Chapter 290: 290. Chapter 288: You Think You Earned, But Actually You Lost Everything

290. Chapter 288: You Think You Earned, But Actually You Lost Everything

In the crowded Hokage office, the major ninja clans familiar with each other were huddled together whispering. Uchiha Izuna, who stood independent of the groups, had his arms crossed and didn't join the conversation, while Uchiha Gin, who should have been following behind him, was nowhere to be seen at this moment.

Just as he was looking around in confusion, a shout that didn't belong to the current style suddenly came from the crowd. Hearing that familiar voice, Uchiha Izuna was ashamed and angry, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Beer, drinks, mineral water! Peanuts, melon seeds, Eight-Treasure Porridge!"

"Make way, make way~"

Only to see Uchiha Gin, who had been missing just a moment ago, pushing a small cart he had gotten from somewhere, shouting energetically. The cart was piled with a dazzling array of small snacks, everything one could expect to find.

Most of the people who came today were old acquaintances. Everyone seemed to have become accustomed to Uchiha Gin's erratic behavior. Not only did it not cause any commotion, but some people were even seriously picking out snacks to eat.

Akimichi Shinji, as an orthodox member of the Akimichi clan, believed in the daily behavioral principle of never leaving snacks behind.

"Gin-san, how much is this?"

When he saw the snacks Uchiha Gin was selling, he couldn't help but be moved. After picking for a while, he pointed to a bag of potato chips and asked.

"1000 Ryo~"

"Ah! So expensive?"

Akimichi Shinji couldn't help but click his tongue upon hearing the price. The same bag of potato chips cost at most 100 Ryo outside, so how did it become ten times the value here?

"Expensive? This is a snack sold in the Hokage office, it has to be taxed."

Uchiha Gin, who had transformed into a vendor, gave Akimichi Shinji, who thought it was expensive, a subtle look, then told him in a low voice the reason why it was so expensive.

"So that's how it is~ Give me a bag!"

Akimichi Shinji, who understood the mystery, didn't say much and directly took out money to buy a bag of potato chips. The long wait was truly too boring, and having harvested the snacks, he immediately began to feast on them.

"Crunch~ crunch~"

"Give me a bag of melon seeds~"

"Do you have bananas?"

"Cola! Cola! I want to drink iced cola!"

"..."

Attracted by Akimichi Shinji's chewing sound, the crowd also took out their wallets one after another to buy their favorite snacks. For a time, the scene was actually quite hot, and there was even a rush to buy.

"Tsk, so easy to earn, I should have stocked up more~"

The near-expiry snacks purchased at a low price were snatched up in no time. Uchiha Gin revealed a proud look as he counted the banknotes in his hand, regretting why he hadn't prepared more goods.

"Cousin, how can you do this kind of thing? It's truly a disgrace to the family style!"

Uchiha Izuna, with a slightly red face, pulled Uchiha Gin, who had just earned a small sum of money, to the side and questioned him with a "hate that iron doesn't become steel" attitude.

"Earning money, it's not shameful~"

Regarding his cousin's accusation, Uchiha Gin scoffed. Can family style be eaten as a meal?

"Gin-san, have you heard? The Hokage opened this meeting to select another village chief."

Just as the brothers were arguing, Sarutobi Sasuke squeezed to Uchiha Gin's side familiarly and whispered, holding a somewhat blackened banana and eating it with relish.

"Really or fake?"

"Can I lie to you~ Iron-tie (Bro)!"

Not expecting this news to have already reached the ears of the ninja clans, Uchiha Gin felt that Senju Tobirama's guarantee that it wouldn't leak until the Daimyo's appointment letter came down was a lie.

"Cousin, what medicine is Senju Hashirama selling in his gourd?"

Uchiha Izuna, who didn't know the inside story, looked at the empty Hokage desk not far away with furrowed brows and asked in a low voice.

"Whether it's good medicine to cure illness or fatal poison, we just need to watch."

Stuffing the banknotes into his pocket, Uchiha Gin stretched, looking uninterested. He turned his head and searched around.

