I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 361 A new candidate has been born!

Tsunade has awakened the Senju clan's bloodline limit?!

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately began to doubt his ears.

But before he could ask any more detailed questions...

As if she had shaken off a heavy burden, Tsunade waved to Nara Rinkazuki and then left Hokage Rock without looking back.

For her, tonight's "explanation" is the end!

Tsunade had no interest in explaining to Hiruzen Sarutobi in detail how she acquired her Wood Release technique.

At least for now, she has absolutely no interest.

Seeing Tsunade's decisive and straightforward manner, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his right hand, his lips moved a few times, but in the end he didn't utter a single word.

After the exchange just now, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi not see that this disciple was now utterly disappointed in him?

Even if he were to question Tsunade now about what exactly happened with the Wood Release technique, he probably wouldn't get a positive answer from her.

The other ninjas in Konoha dared not disrespect the Third Hokage.

But the princess of the Senju clan doesn't need to care about Hiruzen Sarutobi's face!

Having dismissed the idea of ​​making a fool of himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, gently stroking his goatee as he pondered the impact Tsunade's awakening of Wood Release would have on Konoha at this moment...

"No! The most urgent thing is to confirm whether Tsunade has truly awakened the power of Wood Release!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly snapped off several of his whiskers.

"While Tsunade is unlikely to play mind games on this issue, ... Nara is still by her side!"

Confirming whether Tsunade had awakened Wood Release was not difficult for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After all, Tsunade had just "reported" to him that she and Orochimaru had already fought.

Considering what Tsunade just said...

She has a very high probability of using Wood Release in her battle with Orochimaru!

For ninjas of Tsunade and Orochimaru's strength, it's impossible for them to fight around Konoha without causing any environmental impact.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to quickly return from the Hokage Rock to the Hokage Building, intending to send the Anbu to search the area around Konoha Village.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi had completely ignored matters concerning Orochimaru.

Although Tsunade just clearly stated that she severed Orochimaru's two arms during the battle...

Although severing both arms is a devastating blow to any ninja...

Although Orochimaru is very likely to be completely devastated after this battle...

However, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart, he didn't really trust Orochimaru, his disciple, much.

Back when he took Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade as his disciples, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already noticed something was wrong with Orochimaru.

Despite being just a young child, his eyes held a strong ambition, even... malice!

In recent years, in particular, Hiruzen Sarutobi has increasingly felt that Orochimaru is drifting further and further away from the growth path he had hoped for.

Having had both his hands broken by Tsunade, hopefully Orochimaru can use this ordeal to cleanse his heart of malice...

Hiruzen Sarutobi completely forgot about the issues related to Orochimaru.

However, before the ANBU ninjas who received the mission could even leave the Hokage Building...

The information sent from Kikyo Castle was delivered to the Hokage's office first.

After confirming the location of Tsunade and Orochimaru's battle, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not take a break and immediately set off from the Hokage Building to personally head to the dense forest on the outskirts of Kikyo Castle.

The Third Hokage's battlefield insight was far superior to that of ordinary ninjas.

Upon arriving at the forest on the outskirts of Kikyo Castle, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in a ravaged clearing in the dense forest, his mind rapidly simulating and reconstructing the battle that had taken place there.

Due to the complete asymmetry of information.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not connect the terms "Nara Osaka" and "Wood Release" together, but instead closely associated Wood Release with Tsunade.

After a quick mental simulation, Hiruzen Sarutobi became completely convinced that Tsunade had "awakened" Wood Release.

Especially after he witnessed the wooden dragon, still stained with crimson blood and covered with dense wooden spikes, the impression of "Tsunade awakening Wood Release" took deep root in his heart.

"This is... the First Hokage's Wood Dragon Technique, with some other Wood Release form transformations also incorporated!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi closely observed the spiky wooden dragon, which had shrunk considerably due to the loss of its caster, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

"And... the First Generation's Wood Man Technique, there are also traces of giant humanoid creatures active here."

"Two S-rank Wood Release ultimate ninjutsu. Tsunade's training in Wood Release is far more powerful than I imagined!"

"The most crucial point is that Tsunade has completely lost her fear of blood!"

The misinformation caused Hiruzen Sarutobi's assessment of Tsunade's strength to deviate significantly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had no idea what the battle was about, exaggerated Tsunade's overall strength to the extent he could imagine.

"With her hemophobia cured, Tsunade's strength has returned to its peak..."

"Having awakened Wood Release, Tsunade's overall strength is now greater than before..."

The three legendary ninjas, already renowned, have now acquired the Wood Release technique from the Senju clan, making them even more formidable!

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly began to consider another question.

When the idea of ​​"passing on the throne" first appeared in his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not thinking of anyone else, but of Jiraiya.

Background, ability, status, reputation...

Even in terms of being "lecherous," Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi are practically cut from the same cloth.

It's simply that Jiraiya is openly provocative, while Hiruzen Sarutobi is secretly despicable.

However, after some secret communication, Jiraiya completely rejected the invitation to become Hokage and instead recommended his disciple, Minato Namikaze.

To be honest.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, whether it was Minato Namikaze or Jiraiya who became the Fourth Hokage, the effect would be roughly the same.

It wasn't until Minato Namikaze made a name for himself in the Third Shinobi World War, his prestige almost surpassing that of his master...

Hiruzen Sarutobi then seriously considered appointing Minato Namikaze as the new "Head of the Hidden Leaf Village".

As for his two original disciples?

Orochimaru will be left out.

Tsunade is great in every way, except for her "hemophobia," which is too troublesome.

Konoha can accept a Hokage who always acts as a mascot in the Hokage Building.

But I absolutely cannot accept a Hokage who loses all his power after just a little bloodshed!

But now?

The situation seems to have changed a little unexpectedly.

Tsunade not only eliminated her psychological weaknesses, but also awakened the Senju clan's bloodline limit!

What could be more fitting for the Hokage than Wood Release?

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally began to consider the possibility of making Tsunade the Fourth Hokage.

He was aware of Tsunade's recent "activity".

Could we recommend Nara Rinkazu as Hokage?

Even for a war hero like Minato Namikaze, his age was a huge obstacle to becoming Hokage.

Nara Langui wants to take down the Hokage?

Let that kid continue training for another ten or twenty years...

But then again.

If Minato Namikaze's age is an undeniable disadvantage in his bid to become the fourth generation leader, then...

Therefore, Tsunade's candidacy for the Fourth Hokage is absolutely no problem.

The only thing that's somewhat lacking is the merit and prestige that Tsunade gained during the Third Shinobi World War.

Being able to stay behind and treat the wounded—isn't that a merit?

As for prestige, that can also be "expanded" through some small-scale publicity efforts...

After some consideration, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly realized that from any perspective, Tsunade was a more suitable candidate for the Fourth Hokage than Minato Namikaze.

"I feel like I've overlooked something..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, then suddenly remembered something, and his expression changed drastically.

"Oh, right! Tsunade said she's going to deal with Danzo!"

(End of this chapter)