Chapter 289: 289. Chapter 287: Why is the Curly-Head Ranked Above Me?

289. Chapter 287: Why is the Curly-Head Ranked Above Me?

The plan expounded by Uchiha Gin, in the eyes of Senju Hashirama and others, although it had a certain constructiveness, suddenly establishing another position at the same level as the Hokage was not something the few of them could decide in a few words.

It had to be approved by the Daimyo from above and recognized by the ninja clans and villagers from below, so Senju Tobirama decided to record this plan first, thinking of making it public after waiting for it to be perfected.

"I was just talking big, if it doesn't work, then forget it."

Seeing Senju Tobirama not speaking, Uchiha Gin thought his randomly spouted plan was too "grass-growing" (absurd), and had silenced the white-hair, so he scratched his head in some embarrassment.

"Brother Gin, your idea is very novel, I think it's good."

Senju Hashirama nodded with a smile, and while speaking, he cast his gaze on Uchiha Madara to the side, his little thoughts clearly revealed.

"Hmph hmph~"

Feeling the scorching gaze, Uchiha Madara immediately straightened his back, looking proud.

"Suddenly increasing leadership positions is too rash, this plan still needs to be deliberated upon."

Senju Tobirama, who had taken notes on the general idea, looked at Uchiha Madara, who was exchanging glances with his big brother, his brows slightly furrowed. His words didn't express approval, but he didn't oppose it either.

"Ah! Then can my prison work be resolved?"

Seeing that everyone hadn't rejected his suggestion, Uchiha Gin excitedly rubbed his hands like a fly, unable to wait to ask.

"Go back and wait for news."

"Alrighty~"

Having received the desired answer, Uchiha Gin was about to leave when he discovered it was already mealtime. Without further ado, he pulled his dedicated cousin away from the Hokage building.

"Let's go, let's go, Cousin is in a good mood today, I'll treat you to a meal outside~"

Uchiha Madara, who was forcibly brought out, looked at his cousin's back. A flash of gratitude flickered in his cold eyes. After brewing for a long time, he said softly:

"Cousin, thank you."

In Uchiha Madara's view, the plan Uchiha Gin proposed earlier was completely tailor-made for him. It was because he was worried he couldn't serve as Hokage that he specially established this position.

"We're brothers, what's there to thank!"

It's just a meal, why has this kid Uchiha Madara become so polite now? It's completely contrary to his persona.

"I will work hard!"

Understanding his cousin's painstaking efforts, Uchiha Madara was very moved, then clenched his fists and said solemnly.

"Ha?"

Is this kid trying to eat me into poverty?

Baffled by Uchiha Madara's strange behavior, Uchiha Gin frowned in confusion, turned around, and led him into a noodle shop.

"Welcome!"

"Boss, give me a bowl of miso ramen~"

Familiar with the ramen shop owner, Uchiha Gin turned to look at his cousin and waved his hand heroically:

"This is a new delicacy I discovered recently, just eat to your heart's content!"

"..."

However, Uchiha Madara looked up at the barren menu on the wall of the noodle shop and finally ordered the same miso ramen with a wry smile.

"Uh? Not adding narutomaki? Their seasoning tastes good~"

"No, I hate narutomaki."

"Tobirama, do you also think the suggestion Brother Gin proposed is feasible?"

After Uchiha Madara left, the Senju brothers, left alone in the office, began a secret talk about the plan just now. Senju Hashirama's face carried a hint of seriousness, his eyes fixed on his younger brother.

"To be honest, this plan does have its merits."

Senju Tobirama nodded upon hearing this. If the two of them governed Konoha together, although there might be differences, it would also avoid arbitrary decisions to a certain extent.

Another thing is, in case the village leader encounters an accident, the other person can come forward immediately to suppress unstable factors and prevent the situation from developing in an uncontrollable direction.

"That's good, hurry up and write a perfected plan, I'll take it to show the Daimyo."

Since Senju Tobirama also thought it was okay, Senju Hashirama immediately stood up, excitement flashing in his eyes, urging his brother to write the report quickly.

