175 - Resistance Means Annihilation
That very day, a notice was posted on the bulletin board outside the Hokage's office in Konoha.
The Third Hokage due to long-term exhaustion and his body no longer being able to bear the strain, suddenly collapsed today and has been urgently sent to Konoha Hospital for intensive treatment. After discussion among Konoha's upper management, Tsunade has been unanimously recommended as the Fourth Hokage.
Although the villagers were somewhat surprised that Hiruzen, who had always been in good health, would suddenly collapse, they had no objections to the news of Tsunade becoming the Fourth Hokage.
After all, who becomes Hokage didn't really affect them much.
Ordinary citizens were more concerned about what they were eating today, whether vegetable prices had gone up again, how much money they earned this month, and whether they could make more next month.
As for the lower-ranking ninja... The leadership had already discussed it thoroughly. Even influential ninjas like Orochimaru and Jiraiya publicly expressed support for Tsunade.
Did they even have room to express personal opinions?
Wouldn't they be afraid of being "invited for questioning" by the now fully mobilized Root and ANBU ninjas?
Besides, Tsunade was actually not bad!
As the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, and Konoha's top-tier medical ninja with countless achievements, she undoubtedly possessed the qualifications to become Hokage.
Although she's said to be a bit of a gambler, among the Sannin, who didn't have their own little flaws and hobbies?
Compared to Jiraiya, who had been caught sneaking into women's baths more times than one can count, and Orochimaru, who always gave off a cold and frightening vibe...
Tsunade was definitely easier for them to accept.
After prior communication and intimidation of the village's upper management, clan leaders, and department heads... The change in Hokage in Konoha didn't cause any major waves.
Everything proceeded as normal.
Many clan leaders even proactively came to the Hokage Building to re-register the ninja from their clans.
This old, battered ship that was Konoha seemed to be showing signs of new life.
---
In the Hokage's office, with both legs propped up on the desk, Tsunade lazily reclined in her chair. After briefly glancing through a document and finding no issues, she casually signed her name and handed it to the waiting assistant, Shizune.
Bathed in the light of the setting sun pouring through the window, she yawned lazily, her eyes brimming with tears from the yawn.
"Being Hokage doesn't seem so busy after all~!"
Inside the office, Shikaku, Suzaku, Inoichi, Shibi, Fugaku, Hiashi, Murakumo, and others all looked up simultaneously, their expressions filled with speechlessness.
Try saying that again after letting us out of here!
Only god knows, from morning until now, aside from a short lunch break, they'd been working non-stop.
The rest of the time had been spent tirelessly reviewing documents, making decisions, and then passing them on to Tsunade for final approval.
Being valued by the new Hokage wasn't bad.
But being directly monitored at work, having to not only handle matters properly but also tailor the handling to Tsunade's preferences?
It was exhausting!
There was also the need to reorganize and adjust the ANBU selections left by the Third Hokage, approve resources for 3,000 troops on the front line, calculate and distribute pensions for the fallen...
Beyond major issues, the centralized policy of the Third Hokage means even minor matters like repairing restrooms at the pill store, setting up awnings at the sake bar, hanging a sign at the sweets shop, handling odor complaints from the pig farm, and disposing of pet waste... all end up in the Hokage's office.
This workload... It was killing them!
"What's with all these faces? Shikaku, didn't Danzō say there are new policies to implement?"
Tsunade tilted her body and lazily glanced over at Shikaku on the sofa.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. The plan is to dismantle and reorganize a lot of existing departments, streamline staff, and clarify detailed responsibilities. But at the earliest, it'll take three days to complete."
Shikaku straightened up and succinctly reported the department restructuring plan.
Promote the capable, eliminate the incompetent.
It sounded simple, but in practice, it was tough.
Tsunade's show of strength had exceeded everyone's expectations. The appearance of the First Hokage's image projection silenced all dissent.
Naturally, this wasn't something that could be accomplished in just a few days!
"By then, we won't be seeing toilet repair documents anymore, right?"
"Yes, responsibilities will be broken down to departments, teams, and even individuals. Minor matters can be handled below."
"Have you decided on an assistant?"
"Not yet."
"Not bad, not bad! I've got high hopes for you. The future's looking bright! Hehehe~"
Tsunade chuckled while reclining in her chair.
Being Hokage really wasn't that hard!
