"For the show to begin, it needs to be brewed first. We need to give it some time, so we can't leave today; we'll have to talk about it tomorrow."
Bai Mu's reply was to wait, meaning to discuss it tomorrow.
Tsunade couldn't help but frown at this answer.
She didn't think it would necessarily be effective.
Because she really wanted to make a quick decision.
The news of the Cloud's defeat had surely spread throughout the ninja world, and the village must have known about the front-line battle report. So, how would they react to Bai Mu's brilliant victory?
Defeating the Cloud in one battle, with nearly half of their three thousand ninja army annihilated, and the Fourth Raikage killed. And that wasn't all; news of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki's capture would soon arrive.
It could be said that surprises were coming one after another, and the most important point was that Tsunade had just been frank and announced the reshuffling of the village's high command.
The princess of the Senju clan directly stated that she wanted to replace the Hokage.
This was the most important matter.
Tsunade knew her special status, but times had changed. From the First and Second Hokage to now, the Third Hokage had held Konoha for the longest time, and regardless of his shortcomings, he was still Konoha's longest-serving Hokage, and his influence was not to be overlooked. The Jonin on the front lines, on the surface, seemed not to have taken a stance, but in reality, this was already a stance.
Not taking a side is taking a side.
This also made Tsunade somewhat dissatisfied. Don't you know to stand with us? Do you think we can't win? With the alliance of the Senju and Uchiha, are you still afraid of not winning?
Hmph, it's simply a joke.
Of course, Tsunade was confident, but at the same time, she was also worried about it, otherwise, she wouldn't be so anxious, so she immediately said, "Can't we move faster? Aren't you afraid my teachers and the others will be prepared? I can be sure of one thing: knowing that you killed the Fourth Raikage and defeated the Cloud's three thousand ninja army, they won't sit idly by. Plus, I also held a Jonin meeting, and if they know about these talks, do you think they will obediently wait for us to return to the village?"
Bai Mu smiled faintly and said softly, "Tsunade, you need to understand one thing: Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't dare to do that, because the war hasn't truly ended yet, and based on his judgment from your words, it's just about changing the Hokage. As long as it's not you or me, anyone else is fine. Do you think he can't manipulate that?"
"You're right."
Tsunade blurted out immediately.
There was nothing to argue about regarding this matter.
The Hokage election system, on the surface, of course, spoke of democracy, but in reality, it was not so. In practice, it was a process of Hokage recommendation, Jonin voting, and Daimyo authorization.
Don't look at the Daimyo as a mere figurehead; they still had a say in this matter.
In the original plot, after Pain's attack on the village, Tsunade fell into a coma, and the village needed someone to lead. So, Konoha's internal high-ranking officials, led by Nara Shikaku, hoped for Kakashi to become Hokage. However, Danzo interfered at this time, ultimately influencing the Daimyo's decision, which led to Danzo taking power.
Although this ascension to power was somewhat informal, lacking any proper ceremony, Nara Shikaku and others could not change this decision because it was made by the Daimyo.
Due to the special nature of the Daimyo, as the supreme leader of the Land of Fire, a Hokage elected without the Daimyo's approval would not be valid.
Of course, if a candidate received majority support through the incumbent Hokage's designation and a vote of confidence from the Jonin, it would essentially be a done deal, and the Daimyo could not ignore the support of the current Hokage and the majority of the Village's Jonin.
Furthermore, the current Hokage election system was still relatively simple. Because the Hokage held great power, if the incumbent designated a successor, the Village's internal factions would generally accept it.
This had been the case since the Second Hokage. At that time, Tobirama designated Hiruzen Sarutobi. Although there were doubts upon his return, he eventually successfully ascended to power, and Uzumaki Mito's support certainly played a role.
Otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not have had an easy time ascending, even with Senju Tobirama's dying wish, it might not have succeeded. At that time, there were still many unruly individuals in the Uchiha Clan.
For example, Uchiha Setsuna.
In reality, the Hokage election system was only gradually perfected after the Fourth Hokage.
As for Danzo's attempt, it was during the special period of wartime, and with the current Hokage, Tsunade, in a coma, he exploited a loophole. Danzo's claim to be Hokage was not recognized afterward.
Of course, this is now, not the future. Under the current Hokage election system, the Hokage's voice carries a lot of weight, and the Village's high-ranking officials, especially the major Ninja Clans, could not possibly support the Uchiha Clan.
As for Tsunade... the current situation is very special, and it's hard to say.
Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, Tsunade—if a Fourth Hokage were to be chosen, these would be the main candidates, and Hiruzen Sarutobi would definitely choose Minato Namikaze.
Although Bai Mu was pondering these matters, he still responded to Tsunade, shrugging and saying, "See? You know it yourself."
Tsunade rolled her eyes and replied, "I know, but I don't intend to give him the chance to designate anyone. Besides, who is the Old Man (referring to Hiruzen Sarutobi) going to choose? Orochimaru or Jiraiya?"
As she spoke, her brows furrowed slightly, and she said in a deep voice, "Could it be that Minato Namikaze guy?"
Candidates, of course, must have significant achievements. And in this war, weren't there only a few with outstanding military merits?
If I hadn't participated, Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru would be obvious choices, but now that I've gotten involved, I can basically say one thing: given the military merits I've accumulated, my chances of winning are very high.
Of course, the premise is no underhanded dealings, but the reality is that it's impossible for there to be none.
"It's all the same who he chooses, because the Fourth Hokage can only be you."
Bai Mu had already decided that Tsunade would take the position, so the Hokage's seat could not change. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi strongly pushed for Minato Namikaze, it would be impossible for him to succeed.
"Let me state this beforehand: Konoha still cannot have internal strife. And there's one thing that needs to be said: Danzo can be killed, but the Old Man (referring to Hiruzen Sarutobi) should be spared if possible."
Tsunade's feelings were very complex. She still hoped that Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't be killed. A Hokage who was overthrown by a Coup d'état and then killed would have a profound impact on Konoha.
Moreover, after such a process, you cannot guarantee that no one will emulate it in the future. Forcing him to step down would be enough, as it would be a unanimous decision within the Village.
And wasn't there an excuse?
Heavy casualties during the war, improper command, and the armistice agreement with Iwagakure—these were all reasons sufficient to force Hiruzen Sarutobi to step down.
Bai Mu said softly, "I still say the same thing: it depends on whether he knows what 'dignity' means. If he knows, it'll be easy. If not, he'll just have to be 'dignified' by force."
No sooner had Bai Mu finished speaking than Esdeath added, "Don't worry, Bai Mu is doing all these things for your ascension. Don't make so many demands."
"I'm not demanding anything, I just don't want internal strife. Outside, we are still surrounded by powerful enemies, and isn't there still Uchiha Madara? I'm just worried about something unexpected happening."
Tsunade stated directly that she was worried about internal strife weakening the Village's combat strength. And didn't you also say that Uchiha Madara was secretly lurking, plotting the Eye of the Moon Plan? Then we can't have internal conflict...