Chapter 678: Influence
The jonin voting results surprised the ninja present.
However, no matter what thoughts they had, the voting results could no longer be changed.
In this round of jonin voting, Mugetsu had obtained an absolute lead.
After the meeting, Mugetsu's friends came forward to congratulate him.
"Mugetsu, you're really going to make it big now. The position of Hokage is within reach." Kushina excitedly slapped Mugetsu's shoulder and laughed.
Actually, a long time ago, when she was still at the Ninja Academy, Kushina had also aspired to become Hokage and become Konoha's first female Hokage.
However, Kushina had no special reason for wanting to become Hokage. She simply saw it as a grand ambition, because she was someone unwilling to remain ordinary.
"It's not certain until the final results are out," Mugetsu said, shaking his head.
He did not think becoming Hokage was something worth being happy about, and he should not celebrate prematurely.
"Indeed, we can't be careless because of this, but I still want to congratulate you on gaining so much support in the jonin vote," Minato said with a gentle smile.
Seeing his good friend suppress seniors like the Sannin in the Fourth Hokage election, Minato felt a little emotional.
Once, when Mugetsu was still a chunin, Minato had already been a somewhat famous jonin.
But now, Mugetsu was about to become Hokage, while Minato was still only the Jonin Commander.
However, Minato was neither jealous nor envious of Mugetsu. He only admired him.
Because he knew Mugetsu well, he understood that all of this came from Mugetsu's own ability and his contributions to Konoha, not from any connections Mugetsu had in the higher ranks.
If Minato were in Mugetsu's position, he wondered whether he could have reached Mugetsu's level.
"I cast my precious vote for you, so asking for a big meal to celebrate such a huge advantage isn't too much, right?" Tsunade said directly.
Mugetsu nodded. A big get together once in a while was not bad.
Jiraiya, who was trying to joke around and comfort Orochimaru, instantly perked up when he heard this.
It did not matter if he returned to Konoha, but if he rushed back and failed to freeload on one of Mugetsu's meals, that would be far too regrettable.
"Ahem, Orochimaru, we seniors must be magnanimous. Although you and Mugetsu are currently competing for Hokage, it shouldn't affect your private relationship," Jiraiya said with a serious expression.
He wanted to freeload, but Jiraiya felt it would not be good to leave Orochimaru behind at a time like this, so he had to take Orochimaru with him.
"Jiraiya, when did you get the illusion that you have the ability to lecture me?" Orochimaru said lightly, walking directly toward Mugetsu and very calmly making a request to freeload.
Being overwhelmingly defeated in votes by a junior did indeed make Orochimaru a little upset. He also had his pride.
But it was only a little, because that junior was Mugetsu.
When he heard that he was competing with Mugetsu for the position of Hokage, Orochimaru knew that he had definitely been chosen as a mere participant this time.
How could he win against Mugetsu?
Aside from his mission record, he had almost no area where he could surpass Mugetsu.
In terms of strength, Mugetsu could heavily injure the Fourth Kazekage with one punch, and then he had also developed Wood Release, unique to the God of Shinobi.
In terms of military achievements, Mugetsu was Konoha's hero who ended the Third Shinobi World War.
Orochimaru, aware of the gap between them, did not feel too disappointed.
Moreover, they were also partners.
Strictly speaking, Mugetsu becoming Hokage was actually a good thing for Orochimaru, although it was not as good as him becoming Hokage himself.
"What about me?"
Jiraiya had not expected the aloof Orochimaru to also love freeloading, so he was stunned for a moment.
When he came back to his senses, he realized that the others had already walked some distance away while chatting, so he quickly caught up.
Besides his friends, Mugetsu also invited his students and disciples like Asuma and Obito, and they all had dinner together.
"Teacher Mugetsu's cooking is truly something I never get tired of, no matter how many times I eat it. If the Sharingan could copy this, that would be great. I wouldn't have to bother Teacher Mugetsu and could eat it every day." Walking back to the Uchiha Clan Compound, Obito lamented that the Sharingan was not powerful enough.
He had tried using his Sharingan to perfectly replicate Mugetsu's cooking skills, but he still could not make food as delicious as Mugetsu's. At most, it only tasted decent.
"The Sharingan isn't omnipotent. If you seriously learned from Teacher Mugetsu, you might be able to do better," Shisui replied casually.
"No thanks. I'll learn cooking later when my strength can't improve anymore."
Obito did not want to waste time on cooking and end up being surpassed by Kakashi in strength, only to be mocked and humiliated by Kakashi.
"However, Teacher Mugetsu has such a huge advantage that my painstakingly crafted brilliant plan has gone to waste." Obito quickly brought the topic back to the Hokage election.
"It doesn't seem like a waste. I can keep it in mind and use it when I run for Hokage."
"Wouldn't that still be a waste?" Shisui subtly reminded him, implying that reckless actions could backfire.
"Don't you think my idea is very good, Shisui?"
"Perhaps a thousand years ago, it would have been a rare and brilliant plan worthy of praise."
Obito fell silent.
After arriving at the Uchiha Clan Compound, the two separated and went home.
Not long after Shisui returned home, Fugaku personally came to his door.
"Did you have dinner at Assistant Mugetsu's house today?" Fugaku asked.
He had seen Shisui and a group of people with Mugetsu when he left.
"Yes." Shisui nodded.
"Assistant Mugetsu is very likely to become Hokage this time. We must seize this opportunity. Once the Village's direction leans toward Assistant Mugetsu, we must promote Assistant Mugetsu's ideas," Fugaku said quickly.
"At that time, we will first call the elders together for a meeting and reach a consensus before holding a Clan Meeting."
The Uchiha Clan was not unwilling to enter Konoha's core decision making body.
They simply could not get in.
Mugetsu had an excellent reputation within the Uchiha Clan. All Uchiha ninja knew that their two greatest geniuses were Mugetsu's disciples.
Now, with the hope brought by Mugetsu, Fugaku did not believe those elders would still oppose the Police Force reform.
Unless they did not want the Uchiha to improve.
But if that were the case, Fugaku would have to use his authority as Clan Head.
"Mm." Shisui nodded again.
Fugaku's actions gave Shisui a new understanding of the Hokage's power and status.
Previously, although Fugaku had also supported him, he had not been this proactive. Now that Mugetsu had a chance to succeed as Hokage, Fugaku suddenly became much more active.
Shisui did not dislike Fugaku's behavior.
After all, Fugaku was also acting for the Uchiha Clan.
He thought that Uchiha ninja like Fugaku would rather betray the Village than betray the clan.
....
https://discord.gg/KvMN2CFsMR
[If you don't want to wait for the next update, read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03].