Chapter 512: Hidden Leaf Village Veterans, I Have Rendered Meritorious Service to Hidden Leaf Village!
Hidden Leaf Village, Hokage Office.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows into the room, illuminating the pristine floor and the expansive desk.
The air was filled with the faint scent of ink and paper, but at this moment, it was permeated by an invisible, tense atmosphere of confrontation.
Hyuga Hiashi sat upright in that large chair belonging to the Hokage.
His expression was calm, his hands crossed on the desktop. Those pure Byakugan eyes, appearing unfocused, seemed capable of peering into the human heart, quietly watching the two uninvited guests standing before the desk.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado.
These two former advisor elders of Hidden Leaf Village, who once held immense power, clearly had not completely abandoned their desire for power and interference.
"Hiashi!"
Utatane Koharu spoke first, her voice carrying a deliberately slowed tone.
"With the Sixth Hokage not in the Village, every aspect of the Village naturally requires someone with more seniority and greater prestige to preside over the big picture in order to stabilize people's hearts."
As she spoke, she gave two tactical coughs, her cloudy eyes secretly sizing up Hiashi's reaction, attempting to catch any hint of wavering or unease on his Face.
Seeing that Hiashi's expression remained normal, and even his eyes didn't flicker in the slightest, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado beside her exchanged a quick glance.
Hiruzen was absolutely right before; this person, Hyuga Hiashi, might look steady on the surface, but in reality, he is too weak and indecisive.
How could such a person be competent enough to take on the heavy responsibility of acting Hokage and stabilize Hidden Leaf Village's situation while the Sixth Hokage is away?
It should be someone with more seniority and more courage!
For example...
After confirming with Homura Mitokado with her eyes again, Utatane Koharu cleared her throat and spoke the name they had long since agreed upon:
"We believe that Lady Tsunade should temporarily replace the Sixth Hokage in managing Hidden Leaf Village, so that she can better stabilize people's hearts and lead Hidden Leaf Village through this special period!"
Utatane Koharu's voice raised slightly.
Homura Mitokado immediately put his hands behind his back, looking mature and prudent, and added:
"Of course, Hiashi, we aren't saying that you and Inoichi aren't doing well."
"We also recognize the abilities of you and Inoichi."
"It's just that right now, Hidden Leaf Village's internal affairs are complex, and the external situation is unclear; it is precisely the time when we need to concentrate our strength."
"You and Inoichi are also serving as Clan Chiefs and holding other important positions, leaving you unable to attend to everything. We are doing this for your sake as well; we don't want you to be too exhausted."
He paused, squeezing out a "kind" smile, "Lady Tsunade is currently in the Village, and her ability and prestige are plain for all to see."
"Wouldn't it be better to let her come and share some of the pressure and preside over the big picture?"
"This is also for the sake of Hidden Leaf Village's future!"
The two old folks sang in harmony, their words implying both directly and indirectly that Hiashi lacked seniority and ability, and that someone with more prestige was needed to take charge, attempting to force him to voluntarily step down.
However, Hiashi remained unmoved.
He even found it somewhat laughable.
Did these two old folks really think that Tsunade would be easier to manipulate than himself and Inoichi?
Who is Tsunade? The granddaughter of the First Hokage, one of the Sannin, a medical master with a fiery temper who wouldn't even give Face to the Third Hokage.
If she were to become acting Hokage, I'm afraid the first ones to be dealt with would be you old folks who rely on your age to show off and boss people around.
These two old folks were truly blinded by power.
Just as the two old folks began to grow impatient, Hiashi finally spoke, his voice steady, betraying no joy or anger, "The two of you are Seniors, but allow me to remind you that you are no longer advisor elders."
"And I am the acting Hokage personally appointed by the Sixth Hokage and recognized by the Jonin squad and representatives of each clan."
He emphasized this; although his tone was flat, it carried an unquestionable weight.
"How insolent!"
Utatane Koharu thought Hiashi was just putting on a brave front, and she slammed the table, "We are Hidden Leaf Village veterans, heroes who have shed blood and sweat for Hidden Leaf Village since the First Great Ninja War!"
"It is not your turn, a guy who climbed up through nepotism, to boss us around here!"
She was so angry that the wrinkles on her Face were trembling; she tore off the mask of civility and launched a personal attack.
Hiashi's daughter had a close relationship with the Sixth Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto.
Who in Hidden Leaf Village didn't know how he, Hyuga Hiashi, and Inoichi Yamanaka got their positions?
Upon hearing this, Hiashi's eyes turned cold instantly. He also slammed the table and stood up abruptly.
His tall figure brought a strong sense of oppression, looking down at the wrinkled, furious old woman before him.
"Say one more word, and I will cut off your pensions."
Hiashi's voice was cold and dignified.
"Also, as acting Hokage, during the Sixth Hokage's absence, I am the highest decision-maker in Hidden Leaf Village. You are just a dismissed Elder, and I am the acting Hokage!"
Cutting off the pension wasn't really a threat to the two of them; that money wasn't a small amount for ordinary people, but for their clans, it was just a drop in the bucket.
However, having one's pension cut off was a matter of losing Face!
Utatane Koharu was choked by Hiashi's merciless words, her Face turning red and then white. Pointing at Hiashi, she went "You... you..." for a long time, but couldn't say a complete sentence.
Hiashi no longer looked at her, instead casting his cold gaze toward Homura Mitokado, who was standing beside her with an equally ugly expression.
He tidied his jacket leisurely, slowly sat back down in his chair, his movements unhurried.
Afterwards, he said in a casual tone:
"If we are talking about climbing up through nepotism... I suppose no one can compare to the two of you, right?"
"You pushed all those unsavory things you obtained through corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power while in office onto the already defected Danzo Shimura, then neatly distanced yourselves to continue enjoying the treatment and pensions of Elders."
"Did you really think no one knew about these things?"
"Do you need me to take out the Anbu files collected over the years regarding your 'great achievements' and show them to everyone?"
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu's Faces turned deathly pale instantly.
They didn't expect Hiashi to dare to expose their secrets so directly and so nakedly.
Moreover, judging by his tone, it seemed he really held concrete evidence in his hands!
"Nonsense!"
Utatane Koharu shrieked, trying to mask her guilty conscience with volume, "We are heroes who have shed blood for Hidden Leaf Village since the First Great Ninja War!"
"We have been incorruptible our whole lives; how can we allow you to slander us!"
"Heroes of the First Great Ninja War?"
Hiashi sneered and, in a leisurely manner, took out an application form that looked quite old and even wrinkled from the desk drawer.
He gently placed that paper on the desktop and pushed it in front of the two old folks.
"I also have been shedding blood for Hidden Leaf Village since the Third Great Ninja War."
"And one more thing..."
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