Chapter 1053: Asuma: Tsunade, I Am the Hokage!
Chapter 1053: Asuma: Tsunade, I Am the Hokage!
Thud! Thud!
The target, which had just been cleared, was once again filled with shuriken in a storm-like barrage.
There were too many!
Even without counting, a quick glance was enough to see that the number had at least doubled.
If Tsunade had received three votes previously, the current count was definitely over six.
There was a reason for this.
The Hokage Lineage had resorted to underhanded tactics, and the effect was undeniable.
Moreover, the motivational articles mimicking Tang Ping’s style had a profound impact on the ninjas who hadn’t experienced such rhetoric before.
As a result, many who initially hadn’t planned to vote for Asuma changed their minds.
Of course!
They were the ninjas of the ‘Strongest Ninja Village,’ Konoha. How could they forget this honor and submit to anyone else?
So, restoring Konoha’s glory was their duty.
“You…”
Tsunade, who had always been calm and composed, now looked extremely agitated. Her fists clenched so tightly that they made a cracking sound, as if she could throw a punch at any moment.
Fortunately, Asuma’s combat strength was formidable.
Even after losing his Rinnegan, he had regained his power by transplanting a new pair of eyes. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to face Tsunade.
He could challenge Tsunade for the position of Hokage not just because of his lineage but also because of his strength.
If he had only the elite Jounin-level strength from the original story, he would have been courting death.
In the Ninja World, strength was everything.
Tsunade was confident in her own abilities and believed she could defeat Asuma. However, she knew it wouldn’t be an easy fight, and there was no guarantee she could capture him. Thus, she ultimately decided not to use force.
Of course, the presence of Kakashi and Naruto also made her hesitant to take the risk.
Complete defeat!
That was the only way to describe it.
Tsunade couldn’t understand how her favorable position had turned into this.
“Lady Tsunade, I hope you will serve as an Elder and contribute to protecting Konoha!”
Asuma’s words were a direct challenge.
Before the results were announced, he had been under immense pressure.
After all, Tsunade’s reputation and strength were both greater than his. Now, having won with the help of others, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to gloat.
Of course, this also demonstrated his magnanimity and strength.
His magnanimity was evident in his willingness to accept Tsunade, who had competed with him for the position of Hokage, as an Elder. This was indeed a significant show of tolerance.
His strength was even more apparent.
By confronting Tsunade head-on, he proved that he was the new ruler of Konoha and that everyone should now pledge their loyalty to him.
It was clear that after his transformation, Asuma’s mind had evolved along with his strength.
His former rebellious nature would never have allowed such strategic thinking.
“Asuma, you will ruin Konoha!”
Tsunade gave him a long, hard look.
Since the path to becoming Hokage was now blocked, she would have to activate her alternate plan.
“Asuma, I am the Hokage!”
Asuma instinctively countered.
At that moment, the two of them resembled the old Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo.
It was a moment of perfect symmetry.
This was too entertaining.
At least for Tang Ping, who found the situation highly amusing.
After Tsunade and her group left the platform, Asuma announced a series of new orders.
Though he spoke at length, the main points were simple.
First, Konoha was not fighting alone. The various forces that had sent representatives would work together to protect Konoha.
These were just the vanguard; the main forces would soon follow.
Additionally, these forces would provide substantial supplies and resources, ensuring that Konoha wouldn’t have to worry about anything else.
The underlying message was clear: ‘Konoha only needed to focus on the fight.’
With the encouragement of their allies and the influx of resources, the morale of Konoha’s ninjas soared, completely dispelling their previous gloom and anxiety.
The skies cleared, the rain stopped, and they felt ready to fight again.
And Asuma wasn’t just talking.
After ascending to the position of Hokage, he immediately ordered the mobilization of numerous teams to begin construction.
First, the village itself would be transformed.
Using various ninja techniques and materials, the village would be turned into a war fortress.
Furthermore, defensive structures such as forts, watchtowers, and arrow towers would be built in several strategic locations, ensuring that the entire Konoha region would become an impregnable stronghold.
