Chapter 298: Tsunade's Desire, Political Alliance
Of course, if you encounter very high-level subordinates, such as a group of people with IQs comparable to the Nara clan, even a Hokage with high martial power might be reduced to a figurehead.
However, even without this system, a Hokage with only martial power and no brain would still be reduced to a figurehead.
For example, Tsunade, who has big boobs and no brain, or the Raikages, who only have muscles in their heads.
It's just that the probability of such things happening is still too low, because everyone knows that IQ alone cannot secure the position of Hokage.
Even if you can sideline your own Hokage, how do you face the Kage-level powerhouses of hostile countries?
Therefore, the system summarized by Akiyama Makoto is undoubtedly very practical. He had already implemented this system when he was the Kazekage advisor in the Land of Wind.
With years of practical experience, it only needed a slight modification to be successfully promoted in Konoha.
For example, in Konoha, if Tsunade wants to secure her position, she must confront Koharu and Homura.
And Makoto's method for this is also very simple: standardize the scope of power and responsibility of the two people.
They can only be responsible for things within their scope. Unless personally invited by the Hokage, they cannot intervene in matters outside their duties.
Currently, these two people certainly cannot object, because Makoto stands behind Tsunade.
The only remaining question is whether Tsunade can accept this system.
The expression on Tsunade's face changed constantly. She still maintained a high degree of skepticism about all this.
She even wondered if Makoto was taking the opportunity to seize her power as Hokage.
But soon Tsunade abandoned this thought.
Given Makoto's heroic deeds, if he wanted to, he would already be Hokage.
Although Makoto is a bit too young to be Hokage, Konoha really can't produce a more suitable candidate than him right now.
So Makoto is really doing this for her good?
Thinking of this, a sweet ripple appeared in Tsunade's heart, and a palpitation for Makoto seemed to rise from the depths of her body again.
Her face flushed, and she glared at Makoto fiercely.
This glare baffled Makoto, and he couldn't help asking, "Are you still going to refuse?"
"No, I won't refuse so quickly."
Tsunade quickly denied it. "Whether it works or not, it always takes some time to try it out to get an answer. Let's do it after we finish signing the peace agreement with the Sand Village."
Makoto nodded. He wouldn't let this kind of internal reform happen in one step. For example, what actions Koharu and Homura would take, all needed to be dealt with slowly.
Of course, in Makoto's view, they probably wouldn't make any moves.
Konoha is currently in a period of transition. Infighting at this time would only make Konoha weaker.
Tsunade, Koharu, and Homura shouldn't be so muddled—except for Danzō.
Fortunately, he is dead.
Seeing that he had no business here anymore, Makoto turned to leave.
Tsunade quickly pulled Makoto back and said, "Wait, you have to write down the manual or system for how exactly I should do it, right?"
Makoto looked at Shizune and said, "Just do what we did yesterday. Shizune knows it all."
"No, no, you still have to write it down. What if—what if Shizune and I forget?"
Tsunade winked at Shizune, and Shizune nodded blankly.
Although she didn't know why Tsunade said this, she chose to trust Tsunade.
"Alright, I'll bring it to you tomorrow. But—this isn't for free."
Makoto reached out, his fingers brushing Tsunade's cheek.
Tsunade subconsciously wanted to retreat, but the throbbing in her heart made her stand still, and she even opened her mouth to bite Makoto's finger.
Naturally, Makoto wouldn't let her bite him. He disappeared completely, leaving Tsunade alone with her teeth clacking together.
"Ouch!"
Tsunade covered her lips, looking angrily at where Makoto disappeared. Just as she was about to complain about him, Shizune's seemingly resentful voice came: "Did Lady Tsunade finally get her wish, become a young girl, and spend a spring night with Makoto-kun?"
Tsunade trembled, turned around, and tried to keep a straight face. "There was no such thing. Don't talk nonsense."
"Then let me examine Lady Tsunade's body—"
Shizune took a step forward, and Tsunade actually took a step back in fright.
No way, Tsunade felt too guilty.
When she reacted and wanted to continue pretending, Shizune was already laughing loudly.
"Lady Tsunade doesn't need to be nervous. I won't tell anyone about this kind of thing. It's just—seeing Lady Tsunade walk out of the mud of the past and reach the peak of life in both life and career, I'm really happy."
Tears welled up in Shizune's eyes. This moment was also a true expression of her feelings.
She couldn't believe that a month ago, Tsunade was still a fat sheep wandering in Tanzaku Town.