Finding no place to rest, he took out a folding stool from his bag and sat on it brazenly.

To be honest, although this plan was proposed by Uchiha Gin, the purpose was indeed to get his cousin a legitimate "establishment" (official position). Otherwise, if he really waited for that Second Hokage position, he was afraid he would have to wait a long time.

But according to that white-hair's nature, he would definitely interfere. That guy was "five elements lacking virtue" (a bad person), and it was confirmed he was a naturally despicable Senju brat~

"Creak~"

Just as Uchiha Gin was deep in thought, Senju Hashirama, draped in his Hokage robe, pushed open the door and walked in, accompanied by Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Madara. Though he usually wore a serious expression, he nearly lost his composure and blurted out a complaint upon seeing the chaotic, foul atmosphere inside the office.

Only to see that everyone in the office had more or less snacks or drinks in their hands, and several female ninjas were sitting together, cracking melon seeds and gossiping, with laughter coming from time to time, turning a serious meeting into a New Year's tea party.

"Cough cough cough, everyone be quiet!"

Coughing a few times, Senju Hashirama applied chakra to his voice. The thick voice carried extremely strong penetration, shaking the eardrums of everyone present, causing them to stop talking and move their gazes over in unison.

"Hashirama-sama, I don't know what the reason is for summoning us so hurriedly?"

An old man who looked quite virtuous and prestigious walked out first to ask. However, looking at his attitude, there wasn't much flattery. Uchiha Gin stretched his neck, saw the clan emblem behind the old man, and immediately understood.

Isn't this the Senju elder that Senju Tobirama mentioned? Sure enough, he doesn't look like a good bird~

"Great Elder, don't be impatient."

With the seniority placed there, even though Senju Hashirama became Hokage, he still kept his posture very low.

"Today, I summoned everyone here to announce one thing."

Senju Hashirama's gaze swept past the Senju Great Elder, scanned the circle, and said in an extremely loud voice.

And those who already knew the news had eager expressions on their faces; after all, it hadn't been said before that they couldn't run for the other leader. Those who didn't know were frowning, not knowing what Senju Hashirama was going to announce.

"Because I alone am truly unable to handle all the affairs of Konoha, I have specially established a position whose authority is equivalent to the Hokage, and it has already been approved by the Daimyo. This is the appointment letter issued by the Daimyo himself."

Senju Hashirama held up the scroll in his hand and said loudly.

"Ah!"

"Nani?"

"..."

Once the news was announced, the entire Hokage office was like a pot exploding, and the surprised crowd whispered to each other. Among them, the Senju Great Elder who had just asked the question had an old face as black as the bottom of a pot.

"Hashirama-sama, why didn't you say a word to the clan about this?"

The Senju Great Elder's withered skin trembled slightly, biting the few remaining teeth, and asked hatefully.

"Great Elder, watch your words!"

Senju Tobirama, standing behind Senju Hashirama, saw this scene, stepped forward to warn him, without any regard for respecting the old and loving the young.

"Great Elder, the Hokage is Konoha's Hokage, not the Senju's Hokage. Don't say that kind of thing again in the future, I don't want to hear it again."

It was rare to see Senju Hashirama angry, but this time, the Senju Great Elder's words indeed overstepped, so he was very angry.

"I don't know what the authority of the other position is?"

At this time, a ninja clan representative who couldn't hold back raised his hand to ask.

"The other position is called Village Party Secretary, and its authority is equivalent to that of me, the Village Chief. We will manage people's livelihood or military according to our respective abilities, among which people's livelihood..."

Regarding this question, Senju Hashirama was still very happy to explain, and then repeated the plan that Senju Tobirama had perfected before. Everyone present pricked up their ears to listen, fearing they would miss half a detail.

"The power is actually so great, it's not a high-end game that we ordinary ninja clans can participate in."

After listening to Senju Hashirama's explanation, Sarutobi Sasuke, who had been full of spirit, instantly became like a frost-beaten eggplant, his fighting spirit gone, and even eating the banana tasted like chewing wax.

