On this side, Koharu also actively said, "That's right, this way Tsunade can also quickly become familiar with Konoha's affairs."
Rengoku immediately followed up and said, "Then let's vote. Those who agree that the Third Hokage continues his term, Tsunade takes over the hospital, and Elder Koharu serves as Hokage advisor, raise your hands."
Although these were three matters, voting on them together wasn't a problem.
Rengoku and Fugaku were the first to raise their hands.
Hiashi of the Hyuga looked at Rengoku, then also raised his hand.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, led by Nara Shikaku, also raised their hands.
Other honorary elders also basically all raised their hands.
The number of votes had already exceeded two-thirds; there was no need to cast dissenting votes.
At this moment, the Third Hokage was also forced to comply and said, "Since everyone agrees, I will continue my term. In the time ahead, I will work hard to develop Konoha and properly make up for this mistake."
"After Elder Koharu becomes Hokage advisor, the authority over the Konoha hospital will be handed to Tsunade."
Rengoku sat down with a face full of a fake smile.
'Sure enough, Tsunade doesn't want to be Hokage, Koharu is full of hunger for power, and the Third Hokage hasn't had enough yet.'
'Wanting to step down so cleanly, too naive.'
'When the time comes, it won't be whether you want to step down, but that you'll have to.'
Following this, the Third Hokage presided over matters like Konoha's reconstruction.
Rengoku didn't speak again.
The following progress moved quickly, and the meeting ended shortly thereafter.
Rengoku and Fugaku followed the flow of people, slowly walking outside.
At this time, Nara Shikaku said next to Rengoku, "Still haven't congratulated Rengoku on becoming the Uchiha clan head."
Rengoku turned his head and smiled at this elder of the Nara clan, "What's already decided, celebrating it is just going through the motions."
A glint of sharpness flashed in Shikaku's eyes, "Don't know if Rengoku likes shogi. If you have time, come to the house for a few games."
Rengoku laughed heartily, "Too many rules in shogi. I'm not someone good at remembering rules."
"Which piece is mine, which piece is the opponent's, not necessarily clear."
"Also, being a player means being confined by the rules."
"Winning or losing is all tricks within the rules."
"I, Uchiha Rengoku, prefer watching people play."
Shikaku's eyes carried a look of caution, as if meeting Rengoku for the first time.
"Then how does Rengoku see the wins and losses of players?"
Rengoku laughed loudly, "When I want to watch, I'll watch. When I don't want to, I won't."
"The wins and losses of the players don't necessarily lie on the board."
"Clan affairs are busy, I'll take my leave."
Then he waved his hand and left with Fugaku.
Only Shikaku was left, frowning in thought.
———
Near the shores of the Land of Fire, on the sea, a giant merchant ship was slowly moving toward the Land of Fire.
The merchant ship was a standard cargo vessel, round-headed, with a big belly, deep draft, and a slow but very stable movement.
On the edge of the deck stood three people.
It was Rengoku's clone, Haku, and Kimimaro.
"Let's go!", With Rengoku's command, he was the first to jump toward the sea.
Kimimaro and Haku also took a deep breath and jumped right after.
While in midair, Rengoku extended two chakra arms to catch the two of them, steadily landing on the water's surface.
He raised a chakra hand and waved toward the merchant ship; the ship sounded its horn, then slowly sailed away.
Under Rengoku's personal instruction, the two children who finally had a home were like dried sponges, frantically absorbing knowledge.
Both were highly gifted, whether in theoretical knowledge, chakra refinement, or chakra control, they performed excellently.
"Alright, you've both basically learned chakra refinement and control."
"Now we need to walk on water like on land."
Rengoku gently placed the two on the sea surface. The two stood stably on it.
"Yes, Rengoku-sama."
They were almost at the Land of Fire. The dock the merchant ship was heading to was a long detour, so Rengoku simply had them practice walking on water.
The choppy sea was a far greater challenge than a still surface for chakra control.
However, the two's chakra control precision far exceeded that of ordinary people.
Standing on the sea was like walking on flat ground.
Rengoku monitored the children's condition while leisurely walking toward the shore of the Land of Fire.
The clone with Isobu (Three-Tails) chakra didn't need to worry about depletion.
Because it could continue existing indefinitely.
While in the Land of Water, Rengoku had accompanied Kimimaro and Haku in recovering their health, and the ship he chose for the return trip was also the slow type. So now, Rengoku had already become the Uchiha clan head, and the ship was only just reaching the coast of the Land of Fire. However, under Rengoku's care during this time, both Kimimaro and Haku had gained a healthy red glow in their complexions.
Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to refine or use chakra.
Both were very simple people. Rengoku's continuous guidance and care made their bond with him grow rapidly.
Their bond had already exceeded the second level, but the stars after that were locked.
Probably because the two were still too young and lacked strength.
Rengoku couldn't help but sigh, 'Building relationships is still best started with children.'
The three of them advanced toward the land for more than half an hour.
Only then did the coastline barely come into view.
At this time, Kimimaro could still endure, but Haku was already sweating from his forehead.
Kimimaro kept an eye on Haku's condition and quickly turned to Rengoku and said, "Rengoku-sama, Haku's chakra is running low."
Haku shook his head and gritted his teeth: "Rengoku-sama, I can still hold on."
Rengoku picked Haku up with one hand, noticing that Haku's shoes were already soaked by seawater.
It clearly showed his chakra control was slipping.
"Your body's not well, don't force yourself."
"We're training, not fleeing for our lives."
Hearing Rengoku's words, Haku looked a bit embarrassed, "Understood, Rengoku-sama."
Rengoku waved his hand, "Kimimaro, you carry him."
"Yes!", Kimimaro quickly carried Haku on his back.
"Thank you," Haku softly said while lying on Kimimaro's back.
Kimimaro didn't reply. He just gave a hum of acknowledgment.
Haku wasn't heavy, but Kimimaro was now walking on water, meaning he was directly carrying dozens of extra pounds.
Kimimaro worked hard to maintain his chakra so he didn't fall into the sea.
Rengoku watched clearly from the side but had no intention of helping, he simply followed behind slowly.
In the original timeline, Orochimaru wasn't truly sincere toward Kimimaro, but at least Kimimaro was happy following Orochimaru.
In that timeline, whether or not Zabuza truly saw Haku as a tool, Rengoku didn't know. But while following Zabuza, Haku too was at his happiest.
These two had equally tragic childhoods, equally lonely, and equally lost.
In that timeline, they had only briefly seen each other once.
But here, these two similar flowers leaned on each other.
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