Tsunade uncharacteristically sought out Makoto.
"My grandfather is gone."
In the office, Tsunade spoke to Makoto, who was sitting there.
She didn't particularly like this Hyuga Makoto.
In Tsunade's view, Makoto was a scheming politician, just like Orochimaru and the Third Hokage.
The Hokage position that the two people she loved most in her life had admired so deeply was now about to fall into this man's hands, and she was powerless to stop it.
Makoto wasn't particularly surprised by the news, but he could sense that a powerful chakra presence still lingered in the village.
"What about the Second Hokage?" Makoto asked.
Hearing the lack of honorifics in his tone, Tsunade frowned even more.
"Second Grandpa said he still has some things to take care of in the village."
Makoto's eyes flickered slightly.
Tobirama had visited Orochimaru's research lab—Makoto was aware of that.
Now that Hashirama had departed, Tobirama's decision to stay could only mean one thing: the Second Hokage was still clinging to the mortal world, seeking a true resurrection!
The research materials in Orochimaru's lab were highly specialized, and aside from Orochimaru, there was no one else in the village with such expertise.
Kabuto was still just a little kid, and Makoto didn't think he could inherit Orochimaru's legacy—nor did he have the time for it.
Should he leave all these materials to the Second Hokage?
Makoto furrowed his brows in deep thought.
Now that Orochimaru was gone, it was time to accelerate the progress of the Tenseigan.
Tobirama Senju might actually be a great partner — any undead lingering in the living world would need his assistance.
Makoto suddenly found it quite amusing.
The Second Hokage seemed rather hostile toward him.
"I see," Makoto responded to Tsunade.
With nothing more to say, Tsunade cast a blank glance at Makoto, then turned and left.
After several days of preparation, the Hokage election officially began, with a specialized department established to oversee the process.
Makoto didn't even need to campaign; there was no longer any competition for him.
In front of the former Hokage building, a large transparent glass box was set up and guarded by a specialized team 24 hours a day.
Every person who came to vote was recorded by name, and the votes would be counted three days later.
On the first day, the square was packed with people, forming long lines.
After casting their votes, many didn't leave but instead found open spots to watch others vote, chat with friends, and discuss their preferred Hokage candidates.
The second and third days saw fewer people, but it was still far livelier than the usual bustle of the shopping streets.
The Hokage election had become the village's top priority.
The key was giving everyone a strong sense of participation, making them feel like they were contributing to the management of the village.
Over these few days, ninja clans visited Makoto's residence continuously.
In addition, merchants from the village, wealthy businessmen from outside, and even nobles from the Land of Fire came to visit.
Many of these people had dealings with Makoto before, and plenty came bearing gifts — some quite extravagant.
One wealthy merchant Makoto knew from outside the village even parked an entire cartload of gold and silver treasures at the entrance of the Hyuga compound.
Now that Makoto's status was rising to new heights, they naturally wanted to show their support.
These wealthy merchants were frequent clients who commissioned missions from Konoha, maintaining close ties with the village.
Some merchants even used Konoha's name as protection to deter bandits when transporting goods.
The village's ninja clans, on the other hand, were rather stingy.
Beyond expressing loyalty, they didn't offer much—mainly because they didn't dare to send anything inappropriate.
Gold and silver may tempt people, but in a world where strength reigns supreme, their allure was greatly diminished.
Makoto didn't lack money, and neither did Konoha, but he didn't refuse the gifts.
Everything was confiscated! It all became funding for the village's development!
On the final day of the election, under the watchful eyes of countless people, the glass box in the square was opened, and all the votes inside were taken out for counting and publicly announced.
It was a lengthy process, given that the village of Konoha had more than ten thousand residents.
As expected, the overwhelming majority of votes went to Hyuga Makoto.
Many people stood in the crowd watching the scene.
Uchiha Fugaku even heard his own name being called, which gave him a headache.
But he quickly realized it was probably one of his foolish clansmen who voted for him, despite his previous hint that they should all vote for Hyuga Makoto.
There were also some unfamiliar names recorded, likely written by friends or relatives as a joke, leaving the name-bearers embarrassed.
Then there was Namikaze Minato's name, which appeared more than once.
Each time it was read aloud, it sparked a round of discussion.
But those were all exceptions.
Over 95% of the votes went to Makoto.
At home, Makoto was spending time with Ayari and the children when Hakumen arrived at the door, announcing that the election ceremony had officially concluded.
Lord Makoto had become the Fifth Hokage with an overwhelming victory.
Ayari was delighted upon hearing the news — her man becoming the Hokage of the village was naturally a good thing.
As expected, Makoto didn't show much of a smile.
He simply stroked little Neji's tender cheek before stepping out of the room.
In the distance, he could hear people near the square shouting his name like a tidal wave, loud enough to scatter the clouds in the sky.
Many people likely couldn't imagine that just over a year ago, he had been a Caged Bird unable to control his own fate.
Now, he was the Fifth Hokage, capable of stirring the winds of the entire ninja world and holding countless lives in his hands.
But his ambitions went far beyond that.
He knew the true nature of this world and what lay beyond this planet.
The ninja world was like a vast breeding ground, and he intended to break free from its constraints.
Becoming Hokage was just a stepping stone — a step that would allow him to stand above the heavens.
Makoto's figure slowly rose into the air, soaring skyward under the reverent gaze of the kneeling Hakumen.
The crowd in the square continued to cheer and celebrate the village's new Hokage.
Until a towering figure of light, several dozen meters tall, appeared in the center of the square, bathed in sunlight like a god descending to the mortal realm.
The crowd fell into a brief silence upon witnessing this sight.
"It's Lord Makoto!"
Someone shouted, pointing at the massive figure of light.
"Lord Makoto!"
"Lord Hokage!"
"Lord Fifth Hokage!"
Countless voices rose one after another, echoing throughout Konoha, almost lifting the rooftops.
"Everyone!"
Makoto's voice reverberated through the air, shaking it with a deep resonance, majestic and commanding.
At that moment, Makoto was actually standing on an empty rooftop, using mirage projection to cast his image onto the square.
Just as he was about to deliver a speech, a sudden object plummeted from the sky, landing precisely in front of him.
Makoto's eyes flickered as he looked down to find a dried snakeskin.
When he looked back up, the vast sky stretched endlessly.
Only an eagle circled a few times before flying off, leaving no trace behind.
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