"Don't be impatient, have you thought about who will serve as this Village Party Secretary?"

Senju Tobirama, with a slightly cold expression, raised his hand to signal Senju Hashirama not to be in a hurry, his scarlet eyes staring straight at his big brother, and asked a soul-searching question:

"Of course it's Madara!"

This didn't even need thinking. When the time came, he and Madara would be one in charge of the outside and one in charge of the inside, cooperating intimately. Husband... brothers working together would make Konoha flourish.

Hearing this, Senju Tobirama immediately revealed an "as expected" expression, shook his head with black lines on his forehead, and sighed:

"Sigh~ I knew it, you've been completely bewitched by that guy to the point of losing your way!"

"Ah? I haven't!"

Feeling he had suffered an unjust grievance, Senju Hashirama denied it repeatedly, but his eyes never dared to look directly into Senju Tobirama's eyes.

"Big Brother, you have to know, becoming a leader not only requires corresponding talent, but also strong wrist and personality charm that can convince the masses. Do you think that guy Uchiha Madara possesses these basic elements?"

Senju Tobirama had always been wary of the emotionally unstable Uchiha clan, even though he had an Uchiha disciple, which had slightly changed his view of the Uchiha in daily contact.

However, not all Uchiha could be generalized. Kagami is a curly-head after all!

"Tsk... but, I think Madara can."

After listening to Senju Tobirama's words, Senju Hashirama lowered his head in silence, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes, but he still firmly raised his head to speak for his best friend.

"Just you thinking so isn't enough. From the founding of Konoha until now, what major contribution has Uchiha Madara made to the village?"

Facing his stubborn big brother, Senju Tobirama sighed slightly in his heart, walked two steps, leaned against Senju Hashirama's desk, and asked:

"Yes, yes, didn't Madara help capture the Tailed Beasts!"

Speaking of contributions, Senju Hashirama immediately became spirited and raised his hand to answer.

"Uh... that doesn't count, he was competing for the Hokage position, that's selfishness!"

"Then he helped me carve the Hokage Rock~"

"That's your personal relationship, it has nothing to do with the village!"

"He paid to repair the Hokage building!"

"Cough cough cough... let's talk about personality charm."

Choked by Senju Hashirama's successive words to the point of almost passing out, Senju Tobirama hurriedly stopped the topic of contributions and turned to compare personality charm.

"I guarantee with my personality, Madara's personality is absolutely top-notch and upright! As for charm, what else is there to say? Madara is Konoha's recognized handsome man~"

Indeed, as Senju Hashirama said, on the handsome man and beautiful woman list circulating in Konoha, Uchiha Madara had always occupied a high position, relying on his cold and handsome appearance to harvest the support of a large number of fan girls.

"Recognized?"

Senju Tobirama really didn't know about this. Always burying his head in work, where would he have time to understand such gossip?

"That's right, Konoha has a handsome man list, and Madara has always been at the forefront."

As the unknown promoter of this list, Senju Hashirama answered very seriously.

"By the way, Tobirama, you are also on the list, but your ranking is not very high."

Looking at Senju Tobirama's wrinkled face, Senju Hashirama also thoughtfully told him his ranking situation.

"I'm on it too? Bring it here and let me see!"

Senju Tobirama, who originally didn't have much interest, reached out his hand curiously. He knew his big brother definitely had intelligence gossip.

"Hehe~"

Scratching his head in embarrassment, Senju Hashirama took a ranking list out of the drawer and handed it over. After Senju Tobirama took it, he immediately started browsing.

"Heh, this person who made the list has some eye, putting you, Big Brother, in the first place."

Senju Tobirama, who didn't know this list had "water" (was rigged), looked at Senju Hashirama, who was far ahead in the ranking, and nodded in agreement.

"Uchiha Madara is actually in second place? Dark curtain! There must be a dark curtain! He must have rigged the votes!"

Opening his mouth was the old double standard.

"Uh... where am I?"

