Hokage Candidate

Every afternoon at 3 PM after the Blood Moon, Neji would leave the weapon shop on time.

He didn't say where he was going, and Tenten didn't ask. There was an unspoken understanding between them—not to pry into each other's secrets, but to trust that the other would definitely come back.

At exactly three Neji pushed open the door of the weapon shop. The sun was shining brightly outside, and people were coming and going on the street. Konoha was rapidly recovering from the chaos of last night.

"I'm leaving," Neji said.

"Okay, come back soon." Tenten waved from behind the counter, a gentle smile on her face.

Neji nodded, turned and walked into the crowd. His figure disappeared around the street corner, and the next second, he appeared in the laboratory of the Sound Village Underground Base.

For him, spatial movement was as natural as breathing.

In the laboratory, Sasuke sat cross-legged in the center of the training field, eyes closed, surrounded by pale green Natural Energy —a characteristic of Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu. His appearance remained unchanged, but Neji noticed a double horn on the forehead of the Hashirama face on Sasuke's chest, and a snake-like gaze fixed on his closed eyes. Neji couldn't help but sigh. Sasuke's Senjutsu didn't produce the horn or snake-like eyes; the Hashirama face on his chest bore the Hashirama of it all. Neji regretted not transplanting Hashirama Cells first, so that using Senjutsu wouldn't cause him to transform into a dragon and affect his appearance.

Kabuto Yakushi stood to the side, holding a notepad and quickly jotting something down. Seeing Neji appear, he adjusted his glasses. "Lord Neji, Sasuke-kun's Senjutsu progress is faster than expected. The White Snake Sage's assessment of him is 'exceptionally talented but a bit impatient.'"

"As expected." Neji walked up to Sasuke, his Tenseigan over his body. "The Chakra flow is still not smooth enough. Senjutsu isn't power, it's a 'state.' You need to learn to coexist with Natural Energy, instead of forcibly controlling it."

Sasuke opened his eyes, a hint of impatience flashing in them. "I can maintain Senjutsu Mode for ten minutes now."

"And then?" Neji countered, "Ten minutes later, your Chakra will be depleted, and you'll be at their mercy?"

Sasuke fell silent.

"That concludes today's Senjutsu training," Neji said. "Next, Wood Release."

He walked to the edge of the training field and placed one hand on the ground. Blue light flowed in his Tenseigan, the ground began to tremble, and a thick tree broke through the soil, quickly growing into a towering giant.

"A simplified version of Wood Release Deep Forest Emergence." Neji stood up, dusting off his hands. "Your Hashirama Cells have fused perfectly, theoretically allowing you to use all Wood Release Ninjutsu. But theory is theory, and practice is practice."

He looked at Sasuke: "Use Senjutsu Chakra to mimic my movements just now."

Sasuke gritted his teeth and walked to the center of the training ground. He Hand Seals —a special seal taught to him by Orochimaru, combining the characteristics of both the Uchiha Clan and Senju Clan Chakra. Pale green Senjutsu Chakra surged from his palms, flowing into the ground...

The ground trembled slightly.

A tiny sapling, trembling, broke through the soil. It stopped growing when it reached knee height, its leaves withered, looking as if it might die at any moment.

Sasuke's face turned grim.

"The Chakra output is too strong, and the control is too rough." Neji hit the nail on the head. "Wood Release is not about brute force, it's about 'growth.' You have to imagine yourself as a seed, slowly sprouting in the soil, absorbing water and sunlight, and growing naturally."

He walked to Sasuke's side and placed his hand on Sasuke's back. The power of the Tenseigan gently seeped in, guiding the flow of Senjutsu Chakra within Sasuke's body.

"Feel the flow of my Chakra. Don't resist, just follow it."

Sasuke closed his eyes and focused all his senses. He could "see" Neji's Chakra flowing slowly along specific meridians like a delicate stream, every bit of power used precisely and without any waste. That level of control shocked him.

