Zetsu's death didn't even create a ripple.
No one else knew—only those present at the event realized that someone who had plotted for a thousand years had disappeared from the ninja world.
In a way, Zetsu was quite pitiful.
Since his birth, he'd been burdened with the responsibility of saving his mother,
just like Xiangsheng, the legendary figure who saved his mother.
But unfortunately, he took the wrong path.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki wasn't exactly a kind soul either.
Obito didn't head back to Konoha with Haruki.
He still had unfinished business—taking care of the remaining elite cells.
As Haruki suggested, there was no need to disband them just yet.
It would be interesting to let them clash with Iwagakure and Kiri.
At the very least, the others sent here—like Darui, excluding Kakuzu—are now resting beneath the sea.
Hokage's Office.
Tsunade looked up, her hand pausing mid-page turn. Seeing Haruki, she couldn't help but feel surprised.
"That fast?"
She turned her head toward the wall clock. "Only half an hour has passed."
Haruki grabbed the teacup, took a sip, and replied, "Half an hour is already being generous toward Zetsu."
No matter how strange Zetsu might be, he hadn't reached the level of the Sage of Six Paths.
Even if the full might of the ninja world fought him for half an hour, he should've died content.
Though Zetsu probably wouldn't agree.
"Pfft, I actually thought something bad might've happened to you."
Tsunade smirked, feeling unnecessarily anxious for nothing.
Haruki looked at the document in her hands and smiled, "When I came in, you looked very serious. When did you seem worried about me?"
"Exactly because I was worried that I could focus."
Tsunade put down the paper and rested her chin on her hand. "That's called redirecting your focus."
Haruki slightly raised his head and gazed at her beautiful face. "Then I'll believe you."
"Oh~ So you didn't trust me earlier?"
Tsunade blinked her eyes and stretched out her tone.
"No, I trusted you all along. Just now... I trust you even more."
Haruki perfectly displayed his talent for sophistry.
Tsunade shot him a glare before returning to the topic and tossed the documents on the table toward him.
Haruki caught it and skimmed through its contents.
It was the list of Hokage candidates proposed by the Policy Department.
He recognized several familiar names on the list.
"Who added Kushina to this list?"
Haruki couldn't help but complain, "If she becomes Hokage, she'll be just like you."
"What do you mean by that?"
Tsunade gave him a dangerous look, "Are you saying I have a bad temper?"
Although Kushina appeared quite obedient in front of Haruki and her, Tsunade understood her true nature well.
"No, I meant... it was just unexpected."
Haruki flipped to Kushina's page, skipped past a ton of praising descriptions, and finally saw the applicant's name.
Minato Namikaze.
He muttered, "Wow..."
What's with the show-off act?
Thankfully, he already had Tsunade. Otherwise, Minato really would've totally overshadowed him.
Haruki shook his head.
There was basically no chance of Kushina becoming Hokage.
Unless both he and Tsunade publicly supported her.
Which would involve some under-the-table maneuvering.
Unnecessary.
"So who are you going to vote for?"
Tsunade rose from her chair, approached him, and hooked his right arm.
Haruki immediately felt as if his right arm had been swallowed by quicksand.
Luckily, he was already used to it and didn't show even the slightest reaction.
Just think of it as a massage.
"Minato."
Haruki didn't hesitate much. Objectively speaking, Minato was the most suitable choice.
Young yet capable.
"I thought so."
A smirk played on Tsunade's lips as she said, "I feel like you've had that idea for quite some time. If it weren't for me, Minato might already have become the Fourth Hokage, right?"
Haruki reached up and gently stroked her silky golden hair. "Where would that idea come from? In my opinion, you becoming Hokage is absolutely the right decision."
This wasn't just him saying it out of affection either.
In the original story, after Tsunade became Hokage, she did quite well.
Hearing this, Tsunade nuzzled her head against his chest with a smile. "I thought I was your puppet."
"Heaven and Earth forbid!"
Haruki pinched her nose lightly. "Have you ever seen a puppet with this much authority?"
"Pfft, you're just trying to get out of work," Tsunade saw right through him.
After knowing each other so well, there was nothing they could hide from one another.
Haruki kissed her on the cheek. "You're working too hard. Let me peel you an apple."
He picked up the apple from the table and channeled wind-natured chakra into his fingertip.
The skin peeled off in one smooth motion.
"Here you go."
"One half each."
Tsunade split the apple in two and brought a piece to Haruki's mouth.
He took a bite.
Not bad at all.
The two of them cuddled for a while before returning to work.
A week later, with widespread anticipation, the Hokage election officially began.
Since there had already been two previous elections, everyone was quite experienced now.
The plaza in front of the building.
Obito saw Kakashi and Yugito.
His gaze lingered on Yugito longer than on the others.
He was curious about what kind of girl could actually catch Kakashi's eye.
As he was lost in thought, Yugito sensed his gaze and turned to look at him.
Obito noticed her calm, aloof demeanor.
There was something quiet about her pride—something Kakashi occasionally showed too.
"Obito."
Kakashi noticed him watching Yugito and waved him over.
Obito walked over.
"I heard about what you did."
For once, Kakashi didn't tease him. "You did pretty well this time."
Obito lit up with excitement immediately.
"That's for sure! Listen here, Kakashi—I've already left you in the dust. Try to keep up!"
"…"
Even though he expected this reaction, Kakashi still wanted to punch him.
He shifted his gaze. "Did you see this year's Hokage candidate list?"
"No, I just got back."
Obito's eyes sparkled, suddenly looking excited. "Does that mean my name's on it?"
"Of course not." Kakashi shook his head.
Obito pouted instantly. "Next time for sure."
That much was true.
Kakashi continued calmly, "But this time, my name is on the list."
"What?!"
Obito was flabbergasted, shouting in anger, "I won't accept this! Why are you chosen but not me?"
"Who knows? It's not like I made the decision."
Kakashi shrugged and said, "Everyone chose me. Maybe they just believe I'm stronger."
"You're full of crap!" Obito spat, then challenged, "Let's settle this with a sparring match—right now!"
"Rivalry won't help now, Obito," Kakashi replied calmly.
Suddenly, Nohara Rin appeared before them.
Now that Black Zetsu was gone, she no longer had to hide.
"Rin, you're back!" A smile immediately lit up Obito's face.
Kakashi couldn't help grinning too.
Just then, the ceremony officially began.
Tsunade and Haruki took their seats on the grandstand.
"I think there's no need for further explanation." Haruki raised his hand and signaled for the Anbu to distribute ballots to every villager.
Shortly after, the only sound was the rustling of paper.
An hour later, the results were announced. Minato Namikaze received over half the votes and was declared the Fifth Hokage.