Skipping over the familiar two, Senju Tobirama continued to look down. The next few were ninjas who usually had some reputation, but what surprised him was that he saw another familiar figure among them.

"How can that guy Uchiha Izuna also be in the top ten? This list has no authority at all!"

"Oh? You mean Izuna? He wasn't in the top ten before, but recently he changed his new look, his popularity rose all at once, and his support rate went up, so he squeezed into the top ten."

Seeing his younger brother's unhappy expression, Senju Hashirama hurriedly explained the reason.

"Hmph~ Opportunist."

Looking at Uchiha Izuna's punchable appearance on the list, Senju Tobirama felt like ten jin of lemon juice had been poured into his heart, and the air he exhaled was sour.

Unconvinced, he continued to look down, but the whole page of the list was almost at the end, and Senju Tobirama still hadn't found his name, so he frowned and asked:

"Didn't you say I was on the list? Why isn't it here? Did you take the wrong one?"

"Oh! There's more on the back, take a look."

"Back?"

Confusedly flipping the list in his hand, Senju Tobirama finally found his name.

【NO. 250: Senju Tobirama】

###!!!

"Slap!!!"

"This list must have been made by the Uchiha!!!"

Senju Tobirama, angry to the point of turning red, slapped the ranking list directly in front of Senju Hashirama. The solid wood desk let out a crisp cry of sorrow under his angry, giant-strength pounding.

"Wait until I find the guy who made the list, I'll definitely send his whole family spiraling to the sky!"

"Ah..."

Not expecting his usually calm younger brother to be so emotional, Senju Hashirama, feeling a bit sweaty, hurriedly pointed to a name on the list and said:

"Don't be excited, Tobirama, look, isn't Brother Gin also ranked behind?"

【NO. 249: Uchiha Gin】

"..."

"Why is that curly-head ranked above me!!!"

It would have been fine if he hadn't pointed it out, but seeing that Uchiha Gin was ranked higher than him, Senju Tobirama went completely crazy, his eyes red and teeth gritted. He swore he would hang this list-maker up and beat him, then perform a painful excision surgery on him with Water Severing Wave.

"What are you guys arguing about? I could hear it outside the building."

Just as Senju Tobirama was hopping mad, Uchiha Madara, who had just finished his free meal of ramen, returned to work. The moment he stepped through the door, he saw the white-haired man in a towering rage and immediately wore a look of confusion.

"Nothing! Tobirama was just warming up his voice~"

Senju Hashirama, with quick eyes and hands, stuffed the ranking list back, put on a warm smile, and shook his head repeatedly to indicate nothing happened, just his younger brother doing vocal exercises~

"Oh? I didn't expect you, guy, to be an artist~"

Uchiha Madara didn't expect Senju Tobirama to have this hobby. As a soul dancer, his inner artistic soul couldn't help but stir.

"I..."

Senju Tobirama, suddenly capped with the "diva" hat, looked at his big brother in confusion. He did indeed love music, but he had never revealed it to the outside world, only singing alone when it was dark and windy.

"Shh~ Singing, dancing, rap, and basketball are all bonus points. As long as the publicity is in place, the ranking will definitely rise~"

Pulling Senju Tobirama, who was leaning against the table, Senju Hashirama reminded him in a low voice seriously.

"Uh... cough cough cough, that's right, I practice a few lines during breaks~"

After the guidance of the "List Number One Big Brother," Senju Tobirama only felt enlightened. He coughed a few times, his face carrying a hint of an artist's pride, and explained.

"Oh oh oh~"

Uchiha Madara's surprised look made Senju Tobirama quite satisfied, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up. He couldn't help but show off a hand:

"Recalling the past, the tears don't dry~"

A few days later, Senju Tobirama, having finished organizing Uchiha Gin's plan, led a team to leave Konoha, aiming for the capital of the Land of Fire, with the goal of discussing the details of this plan with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

"Oioioi, why didn't the Hokage come personally?"

In the palace of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the Daimyo, with a pale face, looked at Senju Tobirama in front of him with great interest, propped his chin with the folding fan in his hand, and asked in confusion.

