The gatekeeping jonin looked at Tsunade, and in his heart, he also had an idea.
Rather than letting the Uchiha clan succeed in taking power and having their way, it would be better to let Tsunade take this position.
With the prestige and fame of the Senju clan, it might not be impossible to compete with the Uchiha clan. One must know that the Senju clan was once the number one family in Konoha, even more favored than the Uchiha clan.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and Senju Tobirama both died in battle for the village. Although the founders of the village were both the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan, back then, the Uchiha clan was the defeated party under the Senju clan.
Thinking of this, he decisively proposed. "Tsunade-sama, did you return to the village to run for the Fifth Hokage? Perhaps only you can contend with the Uchiha clan now."
Tsunade was taken aback—Fifth Hokage? She had never thought about running for this.
"I did not."
The gatekeeping jonin felt a little anxious. Seeing hope, how could he allow it to be shattered? "Tsunade-sama, if the village falls under the control of the Uchiha clan, it would definitely not be a good thing. On the contrary, with you leading Konoha, people would be more convinced, just like how the First and Second Hokage led the village to peace and stable development."
Tsunade understood in her heart—it seemed not everyone supported the Uchiha clan. She felt a bit comforted, even if the Senju clan had declined, there were still people in the village who persisted. But right now was obviously not the time to talk about this. "Let's not discuss this for now. I will first go pay respects to the Third Hokage."
"Shizune, let's go." After speaking, she took Shizune and left. After returning to the clan grounds to put away their belongings, they then went to the cemetery to pay respects to their teacher.
The gatekeeping jonin watched Tsunade's departing figure, and in his heart, a strange thought arose.
Although the Third Hokage had committed suicide in guilt, in reality, he was forced by the Uchiha clan. The Uchiha clan could not be allowed to take power as they wished. Even though the Third Hokage had done such things, there were still many in the village who did not want the Uchiha clan to take power.
To them, Tsunade was undoubtedly a better choice and would gain more support from the people. He needed to inform those people.
After giving instructions to the other gatekeepers to stay alert, he set off alone to visit those who opposed the Uchiha clan's rise to power.
Meanwhile, after Tsunade and Shizune returned to their clan grounds and put down their belongings, they headed to the cemetery to pay respects to the Third Hokage.
Looking at the tombstone inscribed with "Third Hokage," Tsunade felt a deep emotion.
How things had changed. She never expected that her teacher would die like this, leaving behind a tarnished reputation. Caught by the Uchiha clan and forced into such a fate—truly miserable.
After paying respects to the Third Hokage, she also paid respects to her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, and Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama had died in the Land of Lightning and had not even had his body recovered. Time had passed, things had changed, and the Senju clan had declined. She had no plans to rebuild the Senju clan or summon the clan members.
They had all found their own peaceful lives—why disturb them? Being a shinobi was not a good path. Living as an ordinary person meant staying out of the conflicts of the shinobi world. She had no desire to be a clan leader—being a clan leader was not easy.
After finishing the visit, she naturally returned to the Senju clan grounds. But at the entrance, she saw a group of people waiting.
They were some familiar old faces, and she asked. "Why are you here?"
A dozen clan leaders looked at Tsunade, their emotions intense—Tsunade had really returned. "Tsunade-sama has returned, so naturally, we came to pay our respects."
Tsunade was a bit puzzled. She had just returned, yet so many people had come to visit. Was her reputation really that high? She said directly. "Just say it. Don't beat around the bush—what are you here for?"
Someone spoke up straightforwardly. "Four days from now, a clan leader-level meeting will be held to nominate a candidate for the Fifth Hokage. We want to nominate you, Tsunade-sama."
"That's right. With your prestige and contributions, you should rightfully be the next Hokage."
At the side, Shizune was stunned, completely in disbelief. 'Are you kidding? Tsunade-sama becoming Hokage—you guys really dare to think.'
As Tsunade-sama's subordinate and attendant, she knew Tsunade all too well—she was a terrible gambler with a bad temper.
Was Konoha really going to have a gambling-addicted Hokage?
Tsunade was also very surprised. "You all actually want to nominate me?"
A clan leader immediately responded. "Yes, Tsunade-sama. This is something we have carefully considered. You are the best candidate for the next Hokage."
Tsunade was very surprised by their response—they actually believed she was the best candidate.
Back in the village, her reputation had not been particularly great. And in the eyes of some, she was just a woman, unfit for such heavy responsibilities.
She had been away from the village for a long time. Compared to the Uchiha clan, which was now at its peak, she clearly felt she was at a disadvantage.
She asked. "Do you all really think it's bad for the Uchiha clan to take power?"
Someone stepped forward and said, "The Uchiha clan's way of doing things is too aggressive—it might not be good."
They had wiped out or expelled the entire upper echelon of the village. Which clan in the shinobi world would dare to do such a thing? Even if they had justification, it still showed that they were not easy to deal with.
Compared to the Uchiha clan, if Tsunade took power, she obviously wouldn't be as forceful.
Hearing this, Tsunade deeply agreed—there was nothing surprising about the Uchiha clan's aggressive ways causing discontent.
In this regard, the Uchiha were still the same Uchiha. But being the Hokage was no easy task.
"I refuse."
The clan leaders present showed expressions of disappointment. If Tsunade did not run for Hokage, no one else had the qualifications to compete with the Uchiha clan.
Whether in prestige, strength, or reputation, the Uchiha clan was at the top in all three aspects. No other candidate in the village could even come close.
A clan leader, deeply distressed, stepped forward and said, "Tsunade-sama, this cannot be!"
"Konoha was created by Lord Hashirama—you cannot just watch it go astray."
The others immediately agreed.
"Please, Tsunade-sama, step up and lead the village."
Seeing so many people pleading for her to take power, Tsunade wavered.
Konoha was something her two grandfathers had poured their hearts and lives into protecting—could she really just stand by and do nothing?
What kind of future the Uchiha clan would bring to the village, she couldn't say for sure.
It might be better—or it might be worse.
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