Inside the council chamber, silence lingered like a heavy mist. The various clan heads shifted in their seats, trading subtle glances with one another. The atmosphere carried a sense of inevitability.
Everyone could see it clearly—apart from Tsunade, there really wasn't anyone left who could stand as a proper candidate.
Some clan heads did possess ability, sure. A handful had decent combat experience or influence. But when compared to Tsunade or the Uchiha clan? The difference was like a candle against the sun. Whether it was strength, lineage, prestige, or overall qualifications, there was simply no comparison.
Originally, some leaders had been quietly waiting for the Uchiha to press forward, believing they would nominate one of their own for the Fifth Hokage position. The Uchiha's rise in recent months had been overwhelming, a tide that seemed almost unstoppable. Many expected them to push Fugaku or even their younger powerhouse, Ryosuke, into contention.
Beeut then came the shocker.
The Uchiha simply… withdrew. They announced they would not put forward a candidate at all.
That revelation had rippled through the room.
Those who were aligned with the Uchiha—or at least sympathetic—could only sigh in resignation. They couldn't force the clan into competing. Pressuring the Uchiha was akin to playing with fire; none of them had that kind of authority or courage. So if the Uchiha decided to bow out? Well… so be it.
Nara Shikaku leaned forward slightly, eyes sweeping across the hushed chamber. His sharp mind immediately understood what the silence meant. No one else could match Tsunade's qualifications, and no one dared challenge her now that the Uchiha had pulled back.
Even he, despite being one of the most brilliant tacticians in Konoha, knew he couldn't hold a candle to Tsunade in terms of strength, reputation, or heritage. She was Senju, granddaughter of the First Hokage. She had the skill of a Sannin and the lineage to back it. The clan heads would never pick him over her.
So, Shikaku spoke the words that would seal the matter.
"Since no one else has presented a candidate," he said calmly, "then the sole candidate left is Lady Tsunade. By consensus, she will be our Fifth Hokage. I will personally have this news delivered to the Fire Daimyo. Once he grants approval, Tsunade-sama will officially take office. Does anyone here still have objections?"
The room remained still. The silence was its own answer.
No objections. No dissent.
It wasn't that the clan heads were entirely satisfied, but rather… they were stunned. The Uchiha clan not competing for Hokage? That in itself defied everything they'd expected. The proudest, strongest clan in Konoha, refusing the seat of power? It was almost unthinkable.
Beeut facts were facts.
The Uchiha did what they wanted. If they wanted to walk away, no one could stop them.
The meeting ended shortly after, the outcome sealed. Word spread like wildfire through the village:
Tsunade Senju was to become the Fifth Hokage.
When the announcement reached the streets, the villagers' reaction was immediate.
"What? Lady Tsunade is going to be Hokage?"
"Didn't the Uchiha seem ready to seize power recently? How did they just… disappear from the running?"
"This is unbelievable…"
The shock turned quickly into gossip.
On one hand, people were not displeased. Tsunade was widely respected as one of the Sannin, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and a legendary medic-nin. Her qualifications weren't in question. If anything, she seemed like the safest choice.
But the real surprise was the absence of the Uchiha.
In the recent months, the clan had made waves—showing immense power, producing geniuses, and even challenging the traditional order of the village. Many had believed they were poised to push one of their own into the Hokage's chair. For them to bow out now… it simply didn't add up.
Still, most villagers shrugged it off.
"The Hokage's politics aren't for us to decide," said one shopkeeper. "As long as the one in charge keeps the village safe, that's all we care about."
"Lady Tsunade will lead us well," another villager agreed. "I believe she can make Konoha prosperous again."
And just like that, after a flurry of chatter, the news settled into the rhythm of daily life. For the common folk, the struggle for Hokage was far removed from their concerns. Survival and peace mattered more.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Tsunade sat alone in the chair that had once belonged to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
For a long moment, she simply looked around, letting the weight of the room settle onto her shoulders. Memories of the old man surfaced—his stubbornness, his compromises, his failures. She had never wanted this chair. To her, the Hokage's position had always seemed like an endless burden. A mess of politics, bureaucracy, and expectations.
Yet here she was.
The world was changing, the Uchiha growing stronger by the day, and whispers of the Ten-Tails and greater disasters lurked on the horizon. Someone had to step up. As a Senju, as Hashirama's heir, it was her responsibility.
She clenched her fists slightly. If I've taken this seat, I'll give it everything. Even if it kills me.
At that moment, the office door creaked open. Nara Shikaku entered, wearing his usual calm but carrying a small smile.
"Congratulations, Tsunade-sama," he said warmly. "The Fifth Hokage of Konoha… you wear it well. You even look happier. Did something good happen?"
Tsunade almost choked. Her face warmer? Happier? Damn it. That must have been Ryosuke's fault. Just the memory of the night before left her heart beating faster. That brat… he's dangerous in more ways than one.
Out loud, she forced a casual laugh. "Maybe it's just being back in the village. The air here suits me better."
Shikaku raised an eyebrow. He didn't buy it. Tsunade wasn't the type to be cheered up just by breathing Konoha's air. But he let it slide. What truly concerned him was something else entirely.
"Tell me, Tsunade-sama… do you know why the Uchiha clan gave up their claim to the Hokage position? They've always been proud, always ambitious. Why now?"
The question lingered in the room.
Everyone knew the Uchiha were the proudest of clans. Their pride demanded recognition, power, and prestige. It was practically unthinkable for them to abandon the Hokage race. If they had backed down, there had to be a reason. And the only clan with the leverage to pull that off… was the Senju.
Shikaku's sharp mind naturally suspected some kind of deal. Perhaps Tsunade had struck a bargain with them, offering something in exchange.
But Tsunade merely crossed her arms, her face cool. "Who knows? Maybe they just decided they weren't interested anymore."
She had no intention of revealing the truth. That she had personally bargained with Uchiha Ryosuke, offering herself in exchange for peace. That their clan rivalry had been buried in such an unconventional way.
Outwardly, she maintained her composure. But inwardly, Tsunade almost laughed. She'd gone into that arrangement expecting to sacrifice herself for the village. Yet the reality was… not so bad. Quite the opposite. She almost felt… satisfied. Except for poor Shizune, who had been dragged into this storm unwillingly. That part still weighed on her.
Shikaku studied her, but he wasn't going to push. He was clever enough to know when not to dig. Instead, he changed tack.
"Well then, Tsunade-sama. Since you're new in this role, the village will need stability. The advisors of the previous era have passed, or… lost their influence. I propose we rebuild the council with fresh leadership. If you'll allow it, I would be honored to serve as Konoha's new chief advisor."
Tsunade tilted her head, then smiled faintly. "You read my mind. I was about to ask you the same. Would you be willing to serve?"
Of course Shikaku agreed. For him, it was not just duty but necessity. The village needed guidance, especially with the changing dynamics. Under Hiruzen, the village leadership had branded the Uchiha as traitors, forcing them into a corner. That mistake had nearly doomed Konoha.
But now, the truth was plain: the Uchiha had no intention of rebellion. With their overwhelming strength, they didn't need to rebel. They could dictate terms openly. That meant they could become Konoha's anchor, not its enemy.
If managed properly, the Uchiha could stabilize the entire shinobi world.
And with Tsunade as Hokage and Shikaku as her strategist, perhaps Konoha truly had a chance to navigate this dangerous new era.
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