Once the department restructuring was done in a few days, she could let Shikaku run the show while she left behind a shadow clone here. Then she could go wherever she wanted.
She hadn't visited the gambling hall in ages!
Speaking of which, didn't the Hokage get a monthly salary?
"How much do I get paid a month?"
"Danzō asked me to pass on a message. If you dare go to the gambling hall, he'll bite you," Shikaku said this with an odd expression.
Everyone else in the office suddenly had very colorful expressions too.
What did that mean?
Bite?
Tsunade's body trembled violently, nearly falling out of her chair.
Three days ago, that bite from Kei nearly made her wish for death on the spot.
Another one?!
---
Three days later, inside the conference room of the Kazekage building in Suna.
Many high-ranking officials of Suna had gathered, all with solemn expressions as they looked toward Chiyo, who sat to the left of the Kazekage's seat.
"Ōnoki and Kurotsuchi from Iwa have rejected our proposal. Only Rōshi is willing to assist us in making a move during the negotiations in a few days."
Her expression was heavy, her voice carrying a fatigue that couldn't be hidden.
They originally thought that after seeing Konoha's ambition to swallow other ninja villages, Ōnoki would at least pretend to agree while secretly preparing for a counterattack.
Who would have thought that the stubborn old man, obstinate for decades, was actually playing for real.
"Only the Four-Tails' jinchūriki? On our side, Ebizō should also..."
"Is there still no response from Kumo? Isn't the Raikage known for his aggressive stance?"
"He is too far away. Even with ninja hawks, the message can't reach him that quickly."
"What about Kiri? Didn't we hear that their newly elected Mizukage was killed by Konoha too? Aren't they reacting at all?"
"The situation is clearly unfavorable for us! According to frontline intel..."
"Didn't Sajin say he went to the Wind Temple to seek reinforcements, hoping the ninja monks there would also resist? Why isn't he back yet?"
"News just came this morning. In order to convince the head monk, he directly became a monk himself, but the head monk's stance is still unclear..."
"The Wind Temple, damn it! Do they really think they'll be spared if this goes down?"
Amidst the noisy debates, the Suna higher-ups were like ants on a hot pan — anxious and restless, but unable to come up with any meaningful strategy.
Standing not far behind Chiyo, Pakura glanced sideways at Ebizō, who was meditating in the corner of the room.
Leaning half against the wall, looking at the sandstorm outside the window, she couldn't stop a cold sneer from forming on her lips.
That battle a week ago left Rasa crippled.
Although Chiyo hadn't said much on the surface, she had squashed the other officials' attempt to elect a new Kazekage. She even promoted and demoted people underhandedly, transferring Pakura to command the Puppet Brigade—in name only.
Everyone knew the brigade only listened to Chiyo!
What was she guarding against?
Today, Pakura was attending a high-level meeting without even being given a chair, forced to stand behind Chiyo.
Suna, hurry up and perish already!
If someone else wanted to suffer, let them—she was done!
RUMBLE—
A thunderous rumble, like muffled thunder, accompanied by violent tremors, came from outside Suna.
Pakura whipped her head toward the sound.
Through the glass window, she saw a massive wooden golem crash down just outside the southern wall of Suna.
The wall, over a hundred meters tall, barely reached the golem's knees!
RUMBLE—RUMBLE—
Boom after boom, tremors and deafening sounds followed.
Pakura dashed out of the conference room and appeared on the rooftop of the Kazekage building.
Even though she had expected something like this… When she saw one after another colossal entity appear, completely surrounding and occupying the high walls around Suna, her heart still filled with dread and terror!
On the north and south ends, towering nearly a kilometer tall, two giant wooden golems stood.
Above the eastern and western gates, two Susanoo—one over 200 meters tall and blue, the other slightly smaller and light green—hovered in the air!
Between the wooden giants and Susanoo figures, the Nine-Tails waving its nine tails, the Three-Tails lying atop the wall, Katsuyu, Gamabunta, Manda, Ibuse that shouldn't be here, and an enormous lizard never seen before... Ear-piercing alarms rang out through Suna.
Yet all the high-ranking officials who had rushed out of the conference room stood frozen, unable to issue any orders as they stared at the scene before them.
Fear overwhelmed them.
As true despair descended, everyone knew: resistance would only mean annihilation!