Ryosuke's Prestige Skyrockets

Tsunade stopped the crowd and said, "Ryosuke has also awakened my grandfather's Wood release. He is the successor of Wood release. He has inherited my grandfather's will and he's the hope of Konoha's future."

Tsunade had completely given up the spotlight to Ryosuke.

Today was supposed to be her inauguration as the Hokage.

But the moment she announced that Ryosuke possessed Senju blood and had awakened the First Hokage's Wood release, everyone's attention shifted to him.

It was as if her becoming the Hokage was just a small matter.

But Tsunade didn't mind that. On the contrary, she was delighted.

Shizune said, "I haven't seen Tsunade-sama smile like this in a long time."

Shizune clutched a small pig, and watched Tsunade with heartfelt emotion.

Jiraiya, who was beside her nodded.

He tried to recall the last time he had seen Tsunade smile so freely and genuinely.

How many years has it been?

Jiraiya scratched his head in frustration.

Was his memory getting worse with age?

Old man used to say that this would happen.

[T/N: Old man = Sarutobi Hiruzen]

While Jiraiya was lost in thought, the crowd erupted in a deafening roar.

"Oh my God! Ryosuke-sama has awakened Wood release?!"

"That's Wood release! The legendary technique that the First Hokage used to bring peace!"

"Wait! Is it really that strong? Why is everyone so excited?"

"Idiot! What do you know? This is the First Hokage's Wood release! Do you even understand the weight of those words?"

"You young ones don't get it. I had seen the First Hokage use Wood release with my own eyes in the past!"

"Funny, isn't it? The ninja academy textbooks call the Third Hokage the strongest Hokage. Ha!"

"Shh! Don't say that out loud. Lord Third was great too. Those textbooks were probably written by some big fans of Lord Third."

"Heh! Who knows?"

Tsunade's announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd.

The older ninjas quickly educated those who were unfamiliar with Wood release's power.

As they realized the significance of this matter, awe spread through the masses.

Meanwhile, the clan leaders were shocked all.

If the Senju bloodline symbolized prestige and connections, then Wood release represented pure strength.

Senju Hashirama had ended the Sengoku era with his Wood release.

And now, a new young Senju had awakened it.

Will Ryosuke become the second coming of Senju Hashirama?

This thought caused countless men to enter contemplation.

But it triggered concern for one man.

Nara Shikaku frowned.

He wasn't concerned because he disliked Ryosuke.

He was just worried.

Wood release's power is undeniable.

Konoha may have had another Wood release user, but that was just a flawed imitation.

If Ryosuke's Wood release truly matched Senju Hashirama's, then things were about to get serious.

"I need to speak with Tsunade-sama after this."

If this situation isn't handled carefully, it could ignite the Fourth Great Ninja War.

After all, if he were in the position of the other Kages, would he allow Konoha to raise a second Senju Hashirama?

Absolutely not!

So...

If Ryosuke's Wood release proves to be the real thing, the other villages will definitely not sit idly by.

Assassination attempts.

Direct military action.

Either way, it will spell disaster for Konoha.

On the edge of the crowd, a masked Anbu observed the scene.

Tenzō stared at Ryosuke on the high platform.

"So, Ryosuke can use Wood release too?"

As Orochimaru's only surviving Wood release experiment, he had always believed that he was unique.

Even though his Wood release was weak compared to the First Hokage's, he was still the only known user of Wood release in the world.

Until now!

"How strong is his Wood release?"

Tenzo wasn't jealous at all. On the contrary, he was a little curious.

Was Ryosuke's Wood release stronger than his?

Or was it weaker?

"Ryosuke, show them."

Tsunade turned to Ryosuke and said.

Hearing this, Ryosuke nodded.

Two days ago, Tsunade had entrusted a scroll recording Senju Hashirama's Wood release to him.

It contained the Senju Hashirama's entire arsenal of wood release and even his most powerful moves.

And now!

With the crowd watching, Ryosuke clapped his hands together.

A terrifying amount of chakra surged through his body.

"Wood release: Wood Dragon Technique!"

Boom!!!

A massive wood dragon erupted from the earth, spiraling into the sky.

Ryosuke leapt onto its head, letting it carry him into the air.

The 100 meter long dragon roared as it soared, and circled the village.

The people of Konoha lost their minds.

"It's Wood release! REAL Wood release!!"

"That's Lord Hashirama's technique! I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime!"

"A dragon! It's a real dragon! And it's flying!!"

"Ryosuke-sama is incredible!!!"

When Tsunade first announced that Ryosuke had Wood release, some people doubted it.

But now?

Watching Ryosuke ride the wood dragon, all doubts vanished.

This was the real deal.

Only a true Senju could wield Wood release of this level.

In the crowd, Yamato felt shocked.

[T/N: From now on Tenzo will be changed to Yamato since I feel like most people know him as Yamato.]

"His Wood release is on a whole different level than mine."

Ryosuke's Wood release was undeniably superior to his artificial version.

Even Yamato had to accept this fact.

The wood dragon soared through the sky a few more times before descending.