"Oh? Brother Sasuke, aren't you going to strive for it? As the saying goes, if you fight, the bicycle becomes a motorcycle~"

Uchiha Gin, who didn't think it was a big deal to watch, couldn't help but incite him.

"Forget it, our Sarutobi clan can't afford to toss."

Knowing Uchiha Gin's mischievous personality, he hurriedly waved his hand to indicate he was abstaining.

"Sigh~ Really boring."

Uchiha Gin sighed, turned his gaze to Hyuga Xiang Tianyao not far away, and asked with a very sincere look:

"Brother Xiang Tianyao is young and promising, I wonder if..."

"Don't want, don't have, goodbye!"

As expected of the Hyuga clan, who had mastered the "turtle-shrinking" technique to perfection, for such an uncertain thing, they slipped away faster than anyone else, raising their hands to give a triple refusal, leaving Uchiha Gin disappointed.

"Cousin! Big Brother has it!"

"Have what, be careful I sue you for slander~"

You kid only dares to talk big when Uchiha Madara is not around.

"What are you thinking, I mean Big Brother has finally become a leader~"

In Uchiha Izuna's view, this Village Party Secretary position belonged to Uchiha Madara; he absolutely couldn't find a second suitable candidate in the whole field.

"I think, it's not that simple~"

Regarding his cousin's words, Uchiha Gin didn't dare to agree. He looked up and aimed at the white-hair behind Senju Hashirama, finding him looking at the crowd below with a strange smile.

It's the smell of conspiracy, that white-hair is definitely holding back something bad!

"Quiet! The purpose of summoning everyone here is to vote for the best candidate for Village Party Secretary. Whether recommending or self-recommending, everyone can speak freely."

Seeing that the atmosphere had been baked to this point, Senju Hashirama's thick voice rang out again, and the discussion of the crowd instantly quieted down.

"Sasuke, we are going to recommend you, you must grasp it!"

In the crowd, Shimura Kenichi touched Sarutobi Sasuke's side, excitedly telling his good friend the good news, waiting for him to be grateful for his wise decision with a proud look.

"Get lost!" Are you hoping I die?

"I recommend Senju Tobirama!"

The Senju Great Elder, who had just been scolded by Senju Tobirama in public, slowly raised his withered hand and said in a deep voice.

Beside the couch, how can others snore? In the Great Elder's view, Konoha was the country they, the Senju clan, had fought for. Even if there were some small conflicts with Senju Tobirama, he still recommended that white-haired kid to serve as leader, swearing to hold Konoha's supreme power in their clan's hands.

"!!!"

Uchiha Izuna, who was imagining the beautiful future of the Uchiha clan, was filled with anger upon hearing someone recommend Senju Tobirama. He immediately made up his mind and raised his hand to shout:

"I recommend Big Brother!"

Uchiha Madara, behind Senju Hashirama, revealed a gratified smile upon hearing his younger brother's voice, glanced at Senju Tobirama not far to his side, and the meaning of provocation in his eyes was self-evident.

"Two already, is there anyone else recommending or self-recommending?"

Sure enough, as Senju Hashirama expected, from the Tailed Beast capture competition before, he could see that these newly joined ninja clans were still "biding their time" and didn't dare to participate in this kind of power struggle.

"..."

"Crunch~"

There was silence below the stage, only a crisp shell-opening sound, causing everyone to look over.

"What are you looking at me for? Watch the show!"

Just having sent the melon seed kernel into his mouth, Uchiha Gin looked at the crowd's strange gazes and scratched his head in some embarrassment.

"Since no one is participating, then the candidates for Village Party Secretary are Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Madara."

Senju Hashirama, with black lines on his face, saw no one else speaking, so he announced the end of the recommendation session and turned his gaze to the two people beside him.

This was a very difficult multiple-choice question. Both palms and backs of the hands were meat; choosing either one was taking his life. Senju Hashirama chose to throw this question to the people present.

"To ensure the fairness and justice of the election, let everyone present choose the candidate for Village Party Secretary~"

"Sasuke, who are you going to choose?"

