UTBW: Ch. 82

"Is that Junichi?"

Tsunade and Jiraiya both looked over. The moment they laid eyes on Junichi, they frowned. He didn't look like an Uchiha at all.

The young man walking slowly into the hall stood tall, two meters high, with a lean, muscular build. Anyone who looked at him could instantly sense a powerful, oppressive aura, as if not a man but a humanoid beast had entered the room.

And yet, Junichi wore a relaxed smile. His expression was easygoing, even a bit careless. All the killing intent and pride he carried were completely retracted. This ease and control over his aura made Jiraiya and Tsunade secretly apprehensive.

Only someone with a truly clear and unshaken heart could possess such a composed and integrated demeanor. It meant that he had no inner doubts, his beliefs were etched into his very bones. His actions would be free from hesitation or second-guessing.

A serious threat.

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged glances, seeing the same sense of helplessness in each other's eyes.

An enemy like this… was extremely troublesome. Normal communication or negotiation would be useless.

Only physical defeat, complete elimination, could bring victory.

"Just thinking about having to deal with this kind of headache as Hokage gives me a migraine," Tsunade said, pressing her hand to her forehead.

Jiraiya gave a teasing smile. "Regretting it already?"

"Of course I am!" Tsunade shot him a sideways glance. "If I'd known, I would've let you be the Fifth Hokage!"

"Forget it. You are the more legitimate choice," Jiraiya said, shaking his head with a smile.

Tsunade sighed helplessly.

They were already treating the Hokage position like a personal burden.

Junichi walked into the hall. Behind him followed over a hundred Uchiha jonin. If not for the losses in the clan massacre, there would've been even more.

"So you both are back too. Did you go visit your teacher?" His gaze swept over them, pausing briefly. With a chuckle, he said, "I heard he's in bad shape, losing control of his bowels daily, changing his sheets at least five times a day... That must be hard, right?"

"It's your fault!!" Tsunade erupted. Her temper couldn't tolerate that. She clenched her fist instantly.

Boom!

An enormous power gathered in her fist like a cannonball ready to launch.

"Tsunade, calm down!" Jiraiya reacted quickly, grabbing her to stop the punch. If that punch landed, the entire hall might collapse.

"And you too…" Jiraiya turned his sharp gaze on Junichi, warning coldly, "You've already won. Don't add fuel to the fire. It won't do you any good."

Junichi shrugged indifferently, his face relaxed and unconcerned.

"Hello!"

Just then, a loud voice rang out from the stage.

They all looked over.

Nara stood on stage, holding a microphone, and spoke in a deep voice, "Thank you all for attending today's full assembly. Now, let's begin the meeting."

His words managed to calm Tsunade a bit. She snorted coldly and lowered her fist.

Oh?

Junichi didn't bother with her. He just looked up at Shikaku on stage.

This guy… He'd been silent for so long. Why show up now? Was he looking for a new backer now that the Sarutobi clan had lost power?

How laughable.

He smiled and narrowed his eyes at Shikaku.

"!?" Shikaku felt a chill under that gaze, his heart thumping wildly as panic briefly crossed his face.

Forget it, for now. Junichi looked away.

Only then did Shikaku exhale, though unease still churned in his heart. He had a bad feeling that Junichi had taken note of him.

Maybe he shouldn't have volunteered to host today?

No!

He hesitated less than half a second before his eyes firmed again. If he didn't come, the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance would have no future.

He steadied himself and continued, "Today's agenda has only one item, the selection of the Fifth Hokage!"

With the help of the loudspeaker, his voice echoed through every corner of the hall.

At the edge of the crowd, Kakashi stood with his eyes downcast, but he heard everything clearly.

"Due to health reasons, the Third Hokage can no longer continue in his position. But the village cannot be without a Hokage. I propose that we begin the selection process for the Fifth Hokage right now. Does anyone object?"

He cast a deliberate glance around the hall.

Of course no one objected, this had all been coordinated in advance. However, what unsettled him was that even the Uchiha clan didn't voice any objections. They simply sat there quietly, watching him with odd smiles on their faces.

The Uchiha had been "informed" too. Just… in a very different way.

"If no one objects, then very well…" Shikaku composed himself and followed the prearranged plan. "Allow me to declare, on behalf of everyone here—, he selection ceremony for the Fifth Hokage officially begins!"

Clap clap clap clap…

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Junichi graciously joined in, clapping his hands. Seeing this, his clansmen followed suit. Instantly, the other jonin threw strange looks their way.

Tsunade and Jiraiya also looked at him with puzzlement. After being hit with such a sudden political move, this young man wasn't even fazed?

He was… smiling and clapping? Such composure!

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and many others were silently shocked.

"The current candidates are: Lady Tsunade, Jiraiya-sama, and Fugaku," Shikaku announced calmly.

At that, the Uchiha clan all furrowed their brows.

"You looking to cause trouble?" Yuki bared his teeth in a cold grin.

"My apologies." Shikaku's expression didn't change as he replied steadily. "This is simply the same list used during the Fourth Hokage selection. Fugaku was a candidate back then."

He paused, then continued, "Would the Uchiha clan now like to update their candidate to Junichi?"

"What do you think?" Yuki sneered coldly.

"Very well. The list will be updated: Candidate Fugaku will be replaced by Junichi." Shikaku spoke calmly.

As he said this, he glanced at Junichi, only to see him smiling back, watching him with interest, as if enjoying a well-staged drama.

A chill ran through his heart.

Why?

Why wasn't he angry?

Why hadn't his expression changed at all!?

Everyone else was wondering the same thing.

Just then, Shikaku suddenly remembered what Kakashi had told him earlier, that Junichi didn't care about their plans at all.

It was as if… he was fully prepared.

What other cards could he be hiding? He grew tense, his thoughts racing.

The Hokage election ceremony was pioneered by the Second Hokage, and later perfected by the Third. It's a tradition deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

Only a Hokage chosen through this process is considered legitimate.

Otherwise, no one will be convinced.

He couldn't help but frown. He felt like he was missing something, but couldn't quite grasp what it was. And now, there was no time left to figure it out.

He continued, "All of you here are jonin. As jonin, you have the right to vote. And today's meeting includes over 90% of all jonin in Konoha. That is enough to determine the outcome of the Fifth Hokage selection."

As he said this, he took a deep breath.

Everyone else held their breath slightly, eyes wide with anticipation.

"Legally speaking, the requirements for voting are now fulfilled!" Shikaku declared loudly. "You may now raise your hand to vote for your chosen candidate for the Fifth Hokage. Hand-raising is in accordance with the regulations. It is legally binding."

"So now, please cast your votes. The first candidate is Lady Tsunade. All those in favor, please raise your right hand!"

Whoosh—

In an instant, a sea of right hands went up.