Beyond his prestige on the battlefield, Ying Yue had also won the hearts of the new generation of ninja through his years of support for the Konoha Orphanage.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha's promotion standards for jonin had been relaxed. Many young ninja distinguished themselves on the battlefield and were swiftly promoted to jonin—such as Hatake Kakashi, who became a jonin at twelve. Quite a few of them were orphans who had come from the Konoha Orphanage.
These orphans had grown up under Ying Yue's support and care, and they felt profound gratitude toward Uchiha Ying Yue.
In the eyes of these young jonin, Uchiha Ying Yue was not only their benefactor, but also their spiritual pillar.
They had witnessed Ying Yue's bravery and wisdom firsthand on the battlefield, and their admiration for him even surpassed that for the current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Lord Ying Yue didn't just save us—he gave us a future. He is our role model," said a young ninja who had just been promoted to jonin.
To these young ninja who had received exceptional promotions on the battlefield, Ying Yue's leadership and personal charisma were irreplaceable.
In the upcoming jonin confidence vote, these new-generation jonin would undoubtedly cast their votes for Uchiha Ying Yue.
Beyond the loyal members of the Military Police Force and the young ninja from the Konoha Orphanage, Ying Yue's influence extended through every stratum of Konoha.
As Konoha's frontline supreme commander, his performance in the war had earned the deep respect of many veteran ninja.
Ying Yue's decisions were decisive and efficient, and his repeated ability to avert danger during the war had earned even Konoha's old guard of jonin's complete trust.
In contrast, although Orochimaru was also a powerful candidate for Hokage, his support was mainly concentrated among the