As for herself, she also felt her life was gray and there would be no light or change.
Until Makoto appeared, everything changed.
Tsunade looked at Shizune moved, then walked to Shizune and hugged her.
She had countless words to say.
As an elder, Tsunade should have lectured Shizune, or at least encouraged and comforted her.
But now she had become the one being taken care of, which made Tsunade silent for a long time, only able to whisper, "Thank you, Shizune."
The two embraced tightly, finally broken by Shizune's sentence: "Um, Lady Tsunade, can you tell me the details? I'm curious—ouch, ouch, ouch!"
Shizune's ear was being twisted by Tsunade, while Tsunade's face was completely red. "Children are not allowed to ask about adult matters!"
"Lady Tsunade is bullying me!"
Shizune struggled dissatisfiedly. "Lady Tsunade's physiological age is younger than mine now, and Makoto-kun is even younger. You two are the children, I am the adult!"
"Fine, fine, watch me spank this adult's butt!"
While Shizune and Tsunade were loving each other in the Hokage's office, Makoto had arrived at the Hyūga house.
"Eh, Makoto-kun, a rare visitor."
Seeing Makoto suddenly appear in front of him, Hiashi Hyūga wasn't surprised, but instead showed an expectant look.
Makoto had promised to let the Hyūga family walk out of the shadows of the past, resolve the humiliation brought by the Cloud Village to the Hyūga family, and reclaim the Byakugan lost by the Hyūga.
These promises were very significant, but Hiashi knew they couldn't be easily achieved.
In comparison, Makoto's promise to let the Hyūga family take on more job positions was what Hiashi cared about most.
The Hyūga family didn't lack these positions, nor did they lack money as an ancient family.
It was just that the Hyūga family lacked the prestige and status corresponding to the number one clan in Konoha, which was what Hiashi wanted most.
Makoto sat calmly opposite Hiashi, calmly accepted the tea poured by Hiashi, took a sip, and then said, "In a while, the Hokage's office will release reform measures. At that time, Konoha will further clarify the power boundaries of various departments and positions, and will also hire more people to help the Hokage handle government affairs."
Hiashi's eyes lit up immediately. "Details, Makoto-kun."
"Simply put, the Hokage needs some people who aren't strong but are smart and pragmatic enough. The Ino-Shika-Chō clans and the Sarutobi clan will naturally occupy quite a few positions, but the Hyūga family can also get some positions."
"Tentatively, 20% for the Hyūga family, 20% for the Ino-Shika-Chō trio combined, 10% for the Sarutobi family, 20% for small and medium-sized families, and 30% for commoners."
Hiashi's eyes brightened even more.
Although 20% for the Hyūga family didn't sound like much, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio combined only accounted for 20%, and the rest didn't need further explanation.
This meant that the Hyūga family would possess a status matching the clan's strength for the first time.
However, Hiashi then said worriedly, "Will the Hokage and the two advisors agree?"
"Anyway, I've already agreed."
Makoto drank a sip of tea calmly and said, "But you must urge those who serve the Hokage that although the rule of Hyūga family first can remain unchanged, for some small matters unrelated to Hyūga family principles, the Hokage's orders can be prioritized."
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Hiashi took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "I'm mentally prepared for this point."
Back when the Cloud Village head ninja came to Konoha to sign a peace treaty, all families in Konoha attended the banquet at the Hokage's invitation, except for the Hyūga family.
It wasn't that the Hyūga family didn't give face to the Hokage, but that day was the customary day to implant the Caged Bird Seal on the branch family, and the Hyūga family didn't want to change the custom because of such things.
And after that, the incident occurred where the Cloud head ninja tried to steal Hinata and was killed by Hiashi.
The entire Konoha pressured the Hyūga family, eventually forcing Hizashi Hyūga to commit suicide in place of Hiashi to appease the Cloud Village's anger.
Although looking back now, this matter was quite ridiculous, completely a manifestation of the Third Hokage's weakness and Danzō taking suppressing internal forces as his duty.
But as a clan leader, Hiashi didn't want to experience similar conflicts again.
If he had known there would be subsequent events, what harm would there have been in postponing the Hyūga family custom for a day, or until after the banquet ended?
Of course, even if the Hyūga family took a step back, some things might still have happened.
But at that time, the Hyūga family would have occupied the moral high ground, and the situation might have been different.
These were all Hiashi's reflections on that incident, and also the reason why he wanted to actively integrate into village affairs, and the driving force for him to bind himself to Makoto in the first batch.
Reality proved that his judgment was correct.