So this is... the true Six Paths Tier Chakra manipulation.

Half an hour later, Sasuke tried again.

This time, the sapling has grown to waist height, with its branches and leaves spread out, full of vitality. Although it is still far from "the Deep Forest Emergence," it is already a huge step forward.

"That's enough." Neji withdrew his hand. "Maintain this pace every day. Alternate between Senjutsu and Wood Release training, allowing them to complement each other. The upcoming duel..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

The final showdown at the Valley of the End...

Sasuke nodded, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Neji looked at him and sighed inwardly. This boy had talent, perseverance, and enough determination to drive him. But sometimes... being too persistent can become an obstacle.

"By the way," Neji suddenly said, "Tsunade has already taken care of what happened that night. In the war briefing, you were described as an 'outstanding young ninja,' not a 'Six Paths Tier hero.' Keeping a low profile will do you good."

Sasuke paused for a moment, then nodded. "Understood."

He truly didn't care about empty fame. All he cared about was power, and... the ideals realized through power.

"Continue your training." Neji turned around, and space began to distort. "I'll come back tomorrow."

The figure vanished.

The laboratory fell silent again. Sasuke stared at the spot where Neji before closing his eyes again and entering a state of Senjutsu training.

Neji, has already returned to Konoha.

However, he didn't go back to the weapon shop, but instead went back Hyuga Clan the Hyuga old house. Last night's battle had taken its toll, and he needed to rest.

But as soon as he stepped into the house, he sensed the presence of a guest.

In the living room, Tsunade was sitting at a low table, pouring herself some tea. Seeing Neji enter, she raised her teacup. "Excuse me. The tea's a little cold, do you mind?"

Neji didn't speak, but walked over and sat down opposite her. He glanced at Tsunade —this woman looked even more exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes as if she had been punched twice, but her eyes were still sharp and her back was still straight.

"Lady Tsunade want to see me about something?" Neji asked directly.

"Hmm." Tsunade put down her teacup, crossed her hands on the table, and adopted a formal speaking posture. "I'd like to hear your opinion on the matter of the Hokage successor."

Neji raised an eyebrow.

This was beyond his expectations. The succession of the Hokage has always been an internal matter of Konoha, recommended by the elders and appointed by the Daimyo. Although the opinions of the previous Hokage are important, they are rarely consulted with "outsiders"—especially someone with a sensitive position like him.

"If I remember correctly," Neji said slowly, "Lady Tsunade has been Hokage for less than four years, hasn't she? To want to step down so soon...is she facing some difficulties?"

His tone was calm, but the meaning was clear: You've been doing a good job as Hokage, and now you suddenly want to quit? You need a reason.

Tsunade smile, "I didn't encounter any problems. It's just... I'm too tired."

She paused, her voice filled with deep weariness. "Since the day I took over, Konoha has been riddled with problems. Not long ago, there was Pain's attack, then the Fourth Shinobi World War, then the remnants of Akatsuki, and just now, Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki... These past four years have felt like forty. I'm tired, I want to rest."

This is the truth. It's the only truth she dared to speak when facing Neji.

Before Kakashi, she had to maintain the dignity of a senior; before Shikaku, she had to demonstrate the decisiveness of Hokage; before the villagers, she had to convey hope and confidence. Only with Neji —this boy whose strength surpassed hers, whose status was transcendent, and who had no interest in power—could she shed all pretenses and admit her vulnerability.

Neji looked up and carefully examined Tsunade.

In his Tenseigan, he could "see" the disordered chakra within Tsunade's Chakra, the weariness deep within her soul, and the once bold and unrestrained "Legendary Sannin" now bent over by the weight of responsibility.

He fell silent.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, "If Lady Tsunade is asking for my advice... I would choose Shikaku- senpai."

Tsunade was visibly taken aback.

