Chapter 355: Dual Hokage

After the second phase of the strategy was formulated, Fugaku and Tsunade took quick action, running to various families in Konoha with various gifts every day, writing blank checks.

Fugaku has the Uchiha clan's collection of ninjutsu scrolls and training experience, which are real benefits and very tempting to those declining small families.

Tsunade has the prestige of the three ninjas and the founder of Konoha's medical system. If she runs in person, she can even surpass Uchiha Mai and Minato, and she will be equally successful.

The campaign team went forward in two directions and soon successfully won over many declining small families, while making some large families with ambiguous attitudes lean towards Uchiha Mai.

After this heavy punch, Orochimaru and Minato, especially Orochimaru, really couldn't take it.

Uchiha Mai has himself, Fugaku, the head of the first wealthy family in the ninja world, and Tsunade-ji, the three ninjas, with both achievements, favors, and reputation.

Orochimaru is the only one who is alone.

One against three, there is no possibility of winning. If you want to turn the situation around, you can only seek external help and form your own campaign team.

With the idea of ​​giving it a try, Orochimaru first approached Sarutobi Hiruzen, hoping to get the support of the Third Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen is the leader of the Hokage family, and there are countless direct ninjas under his command. If you get the support of Sarutobi Hiruzen, it means you have won half the battle.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected Orochimaru's request as expected.

I am the referee of this election. If I clearly support a candidate and stand up for you, Orochimaru, wouldn't it be too unfair to the other two candidates?

So Orochimaru, you should ask for help from someone else.

After being frustrated by Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru turned around and visited Shimura Danzo, hoping to win the support of Sarutobi Hiruzen's biggest political enemy.

Shimura Danzo was reinstated, and he had the Root under him, and he had a good relationship with Utatane Koharu and Mito Kado En.

Although Danzo has a bad relationship with other people in Konoha, he is also a big vote bank, which Orochimaru must fight for.

On Danzo's side, there is really no one to support except Orochimaru.

Uchiha Mai has a bad relationship with him, and Minato is supported by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Orochimaru is okay, but he has only stabbed him in the back once or twice.

The two hit it off and returned to their previous close relationship, as if Orochimaru had never left Danzo's camp from beginning to end.

On the other hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who refused to endorse Orochimaru on the grounds of fairness and justice, turned around and mobilized all the connections and forces he could mobilize to canvass votes for Namikaze Minato.

It was also a lot of money and big cakes.

There was no way, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want to stand up for the master too blatantly, but the combination of Uchiha Mai + Fugaku + Tsunade was too cruel.

And Uchiha Mai's campaign slogans of [One Ninja World, One Dream] and [Make Konoha Great Again] were too persuasive.

Uchiha Mai, who is already the de facto boss of Kirigakure, will definitely integrate the resources of the two villages if he is successfully elected as Hokage.

Every person and every family who follows him can get real benefits and hope within reach, and everyone has a bright future.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen does not personally stand up to support Namikaze Minato and mobilize the power of the Hokage to canvass votes for the master, the master is likely not to be Uchiha Mai's opponent.

Even so, when the votes were first estimated in advance, the master's votes were only 50-50 with Uchiha Mai. When estimated again, it was even lower than before.

Sarutobi Hiruzen really couldn't sit still. A week before the election, he asked Tsunade to convey and invite Uchiha Mai out, hoping to have a good talk with him.

What is there to talk about now?

Uchiha Mai was a little surprised, but since he had nothing to do, he accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen's invitation.

The place for the conversation was set at a lake outside Konoha Village.

The weather was not very good, but it was not bad either. The sky was covered with dark clouds, covering the sun, and raindrops fell from time to time.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat on the shore wearing a straw raincoat, holding a fishing rod and talking confidently: "Most people like the kind of cloudless weather, but I am different from them.

This kind of slanting wind and drizzle is the most refreshing, very suitable for going outing.

At the same time, fish are most active in this kind of weather. The pressure drops on cloudy and rainy days, and the oxygen in the water will decrease. River fish generally breathe on the surface or even float to the surface.

This kind of light rainy day is most suitable for fishing."

Uchiha Mai also sat on the shore with a fishing rod in his hand and a straw raincoat. Unlike the enthusiastic Sarutobi Hiruzen, he did not like fishing.

