153: Has The Elders' Council Lost Their Minds?

Natsuki had only been joking, trying to fluster his sister. He didn't expect Kurenai to actually dash off and return shortly with a change of clothes.

"Hee hee, did you think I was kidding? I don't even know how many times I've washed you when we were little,.

"You killed so many enemies today, you were covered in so much blood and shit. Big Sister will scrub you clean." Kurenai slowly walked into the bathroom.

"N-no... there's no need, is there?" Now Natsuki felt apprehensive.

"Really, no need?" Kurenai hummed lightly, her fingers caressing her long, snow-white neck before slowly pulling down on her bathrobe.

A flash of white instantly caught Natsuki's attention. 

First, the delicate collarbone, then the pert curve of her...

Natsuki quickly covered his eyes, but peeked through his fingers.

Kurenai paused, measuring his reaction.

"Haha, idiot!!"

Then, with a dramatic motion, ripped open her robe. 

However, underneath wasn't the pure white landscape he'd expected, but a bath towel.

'Damn, how could I be tricked by that?!'

Disappointed, Natsuki yelled, "If you've got the guts, take that off too!"

"Hmph, in your dreams." Kurenai gave him a disdainful look, then strode over and ordered, "Move over, turn around."

Natsuki reluctantly turned, making space. 

Then, the water rippled as Kurenai stepped into the tub.

Slender, delicate fingers gently landed on her brother's back. 

The pressure was just right, slowly kneading his well-defined muscles.

Natsuki, who had been bracing himself, immediately broke out in goosebumps. Soon, he was letting out satisfied groans.

As her hands wandered downward, he hand touched something hard.

"What's this?" she asked absentmindedly, but her mind quickly caught on.

"You weren't the slightest bit injured by those Sand ninjas?" She changed the subject just as quickly.

Looking at her brother's growing sword, Kurenai felt increasingly pleased and flustered, a gleam appeared in her eyes. 

He was't this big that day!

"No way!" Natsuki abrubtly stood up posing like a hero who just vanquished the dragon.

"Did you think I'd get injured when dealing with those trash." he turned around, asking in confusion.

"Oh, oh, I must have really underestimated you then." Kurenai's eyes darted around, her mind elsewhere.

"What's wrong? Why are your eyes darting around like that? What am I missing?" Natsuki had turned around, and he had gleam in his eyes as he innocently asked.

He noticed Kurenai's cheeks flush crimson.

"Forget it, you can wash yourself from here." Kurenai deliberately put on a calm expression, stood up, and hurried out.

It was unclear whether she genuinely didn't realize or was pretending. As she stood up, her wet towel slipped off, revealing a dazzling expanse of white that nearly blinded Natsuki.

But Kurenai walked away nonchalantly, as if nothing was wrong.

…

Three days later, a large memorial service was held in Konoha to mourn the fallen Third Hokage and the Konoha heroes who died in the war.

As soon as the memorial service ended, a high-level meeting of the utmost importance convened in the Hokage Tower. 

The two Konoha advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, along with Danzo Shimura of the Root and Jiraiya, were all present.

Without Hiruzen, Danzo once again vehemently argued his case for becoming Hokage.

But just like in the original story, he was immediately rejected by the two advisors. They both wanted Jiraiya, who was currently the known strongest preset and also Hiruzen's student, to take the role.

However, Jiraiya refused, stating that he wasn't suitable and had a more important mission.

The final decision was for Jiraiya to search for Tsunade and have her become the Fifth Hokage.

Thus, it seemed as if everything was back on track.

But as Jiraiya left the village with Naruto, the unwilling Danzo approached the two advisors and proposed a second candidate for Hokage – Natsuki Yuhi.

After all, if Tsunade returned, with her influence, Danzo would have no chance of seizing the Hokage seat.

But, if a wet-behind-the-ears kid became Hokage, he would be much easier to control.

Moreover, the current Natsuki was hailed as Konoha's Little Hero, the Guardian Deity of Konoha. 

In terms of prestige, no one in the entire village could surpass him.

His portrait and accomplishments were even displayed alongside those of past Hokages and elite Konoha ninjas in the hallways of the Ninja Academy.

Now, all he lacked was seniority.

"A young Hokage, no matter how prestigious, lacks experience. This will force him to rely on us, allowing us to firmly control Konoha's power center.

"Moreover, if he becomes Hokage, we can use the greater good as justification to have him contribute all his powerful techniques, don't you want to know the secret behind all that? That would undoubtedly elevate Konoha to a new level.

"If Tsunade becomes Hokage, I guarantee that within a few years, you will be completely ousted. Will your incompetent descendants be able to maintain your current holdings then?"

Danzo's words finally swayed the two advisors.

"Why didn't you bring this up in the previous meetings?" Homura asked, puzzled.

"Back then, you were dead set against me becoming Hokage. Your first reaction to anything I said was refusal. What would've been the point of me saying anything?

"Besides, Jiraiya was also there at the time," Danzo snorted, his face full of displeasure.

"But now Jiraiya has gone to retrieve Tsunade."

"If they return and find we've appointed a new Hokage..." Homura asked worriedly.

"Heh, by the time they return, it will be a done deal, and it won't be up to them.

"Would they dare stand against the entire village?" Danzo chuckled sinisterly.

"Moreover, so many geniuses have emerged from Konoha in this battle.

"The key now is to plan carefully and bring these young geniuses and the clans behind them into our camp."

…

Over the past few days, the atmosphere in the Yuhi household had been somewhat strange. 

Kurenai had tried to speak to her brother several times, starting and stopping, before ultimately forgetting what she wanted to say.

Something was going heywere in her head.

"Lady Kurenai, Elder Homura requests your presence."

That day, just after lunch, an ANBU member approached Kurenai.

"Alright, I'll be right there."

Post-war reconstruction tasks were numerous, and as a Jonin, Kurenai had a high mission completion rate. 

She usually went to pick up missions herself, with the ANBU simply issuing the mission scrolls.

A direct summons from a Konoha elder was rare.

Kurenai quickly arrived at the Hokage Tower. 

Upon entering the Hokage's office, she immediately recognized the figures seated inside: Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.

"Greetings, Elders. May I ask, what the matter is?" Kurenai asked respectfully.

After a quick exchange of glances, Homura stepped forward and said, "Kurenai, your brother Natsuki made great contributions in this battle.

"He is now famous throughout Konoha, and even the entire ninja world.

"Furthermore, with the Third Hokage's sacrifice, we urgently need a capable person to lead us.

"Therefore, we want him to become the acting Hokage and lead Konoha."

These words nearly made Kurenai's eyes pop out. 

"Have you all fucking lost your minds?!! You want to Make Natsuki the Hokage?"

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