Part Time Employee in Konoha C.225: Nothing change in the Hokage Tower

Hokage Tower.

Akihara Kagura and the two advisors to the Hokage were still in a meeting.

Tsunade, with Shizune in tow, pushed open the office door. Her gaze briefly swept over everyone present, finally resting on Akihara Kagura, the only person there she did not recognize.

"You, the kid named Akihara Kagura, right?"

Tsunade slowly approached Kagura and reached out to grab his collar. "So it was you who sent people to kill all my creditors? Ruining my reputation everywhere!"

"It was me."

Kagura nodded, presenting a stack of documents before Tsunade with a slight smile. "You must be Lady Tsunade, right? How coincidental, my subordinates also reported to me that Lady Tsunade wanted to protect her creditors. Why don't you take a look at the scum the new Fifth Hokage wants to protect?"

"What is this?"

Tsunade frowned displeasingly.

However, as Tsunade looked through the documents and recognized the names, her expression involuntarily darkened upon realizing they detailed the crimes of her creditors.

Those who ran gambling dens or charged exorbitant loans in the ninja world often had blood on their hands, resorting to extreme measures just to make money. Who would think them innocent, or believe they were acting philanthropically?

The documents showed how these creditors lured villagers into gambling, eventually forcing them into insurmountable debts with high interest rates, coercing them to extreme measures like selling family members, with murder and torture becoming the norm.

This was expected.

Certain industries in the ninja world were legal.

Each casino was typically surrounded by pleasure districts, gradually enslaving the local populace.

The feudal system still prevalent in the ninja world legitimized these actions, making it difficult to legally challenge these casino owners.

However...

Tsunade could see the significant harm their crimes caused from the documents.

"..."

Tsunade's expression was complicated.

"Lady Tsunade."

Kagura stood up, leaning on the table, looking directly at the soon-to-be Hokage: "As the Hokage, you should be protecting the villagers of Konoha, not these scum. I've killed them for the sake of your reputation..."

In reality.

Kagura was manipulating the concept.

Because Tsunade was never about protecting the creditors, but about protecting her own reputation. Linked to the debts, Tsunade found herself unable to refute Kagura's direct assault.

"Do you want these matters to become public?"

Kagura's gaze turned cold, appearing more authoritative than Tsunade: "What would happen to Konoha's reputation if the Fifth Hokage was known to collude with these villains, allowing them to slaughter at will?"

"If that's the case..."

"Where would Konoha's reputation stand?"

Kagura fixed his eyes on Tsunade, who looked disturbed, and righteously questioned: "Lady Tsunade, the First Hokage founded Konoha to protect the peace of the ninja world, not to shield those who harm civilians!"

"Lady Tsunade isn't that kind of person..."

Shizune, holding a small pig, trembled in fear at the side.

"I understand..."

Tsunade sighed deeply within.

Even though she knew from Jiraiya that she might face internal conflict with Akihara Kagura upon returning to Konoha, she hadn't expected such a challenging political opponent, presenting her with such a formidable challenge right away.

These documents...

Were prepared in advance by Kagura.

Meaning he had anticipated being challenged over the deaths of the creditors and had prepared to counterattack.

The internal strife within Konoha...

Seems to be never-ending!

Tsunade couldn't help but lament the cyclic nature of fate; it was Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo before, and now it was her turn with Akihara Kagura...

However...

She was still the Hokage!

"Don't try to twist the facts!"

Tsunade put down the papers, raising her head to meet Kagura's gaze: "I am only maintaining my reputation, not protecting them. Even if they were to be killed, it would have to wait until I've repaid my own debts!"

"And the Fifth Hokage owing money to creditors, only for the village ninjas to kill those creditors, surely damages the village's reputation more, doesn't it?"

Tsunade, facing Kagura, sternly questioned: "If I take office as the Fifth Hokage and continue to repay debts, more people will trust Konoha's integrity..."

"You make a good point."

Kagura, seemingly persuaded by Tsunade, sat down and handed her a piece of paper and a pen: "Then please, Lady Tsunade, write down your list of creditors. I will send my people to repay the debts, and after the money is paid, we can kill them..."

"..."

Tsunade's forehead twitched.

On her way back to Konoha, Jiraiya had mentioned that his student, Akihara Kagura, was a man of extreme actions but also very persuadable...

