A Battle of Wits

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

Obito nearly spat out the food in his mouth...

After the Hokage made up his mind, he sent for Tsunade. She had become the link between Konoha's High Command and Obito: on one side was her young boyfriend, and on the other, her village. Tsunade was more than willing to build a bridge between them.

When Tsunade first heard the news, she reacted much like Obito. After repeatedly confirming that the Third Hokage wasn't being controlled by the Sharingan, hadn't been threatened by Obito, and wasn't suffering from senile dementia, she went home and passed the news on to him.

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

He began wondering why the Third Hokage would do this, and what the Hokage or Konoha stood to gain. After analyzing both sides' positions and capabilities, Obito couldn't help admiring the Third Hokage's wisdom. On the surface, Obito seemed to be getting a great deal, fulfilling the Uchiha Clan's long-held dream in one stroke. He was sure the news had already spread through the clan. If he refused, many Uchiha would surely be confused or dissatisfied, which would divide them.

If he accepted, Obito would have no reason to do anything that harmed the village in the future. In fact, he would have to fight for the village's interests! Otherwise, the people of Konoha would resent him, driving a wedge between him and the village.

And all he'd been offered was an empty promise to make him a Hokage candidate.

What a brazen scheme! The Third Hokage had seen right through him: Obito wasn't going to defect from the village. Now it was up to Obito Uchiha to decide how to respond!

The old fox was as sharp as ever. But there was another saying: sometimes the hunter got more than he bargained for. I'm not Sakumo!

Becoming Hokage would be a tremendous boon to his plans... First, it would make it much easier to promote reforms. Obito had learned firsthand back on Earth just how much an official endorsement could do. This candidacy wasn't as good as being Hokage, but if he played his cards right, it could still give him some help.

Setting aside his feelings and looking only at the benefits, Obito thought he should accept. And with his feelings taken into account, he had even less reason to refuse.

But how he accepted was another matter. As the saying went, the baby who cried got the milk.

"Tsunade, do you want me to become a candidate?" Obito asked.

Tsunade had been sneaking glances at Obito's reaction the whole time. At his question, she put down what she was holding and rested both hands on the table. "Of course. You already know the answer."

"The Third Hokage's put me in a difficult position. Whether I accept or not, he's already achieved his goal. Your teacher really is..." Obito sighed.

"Teacher Sarutobi..."

"I accept. How could I refuse when this is what my dear Tsunade wants?" Obito said, looking at her.

"You're so handsome!!!" Tsunade's pretty face visibly turned pink, then red... Her delicate ears burned as if they were on fire. Her feelings for Obito swelled until they nearly spilled over...

Tsunade shifted awkwardly, adjusting her posture.

"Then should I give Teacher Sarutobi your answer?" Tsunade leaned forward and whispered.

"I want to meet with the Third Hokage. Is that all right?" Obito asked.

"Sure, I'll tell Teacher Sarutobi in a little while. Now hurry up and eat. I want you to feed me~" Tsunade said in a coquettish voice.

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

"Hmph~ You're up to no good..."

Tsunade embodied the phrase "saying one thing and meaning another." As soon as the words left her mouth, she got up and sat down on his lap...

Their affectionate dinner lasted for more than an hour. Afterward, Obito carried Tsunade, her face flushed and her clothes a little disheveled, through Kamui to the mountain villa in the Land of Hot Water. After soaking in the hot spring... he carried Tsunade, whose legs had grown a little weak, back to the bedroom...

Hokage's Office

The Third Hokage and Obito sat facing each other on the sofa. This was the third time the Third Hokage had met with Obito, and each time, he couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be if the boy were his son...

Powerful, intelligent, and, most importantly, mature and steady, with a mind that planned several steps ahead!

After a night of being thoroughly pampered, Obito was in high spirits. He was also studying this Hokage, a man whose reputation was both praised and criticized. Overall, though, he'd give the Third Hokage a seventy out of a hundred. Without overwhelming strength, a Hokage was bound to have to resort to a few unsavory methods.

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

"You flatter me, Lord Hokage. I'm just a little bit—well, an extremely tiny bit—stronger than those mediocre people," Obito said with a straight face.

...Is this kid calling me mediocre? the Third Hokage wondered.

He chuckled and changed the subject. After a while of empty pleasantries, the Third Hokage said, "Tsunade has given me your answer. To be honest, I'm very pleased. Konoha has such an excellent successor, and Tsunade has found her true love. I can see how happy she is now."

"To be honest, Lord Hokage, I've loved Tsunade since I was six. I'll treat her well. You can rest assured of that."

"I agreed to become a candidate on one condition. But it shouldn't be difficult for you, Lord Hokage."

"Oh? Let's hear it," the Third Hokage said gravely.

"Since I'm a candidate, it would make sense for me to start learning the Hokage's work as early as possible and gain experience. Then, when you retire, I can take over naturally. Of course, I don't mean only me. If there are other candidates, I think they should do the same. We could call it being a 'Hokage intern' or 'Hokage apprentice.' What do you think?" Obito said earnestly.

This kid... He's not so easy to fool after all. Good thing I came prepared...

"Obito has a point. There are benefits to getting some early experience, but the title of Hokage can't be handed out casually. The Hokage is appointed by the Land of Fire's Daimyo, and we don't have the authority to do that."

"I know you're very skilled in business, Obito. The Xiaoxiaosheng Group now does business in countries all over the world. A Hokage, as the head of a village, needs more than great strength and the ability to wage war. He must also be able to stabilize the village's foundations and develop its economy."

"So, what do you think about having Obito start with economic affairs?" the Third Hokage asked.

The old fox's plan was clicking along nicely. He'd shut me up without handing over any military or political power... But it played right into my hands... I'm taking the route of surrounding the cities from the countryside. You just don't get it... Obito thought.

"Good. Contributing to Konoha's development is part of my duty as a Hokage candidate! I have one small request as well. Lord Hokage, please be sure to grant it."

"Be sure to grant it"? Is that really a request?! The Third Hokage suppressed the twitching of his temples and replied kindly, "What kind of request?"

"I'd like Hatake Kakashi to be my assistant."

"Kakashi?" The Third Hokage pondered for a few seconds, then nodded in agreement.

Obito still had doubts about whether his arrival in this world would alter the main story. Since Kakashi was one of the important figures at its starting point, it would be better to keep him close. Whether or not he was the Third Hokage's spy didn't matter to Obito. He believed that overwhelming strength could crush any scheme!

"Ha ha... Excellent! I hope we'll work well together. I'm looking forward to passing this burden on to you soon, Obito. Then I can retire, take it easy, and enjoy life..."

The big and little foxes beamed at each other. They looked like old friends... Smiling on the surface, cursing each other in their hearts...