"Lord Third, my sister has just come back and has been tired of traveling all the way. There are so many things going on in the village, so it's best to finalize the regulations as soon as possible."
His words seemed to be showing sympathy for Tsunade, but in fact they were forcing her to have a baby.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep look at Senju Chen. This boy who once called him Hokage grandpa and still needed his own protection has now grown up to the point where he can confront him calmly. The calmness and sharpness in his eyes made Hiruzen Sarutobi seem to be seeing the Tobirama Senju of his own teacher.
He sighed tiredly and sat back on the chair. His straight spine seemed to collapse in an instant.
"Little Chen is right." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his eyes to Tsunade, "Tsunade, the village cannot live without Hokage for a day. As an old man, I am only a temporary agent during this period. Now that you are back, you should inherit this position."
He paused and said in an unprecedented solemn tone, "As Konoha Acting Hokage, I propose that Princess Land of Fire, the granddaughter of First Hokage, Tsunade, will be succeeded as Konoha Fifth Hokage in three days."
"Second!"
"Agree!" Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura said almost in unison, with firm tones.
Tsunade looked at the three "elders" in front of her who had played an important role in her life, her eyes flickering slightly.
"Okay." She replied simply and neatly, without any excuses or politeness.
"Then it's settled." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
The whole process was faster than imagined.
A transfer of power that should have been full of games and pulls, became like a simple notice due to Tsunade's absolute popularity and Senju Chen's implicit force.
When Tsunade and Senju Chen walked out of the Hokage building, the last trace of sunset on the horizon had dispersed, and night fell quietly.
The news that "Princess Tsunade will succeed Fifth Hokage in three days" spread to every corner of Konoha in just half an hour, as if it had grown wings.
No one knows what those high-ranking families think.
But for ordinary villagers and ninjas, this is nothing less than a grand festival. The haze that has been suppressed in the heart for several years is swept away at this moment.
On the streets, every household spontaneously lit up lanterns. The streets that were originally deserted due to the curfew were now bustling with people. People rushed to tell each other, and their faces were filled with joy and excitement from the bottom of their hearts.
"Great! Princess Tsunade is going to be Hokage!"
"Princess Tsunade becomes Hokage, let's see who else dares to covet our Konoha!"
"You won't come home until you get drunk tonight! Celebrate the return of Princess Tsunade!"
The entire Konoha is immersed in a sea of joy.
And among Hokage's Office, only Hiruzen Sarutobi is left.
He walked to the window alone, opened it, looked at the brightly lit village below, like daylight, and listened to the cheers blowing in the wind. A heartfelt and relaxed smile finally appeared on his old face.
He picked up the long-extinguished pipe, lit it again, and took a deep breath.
This time, what came out was no longer sadness, but real relief.
When we walked out of the Hokage building, the streets of Konoha had turned into a sea of lights. The lonely but relieved figure of Hiruzen Sarutobi standing by the window was gradually left behind.
"Sister, let's go home." Senju Chen said softly.
"Okay." Tsunade responded.
Passing through the bustling downtown area and walking towards the edge of the village, the noisy sounds became more distant. When the two heavy doors with the Senju Clan emblem of the forest carved on them appeared in front of them, even Tsunade, who had always been carefree, couldn't help but stop and look at the doors slightly.
"Click--"
Senju Chen stepped forward and pushed open the door.
"It's been several years since I left." Tsunade smiled mockingly, and then followed Senju Chen in.
Shizune and Yamato also followed into the mansion.
Just as the four of them were about to clean up the house, an energetic shout broke the silence.
"Chen! I heard that you brought Sister Tsunade back!"
As a black shadow flashed by, Mitaraishi Anko, wearing fishnet stockings, short skirt and khaki windbreaker, rushed in like a whirlwind.
"Tsuna...Lady Tsunade." As soon as Anko ran in carelessly, he saw Tsunade standing aside.
"Sister, this is the disciple of Mitaraishi Anko, Teacher Orochimaru, and can also be regarded as my junior sister." Senju Chen introduced with a smile.
Tsunade raised his eyebrows, looked at this heroic girl, then glanced at Senju Chen randomly, with a hint of amusement at the corner of his mouth. "Orochimaru, how can he teach such a... passionate apprentice?"
At first, Anko was a little embarrassed by the aura of Tsunade, but he soon returned to his true nature. "Since it's a general cleaning, let me help too!"
Thus, a large-scale "Senju Mansion Assault Battle" began.
Yamato uses Wood Release to continuously create support and cleaning tools, while Shizune and Anko are responsible for cleaning and organizing.
After a little tidying up, Senju Chen accompanied Tsunade to the relatively clean terrace behind the mansion.
The autumn breeze was slightly cool, blowing away some dust.
Senju Chen took out a tea set from the seal scroll and cooked tea skillfully. Tsunade leaned on the pillar and looked at the busy juniors, then turned and looked at the younger brother next to him who was almost as tall as himself, and suddenly said, "Little Chen, you have been fooling around with me this year, but I know that you have been pretending to have a lot of things in your heart, right?"
Senju Chen paused while pouring tea, then chuckled, "Those things are not as important as those of my sister."
He put down the teapot, "However, since my sister has decided to take over Hokage's position, I will tell her some things and ask her to help me give advice."
"Well, you say." Tsunade then picked up the tea cup.
"Although we have been traveling outside this year, our Public Security Department intelligence network has never stopped operating." Senju Chen stretched out a finger, "The first is the external situation. After Brother Minato died, Sunagakure and Iwagakure has been ready to move. On the surface, they are engaged in trade, but secretly they have been constantly testing the boundaries of Konoha. Without a strong enough deterrent force, although large-scale wars will not break out, small-scale frictions will definitely continue in the future."
Tsunade frowned. "You are right, the old man's foreign policy is a bit soft now."
"So, we need to toughen up." Senju Chen said calmly, "Sister, your current confidence is not just the title of Hokage. I have not been idle in these years."
He began to describe the chips in his hand to Tsunade in a leisurely manner.