Now...

Tsunade really saw it.

Kagura indeed acted extremely, but he was really persuadable, only to adopt even more extreme methods afterward!

Konoha's ninjas first repaying debts and then committing murder, blatantly using murder to warn others in the ninja world not to touch money they shouldn't have?

This method...

Might as well not repay anything and just kill the creditors!

Tsunade looked at Kagura strangely, sighing: "This is my personal matter, I will handle it myself without involving others..."

"Lady Tsunade."

Kagura shook his head, speaking earnestly: "When you are appointed Hokage, your personal matters are no longer just your own..."

"Because you represent Konoha, and cannot afford a single misstep, every mistake could cause great harm to Konoha..."

"I'm out!"

Tsunade abruptly rejected, flipping the table!

"Let you be the Hokage then!"

Tsunade patted Kagura on the shoulder, feeling as if she had shed all responsibilities, countering Kagura's move: "You're so responsible, you can be the Hokage, in case you have any complaints..."

"Calm down, Tsunade!"

Homura Mitokado quickly tried to calm her down: "You are about to be appointed the Fifth Hokage by the Daimyo, we need to prepare for the inauguration ceremony..."

"We must issue the orders for the succession ceremony..."

Koharu Utatane also urged, unwilling to allow Tsunade to refuse.

Kagura serving as Hokage's aide, they both couldn't stop Kagura's actions. Once Kagura became Hokage, they definitely wouldn't be able to stop him from making mistakes!

"This is the village's higher-ups collective decision..."

Kagura quickly shook his head; Tsunade must become Hokage because her medical expertise could bring significant benefits to Konoha.

And...

It really is a match of equals!

Tsunade, this future superior, actually flipped the table too!

At this moment...

He must kick both the table and chairs!

Kagura spoke forcefully, yet his words showed his support for Tsunade's succession as Hokage: "Lady Tsunade, please don't be temperamental. If you still consider yourself a ninja of the village, if you still wish to take on the responsibility of protecting Konoha, do not avoid the village's higher-ups appointment in this manner..."

"..."

Tsunade looked at Kagura's expression, feeling somewhat bewildered.

Was this guy framing her, or was he truly protecting Konoha?

If Kagura didn't want her to become Hokage, shouldn't he take the opportunity to push her out instead? Why did he firmly support her becoming Hokage?

It's almost as if not becoming the Fifth Hokage meant she didn't acknowledge herself as a ninja of Konoha, didn't want to take on the responsibility of protecting Konoha...

It seems...

This guy isn't so bad after all?

Really everything for Konoha? Just too extreme in personality?

"Lady Tsunade."

Kagura spoke solemnly of his sacrifice: "To ensure you can succeed as Hokage, all ninjas of the Root are mobilized, to clear out anyone who might tarnish your reputation. I and the two advisors are still discussing when to clear those nobles who oppose your succession as Hokage. Even if the Fire Daimyo disagrees, we can assassinate him..."

"..."

Tsunade's fingers trembled.

Assassinate the Daimyo!

Such an event had never occurred in history!

Tsunade, having seen many big scenes, was somewhat shocked by Kagura's words!

This guy named Kagura, was he really going to such extremes to ensure her succession as Hokage? Normal people wouldn't think of killing the Daimyo, right?

"Cough, cough, cough, cough..."

Homura Mitokado coughed violently, repeatedly saying: "Kagura, killing the Daimyo seems a bit too extreme..."

"If the nobles really disagree with Tsunade's succession," Koharu Utatane frowned and advised, "we agree you can deal with those nobles, but let's forget about killing the Daimyo, especially since he himself supports Tsunade's succession as Hokage..."

"Alright, alright, I get it, it's a hassle!"

Tsunade sighed deeply, repeatedly waving her hands to show she understood their point: "I will succeed as the Fifth Hokage. Those nobles opposing me, I will personally talk to them, no need for such extreme measures from the village's upper echelons..."

"Killing them has many benefits and no disadvantages."

Akihara Kagura shook his head vigorously and continued, "This time, their opposition to Lady Tsunade's succession as Hokage implies that any proposal she makes in the political affairs of the Land of Fire could potentially be rejected by them..."

