UTBW: Ch. 83

Senju, Hyuga, Aburame, Inuzuka, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, Shiranui, remnants of the Sarutobi clan... Whether they were ninja clans or civilians, all raised their right hands.

Including Kakashi.

"Good. Except for the Uchiha clan, it's unanimous!" Shikaku was overjoyed. He looked at Junichi with a triumphant expression and smiled, saying, "Although technically, this means we can confirm Lady Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage."

"But according to procedure, each candidate still has to go through the voting process. So next up is Jiraiya-sama!"

Everyone lowered their hands. They had already agreed beforehand, everyone would vote for Tsunade.

"Jiraiya-sama receives zero votes." Shikaku smiled and continued, "Then the last candidate, Junichi."

"Please begin voting."

The hall fell into complete silence. Not a single person raised their hand. Many had faintly mocking expressions on their faces. There was no way anyone would vote for Junichi.

"Uh…" Shikaku noticed something odd, the Uchiha didn't raise their hands either. He couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you voting?"

The Uchiha jonin looked indifferent, motionless. Their reaction caused both Tsunade and Jiraiya to frown slightly.

Had the Uchiha given up?

Many people nodded quietly to themselves. It seemed the Uchiha were being sensible, they understood they had no chance.

So they simply gave up. It had to be said, this decision was incredibly decisive.

Shikaku thought the same and silently admired Junichi's judgment. On the surface, he showed a bright, delighted smile. The position of Fifth Hokage had not fallen into Uchiha hands.

Beaming, he announced loudly, "Then, allow me to represent all the jonin in announcing that the Fifth Hokage is—"

"Wait."

A calm, amused voice suddenly interrupted him. He froze for a moment and looked down. The other jonin also turned toward the source of the voice.

"I think you'd better take a look at this first." Junichi chuckled lightly and slowly raised his right hand, holding a bright yellow silk scroll.

"That's… a decree!?" Shikaku glanced at it and his face instantly went pale.

"A decree?" That word immediately caused a stir.

All the jonin stared at the bright yellow silk scroll in Junichi's hand. The confidence on their faces slowly turned into astonishment.

"Tsunade?" Jiraiya's face darkened. He asked in a low voice.

"There's no mistake!" Tsunade's expression was extremely grim. She spoke in a suppressed tone. "That material, style, and color, it's the Fire Daimyō's decree. I used to play with the one sensei had. It looked exactly like this!"

In contrast to everyone else, members of the Uchiha clan revealed mocking smiles, looking scornfully at the gathered jonin.

In a corner, Kakashi quietly sighed. He had known it, Junichi had prepared ahead of time and had already secured the daimyō's support.

"Would you please read the contents of the decree for everyone?" Junichi smiled slightly and tossed the scroll to Shikaku on stage.

Shikaku caught it, his face drenched in cold sweat. His eyes were full of hesitation, and waves of turmoil surged in his heart. The vague unease from earlier had finally taken shape, it was from the daimyō's side.

He had completely overlooked that possibility.

"Why don't you open it?" Junichi's voice urged, "Do you have some issue with the daimyō?"

Shikaku's heart tightened. He looked up and saw Junichi's amused gaze, then quickly said, "I wouldn't dare."

Then he opened the decree. At this moment, a sliver of hope still lingered in his heart, maybe it was a fake?

But after opening it and seeing the tone and official seal, he closed his eyes, the color draining from his face.

It was over.

Only one thought remained in his mind: He had bet on the wrong side. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio was finished.

"Shikaku?" Tsunade's surprised voice snapped him back to reality. "Let me see the decree."

"Yes." Shikaku forced a bitter smile and handed the scroll over.

Tsunade caught it, glanced down, and her expression changed dramatically. The short message clearly conveyed one thing: the daimyō had officially appointed Junichi as the Fifth Hokage.

"How could this happen?"

She couldn't believe it. Her hands clenched the scroll unconsciously.

"I suggest you calm down," Junichi's quiet voice came through. "The daimyō has already made his decision, and it's been recorded in the official archives. The ceremonial officials are already en route and will arrive in Konoha within days. Even if you destroy that decree, it won't change the fact."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade was silent for a few seconds before releasing the scroll in defeat. She had truly felt the urge to tear it apart just now. Unfortunately, under Junichi's observation, his perceptive awareness had clearly picked up on her intent.

"You all should take a look too…"

Tsunade handed the decree to Jiraiya. Jiraiya took it, read it, and his expression turned grim. He let out a sigh.

Then, the decree was passed from one jonin to another. Even Kakashi read it. Every jonin who finished reading it had their expression darken.

Once everyone had read it, the hall fell into a dead silence, the atmosphere heavy and suffocating.

"The daimyō has officially appointed me as the Fifth Hokage. Today's election ceremony was entirely redundant." Junichi walked up casually, ascending the hall's platform. With just a glance, Shikaku stepped aside.

Junichi, smiling, picked up the microphone and looked down at the crowd. One gloomy, sullen face after another met his gaze. But he didn't care in the slightest. He smiled lightly and said, "As the Fifth Hokage, I hereby declare the earlier vote null and void."

The expressions of the jonin twisted with frustration. The plan they had carefully crafted had just been completely overturned.

A fire burned in the hearts of every one of them.

"Of course, you're free to disagree," Junichi continued with a relaxed tone, "I'd be happy to report your objections to the daimyō, tell him you all disagree with his decision."

As if he were talking about something as casual as eating or drinking. But every jonin's face turned bitter, and they all lowered their heads.

The Hokage election was only meant to nominate a candidate to be recommended to the daimyō. Only after he reviewed and issued the official appointment scroll would someone truly become Hokage. This was the more legitimate, widely accepted, and legally recognized process!

To deny that process was to deny the daimyō himself.

However, these ninjas, mentally shackled for over a thousand years, would never dare defy the daimyō.

Even Hashirama wouldn't do that.

Let alone now?

Junichi felt only contempt in his heart, though he still wore a calm and gentle smile.

"Since there are no objections, I'll be assuming office as of now," he said slowly.

"After all…"

Junichi chuckled, "Weren't you all just so eager to see the new Hokage take office?"

Every jonin lowered their head, silently gritting their teeth.

It backfired!

Just earlier, they had rushed to select the Fifth Hokage, cutting all kinds of corners in the process. Now, they had no grounds to stop Junichi from taking office.

"Genma." Junichi called out loudly: "Bring up my Hokage hat and ceremonial robes."