The members of the Ninja Clan Alliance had been of one heart since the day they formed the alliance, so members of other ninja clans found Sarutobi Sasuke the first time to ask for the opinion of their "leader."

"Ah, this..."

Sarutobi Sasuke, who was asked, glanced at Uchiha Gin, who was sitting calmly to the side, in a difficult position. He was also caught in a dilemma.

Senju Tobirama was his son's teacher, but Uchiha Gin was his son's "bird-saving" benefactor. A feeling called "entanglement" grew deep in his heart, making this usually decisive man feel a bit lost for the first time.

"Gin-san, I..."

"It's okay, Brother Sasuke, don't worry about my face, make the choice you think is correct."

Regarding the entanglement of the Ninja Clan Alliance, Uchiha Gin expressed great understanding. After all, his son was being held by that white-hair; if he offended him, it wasn't impossible that he would be "cut off from descendants" in minutes.

Moreover, the Uchiha clan seemed to have offended quite a few people usually.

"Who are you going to choose?"

"That doesn't need thinking, of course choose Tobirama-sama. When I went out to drink flower wine the day before yesterday, I was caught by the Uchiha clan's 'anti-yellow' team and locked in a small black room for a day and night before being released. Who would choose that guy who pulls a face every day!"

An anonymous "old lecher" said through gritted teeth.

"Uchiha? No, no, those guys in the security team usually torture people without asking right or wrong. If Uchiha people are elected, they will have more reliance, and they will have to 'tuck their tails' to be human then."

Besides this, some people interpreted it more deeply.

"You think, Tobirama-sama is the Hokage's own younger brother. For this kind of good thing, he definitely hopes his brother will be elected. This is a rare opportunity to take sides, you must grasp it~"

The noisy discussion in his ears couldn't be hidden from Uchiha Gin's sensitive ears. He curled his lips without a trace, looked at Hyuga Xiang Tianyao, who had been silent, and asked curiously:

"Brother Xiang Tianyao, who are you going to choose?"

If the Hyuga clan publicly supported Uchiha Madara's rise, perhaps it could drive some "fence-sitters" to fall over.

"Gin-san, no matter who is in power, it has no great interest relationship with our Hyuga clan. However, based on our personal friendship, I will vote for the Uchiha clan head."

Hyuga Xiang Tianyao's words surprised Uchiha Gin. He didn't expect this guy with thick eyebrows and white eyes to be a person of love and righteousness. While moved in his heart, he couldn't help but sigh.

After all, people were voting for Uchiha Madara based on their personal friendship. From this, it could be seen that his cousin usually didn't manage his own relationship network, putting all his heart into "vegetables" (plants), making the Uchiha clan not even have an ally.

A big "miserable" word written on your face~

"Young Clan Head, secret order from the Clan Head!"

Just as Uchiha Gin and Hyuga Xiang Tianyao were talking, a middle-aged man with white eyes touched over, whispered a few words, and left.

And Hyuga Xiang Tianyao's expression changed from light and breezy at the beginning to somewhat bronze, then slightly flushed. Turning to look at Uchiha Gin, who was full of confusion, he said in embarrassment:

"Gin-san, I'm really sorry, father's order is hard to disobey."

Uchiha Gin frowned upon hearing this. In his gaze looking at Hyuga Xiang Tianyao, there was no extra blame, only full sympathy.

Being managed to death by parents at such an old age, this kid is too pitiful~

"It's okay, it's okay, one more isn't much, one less isn't little. I'm satisfied that you have this heart."

Shaking his head lightly, Uchiha Gin had no anger on his face.

"Cousin, the situation is not very optimistic!"

Uchiha Izuna wasn't deaf either. He had heard the discussions of the nearby representatives, and he had heard the slanderous words about the Uchiha clan clearly. Originally full of confidence, he instantly lost his bottom line.

"Look, I told you to tell the clan members to get along with everyone, you didn't take it seriously. Now it's good, no friends~"

What you sow, you reap. The Uchiha clan's cold and arrogant personality was not liked by people, let alone making friends. It was only because Uchiha Gin had a cheerful personality, was humble, and liked to make friends that he slightly saved some of the Uchiha's reputation.

