Before he could finish, Aoyama Ryuyun waved him off again.
"No time, no time. The Iwagakure front is too busy. No time!"
"…"
Watching Aoyama Ryuyun recline lazily in his office chair while the entire Konoha camp radiated calm and order, the messenger's lips twitched.
'Busy? You're calling this busy? At least make a better excuse if you're going to brush me off!'
"Go tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that in another year, I'll definitely come to support him."
"…"
It was the same line, for the third time.
These Sarutobi clan ninja had heard it twice before — and each time, nothing had changed.
'As expected… it failed again.'
Aoyama Ryuyun's response made them exchange helpless looks.
None of them had expected him to come anyway.
They shrugged and glanced at one another before bowing deeply.
"Lord Liu Yun, we'll take our leave now!"
"Get lost."
"…"
After the group left, Hyuga Hiashi, deputy commander of the Konoha camp, finally had a chance to speak.
"Lord Liu Yun, by doing this… isn't it perhaps… not very appropriate?"
He trailed off, unwilling to say more out of concern for offending him.
"These ninja are, after all, from the Sarutobi clan."
"Hmph." Aoyama Ryuyun scoffed. "Do you really think the Sarutobi clan will still exist in Konoha after Tsunade becomes Hokage?"
"Uh!"
That was the first time Hiashi had ever heard Aoyama Ryuyun make such a bold statement.
---
'Tsunade becoming Hokage?'
Understanding dawned in Hiashi's eyes.
So this was Aoyama Ryuyun's plan — to support Senju Tsunade, the Slug Princess, in becoming the next Hokage.
It made perfect sense.
Hiashi had long heard rumors that Aoyama Ryuyun and Tsunade were close — more than just comrades-in-arms.
Helping her seize the Hokage position was only natural.
But if Ryuyun was telling him this personally…
Was he hinting that the Hyuga clan should take a stance?
Hiashi's thoughts raced.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was old, and his leadership throughout this war had been increasingly questionable.
Even if he wanted to cling to the Hokage seat, he likely couldn't hold it much longer.
Meanwhile, Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage, had unmatched lineage, fame as one of the Sannin, and strength to back it up.
With Aoyama Ryuyun's influence and support, her ascension would be almost guaranteed.
Realizing this, Hiashi immediately adjusted his position.
"To be honest," he said firmly, "I've long been dissatisfied with the Sarutobi clan. Relying solely on Hiruzen's name, they've grown far too arrogant — as if they're the only clan that matters!"
"…"
Aoyama Ryuyun raised an eyebrow. The change in attitude was so sudden it almost made him laugh.
But Hiashi pressed on, his tone sincere and calculated.
"It is the will of the people for Lady Tsunade to become Hokage. My Hyuga clan is willing to assist in her succession and support her as the Fourth Hokage."
There it was — a declaration of allegiance.
A stance, publicly and politically, that mattered deeply to an ancient bloodline clan like the Hyuga.
"Not bad," Aoyama Ryuyun said, nodding in satisfaction.
"This Hyuga Hiashi is quite reasonable."
Seeing that approving smile, Hiashi exhaled in relief.
He believed that once Tsunade ascended, the Hyuga clan's position in Konoha would be secure — even if it didn't rise higher, it wouldn't decline either.
That was all he wanted.
"But Lord Liu Yun," Hiashi hesitated, "are you truly going to abandon the Hidden Mist front?"
He couldn't help but ask — if Konoha lost to Kirigakure, the entire village would pay the price.
"Of course not," Aoyama Ryuyun replied decisively.
"Konoha will eventually be mine. How could I let it suffer?"
"Once Hiruzen Sarutobi dies in battle, I'll go help."
"Uh…"
Hiashi blinked.
'Then you might as well say nothing at all…'
But seeing that Ryuyun was serious, he wisely decided not to argue.
"Understood," he said quietly, bowing. "I'll follow your command."
---
Meanwhile, on the Hidden Mist battlefield, inside Konoha's war camp—
"Did it fail again?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked coldly, his face unreadable as he held his pipe.
The Sarutobi clan ninja before him exchanged uneasy looks, then nodded.
"Did he say anything?"
"Uh… Lord Liu Yun said he still needs another year."
"…"
Hiruzen's hand froze mid-air.
"A year, is it? I don't believe that for a second."
The first time, it was a year.
The second time, half a year.
And now — a year again.
He understood perfectly well:
As long as he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was still alive and in command, Aoyama Ryuyun would never come to his aid.
"Bang!"
The pipe hit the table hard.
Despite having told himself he wouldn't lose his temper this time, he couldn't hold back the fury rising within him.
"Hokage-sama!"
The surrounding ninja dropped to one knee in shock.
After a long silence, Hiruzen let out a tired sigh and finally spoke.
"Go back and persuade Aoyama Ryuyun again. Tell him this—"
"I will abdicate my command. Everything on this front will be handed over to him."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"As for the Hokage position — after the war ends, that will depend on his own ability."
He could no longer continue as Hokage.
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