work together, even if Danzo comes to power, the final advantage will still be our Hokage lineage!

As time passed, more and more ninjas arrived at the Hokage Building.

Fugaku Uchiha and the others were already seated on the high platform, with Hyuga Hikaru, the head of the Hyuga clan, beside him.

In addition, not far from them were Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and the heads of various clans.

On the other end were the Kirigakure delegation, the nobles, and the television station.

below.

The members of the Konoha Uchiha clan's security force, together with the Anbu, maintained order at the scene, guiding the arriving ninjas to pre-designated areas.

The election method for the Fifth Hokage was the same as that for the Fourth Hokage: all registered ninjas of Konoha voted to demonstrate so-called 'democracy'.

But everyone knew that this selection method was merely the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's hope that his years of control over public opinion among the villagers, as well as his malicious propaganda and suppression of the Uchiha clan, could still have some effect at this moment.

The Fourth Hokage was created using this method, and today he is simply repeating the same trick.

As time passed by, the rising sun unknowingly rose to its zenith, and it was already close to noon.

At a glance, there were crowds of people everywhere; almost all the ninjas from Konoha had arrived.

The situation in Konoha now seems to be even worse than it was two years ago.

Two years is simply not enough time for a newly recruited ninja to grow up.

In addition, Konoha also experienced the Nine-Tails attack and the war with Kumogakure, resulting in the deaths of countless ninjas. Compared to two years ago, Konoha's population and the number of registered ninjas have been greatly reduced.

Many people looked at this familiar scene, but the people next to them were not the same as they were two years ago.

Things have changed, people are gone, and everything is over. Before I can speak, tears flow!

The conference hadn't even started yet, and many people were already engaging in EMO.

Hiruzen Sarutobi checked the time and, feeling it was about time, gestured to the Anbu below while looking at Fugaku Uchiha.

Fugaku Uchiha nodded slightly, and with a glance, the Uchiha guards below began to move, officially closing the entrance to the election venue.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and spoke loudly. Amplified by his chakra, his voice reached everyone's ears.

"Villagers, greetings! I am Hiruzen Sarutobi, the acting Hokage of Konoha, and also the supervisor of today's election. Thank you for coming today. Today, we will once again elect our Fifth Hokage."

“Each of you will have a vote to cast for any one of the eleven: Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Torifu Akimichi…”

"This is your freedom, and it is also your right."

"Two years ago, we held the election for the Fourth Hokage. Two years later, we gather here again. Although things have changed, it's all for Konoha... Now, I declare the Fifth Konoha Hokage Election Tournament officially open!"

As the words fell, the cheers from below were sparse and sporadic.

Compared to the election for the Fourth Hokage two years ago, the number of candidates has decreased from twelve to eleven. The missing person is the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

This scene brought back memories for countless people, reminding them of everything that had happened over the past two years.

For a moment, everyone was overcome with sadness.

Two years ago, they ended World War III, thinking that peace would finally arrive. However, the ensuing chaos and war brought them pain far exceeding that of World War III.

Now that the Hokage election has been held again, what will the future hold?

Can the new Fifth Hokage lead us, and lead Konoha, to true peace?

No one knows.

The lack of response left Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat embarrassed, but he couldn't help but laugh inside.

This is exactly the result he wanted!

Thinking back, they will recall how wonderful, peaceful, and harmonious Konoha was under his rule. As a result, their votes will naturally turn to him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Fugaku Uchiha and let out a soft snort.

Everything is under control!

Fugaku, Fugaku, your Uchiha clan has a long way to go before you think you can take power!

On the high platform of the Hokage Building, there are eleven wooden boxes, each with the name of a candidate written on it.

Each ninja held a ballot, and they only needed to cast it into the box they wanted.

After the election began, the village's ninjas were divided into eleven rows and, guided by the Anbu and the Uchiha Guard, began to vote.

A long line formed in front of Fugaku Uchiha's box, while the other boxes had far fewer people in front of them. Only Danzo Shimura and Torifu Akimichi had any significant numbers of people in front of them.