Tsunade already understood Aoyama Ryuun's plan. She had no doubts that it would succeed. Yet even with that confidence, her heart couldn't help but race slightly. How could Ryuun remain so calm, so collected, when the stakes were so high? It was almost infuriating.
Kurenai, sensing the tension, tilted her head slightly. "What exactly are you two discussing?" she asked, her voice quiet but curious.
Yugito, who had also come to enjoy the barbecue, tilted her head and blinked in confusion. "I… I don't understand. What are you all talking about? It sounds so complicated."
Tsunade's eyes immediately shot daggers at her. "Shut up!" she snapped, exasperated.
Yugito, undeterred, smirked. "How can you be so shameless? Who invited you over just to mooch a meal?"
Tsunade went speechless. Seriously—was this person some kind of persistent spirit? Someone who refused to leave?
"Tch! Who cares about you? We're here to see Lord Liuyun!" Yugito rolled her eyes at Tsunade, clearly unimpressed. She then turned her attention toward Aoyama Ryuun, smiling faintly. When she glanced back at Tsunade, her expression was neutral, unreadable.
"What the hell is it to you!" Tsunade retorted sharply.
"I—" someone began, but the word caught in their throat. If it weren't for the importance of the day, Tsunade would have already acted physically.
But these past few days had been a silent war between her and Yugito. They had already clashed, verbally sparred, and neither had yet made a decisive move. Yugito's current composure was no accident; she had come to understand Tsunade's temperament very well. Normally, Tsunade would not be able to restrain her words. Clearly, whatever Aoyama Ryuun had discussed earlier was serious enough to demand her silence.
Curious, Yugito leaned casually against the edge of the table where Aoyama Ryuun sat, her movements elegant and feline. "Liuyun-jun, just tell them already!" she said, tilting her head with genuine curiosity.
"Huh!" Tsunade shot Yugito a look of complete disgust. Even Kurenai, quietly observing, glanced at Tsunade with mild curiosity.
"There's nothing to hide," Aoyama Ryuun said with a calm smile, waving his hand casually. "After today, the entire ninja world will probably know anyway. No need to be secretive."
Then, with an almost casual air, he continued, "I intend to make Tsunade Hokage."
"Huh? But… the current Third Hokage is still—" Yugito's eyes widened in shock. She had been stunned, unable to fully process the statement. How could Tsunade ascend to Hokage when Hiruzen Sarutobi had neither abdicated nor passed away?
Halfway through, the realization hit her. Hiruzen Sarutobi's inaction, his reluctance to move decisively, was facilitating the change. And if push came to shove, he could even be removed by force. The depth of Aoyama Ryuun's plan became terrifyingly clear.
---
With Aoyama Ryuun's strength, powerful enough to crush even the Hidden Cloud Village if he chose, Yugito understood completely. If he acted decisively, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have no chance. The sheer magnitude of this power, combined with Ryuun's strategy, made Tsunade's rise inevitable.
A wave of envy washed over Yugito. Tsunade had earned the attention and protection of one of the strongest men in the ninja world, a man whose strength alone could shape the political and military balance of the entire ninja world. It was enough to make anyone feel powerless in comparison.
"Just be envious," Tsunade said, lifting an eyebrow smugly as she noticed Yugito's gaze lingering on her.
Yugito rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, her voice grew serious. "Don't worry, Liuyun-jun. I won't tell anyone about this."
The trust implicit in those words was clear. Aoyama Ryuun had entrusted her with his secret, and Yugito would never betray him. Yet, in Tsunade's mind, this seemed like a setup. She knew Yugito was far too clever to simply allow herself to be trusted so easily. But Qingshan Liuyun remained calm, his expression unreadable, as though he had already anticipated every possibility.
---
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were there with Hiruzen Sarutobi, discussing the delicate matters of post-war reparations with Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure. The war was over, yet the weight of diplomacy remained heavy.
A knock interrupted the conversation.
"Enter," Hiruzen called, his tone polite but curious.
The visitor was Nara Shikaku. Initially, Hiruzen's mood brightened. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio had always been loyal to the Hokage faction, and he trusted them implicitly.
However, as Shikaku entered, the scope of his arrival became apparent. Behind him came representatives of the Inuzuka, Aburame, and Gekko clans. Even more startling, the heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans were present. Hiruzen's smile froze.
What was the meaning of this? Why were so many clan leaders here today?
A sense of foreboding crept into his chest. Koharu and Homura, recognizing the significance of the situation, instinctively took a few steps back, moving toward the wall. Normally arrogant, the two elders knew that this assembly was extraordinary. The current gathering—comprising all the major clan leaders of Konoha—was something even the Hokage himself could not dismiss lightly.
"What exactly is going on?" Hiruzen asked, his voice tight with concern.
Nara Shikaku, at the head of the group, formed his hand seals and fixed his gaze firmly on Hiruzen Sarutobi, a silent declaration that the balance of power in the office had shifted dramatically.
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