"In that case, I won't say more about the remaining matters. Father-in-law, I'll take my leave first."
"Mm, come find me anytime if you need anything."
Hiashi watched Makoto leave with a smile, then realized something was wrong.
That guy—did he call me father-in-law again?
Hiashi was startled, then laughed happily.
This made Hanabi pop her little head out from the backyard, run over swiftly, and ask, "Father, did something good happen? Why are you laughing so happily?"
"This—your sister found a good man."
Hiashi naturally wouldn't tell Hanabi the twists and turns between families, just simply praised Makoto.
Hanabi disagreed and said, "Father, I admit Brother Makoto is excellent, but he has so many girlfriends!"
"Father, aren't you worried about sister's future happiness?"
Seeing the dissatisfaction on Hanabi's face, Hiashi was also a bit embarrassed, because although this matter wasn't considered wrong in the current Konoha, it didn't fit the living habits of most people.
To this, Hiashi could only say, "Hanabi, matters of the heart shouldn't be too rigid. Your sister likes Makoto-kun, and Makoto-kun likes her too. Since they are congenial, we can only offer them our blessings."
"Father, what kind of twisted logic is this? Just because they are congenial, we can't interfere?"
"Alright, Hanabi, you'll understand when you grow up."
Hiashi really didn't want to continue this topic, so he could only shoo Hanabi away.
Looking at Hanabi leaving angrily, a smile appeared on Hiashi's lips.
It seemed Hanabi had a big opinion of Makoto, which was a good thing in his view. At least he didn't have to worry about Hanabi getting too close to Makoto.
But Hiashi didn't see Hanabi, who had turned the corner, leaning against the wall, her cheeks flushed, muttering, "Just because two people are congenial, Father won't interfere much—"
Hiashi didn't know Hanabi's little thoughts now. When he found out in the future, it would probably be too late.
On Makoto's side, after the Hyūga family, he visited the Ino-Shika-Chō trio and told them about the Hokage changing some rules soon.
This was actually a sign of the two sides becoming political allies.
The Yamanaka family didn't need much explanation; they warmly entertained Makoto, and even Ino clung to Makoto affectionately, to which the Yamanaka family said nothing.
The Nara family and the Akimichi family also entertained Makoto properly and seriously, thanked Makoto for the intelligence provided, and declared they would find an opportunity to repay Makoto later.
Obviously, unless Makoto rebelled against Konoha, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio would most likely stand on Makoto's side.
As for the Sarutobi family, although their overall strength was still good, and they were led by Elite Jōnin Asuma Sarutobi, Makoto really had no interest in communicating with them.
And Makoto felt that having the Hyūga family and the Ino-Shika-Chō trio as allies was enough.
Adding the Sarutobi family might make everyone think Makoto was going to rebel against Tsunade.
However, in reality, Tsunade was Makoto's person, so why would he need to rebel?
The next day, Makoto brought the compiled manuscript to Tsunade.
Tsunade quickly took it to check and found that Makoto had conceived a complete organizational structure. Her eyes sparkled, and finally, the look she gave Makoto carried unconcealed affection.
"Very good. Shizune, stamp this document with my seal, and take it for discussion at the meeting this afternoon."
Watching Shizune take the document away, Makoto said speechlessly, "No wonder you wanted me to write it out myself. It turns out you were too lazy to write?"
Her little scheme exposed, Tsunade looked awkwardly at the ceiling. Seeing Makoto's hand becoming restless, she covered her chest and said, "I just wanted to relax sooner. If I figured it out myself, wouldn't it take ten days or half a month?"
"So you are relaxed now?" Makoto said gropingly.
"Yes—ah no, I'm very busy!"
Tsunade quickly tried to deny it, but the next second, she disappeared from the office.
When she reappeared, it was already noon.
Tsunade's face was still flushed, her body drenched in sweat, looking as if she had undergone vigorous exercise.
Shizune pushed the door open, looked at Tsunade in this state, smiled faintly, and said, "Lady Tsunade, do you need me to carry you back to bathe?"
"No, no need—I can do it myself."
Tsunade just wanted to stand up, groaned, and sat back down.
She couldn't help cursing inwardly. That guy Akiyama Makoto—does he want to get me pregnant?
Wait, he doesn't really think that, does he?
Realizing this, Tsunade suddenly felt weak all over.
At her age, does she still have to bear children for Makoto?
Tsunade thought she would resist strongly, but as a result, a huge desire suddenly arose from the depths of her heart.
A desire for kinship.
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 200 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you