Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - 3: The Bowing Hokage Advisors

Hokage Office.

Two ANBU stood at the entrance. When they saw Tsunade enter, they said nothing. However, when Hikari tried to follow, they blocked his path immediately.

"By order of the Elders, unauthorized personnel are not permitted inside!"

Hikari took a step back, signaling that he meant no harm.

[Elders... aren't they just those two old dogs, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu!?]

[Damn, I almost forgot about that old schemer, Shimura Danzō. I'll let them have their way for now, but if they dare cross me, I'll make sure to kill them all later.]

Upon hearing Kamizuki Hikari's inner thoughts about killing the Elders, Tsunade's first instinct wasn't to stop him but rather to consider how to minimize the impact of their deaths.

As soon as she entered the Hokage Office, she saw Nara Shikaku reviewing documents. Meanwhile, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu sat there sipping tea, looking extremely pleased with themselves.

'These two geezers probably aren't even Jōnin-level anymore.'

After evaluating their threat level, Tsunade scoffed internally.

These old fossils had the audacity to live off the achievements of her grandfather's student during the wars, monopolizing credit while sitting comfortably. They brought nothing but disgrace to the Senju name.

Suppressing promising young talents, eliminating political rivals—such relics were better off dead.

"You two don't seem too happy to see me back. Now you're even meddling with the Hokage's personal ANBU. If that's the case, why don't you two take the Hokage's seat instead?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged glances before asking, "Where is Jiraiya?"

"Guarding the village gates." Tsunade replied dismissively. "Better to keep him busy than let him sneak off to the bathhouses and embarrass the Sannin any further."

Nara Shikaku raised an eyebrow but continued pretending not to hear anything.

"Someone, go summon Jiraiya! Tsunade, how could you be so reckless? Wasting valuable resources like this—how can we trust you to handle the Hokage's duties alone?"

"Exactly! We had planned to retire, but seeing how things are, it looks like we'll have to assist you for a while longer."

The two shameless Elders played off each other, completely ignoring the growing displeasure on Tsunade's face.

[This is hilarious.]

[These two fossils are good at nothing but internal politics.]

[All they ever did was shift between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō, ensuring their own power remained untouched. And yet, they think they contributed so much to Konoha.]

[To be a good Hokage, you just need to control the hospital, the intelligence division, the jonin corps, and the ANBU. As for the ninja academy, that can wait until you've solidified your power.]

Understanding their motives, Tsunade no longer felt rushed.

Glancing at Nara Shikaku, who remained silent, she knew this was a test for her.

Nara Shikaku wasn't just the leader of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio but also the head of the jonin corps. The jonin were the village's true treasures, the ones with the real power to elect the Hokage.

"Since you two are so familiar with this position, why not choose one of you to become Hokage? You've been Hokage Advisors for so many years; surely the shinobi of Konoha hold you in high regard. Shikaku, begin gathering the Jōnin for an internal vote."

At those words, Nara Shikaku almost burst out laughing.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu immediately turned pale.