Tsunade felt a pang of confusion. "What exactly is going on?"
"What do you mean by joining the Military Police Force? Haven't the Uchiha always controlled it? It's their lifeblood; why would they ever let anyone else in? Are they just recruiting subordinates?"
Faced with Tsunade's questions, the gate-guard Jonin spoke slowly.
"They aren't being recruited as subordinates. The Uchiha Clan divided the village into three major sectors. One of the other two sectors is managed by the Ino-Shika-Cho and Inuzuka Clan, and the other is managed by the Hyuga Clan."
"Those people simply couldn't resist the temptation of power, so they chose to join."
Tsunade was genuinely surprised. The Uchiha had actually relinquished their exclusive authority.
It wasn't about recruiting underlings.
To have the courage to give up such power was a complete departure from their usual style.
'This strategy of winning over five clans is indeed brilliant... and their ambitions must be equally grand.'
The Uchiha had truly changed a lot.
The gate-guard Jonin looked at Tsunade, a plan forming in his mind.
Rather than letting the Uchiha get their way and rise to the top, it would be better to have Tsunade take that seat.
With the prestige and fame of the Senju Clan, Tsunade could certainly contend with the Uchiha.
One had to remember that the Senju Clan was once the premier clan of Konoha, even more popular than the Uchiha.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had both died fighting for the village.
Although the village was co-founded by the Senju and Uchiha, the Uchiha were the defeated party back then.
At that thought, he made a decisive suggestion.
"Lady Tsunade, did you return to the village to run for the position of Fifth Hokage? Perhaps only you can stand against the Uchiha Clan."
Tsunade was startled. The Fifth Hokage?
She had never even considered running for that.
"I did not."
The guard grew anxious. Now that he saw a glimmer of hope, how could he let it fade?
"Lady Tsunade, it would be no good for the village to be governed by the Uchiha. On the contrary, you leading the Leaf Village would be far more convincing. Just like the First and Second Hokages, you could lead the village toward peace and stable development."
Tsunade understood then. It seemed not everyone was siding with the Uchiha.
She felt a small sense of comfort knowing that even though the Senju Clan had declined, there were still people in the village who held firm to their legacy.
But clearly, now was not the time to discuss such things.
"Let's not talk about this for now. I'm going to pay my respects to the Third Hokage first."
"Shizune, let's go."
With that, she departed with Shizune. They would drop their belongings at the clan grounds before heading to the cemetery to visit her teacher.
The gate-guard Jonin watched Tsunade's retreating figure, his mind racing with ulterior motives.
Even though the Third Hokage had committed suicide out of guilt, he had essentially been driven to it by the Uchiha.
He couldn't let the Uchiha ascend to power so easily.
Though the Third Hokage had done those things, there were still many in the village who did not want the Uchiha to take over.
To them, Tsunade was undoubtedly the better choice and would be more popular. He felt it was necessary to inform these people.
After instructing the other ninja to stay alert and keep watch, he set off alone to visit those who opposed the Uchiha's rise.
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Shizune returned to their clan grounds to put away their things.
Then, they arrived at the cemetery.
Looking at the headstone inscribed with the Third Hokage's name, Tsunade felt a wave of emotion.
'Things have truly changed. I never expected my teacher to die like this, with his reputation in tatters.'
To be cornered by the Uchiha to such an extent was truly tragic.
After paying respects to the Third Hokage, she went to visit her grandfathers, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
Tobirama had died in the Land of Lightning, and his body had never even been recovered.
As time passed and the world changed, the Senju Clan had dwindled.
She had no intention of rebuilding the Senju Clan or summoning her kinsmen.
The clan members all had their own peaceful lives; there was no need to disturb them. Being a ninja was not exactly a great path anyway.
Living as an ordinary person meant staying out of the conflicts of the shinobi world.
Besides, she had no desire to be the Clan Head. That role was not an easy one to fill.
After finishing her visit, she returned to the Senju grounds.
However, she found a group of people waiting at the main gate.
They were all familiar old faces. She asked, "Why are you all here?"
A dozen or so clan heads looked at Tsunade, their hearts racing with excitement. Tsunade had truly returned.
"Since Lady Tsunade has returned, we naturally came to pay our respects."
Tsunade was skeptical. Having so many people visit the moment she got back? Was her popularity really that high? She spoke bluntly.
"Just say it. Don't beat around the bush. What are you here for?"
One of them stopped mincing words and said directly, "A clan-head level meeting is scheduled in four days to nominate candidates for the Fifth Hokage. We wish to nominate you, Lady Tsunade."
"That's right. Given your prestige and contributions, you are the one who should become the next Hokage."
Standing beside her, Shizune was dumbfounded, unable to believe her ears.
'Are you joking? Lady Tsunade as the Hokage? You people really have some imagination.'
As Tsunade's subordinate and attendant, she knew Tsunade better than anyone—she had a terrible gambling habit and an even worse temper.
Was the Leaf Village really going to have a gambler for a Hokage?
Tsunade was also quite surprised.
"You're actually recommending me?"
A clan head immediately replied, "Yes, Lady Tsunade. This is the result of our careful deliberation. You are the best candidate for the position."