After spending some time in the forest, Yoruha returned to the inn, just in time to see Tsunade resolving her debt issues. Tsunade assumed Yoruha hadn't noticed their outing.
The next day, the group set off again. With the speed of a ninja, it only took a few days for them to return to Konoha Village. Looking at the village she hadn't seen in years, Tsunade remarked, "Not much has changed."
Jiraiya, standing beside her, added, "Although the damage from Orochimaru's attack has been repaired, the village still lost many ninjas." Tsunade replied, "It was a sudden attack, and it happened inside the village, so heavy losses were inevitable."
Since the Third Hokage had died, Yoruha didn't need to report his mission. As Yoruha was about to leave, Tsunade called out to him, "Where are you going?" Yoruha glanced at Tsunade and said, "Going to rest."
Tsunade walked over, pulling Yoruha along, "Rest? You're my bodyguard now, come with me to meet the Hokage advisors."
Yoruha was a bit helpless, "But you haven't officially taken office yet." Tsunade, somewhat domineering, retorted, "Can't I give you orders before taking office?"
"You can, but there's no need for me to meet the Hokage advisors, right?" Yoruha didn't have any particular opinion about the two advisors, but he found them to be stubborn old folks and wasn't fond of dealing with them.
However, Tsunade insisted, "You're a Jonin now and my bodyguard. The two Hokage advisors need to know about you and understand you."
From his interactions with Jiraiya, it was clear Yoruha hadn't met the two Hokage advisors.
Tsunade intended for Yoruha to get acquainted with them in advance, at least to become a familiar face among the higher-ups. After all, Tsunade aimed to groom Yoruha to become the Sixth Hokage.
Being Hokage without the support of Konoha's higher-ups was impossible. This was evident in the past rivalry between Orochimaru and Minato.
Although Minato had impressive battle achievements, he was too young and had little chance of becoming Hokage.
If not for the support of the Third Hokage and the two advisors, he wouldn't have made it. Being Hokage requires more than just strength; it requires support.
And not just from ordinary villagers, but from various factions within the village, with the most crucial being the support of Konoha's higher-ups.
Yoruha naturally didn't realize Tsunade intended for him to become Hokage. He simply thought Tsunade wanted him to meet Konoha's higher-ups.
Tsunade dragged Yoruha towards the Hokage building. Jiraiya walked behind them, enviously remarking, "It's rare to see Tsunade so enthusiastic, like the Tsunade of her youth." Naruto, walking beside Jiraiya, asked curiously, "Tsunade in her youth?"
Jiraiya nodded, "Young Tsunade wasn't like she is now." However, Jiraiya didn't think Tsunade was overly kind to Yoruha; Yoruha indeed had the strength.
In Jiraiya's eyes, Yoruha was the one who defeated Orochimaru, making him the strongest in Konoha.
Tsunade might even need Yoruha's protection in the future. Jiraiya was unaware that Orochimaru could be resurrected. Tsunade led Yoruha to the Hokage building.
The gatekeepers at the village entrance had already informed the Hokage advisors of Tsunade's return.
The shadow office was waiting for Tsunade. Upon seeing the two of them, Tsunade greeted them somewhat nonchalantly, "Yo, you two teachers are as energetic as ever." The two advisors frowned as they looked at Tsunade.
They noticed Yoruha standing next to Tsunade. Yoruha gave a slight nod. The first impression was decent enough.
The two Hokage advisors had only heard the Third Hokage mention Yoruha before, and they had looked into Yoruha's background.
However, on paper, Yoruha seemed to be an average talent, as the records only reflected his performance at the ninja academy. So, nothing significant could be gleaned from the documents.
But now, seeing him in person, the two were quite satisfied. Not to mention anything else, compared to Tsunade, Yoruha was much more polite.
The two exchanged a glance and said, "Tsunade, Jiraiya should have already told you about the village's situation, right?"
Tsunade sat down, responding carelessly, "He did. The village's situation is quite bad right now." "The village needs a Hokage to coordinate everything. We'll notify the Daimyo immediately, and you'll become the Fifth Hokage in three days."
Orochimaru's previous attack on Konoha had caused severe damage, resulting in the loss of many ninjas.
Moreover, the village had been without a Hokage for a long time, making other villages restless.
Tsunade needed to take office as soon as possible. Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, "Whatever you say. You two elders surely know the procedures better than I do." Tsunade's indifferent attitude left the two Hokage advisors quite displeased.
"Tsunade~" Seeing that the two were about to get angry, Tsunade smiled and said, "Alright, I got it. Just go ahead with your arrangements."
The two Hokage advisors were a bit helpless. They certainly hoped for Tsunade to become Hokage, but her personality was indeed disappointing to them.
After all, they were elders, and it was natural for them to disapprove of Tsunade's lack of seriousness. Yoruha stood by, watching the scene.
He used to find these two Hokage advisors quite annoying. But now, it seemed like Tsunade was the one being more irresponsible.
After all, being Hokage was a matter of utmost importance for the village. Yet, Tsunade didn't seem to take it seriously.
Moreover, no matter what, the two Hokage advisors were village elders, people of her teacher's generation.
Even though she was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, she was still a disciple of the Third Hokage, making her a generation younger than these two old folks.
Tsunade indeed showed little respect for them. However, such trivial matters were not Yoruha's concern. He was just here to make himself known.
Afterward, the two explained the Hokage inauguration ceremony process to Tsunade before leaving with worried expressions.
Their concern stemmed from the belief that Tsunade's carefree personality might not be suitable for the role of Hokage. Of course, if they had to choose, they would still pick Tsunade.
They just hoped Tsunade would take it more seriously. Being Hokage was not child's play. After the two Hokage advisors left, Tsunade stretched her limbs.
She seemed quite tired. But earlier, while the two Hokage advisors were standing, she was sitting, so it seemed like the advisors should be the more exhausted ones.
Yoruha thought to himself, "Luckily, Shizune is there to assist. Otherwise, with Tsunade's personality, Konoha's administrative system would surely collapse."
After all, Tsunade didn't seem like someone who would handle administrative matters seriously. It's likely Shizune who usually takes care of things, while Tsunade just needs to stamp and sign.
Tsunade stretched and turned to Yoruha, "So, those two old geezers are pretty rigid, huh?" Tsunade's question, which turned the tables, left Yoruha speechless.
"It's clearly you who didn't respect those two. No matter what, they're advisors. You didn't give them any face, yet they still calmly explained the procedures to you. I think their patience is commendable."
Tsunade was taken aback, "Really? You actually say that? You don't dislike them?" Tsunade had assumed Yoruha would side with her. Yoruha shook his head, "Not at all. They're quite patient. At least, I don't have that kind of patience."
Indeed, if it were him, and a junior acted so presumptuously in front of him, even if he didn't resort to violence, he wouldn't show them a friendly face.