Faced with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's unyielding, aggressive attitude—the look of people determined to camp in her office through New Year's if she did not settle this today—Tsunade remained perfectly relaxed.
"Both advisors, I'm sorry, but I can't give you any answer regarding this matter!" Tsunade said calmly.
"What are you saying, Fifth?" Mitokado Homura said darkly. "As Hokage, do you only know how to shield the Uchiha?"
Tsunade snorted. "You've misunderstood what I meant."
"Fifth, what exactly are you thinking?" Utatane Koharu asked with a frown.
"I know you're very dissatisfied with me. Since that's the case, I'll step down as Hokage as soon as possible!" Tsunade said, enunciating every word.
"What did you say?! Don't joke around, Tsunade! Is being Hokage something you can take up whenever you want, then simply walk away from whenever you don't?" Mitokado Homura was so furious his wounds nearly flared up.
"Don't worry. Once I step down, someone will naturally take over as Hokage." Tsunade crossed her arms, smiling brightly.
"To become Hokage, one must first be recommended and selected by all sides, then receive the Daimyo's approval, and finally undergo a vote of confidence from the village's Jonin. Fifth, you..."
Before Mitokado Homura could finish, Tsunade cut him off.
"There's no need for all that trouble. He has been Hokage before, after all, so there's no need for recommendations or selections, much less any vote of confidence. Just inform the Daimyo, and he can assume the position directly!"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked at each other.
At the same time, they recalled the "absurd rumors" they had heard before entering the Hokage Building—that Minato Namikaze had returned to the village—and could not help laughing in anger.
"Fifth, do you even know what you're saying? Do you really think the