In order not to offend Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Mai just smiled and agreed: "Lord Hokage is really knowledgeable. I think you have made a lot of catches when fishing in the past."

"Haha, not every time I have a catch, there are many times when I have no catch."

Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed and said modestly: "But whether there is a catch or not is not the most important thing. What is important is to enjoy the process.

Just like now.

This place is surrounded by mountains and rivers. The environment is quiet and rarely visited. You will not be disturbed by anyone. Just sitting here, you will feel integrated into nature and your soul will be cleansed.

Even if you can't catch anything, it is a kind of enjoyment."

"Indeed."

Uchiha Mai nodded slightly and said casually: "It is indeed a quiet environment and rarely visited. It is so quiet that even fish don't know it is here."

The two of them fished for more than an hour, but the fish didn't even move, and the "fish rising out of the water" that Sarutobi Hiruzen said was never seen even once.

This lake may be poisonous.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled awkwardly. Why was he so unlucky today? Not to mention the hook, he didn't even see the shadow of a fish.

The two chatted for a long time, and Uchiha Mai suddenly said: "A few days ago, Orochimaru and I had dinner once, and we had a few words by the way."

Let’s get to the point!

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly, clenched the fishing rod in his hand, and said casually: "What did you talk about?"

"Campaign related stuff."

Uchiha Mai said calmly: "Orochimaru is a little dissatisfied with you and promised not to endorse anyone.

He turned his head towards Teacher Minato. At Teacher Minato's wedding, he unabashedly expressed his preference and support for Teacher Minato. "

Minato held a wedding about half a month ago, and all the prominent people in the village were present. Sarutobi Hiruzen publicly expressed his appreciation for the master on this occasion, and his specific attitude was self-evident.

Orochimaru was dissatisfied, which was the proper courtesy.

"It's just a few more glasses of wine and a few more words."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was not embarrassed at all, Yun Danfeng said lightly: "Minato is my favorite disciple, and of course, so are You and Orochimaru.

In the future, when I attend your...well, attend your or Orochimaru's wedding, I will also praise you like that. "

Uchiha Mai chuckled but did not answer.

After another moment of silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that the atmosphere had reached a point and said, "Mai, you don't have to choose this time."

"What's the meaning?"

Uchiha Mai questioned, and then said: "More than a month ago, I said I wanted to stand for election, but you said you neither supported nor opposed it.

After learning about your attitude, I formed a campaign team and used money to put ads all over Konoha.

Uncle Fugaku and Sister Tsunade visit the jounin of each family every day with various ninjutsu scrolls passed down by our family and tell them about my grand plan.

Now you suddenly say you won't let me choose, then wouldn't all my early investment be in vain? "

"I will make up for your losses."

Sarutobi Hiruzen had expected what the Uchiha Dance would say, and replied: "I will copy a book of seals for you, which contains detailed records of various ninjutsu and secret techniques collected and developed by the Hokage family over the years. .

This compensation is enough to make up for the loss caused to the family inheritance by sending out various ninjutsu scrolls.

I will double the money you invested in your campaign. Ninjas such as Fugaku and Tsunade who work for you will also receive generous rewards. "

All aspects were taken care of.

"The money to compensate me and the remuneration to Fugaku and the others should be paid by you or the village?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't answer, being fucked into silence by Uchiha Mai's words.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's salary and allowances are generous, but they are far from being compared to Mai Uchiha, who has a family and treats Kirigakure as her personal property.

Therefore, this compensation must be drawn from the village's finances using the authority of the Hokage.

"After I choose Hokage, the sealed book and the so-called compensation will be mine." Uchiha Mai said.

"The premise is that you can choose."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said: "Orochimaru may not be your opponent, but Minato may not.

He has Jiraiya's full support, he has strength and potential, and most importantly, his image is better than yours, and he has won the favor of many jounin and families.

There is a possibility of victory or defeat between you and Minato, the number is 50 to 50. If you lose, all the investment costs will be in vain. "

Uchiha Mai said nonchalantly: "Five achievements are enough.

I have Kirigakure as my retreat, so I can afford to lose. "

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a little pain in his head, and Uchiha Mai had Kirigakure Village at his back, which was the most uncomfortable thing.

