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He believed that when the Third Hokage learned of this news, the expression on his face would be absolutely priceless. Although Kazuki was merely a Hokage battle robe away from the position itself, actually donning the robe versus not wearing it were two entirely different matters.
Even if Kazuki simply wore the Hokage battle robe without a single word of announcement, few people would find it surprising. Yet within the Leaf Village, there would still be some who couldn't accept it. Foremost among them was the Third Hokage. This would completely and utterly turn the man who had suppressed the Uchiha for decades into a laughingstock. His old face would be ground into the dirt and mercilessly rubbed by Kazuki.
You still have the nerve to laugh at others?
The words rang a bit oddly. Only someone like Torifu, that great tub of lard, could laugh at a time like this. And he wasn't afraid of the Third Hokage finding out.
So what if I'm laughing? Akimichi Torifu laughed heartily. Shikaku and his father exchanged speechless glances, shaking their heads and choosing not to engage. The fat man could afford to mock the Third Hokage; they could not. Even in private, it was best to avoid such behavior.
After laughing for a good while and receiving no reaction from either Shikaku or his father, Torifu reined in his mirth and glared at them in mock exasperation. "You father and son are absolutely no fun!"
Yes, yes, you're the fun one. Truly. Shiraku couldn't be bothered with him. Shikaku merely offered an awkward smile, saying nothing.
"Fine, fine. I'll stop laughing, alright?" Torifu's chubby face flushed slightly. He huffed twice before continuing, "Since the Advisor needs a Hokage battle robe, as Jonin Commander, it's your job to arrange the tailoring. Don't tell me you don't know his measurements."
"I know the measurements, and getting the robe tailored is easy enough. I just feel that... skipping so many steps might be going too far?" When others became Hokage, there were procedures upon procedures, all manner of fuss. Kazuki, on the other hand, simply planned to throw on the robe and be done with it. This put Shikaku, as Jonin Commander, in a very awkward position.
"How about you go and try persuading him? Convince Uchiha Kazuki to follow proper procedure?" Torifu chuckled slyly, teasing Shikaku with a mischievous glint. Serves you right for not playing along earlier.
You want me to step in and persuade him? Not a chance. Besides, the door to the Hokage's office is far too narrow – this fat man can't squeeze through.
Forget I said anything. Shikaku stared up at the heavens in silent resignation. If he could persuade Kazuki, why would he have come running back here? Wasn't this precisely to gather reinforcements?! And look how that turned out. No reinforcements to be found, only a pit waiting for him.
"There's not enough time," Shiraku interjected, unwilling to sit idly while the fat man bullied his son. "You know the Advisor's mindset well enough yourself. He's been waiting for Lady Hokage to return, and Lady Hokage, in turn, has been waiting for him to ascend. So, let it be. This way, everyone can breathe easier. However, the public announcement cannot be omitted. Arrange for the Hokage Rock carving to be started immediately. Also, start spreading the word among the villagers beforehand." Since Kazuki couldn't be persuaded, the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance would just have to shoulder the extra burden and smooth things over as best they could.
Kazuki himself was utterly carefree, indifferent to it all – throw on the Hokage robe, and I am the Hokage. But the Ino-Shika-Cho? They'd be run ragged, especially Shikaku, the Jonin Commander. I knew it. I was born under a cursed star. He had hoped that once Kazuki became Hokage, his workload would decrease. Instead, it had multiplied. This was going to work him to death. And the worst part was, he couldn't refuse. He had to proactively throw himself into the work. It was utterly maddening.
Bidding farewell to his father and the rotund Torifu, a thoroughly exhausted Shikaku headed to the Hokage building. First, he needed to confirm what kind of Hokage battle robe Kazuki wanted tailored.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Enter." Kazuki set down the documents in his hand and looked up as Shikaku opened the door and walked in. Before Shikaku could even speak, Kazuki proactively said, "Make it form-fitting combat attire, plus a cloak. That's it. You handle the rest."
All of you have been pushing so eagerly for me to sit on the Hokage's throne. Well, you can handle all those complicated procedures and formalities yourselves. I only care about results, not the process. As for the battle robe – purely a matter of personal preference. "Also, don't embroider any garish 'Sixth Hokage' characters all over the chest. There's no need for that! Just embroider 'Sixth Hokage' on the left shoulder. Any problems?"
Among the previous Hokage, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju favored wearing armor from the Warring States Period. The Third Hokage also liked donning that style during combat. Minato had his grand cloak, which he wore at all times. Tsunade kept it even simpler – a single overcoat sufficed. Compared to them, Kazuki was far more particular about his personal attire. Thus, he instructed Shikaku to have the Hokage battle robe tailored as combat-style clothing, plus a cloak. He would wear the combat attire for daily use, and the cloak only for formal occasions when representing the village. He had no desire to emulate Minato, whose cloak always billowed dramatically before he appeared – far too flamboyant.
And what truly grated on the nerves were those three prominent characters on Minato's cloak. Unlike typical ninja, Kazuki preferred his combat attire in a casual style – comfortable for everyday wear, not purely designed for battle. Shikaku knew all of this well. If he couldn't even pick up on such minor details, then his credentials as Jonin Commander were thoroughly dubious.
"No problem at all." What else could a completely drained Shikaku possibly say? I'm done. Let the world end. Hurry it up.
"Have it done within two days. I will soon be representing the village in a meeting with Onoki of the Stone Village. The Kazekage and Mizukage will also be present. The convening of the Five Kage Summit is unstoppable. The Cloud Village won't be able to block it."
"Yes, my lord." One second utterly drained, the next second Shikaku straightened with renewed seriousness.
"Lord Advisor— Lord Hokage, rest assured. All the procedural details will be handled promptly. However, regarding the Daimyo's residence..."
"Just send someone to notify them. Since when does the Leaf Village need the Daimyo's approval to elect a Hokage? That's not a good precedent." The village's affairs were none of the Daimyo's business. Mutual non-interference was the ideal. And with Kazuki's confidence, a certain degree of domineering was only natural. He was no Third Hokage, kowtowing his way to the Daimyo's residence to beg for approval.
Go to hell with that. By that logic, if the Daimyo were to be replaced, would the Leaf Hokage also need to give approval? If not, then why should electing a Hokage require the Daimyo to lend the occasion prestige, complete with face-saving and groveling for consent?
This was a signal of a complete break from the Daimyo's influence. Shikaku couldn't help but laugh.