Ha? You don't mention the "scamming for krypton" (money-making) thing at all, right? Shimura Kenichi dreams of biting you curly-head to death.

Uchiha Madara, standing on the stage, was also very tormented. He had thought that after Uchiha Gin's plan was passed, his position as leader was stable. Even if it wasn't the Hokage position he was thinking of, being a Village Party Secretary seemed not bad.

And he didn't have to wait for Hashirama to retire to work with him every day legitimately. He was no longer that "paid intern" who was precarious. Uchiha Madara wouldn't even dare to think of such a good thing in the past.

It was just that he hadn't expected that guy Senju Tobirama to use a "public conspiracy," advancing by retreating, not actively striving, but relying on daily management to let people lift him to the throne of Village Party Secretary. It was too despicable!

"Madara..."

Not expecting that just a popular vote would result in a one-sided situation, Senju Hashirama, who was caught off guard, had a hint of panic on his face, and the look he cast at Uchiha Madara was full of deep apology.

"No need to say it, it's me who thought too simply."

Feeling that the Village Party Secretary position was getting further and further away from him, Uchiha Madara instead lost his previous anxiety. Finding a way to win from failure was his consistent style of doing things. He knew where he lost this time, so he wasn't too discouraged.

"Big Brother, I didn't expect it either, who knew everyone..."

And Senju Tobirama to the side revealed a tangled expression, looking at Senju Hashirama, appearing very innocent, as if he hadn't expected so many people to support him.

However, can you press down the corners of your mouth, kid? They are almost reaching your ears.

"Hmph!"

I, Uchiha Madara, am ashamed to be with a despicable guy like you.

He didn't lose unjustly; this guy Senju Tobirama was too good at acting, grasping human nature too thoroughly.

"Hehe."

Senju Tobirama appeared innocent on the surface, but his heart was already laughing like a fool. To seek this Village Party Secretary position, when he went to the capital of the Land of Fire to meet the Daimyo, he had deliberately spread the content of the plan, while at the same time "beating" those fence-sitting ninja clans.

As for the Ninja Clan Alliance led by Sarutobi, he wasn't worried at all. His purpose in taking apprentices wasn't simple; it was to grasp the lifeline of the ninjas at critical moments and let them do things for him.

And the Hyuga clan, although that clan was "hard to get into," the old clan head of Hyuga was cautious. As long as he leaked a little wind, he would naturally make the most correct choice.

Moreover, the reason why the Uchiha clan could serve as security work was also proposed by him. He looked at the Uchiha as naturally arrogant and eccentric. In the law enforcement process, they would inevitably have friction with others, and their notoriety was also within Senju Tobirama's expectations.

Hmph hmph~ Konoha from top to bottom were all chess pieces he laid out. He had originally thought of using them when running for the Second Hokage, but he hadn't expected them to come in handy ahead of time.

"Sigh~"

With Senju Hashirama's sigh, the ninja clan representatives below the stage had already submitted their choices.

As expected, Senju Tobirama defeated Uchiha Madara with an overwhelming advantage and successfully ascended to the throne of Village Party Secretary.

"Cousin! Are you just going to watch?"

Seeing that white-haired Senju Tobirama "succeeding in his petty scheme," Uchiha Izuna's nose was almost crooked with anger. He wished he could drive a Gundam to give that guy two big slaps to vent his hatred.

"What else can I do if I don't watch? Playing with schemes, the Uchiha clan combined can't play as well as that guy alone."

This village was the crystallization of their joint efforts. In Uchiha Gin's vision, Senju Hashirama would definitely overcome all opposition and directly appoint Uchiha Madara as Village Party Secretary to assist him in managing Konoha together, enjoying the "leader addiction," and never thinking about that Hokage position again. As for Senju Tobirama, he could continue waiting to be his Second Hokage.

But he never expected this white-hair to not play by the rules, not doing the future Second Hokage, but insisting on competing with Uchiha Madara now. He really had no foresight at all!

"But this is also good, Cousin's Hokage dream is getting more and more promising~" (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 291 =====