"The Hokage encountered an assassination when he went out before. To ensure the stability of Konoha's development, he has been stationed in the village during this period."

Facing the Daimyo's questioning, Senju Tobirama gave a reasonable explanation without being humble or arrogant.

"Ah? The Hokage actually encountered an assassination? He wasn't injured, right?"

"Thank you, Daimyo, for your concern, it was just some skin wounds~"

There was nothing wrong with saying that; the clothes were torn, so it was just skin wounds.

"Oh~ then what is the purpose of your trip?"

Hearing that Senju Hashirama was fine, the Daimyo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Konoha had earned him enough face in front of his brothers. If something went wrong with the Hokage, he wouldn't be able to "act cool" in front of other Daimyos.

"Please take a look, Daimyo."

Senju Tobirama didn't dither and handed over the plan he had prepared long ago.

"This is?" Is he here to ask for money again?

Confusedly taking the scroll handed over by Senju Tobirama, the Daimyo didn't suspect anything and immediately opened it to browse.

After a while, the Daimyo, with a strange expression, put down the scroll in his hand, looked at Senju Tobirama waiting in front of him, and said:

"The Hokage is truly an admirable leader."

The plan submitted by Senju Tobirama overturned the worldview of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. Who would share their own power with another person?

"This is also a need for Konoha's development, and we in Konoha have the strength to select multiple excellent talents who can serve as leaders at the same time!"

Indeed, as Senju Tobirama said, in Konoha now, there were not a few people who had the strength and courage to serve as Hokage.

Even in the original work's future Konoha, after the Third died, there were still two Sannin who could top it, and secretly there was a "Pot Shadow" (Danzo) waiting to usurp the throne.

Unlike the Land of Wind in later generations, where the young Kazekage Gaara was captured, the entire Sunagakure could only pull out a Baki as a temporary leader, which was truly laughable.

"I think it's good."

Looking at the confident Senju Tobirama, the Daimyo nodded in agreement.

In his view, no matter how many leaders Konoha had, as long as they could complete the entrusted missions with high efficiency, the people's lives were stable, and they helped him earn tax money, that was the result these nobles were most happy to see.

"As for the candidates, you Konoha can deliberate on it yourselves, as long as the Hokage's position remains unchanged."

The Daimyo's gaze fell on the candidate list at the end of the plan. Looking at those familiar surnames, he shook his head lightly. As long as his "in-law" Senju Hashirama didn't step down, it didn't matter who served as the other leader.

As long as the plan was approved by the Daimyo, the other leader of Konoha possessed the most basic authority. Senju Tobirama took the appointment letter signed and stamped by the Daimyo and rushed back to Konoha to tell the news to the eagerly waiting Senju Hashirama.

"Big Brother, I got it~"

In the office, the dusty Senju Tobirama took out the Daimyo's appointment letter in front of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.

"Thank you for your hard work, Tobirama!"

Excitedly standing up, Senju Hashirama solemnly took the appointment letter, his eyes full of emotion.

"Just part of my duty~"

Senju Tobirama didn't take credit or act proud, glanced at Uchiha Madara to the side, shook his head, and replied.

"Sigh~ Great! Madara, take a look~"

The first moment he got the appointment letter, Senju Hashirama chose to share the joy with his best friend.

"Since the appointment letter is down, shouldn't this candidate also be determined?"

Lowering his head to browse the appointment letter signed by the Daimyo, looking at the blank space in the middle—that was the place to fill in the name of the second leader—

"That goes without saying, of course it's you~"

Unable to wait, Senju Hashirama took out a pen and was about to fill in Uchiha Madara's name in the blank space of the appointment letter, but was blocked by a large hand that suddenly appeared.

"Big Brother, isn't it a bit rash for you to do this?"

Only to see Senju Tobirama, with an unhappy expression, looking gloomily at Uchiha Madara to the side.

"What's so rash about this? Is there any more suitable candidate besides Madara?"

"Whether there is a suitable candidate or not, let's not mention it for now. Rashly appointing another leader like this, I'm afraid it will be hard to convince the masses!"