With a thunderous impact, it plunged into the ground and transformed into a towering 100 meter tree.

Beneath its massive shade, the people erupted into cheers.

They shouted Ryosuke's name.

The overwhelming praise left Ryosuke a little stunned.

Thankfully, the excitement soon settled.

Once the two Hokage advisors officially declared the end of the inauguration ceremony, the crowd dispersed.

But they were still buzzing with enthusiasm.

What happened today would be talked about for a long time.

Inside the Hokage's Office

Tsunade removed her Hokage hat and set it on the table.

Two smaller desks were to her side. They were for her assistants.

Given her personality, there was no way she would handle all the paperwork alone.

So, she had already planned ahead.

Two extra desks!

Two extra people!

Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen, she wasn't the type to micromanage everything or hoard all of the power.

To be honest, just one day as the Hokage was already exhausting.

She was already tempted to sneak out for some gambling.

But this was her first day. She had to at least pretend to be responsible for appearance's sake.

"Shikaku, this seat is yours now."

With a casual wave, Tsunade assigned Nara Shikaku a desk.

Nara Shikaku accepted with a wry smile.

'Great. Looks like I'll be working overtime every day now. Will my wife be okay with this?'

As a man with a strict wife, his ranking in the house was already below his own son's.

Now, if he had to work late every night, would he even be able to survive the scolding?

Still, orders were orders.

He could only start thinking of a way to explain to his wife that this was actually a promotion.

Technically, it actually was a promotion.

After all, his new position was on the same level as the Hokage advisors from the previous administration.

Back then, Sarutobi Hiruzen's advisors held onto their power tightly.

No one else could even get close to those seats.

But now, times had changed.

"Ryosuke, there's still one more spot. Do you want it?"

Tsunade turned to Ryosuke, and gestured at the last empty desk.

"No way! I'm too young to be stuck in an office!"

Ryosuke immediately refused, using his age as an excuse.

This was a perfect excuse.

One that never failed.

"Fine! What about Jiraiya?"

Tsunade turned to Jiraiya next.

Jiraiya shook his head so fast that it became a blur.

Jiraiya said, "Tsunade, you know that I'm training Naruto. I don't have time for this."

He used Naruto as an excuse to dodge the responsibility.

Tsunade clicked her tongue and said, "Tch! You're all just afraid of work, huh?"

She saw right through him.

Still, she didn't force Jiraiya.

Instead, she grabbed Shizune and plopped her into the chair.

"Shizune, you're my assistant now!"

Tsunade put her hands on her hips, and announced it like a decree.

"What?! But—!"

Shizune wanted to refuse.

But could she really refuse?

Of course not.

She could only nod with a forced smile.

"Alright, that's settled! Now, let's go for a walk, Ryosuke!"

Tsunade was pleased with her own cleverness.

She was about to drag Ryosuke out of the office.

But!

"Lord Hokage, you still have unfinished work."

Nara Shikaku stopped her and handed her a document.

He said, "You need to personally review this one."

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively and said, "Just handle it yourself."

Shikaku sighed, "This one requires your approval, Lord Hokage."

Tsunade sighed, "Ugh… Fine, what is it?"

She snatched the document, finally giving in.

Shikaku answered, "It's the Chūnin Exam results. You need to decide who advances to a Chūnin."

Tsunade said, "Oh, that? Let me see."

She sat back down, flipping through the file.

Meanwhile—

"Uh, I'll be going now!"

Jiraiya saw his chance and bolted.

Tsunade glanced up, and scoffed but let him go.

After a few moments, she set the file down.

"Alright. So, Shikamaru's your kid, right?" She looked at Shikaku and asked.

Shikaku replied, "Yes."

Tsunade said, "He's good. He's getting promoted to Chūnin."

Shikaku nodded in approval.

Tsunade continued, "As for the others… I'll decide later."

Then, a thought struck her.

"Oh, and Ryosuke, you're being promoted to an Elite Jōnin!"

She turned towards Ryosuke and said.

Ryosuke was casually chatting with Shizune.

Hearing the sudden announcement, he paused.

"You don't have to stay in Anbu anymore unless you want to be the Anbu Commander?"

Tsunade raised a brow.

It was clear that if Ryosuke said yes, she'd hand over the position immediately.

"No, that sounds like too much work. I don't want to manage people." Ryosuke shook his head.

If he didn't even want to be the Hokage, why would he care about running for Anbu commander?

Tsunade said, "Fair enough."

"But you're an Elite Jōnin now, so you need a job."

Tsunade flipped through another document.

Then, her eyes lit up.

"Oh, perfect! The new Team 10 still doesn't have a Jōnin leader!"

She grinned.

"How about you take the job?"

Jōnin leader of Team 10?

Ryosuke considered it. It wasn't a bad idea.

And didn't Jōnin instructors technically work 24/7?

Didn't that mean that he'd be getting paid 24/7 too?

He didn't really need any money but still...

Why would he refuse easy money?

With his special skill, this was actually a massive advantage.

Plus, his girlfriend, Ino, was on Team 10.

"Alright, I'll do it."

He nodded.