Konoha is not Konoha for Hiruzen Sarutobi alone, but Kirigakure is Kirigakure for Mai Uchiha alone. His prestige in Kirigakure is just like Senju Hashirama's in Konoha back then.

In this campaign, there is not a big gap in the resources and back-ups that Mai Uchiha and Hiruzen Sarutobi can mobilize.

"So be it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment, and then proposed a compromise plan: "In ten years, at most ten years later, I will find a way to persuade Minato to abdicate in favor of someone worthy of his throne.

You are only fifteen years old this year, and you will only be twenty-five in ten years. You are at the peak of your life. I believe that Minato will be happy to hand over the position of Hokage to you at that time.

You don’t have to choose this time. I will fully support you in ten years. By then, the possibility of you becoming the fifth generation will be 100%. "

"Why should I take a step back and wait ten years to fight for something that I am qualified to fight for now?"

Uchiha Mai turned her head and stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who also looked at her like a torch.

The atmosphere became very solemn at this moment. A stupid fish bit Sarutobi Hiruzen's hook, causing the fish to float and sink. Sarutobi Hiruzen remained unmoved.

After a long time, the fish managed to break free of the hook and escape. Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around belatedly, pulled up the fishing rod and said regretfully: "Oh, it's rare that a fish bites the hook, but it breaks free."

Uchiha Mai also retracted her eyes, and then said: "However, if you want me to take a step back, it is not impossible."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was slightly shocked. He did not expect that Mai Uchiha, who had always been strong, would give in. He hurriedly asked: "What are the conditions?"

"Double Hokage."

Uchiha Mai stared at the lake and said seriously: "Just like the Hidden Cloud Village, one Hokage and one Hokage candidate.

You only said that you will fully support me in ten years, but it's just empty words. Hokage-sama, it's hard for me to trust you.

Let Minato-sensei be the Hokage, and I will be the Hokage candidate and Hokage advisor. At the same time, I will also be the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village. Konoha can't set obstacles for me.

Two villages and two ikages, there are more people and more money, and they can take care of each other.

To put it bluntly, if Minato-sensei has an accident one day, I can immediately become the fifth generation and minimize the impact and losses on the village."

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell into thought.

It's a good thing that Uchiha Mai is willing to give in, but the price he called out is too high, so high that he feels a little unaffordable.

Hokage candidate + Hokage advisor + Hollow Department Minister + Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village + Uchiha boss, the five identities added together are almost the same as the real Hokage.

It can even be said that even if Minato, who was born as a commoner, became the fourth generation, his power is likely to be far less than that of Uchiha Mai.

After all, Minato was born as a commoner and needed to rely on the Hokage system led by Sarutobi Hiruzen in all aspects, while Uchiha Mai had his own team.

"Konoha doesn't have the tradition of Hokage candidates. It has been like this for decades. It's not good to change the rules casually."

Sarutobi Hiruzen began to bargain: "You being the Mizukage in Kirigakure will not have a good impact.

[The head of the Kirigakure headquarters], the real helmsman of Kirigakure, isn't that impressive enough for you?"

Uchiha Mai put away the fishing rod, stood up and looked down at Sarutobi Hiruzen, and said coldly: "When the first and second generations were in office, Konoha didn't have a Hokage advisor or assistant.

Whether there can be a Hokage candidate is not a matter of your words. You said that you would appoint me as the fifth generation. Did the Hokage just joke with me?

I have to give them an explanation on Kirigakure. Whether the fourth generation can be selected or not, I will be the fifth generation Mizukage."

There is no room for doubt and no room for bargaining.

Sarutobi Hiruzen kept tapping his temples, weighing the pros and cons in his mind, and murmured: "Let me think about it, let me think about it..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was very tempted to let Minato become the fourth Hokage. But it would be a bit uncomfortable to let Uchiha Mai be the assistant of Hokage.

The reason why Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to delay for ten years was to see whether Uchiha Mai would continue to grow after ten years or become a wounded Zhongyong because of the Sharingan.

The former would be completely flat, and the latter would be the best. "I will fully support you in ten years" would be treated as if it had never been said. A blind and useless person also wants to be the fifth Hokage, dream on.

But once the candidate for Hokage is appointed, it will be difficult to operate in the future.