Senju Tobirama shook his head and explained.

"Then what do you say we should do?"

Uchiha Madara, whose good thing was ruined, stared at Senju Tobirama, wanting to hear what high opinion he had.

"Convene a meeting."

Soon, at the same time, the major ninja clans of Konoha received summons from the Hokage building one after another.

The first Konoha Representative Assembly was officially convened~

"Sasuke, why did the Hokage summon us?"

The people of the Ninja Clan Alliance met on the way to gather. Shimura Kenichi looked curiously at the people rushing to the Hokage building, nudged his good friend, and asked.

"I don't know what it's about either, but it shouldn't be related to war."

Sarutobi Sasuke, who didn't know the inside story, frowned into a "chuan" shape. As long as there wasn't a war, everything else was fine.

"I did hear some rumors~"

The round Akimichi Shinji leaned over mysteriously, and Yamanaka Minako, who followed behind him, also pricked up her ears high.

"It is said that because the Hokage is unable to support the village alone and feels his body has been 'hollowed out,' he decided to establish another position with power equivalent to the Hokage, but the affairs under jurisdiction do not overlap."

"Delegating power? The Hokage's heart is really big~"

The pineapple-head man trailing at the back of the team rubbed his sleepy eyes, his eyes full of contemplation.

In his view, as the leader of the Land of Fire's ninjas, the Hokage should be a better "dragon head," concentrating power while intensively managing Konoha's affairs.

"No way? Who would share their own power?"

Regarding Akimichi Shinji's gossip, Shimura Kenichi didn't believe it even if he died, so he asked:

"Shinji, where did you hear that?"

"Uh? Haven't your kids told you?"

It turned out that Akimichi Torifu had heard this news from his own teacher's mouth and passed it on to Akimichi Shinji.

"Uh... no?"

Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Kenichi scratched their heads. They hadn't heard this news from their own children.

"Then they must not have listened carefully in class~"

"Hmph! Watch how I deal with him when I get back!" *2

"Cousin, there's a meeting at the Hokage's, are you going to attend?"

Uchiha Gin, who was strolling in the Uchiha clan grounds, was stopped by the suddenly appearing Uchiha Izuna.

Meeting? Could it be that his plan was passed?

"Didn't say what it's about?"

"No, just said to let the representatives of each clan go."

In the current Uchiha clan, the only one who could be considered "virtuous and prestigious" was Uchiha Gin, so when Uchiha Izuna encountered such a thing, the first person he thought of was his cousin.

"Let's go, let's go see~"

Uchiha Gin, who wanted to "eat melons" (gossip), didn't refuse his cousin's invitation and nodded to follow.

"Aiyo~ Isn't this Brother Xiang Tianyao? Haven't seen you for a few days, why is your hairline getting higher and higher~"

Not expecting to meet an acquaintance on the way, Uchiha Gin looked at the plain-clothed, black-haired, white-eyed youth not far away and greeted him enthusiastically.

"It's Gin-san, indeed long time no see."

Hyuga Xiang Tianyao, as the young master of the Hyuga clan, had long lost the arrogance and disdain he had when he first entered Konoha. He had restrained himself a lot. Upon hearing Uchiha Gin's lazy voice, the expressionless him pulled a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Are you also going to the meeting?"

"My father is inconvenient to move, so he ordered me to attend."

Uchiha Gin had seen Hyuga Xiang Tianyao's old man once and felt he was already a "candle in the wind." He estimated that before winter, he could go eat at a funeral.

"Gin-sensei~ Long time no see!"

Just as the two were exchanging pleasantries, a surprised voice came to their ears. Uchiha Gin turned his head and saw the members of the Ninja Clan Alliance led by Sarutobi Sasuke waving at him not far away.

However, upon seeing the monkey-faced Sarutobi Sasuke, Uchiha Gin couldn't help but feel a hint of guilt in his heart.

"Sorry, Brother Sasuke, the Hidden Rock Village gave too much~" (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 290 =====