Akihara Kagura vehemently spoke of the harm these nobles posed to Konoha, but failed to mention that their refusal to allow Tsunade to become Hokage was largely because the Konoha ninja had dismantled the nobles' lavish established gambling dens, damaging their interests and cutting off their avenues for plundering wealth.

Yet Tsunade was able to see through all of this.

"I will persuade them," she declared.

Tsunade frowned and rejected Akihara Kagura's suggestion, continuing, "All this started because our people killed theirs, resulting in their loss of interest..."

"Wrong!"

Akihara Kagura interrupted Tsunade, coldly continuing, "The root of all this is because they secretly supported others in setting up gambling dens, causing Lady Tsunade to accumulate a lot of gambling debts..."

"Actually, it's myself..."

Tsunade waved her hand, blaming herself, unwilling to attribute the fault to her own hobbies.

"It's good that Lady Tsunade can recognize her own mistakes," said Akihara Kagura, nodding immediately and continuing, "From today onwards, I hope Lady Tsunade will not stray further on the wrong path and not let it be known after her succession as Hokage that she has engaged in behavior unbecoming of her status..."

"Can't I gamble even after becoming Hokage?"

Tsunade, somewhat dissatisfied, glared angrily at Akihara Kagura.

"A Hokage can have personal hobbies," Akihara Kagura acknowledged, nodding, but added a condition, "However, to maintain the image of the Hokage, it must not become known that the Fifth Hokage of Konoha is still a gambler. The Anbu and Root will eliminate some of those in the know..."

Tsunade looked incredulously at Akihara Kagura.

After gambling, if Anbu and Root simply kill people at the gambling dens, how could she dare to gamble with others? Which gambling den would dare let her in?

Though...

No gambling dens dare to let her in now.

"Tsunade, this is all for Konoha."

Both Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado agreed with Akihara Kagura's opinion, not wishing for Konoha's Hokage to be a gambler, as it would indeed affect Konoha's image.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had governed for nearly forty years, leaving behind an image of a benevolent and gentle Hokage, and the Will of Fire that had been passed down. This could not be spoiled by Tsunade's hobbies, tarnishing the villagers' view of the Hokage.

"What a hassle..."

Tsunade muttered impatiently, walking to the Hokage's desk and sitting down carelessly, continuing, "Alright, let's not talk about whether I will gamble in the future, you don't need to bother with those nobles who oppose my succession as Hokage, I will handle it myself!"

After Tsunade spoke, she looked directly at the people present, her gaze resting on Akihara Kagura, "This is the first order I issue upon my return. Just follow my command, Akihara Kagura, I am the Hokage..."

"Lady Tsunade, you will regret this."

Akihara Kagura firmly returned Tsunade's gaze.

In that moment...

The atmosphere in the office was somewhat eerie.

"This..."

"This..."

Both Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado frowned and looked at each other, feeling a sense of déjà vu in this scene.

How come...

It seems nothing has changed?

The two Hokage advisors had often witnessed such scenes during the governance of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, and now again just as Tsunade had returned...

There really isn't anything new in this office...

No.

There is still something new.

Because Akihara Kagura and Shimura Danzo are different.

"I would like to propose something here."

Akihara Kagura looked at Tsunade and voiced his opinion, "Lady Tsunade, as an assistant in the village, we cannot allow a Hokage to act arbitrarily on the wrong path..."

"Let's hear your thoughts."

Tsunade could not disallow the Hokage's assistant from making proposals at this time, nor could she dismiss an assistant for differing opinions, especially when this assistant was a pillar of strength supporting Konoha.

"I request the resurrection of the previous Hokages!"

Akihara Kagura looked to the two advisors beside him, seizing the opportunity to express his idea, "Please allow me to use the Edo Tensei in the village, to resurrect the previous Hokages!"

"On one hand, this is to prevent Orochimaru from resurrecting the previous Hokages first, which would put us at a disadvantage when we face an invasion by Orochimaru in the future..."

Akihara Kagura looked at Tsunade, his target clear on the soon-to-be Fifth Hokage, "On the other hand, the previous Hokages have governed Konoha for many years, and their collective assistance in governing Konoha can prevent the Fifth Hokage from making mistakes!"

~~~

High-level conflicts often employ high-level methods of /Bleam

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