"The old man wants me to be this Hokage, who among you agrees? Who opposes?"
Tsunade didn't like beating around the bush, and spoke directly and straightforwardly.
The few people present, upon hearing this, all revealed a look of surprise in their eyes when looking at Tsunade.
Tsunade was too direct.
However, Tsunade becoming Hokage couldn't be more appropriate. In today's Konoha, it would be hard to find someone with both higher prestige and strength than her.
Their visit this time also carried the intention of inviting her to come forward and take charge of the overall situation.
But they still looked at Nara Shikaku, waiting for his response.
Nara Shikaku, as the clan head of the Nara Clan.
He was not famous for the Nara clan's inherited secret techniques, but for his astounding intelligence.
The members of the Nara Clan were generally quite smart, and Nara Shikaku was one of the top among them.
Not only was he the leader of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, but he was also the squad leader of Konoha's jonin squad.
Nara Shikaku, upon hearing this, had already made his decision. He took out the Hokage ceremonial robe that he had long prepared.
"Although this doesn't conform to procedure, due to urgency and special circumstances, Konoha cannot go a day without a Hokage. I ask Lady Tsunade to temporarily assume the position of Hokage. As for the formality of the jonin vote, it can be made up later."
Even if an election or vote were truly to happen, Tsunade becoming Hokage would be a foregone conclusion.
As for the opinion from the Daimyo, tracing back a bit, this could all be considered a family affair.
And upon seeing this scene, not only Tsunade and Aoba, but even the others including Yamanaka Inoichi looked at Nara Shikaku with strange expressions.
Even the Hokage ceremonial robe had been prepared, this was clearly planned.
If Tsunade had not wanted to become Hokage, would they have had to persuade her by saying it was to help her add a layer of clothing?
It really was quite cold these past few days.
Tsunade didn't reject Nara Shikaku's gesture and accepted the Hokage ceremonial robe.
Thanks to Aoba's frequent pillow talk and the progress in curing her hemophobia, she no longer rejected the idea of becoming Hokage.
"How many people know about the old man's death now?"
"At present, only the few of us know. Should we inform the elders?", Nara Shikaku truthfully reported.
Tsunade thought for a moment, "Today is the first day of the New Year. Let everyone have a good New Year. Announce the news in two days. However, the jonin squad and some ninja clans should be informed in advance for work arrangements."
"We should also start preparing for the funeral. The Uchiha deceased also fought side by side with the old man and sacrificed their lives. They are also heroes of Konoha. Their funerals should be prepared together."
The death of Sarutobi Hiruzen was hard to conceal. It was better to make the funeral a grand one to show the village's confidence.
As for the arrangements regarding the Uchiha, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already explained clearly in his letter.
Although the Uchiha clan members who died were preparing to stage a coup, Hiruzen still hoped she would portray them as heroes of Konoha.
This was his promise with Uchiha Itachi.
This wasn't a difficult matter.
Now, those who knew the truth about the coup were basically all dead. Most of the Uchiha internal members were also either unaware or unwilling to participate in the coup.
Even if there were other clever people in the village who guessed the truth, as long as she, the Hokage, defined this incident in official terms, the truth would no longer matter.
"Understood," Nara Shikaku nodded, "Does Lady Tsunade have any other instructions?"
Tsunade thought for a moment, "Send someone to inform Jiraiya and Sarutobi Asuma about the old man's death and summon them back."
"And, when that guy Jiraiya comes back to the village, make sure he enters through the front gate. Don't sneak around like he's got something to hide. Make it high profile."
"As for the remaining matters, I'll arrange them after I've gone to the Hokage building."
"Understood!"
Nara Shikaku and the others left.
———
Tsunade lay back on the sofa and closed her eyes.
Her expression was still a bit dazed, "The old man is really dead, huh…"
Not long ago, she was still cursing that old man, and now he had become a corpse.
'Come to think of it, I haven't even gone to see what he looks like now.'
'But he's just a dead old man, probably not a pleasant sight anyway.'
"Hm?", Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt a pair of small hands pressing gently on her temples.
Tsunade instinctively opened her eyes, and then saw Aoba's gentle eyes filled with concern, "Sensei, I'll always be by your side."
Tsunade's pupils trembled slightly. From this brat, she actually felt a strange sense of comfort.
"Brat, your teacher isn't a child, you know!"
She pulled Aoba back onto the sofa again and then tightly wrapped him in her embrace.
Feeling the pressure on his face, Aoba said half-jokingly, "Sensei, even adults have the right to cry."
"Hmph, I won't cry… For now, just be my hugging pillow and behave."
"..."
Sitting to the side, Shizune silently watched this scene unfold.
She felt like she was being ignored. Like air.
'In this house, do I really have no place anymore?'
Shizune didn't disturb the two. She hugged Tonton and headed toward the kitchen.
———
[At the Dining Table]
The atmosphere was a bit heavy.
Tsunade suddenly said in a solemn tone, "Shizune, in a bit go to the Uchiha…"
Halfway through speaking, Tsunade changed her mind, "Forget it, I'll go myself."
At this time, Uchiha Mikoto and the other Uchiha clan members probably still didn't know what had happened.
Last night the entire village was celebrating the New Year, and the Uchiha were too.
They were probably still sleeping now.
And most of the Uchiha who died last night were members of the Police Force.
Now that the Police Force was severely understaffed, it needed to be replenished promptly.
She originally wanted to let Shizune go notify them, but after thinking it over, this was such an important matter, it was better for her to go personally.
"Sensei, are you going to notify Aunt Mikoto?", Aoba asked.
Tsunade nodded.
"Then can I go with you?"
"Sure," Tsunade thought briefly and agreed.
Aoba had a good relationship with Sasuke. It was said that the kid admired his older brother a lot. If his emotions collapsed later, he might be able to comfort him a bit.
Seeing Tsunade suddenly become serious, Aoba's expression turned slightly odd.
"Brat, what kind of look is that?", Tsunade asked unhappily.
Aoba smiled, "I just feel that the teacher who used to resist becoming Hokage so much is completely different from the one now."
"Hmph!", Tsunade glared at him, "And who was that brat who kept chirping 'Hokage this, Hokage that' in my ear every day?"
"Besides, since I accepted that robe, I must carry the responsibility of being Hokage."
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y