She assumed Neji would recommend Kakashi. After all, Neji had helped Kakashi relieve the burden of the Sharingan, helped Kakashi master the Yin Seal, and even... in a sense, Neji and Kakashi were closer. Moreover, Kakashi was stronger, had higher prestige, and was widely recognized as the best candidate for the Sixth Hokage.

Neji chose Shikaku, the exceptionally intelligent but only Special Jonin Shikaku Nara.

"Why?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask.

Neji picked up the now-cold tea, took a sip, and then put the cup down.

"The position of Kage isn't about being as strong as possible." His voice was calm, as if stating a simple truth. "As a leader, the most crucial thing is to ensure the villagers live in peace and prosperity, and to make the village's overall strength greater. Kakashi's strength is not an issue, and his intelligence is also very high, but he..."

Neji paused, then chose a more tactful way of putting it. "He has too many inner burdens. And..."

He looked up at Tsunade: "When Kakashi chose to inherit Obito Uchiha's complete Sharingan, he was already out of the game."

Tsunade's pupils contracted slightly.

She understood.

The Hokage must be "clean." He cannot have too many personal grudges, too many unbreakable bonds, and even less... too deep a connection with former missing-nin or those who caused countless casualties.

Obito's eyes are Kakashi's power, but also his shackles. They represent an indelible past, a history filled with tragedy and sin. If Kakashi becomes Hokage, those eyes will constantly remind everyone that the Kage of Konoha has an unbreakable connection with the sinner who caused the Nine-Tails Rebellion and triggered the Fourth Shinobi World War.

This would put Konoha in an awkward position, make diplomacy difficult, and cause... a rift in trust.

Shikaku different. He is clean, rational, and always puts the interests of the village first. He doesn't have earth-shattering strength, but he has the wisdom to strategize, the ability to balance all parties, and the vision to lead Konoha to steady development during peacetime.

"So that's how it is..." Tsunade murmured.

Looking at Neji, she suddenly felt that this young man was more suitable than anyone else to inherit the Hokage Position. He possessed strength, wisdom, a transcendent perspective, and the ability to see through the essence of things...

"Neji," Tsunade blurted out, "Have you considered..."

"No." Neji interrupted her abruptly, his tone resolute. "I will marry Tenten after she Tenten eighteen, and then we will travel the Shinobi World together. Perhaps... we will never return to Konoha."

He spoke calmly, but every word carried an undeniable determination.

Tsunade opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

She picked up the now-cold tea and drank it all in one gulp. The tea was bitter, but it couldn't compare to the feeling in her heart.

"I understand." She put down her teacup, stood up, and said, "Sorry to bother you."

Neji got up to see the guest out. As he reached the door, Tsunade suddenly turned back, looked at Neji, and said seriously:

"Thank you, Neji. Not just for the suggestion you just gave me, but for... everything."

Neji nodded without saying a word.

Tsunade turned and left, her shadow stretching long in the setting sun, appearing somewhat lonely, but also... somewhat relieved.

Neji closed the door and went back to the living room. He stood by the window, looking out at the streets of Konoha, at the villagers coming and going, trying to resume their daily lives.

A faint blue light flickered in Tenseigan.

He knew that the days of peace wouldn't last long. The balance of the Shinobi World was fragile, and human greed and fear would never disappear. But as long as Naruto and Sasuke were still around, at least... this generation could enjoy a period of true peace.

As for the Hokage Position, as for the future of Konoha, as for the conflicts in the Shinobi World... these are not my responsibility.

Outside the window, the sun sets, and the lights in the Konoha gradually come on. A new day is about to end, and tomorrow... will be another ordinary yet precious day.

Inside the weapon shop, Tenten was tallying up today's sales figures, a satisfied smile on her face.

At the Sound Village Base, Sasuke practiced Wood Release over and over again, his Rinnegan burning with an inextinguishable flame.

In the Hokage Office, Tsunade signed the last word on the document, then leaned back in her chair, looked at the moon outside the window, and sighed softly.

The Shinobi World finally ushered in a true, albeit brief, period of peace.