This was a consensus among the various forces, so no one would hold back. They would all work together in unity.
Under normal circumstances, such a thing would be impossible.
Due to the Nobles' greed and selfishness, it would be completely unimaginable for them to work together so cohesively, let alone refrain from grabbing what’s right in front of them.
However, the current situation has left these Daimyo and Nobles in no position to act rashly.
The Blazing Sun Kingdom has no Nobles or Daimyo left!
Most of them are dead, and the few who survived have been reduced to ordinary people. Though they may have retained some wealth, without power and status, they are no different from common merchants.
Especially now, the Blazing Sun Kingdom is far more expansive than it once was.
With the addition of the Land of Wind and the Land of Water, its territory has expanded by over ten times, and its strength has become even more formidable.
It's worth noting that the Blazing Sun Kingdom was already capable of standing against them, and even had the upper hand. With such a significant increase in power, if the Nobles and Daimyo don't unite, they will face certain destruction.
Given this dire situation, it's no wonder that these greedy and corrupt Nobles and Daimyo are willing to overlook the depletion of their wealth and are putting everything they have on the line.
It's not that they want to do this, but rather that wealth means nothing if they lose their lives. So, they are better off supporting Konoha, as only by ensuring Konoha holds back the Blazing Sun Kingdom can they hope to survive.
The Hokage Lineage is fully aware of the calculations made by the various factions.
But they have no choice.
Given the long-standing enmity between them and the Blazing Sun Kingdom, if the other side guaranteed no reprisals, they might be willing to negotiate.
The problem is that Tang Ping, as the Lord of Liangyang, is not known for his magnanimity. Instead, he is notorious for seeking revenge, a fact evident from his past actions.
For example, when Nara Shikaku targeted him, he arranged for Hyuga Aikotsuki to kill him on the battlefield and is now planning to eliminate the entire Nara Clan.
He is extremely vengeful!
Given this vengeful nature, the Hokage Lineage can only fight to the bitter end.
The various factions know this, which is why they are willing to provide full support without fear of the Hokage Lineage taking the resources and fleeing.
Currently, Konoha has both the funds and the manpower. Otherwise, the Hokage Lineage would not dare to challenge Tsunade for the position of Hokage.
By the way!
One reason for their confidence in challenging Tsunade is their knowledge of the Blazing Sun Kingdom's heavy losses.
Naruto and his allies have witnessed the entire conflict and are well aware that the Blazing Sun Kingdom's Kage-level strongmen have been nearly wiped out.
This information has not been widely disseminated.
The Hokage Lineage's confidence in holding back the Blazing Sun Kingdom is partly due to this secret.
If not for knowing that Tang Ping had broken through and slain the Sage of Six Paths, they might have even considered a counterattack.
Indeed, they have no idea that Tang Ping has mastered a stable resurrection method.
If they did, the Hokage Lineage would have already fled and sought to resist in secret, rather than stay and face the Blazing Sun Kingdom head-on.
This might be why Tang Ping did not pursue Naruto back then.
For the former protagonist, the current Tang Ping has no interest. What he hopes for is that Naruto dies at the hands of outsiders.
After all, he holds great respect for Kushina, who genuinely cared for him. Even though he knows Naruto is the Ashura Chakra Reincarnation and not truly his child, he is unwilling to leave this emotional burden behind.
He doesn't believe that Asuma and Naruto could get along.
In fact, there would likely be significant conflicts.
Naruto has a ‘savior complex,’ and in a group of good-natured people, this might only cause discontent and hidden resentment.
But Asuma has become darker, and with Tsunade's Advisor Koharu from Root in the mix, the conflicts with Naruto would be immense.
Previously, Tsunade's influence prevented the two from clashing, but Naruto's anger has been simmering.
Now that the Hokage Election is over, Naruto's anger can no longer be contained.
Most crucially, Tang Ping has an important pawn close to Naruto who can be used to eliminate this threat.
Kakashi!
It's time for him to make his final contribution.
If he continues to serve as a spy, he might even become Hokage himself.
(End of Chapter)
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