The Three Hokages (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Senju Tobirama snorted coldly and turned his head away, refusing to acknowledge Yan's words.

Though he did not quite understand the way his brother's mind worked either, there was no way he would agree with some evil Uchiha brat.

Sarutobi Hiruzen likewise opposed the idea.

"Yan, that idea is too extreme. We should not toy with the souls of the dead."

"Then what are you doing right now?" Yan retorted, his gaze sweeping over Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama in the room.

As soon as those words fell, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression stiffened, and he stammered.

"I... I'm leaving Konoha a trump card. I've never forced the First Hokage or my teacher to do anything."

"You couldn't force them even if you wanted to." Yan shot him a sidelong glance, mercilessly exposing the flaw in the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu as it currently stood.

"This jutsu was nothing but theory at first. For you to have partially perfected it within a year, you must have gone to Orochimaru!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned upon hearing that. He had not expected Yan to know anything about the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

But he was unwilling to admit Yan was right!

"I merely handed the research on this jutsu over to Danzo. He said he had some knowledge of it and could perfect it."

"As for Orochimaru..."

Before he could finish, Yan cut him off directly.

"Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"Or are you putting on an innocent little rabbit act in front of me because the Senju brothers are here?"

Having been exposed, Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer keep up the act.

He certainly bore much of the responsibility for Konoha's current lack of successors.

Senju Hashirama was one thing, but his teacher, Senju Tobirama, was not so easily fooled.

Thus, ever since summoning the two brothers, he had tried not to draw attention to himself if possible, to speak as little as possible, and even when he did speak, to say only pleasant things.

He was terrified of drawing his teacher's attention!

At that moment, Senju Hashirama unexpectedly agreed with Sarutobi Hiruzen, saying, "Hiruzen is right. We should not toy with the souls of the dead."

"Once this matter is over, Tobirama and I will return to the Pure Land and no longer interfere with the living world."

"Big Brother!" Senju Tobirama was momentarily speechless.

Honestly, he had finally returned to the Ninja World, only to find Konoha facing such a thorny situation.

If possible, he truly did not want to go back.

Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer counted as a qualified Hokage in his eyes!

But he did not want to argue right now either, because he knew it would be useless. He might as well turn his attention to Sarutobi Hiruzen instead.

After all, Hiruzen was the caster. Who returned and who did not was entirely up to him!

At that thought, a smile curled across Senju Tobirama's lips as he changed the subject.

"Let's talk about the Uchiha Clan first!"

As those words fell, the atmosphere in the city immediately grew heavy.

Among those present were three Hokage and one Uchiha. The complicated relationship between them was something they could not avoid forever.

"Hokage!" Yan spoke first. "If you want my Uchiha Clan to truly integrate into Konoha, then one of our clan must become Hokage."

"I believe the Second Hokage understands this principle very well, doesn't he?"

Everyone turned their gazes toward Senju Tobirama.

Senju Tobirama pondered for a moment, then finally nodded helplessly beneath Senju Hashirama's gaze.

"That is true! The Uchiha Clan has remained outside Konoha's political center for too long. If they are to truly integrate into Konoha, becoming Hokage is the only way."

"Then just let them produce a Hokage!" Senju Hashirama clapped his hands, his face full of excitement, his eyes clear yet carrying a trace of foolishness.

Senju Tobirama sighed softly. "Big Brother, it's not as easy as you think!"

"The Hokage faction has developed to this point and now holds most of Konoha's interests. Many Ninja Clans below us depend on us for their livelihood."

"Now, if we bring in the massive Uchiha Clan, and they immediately take the Hokage position, it will inevitably squeeze out the room many Ninja Clans have to survive."

"Those Ninja Clans may not dare cause trouble, but what if they outwardly obey your orders while secretly defying them?"

"At that point, the Hokage will no longer be a Hokage, and the village will no longer be a village. Another upheaval might break out."

"..."

Senju Hashirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen both developed a headache after hearing this.

That really was a problem!

"Pfft!"

Just as everyone in the room sighed in dismay, Yan suddenly snickered.

"Senju Tobirama, that's actually quite an idea you've got there."

"So the Third's indecisiveness and habit of looking before he leaped came from you!"

"Oh?" Senju Tobirama seemed somewhat unconvinced and retorted.

"What brilliant insight do you have, then?"

"Don't tell me it's that killing routine again!"

Yan shook his head. "Of course not!"

"Though you had great resolve and founded the Ninja Academy, allowing civilian ninjas to step onto the stage of history, your vision was ultimately still limited by the times."

"If the benefits are limited, then why not expand the pie?"

"Expand it?" Senju Tobirama frowned.

After thinking for a long while, he seemed to have realized something. Turning to Sarutobi Hiruzen, he asked.

"Monkey, I haven't been out long. Tell me in detail about the policies of the Uchiha Special Zone."

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not dare say anything unnecessary and hurriedly explained the parts he knew.

Senju Tobirama nodded and shook his head as he listened, occasionally tapping the table with his fingers as though weighing something.

Separating ninjas from schools, publishing Weekly News that analyzed politics, establishing the Ninjutsu Research Institute, making chakra extraction techniques and a large number of basic ninjutsu public...

"Good kid. This guy really has done quite a few major things!"

For the first time, appreciation appeared in Senju Tobirama's gaze as he looked at Yan.

"For the Uchiha Clan to produce someone like you—someone who isn't ruled by emotions and actually understands politics—is truly rare. Your ancestors must have burned some serious incense."

"Back then, I wouldn't have dared to openly establish something like the Ninjutsu Research Institute or make ninjutsu public."

But it was impossible for him to yield to Yan, so he explained.

"Of course, that also had something to do with the outbreak of the ninja wars."

"Still, you do indeed have the qualifications to become Hokage."

Yan's mouth twitched. "Do I need your approval to become Hokage?"

"Enough nonsense. I'm only giving you two choices."

"First, I become Hokage!"

"Second, the Special Zone becomes independent!"

"Choose one!"

"..."

The expressions of the three people in the room changed drastically.

Senju Tobirama immediately objected. "The Special Zone becoming independent is impossible!"

"That's right!" Senju Hashirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed. "Konoha cannot split apart."

"Then it's Hokage!" Yan said bluntly, refusing to give them time to think.

Senju Tobirama frowned deeply, actually considering the matter seriously.

"Hokage... it's not impossible, but I have one condition!"

"Say it!"

"First..." Senju Tobirama raised one finger. "You cannot succeed as Hokage right now. At least wait one or two years, until the effects of the Nine-Tails Rebellion have died down."

"During that time, Konoha's public opinion apparatus will fully cooperate with the Uchiha Clan's actions and clear your name."

"Then we'll need a scapegoat," Yan added.

Without hesitation, Senju Tobirama named someone.

"Danzo!"

"Let him take the blame. He's used to it anyway!"