You Come, I Go

"Nani? You want me to become a Hokage candidate?"

Obito nearly spat out the food in his mouth.

Once the Hokage had made up his mind, he sought out Tsunade. Tsunade had effectively become the bridge between the Konoha high command and Obito; on one side was her young boyfriend, and on the other, the village. Tsunade was more than willing to act as a conduit for communication between the two.

When Tsunade first heard the news, her reaction was much like Obito's. After confirming repeatedly that Sarutobi hadn't been manipulated by a Sharingan, wasn't being threatened by Obito, and hadn't developed senile dementia, she returned home to relay the news to him.

Obito swallowed the food in his mouth and took a sip of water to wash it down.

He began to ponder why Sarutobi would do this. What benefit could this possibly bring to Sarutobi or Konoha? Analyzing the positions and capabilities of both sides, Obito couldn't help but admire the wisdom of the Hokage. It seemed as though Obito was getting the better end of the deal, fulfilling the long-held dream of the Uchiha clan in one stroke. He was certain this news had already spread throughout the Uchiha, and if he refused now, many clansmen would surely misunderstand or grow dissatisfied, effectively driving a wedge between him and his kin.

If he accepted, Obito would have no excuse to take actions harmful to the village, and he would be expected to secure benefits for it! Otherwise, the villagers would grow resentful, effectively driving a wedge between the village and him.

And all of this was just a hollow promise of being a "candidate."

A naked, daylight conspiracy! Sarutobi had correctly gauged that he wouldn't defect from the village. Now it was just a matter of seeing how Uchiha Obito would handle the move!

Ginger really is spicier when it's old, but there's also a saying about trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice. I am not Sakumo!

If he were to become Hokage... the benefits to his own plans would be immense. First, it would be much easier to promote reforms; Obito had learned deeply while on Earth the advantages of having official backing. While this candidacy wasn't the same as being Hokage, if managed well, it could still be leveraged for significant support.

Setting aside emotions and looking only at the benefits, Obito felt he should accept. With the emotional factor added in, he had even less reason to refuse.

However, how to accept was another matter entirely. As the saying goes, the crying child gets the milk.

"Tsunade, do you want me to be this candidate?" Obito asked.

Tsunade had been secretly watching Obito's reaction. Hearing this, she set down what she was holding, placed her hands on the table, and said, "Of course. You're asking me something you already know the answer to."

"Sarutobi has given me a difficult problem. Whether I agree or not, he achieves his goal. This teacher of yours..." Obito sighed.

"Sarutobi-sensei..."

"I accept. After all, this is something my dear Tsunade-sister wants!" Obito said, looking at Tsunade.

"So cool!!!" Tsunade's pretty face turned pink and then red, visible to the naked eye... her delicate ears burned as if they were on fire. The feelings in her heart for Obito overflowed.

Tsunade shifted uncomfortably, adjusting her sitting posture.

"Then should I give Sarutobi-sensei your reply?" Tsunade leaned forward and whispered.

"I want to meet with the Hokage. Is that possible?" Obito said.

"Fine, I'll go tell Sarutobi-sensei in a moment. Hurry up and eat; I want you to feed me~" Tsunade said in a sugary voice.

"Then sit over here, and I'll feed you." Obito patted his thigh.

"Hmph~ You have ulterior motives..."

Tsunade perfectly illustrated the meaning of being hypocritical. No sooner had the words left her lips than she stood up and sat over...

The affectionate dinner lasted for over an hour. After finishing, Obito held a flushed, slightly disheveled Tsunade and activated Kamui to return to the mountain villa in the Land of Hot Water. After soaking in the hot springs... he carried a slightly weak-legged Tsunade back to the bedroom...

Hokage Office.

The Hokage sat on the sofa opposite Obito. This was the third time he had met with Obito, and each time it left him filled with emotion. If only this child were his own son...

Powerful strength, a sharp mind, and most importantly, this mature, steady, and calculated temperament!

Refreshed from the night, Obito was in high spirits. He was also observing this Hokage, a man who could be described as both praised and criticized. Overall, however, he would give the Hokage a 70. A Hokage without absolute power was bound to have some unsavory elements around him.

"Uchiha Obito, I've thought highly of you since our last meeting. You have all the potential to become an excellent Hokage," the Hokage praised.

"Hokage-sama is too kind. Compared to those mediocre people, I'm just a tiny bit stronger," Obito said with a straight face.

...Is this brat mocking me for being mediocre? the Hokage thought to himself.

He chuckled, changed the subject, and after some more empty pleasantries, the Hokage said, "Tsunade has already relayed your reply to me. To be honest, I am very happy. Konoha has an excellent successor like you, and Tsunade has found her true love. I can see that she is very happy now."

"I won't hide it from you, Hokage-sama. I've liked Tsunade since I was six. I will treat her well; please rest assured of that."

"I agreed to become a candidate on the condition that there are terms, though for you, Hokage-sama, they shouldn't be difficult."

"Oh? Let's hear them," the Hokage said in a deep voice.

"Since I am a candidate, it is only natural that I should be exposed to the work of the Hokage as early as possible to accumulate experience. That way, when you retire, I can take over the work of the Hokage as a matter of course. Of course, this doesn't just apply to me; if there are other candidates, I think it should be the same. We could call it an intern Hokage, or a trainee Hokage. What do you think?" Obito said earnestly.

This brat... he really isn't easy to fool. Good thing I was prepared...

"What Obito says has some merit. There are benefits to getting exposure early, but the title of Hokage cannot be used lightly. The Hokage is appointed by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire; we don't have the authority for that."

"I know that Obito is very skilled in business. The Xiaoxiaosheng Group now has business in every country. As the head of the village, the Hokage must not only have powerful strength and military prowess, but also the ability to stabilize the rear and develop the economy."

"How about Obito starts with economic work?" the Hokage suggested.

This old guy is calculating things perfectly. He's blocking my mouth while refusing to share military and political power... but this plays right into my hands... I'm following the path of the countryside surrounding the cities; you wouldn't understand... Obito thought to himself.

"Fine. Contributing to the development of Konoha is what I should do as a Hokage candidate! I have one more small request, and I must ask that you agree to it, Hokage-sama."

Is it really a request if you say 'must agree'!!! The Hokage suppressed his throbbing temple and said with a pleasant expression, "What kind of request is it?"

"I want Hatake Kakashi to be my assistant."

"Kakashi?" The Hokage pondered for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.

Obito still harbored doubts about whether the main storyline of this world would change due to his arrival. As an important figure in the start of the main plot, it was better to keep him close. As for whether he was a spy for the Hokage, it was irrelevant to Obito. He believed that powerful strength could crush any scheme!

"Haha... good! I hope we can cooperate happily in the future, and that Obito can take this burden off my shoulders soon so I can retire and live a relaxed life..."

Both the large and small foxes wore faces filled with enthusiastic smiles, as if they were old friends of many years... smiling on the surface while cursing each other in their hearts...