Naruto: Max Skill With One Click

"Brat, keep staring, and I'll beat you to a pulp!" Tsunade glared, her words laced with a fierce edge, yet a blush crept onto her cheeks. She had initiated the closeness, and in her mind, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old like Kai shouldn't be captivated by a woman nearing thirty.

"Heh, Lady Tsunade, you haven't aged a day. Your beauty secrets are amazing. I couldn't help but stare," Kai chuckled, unfazed.

You!

Tsunade bristled, her knuckles cracking as she prepared to strike, but deflated quickly.

"Do you remember Shizune?"

Shizune?

Kai rolled his eyes. "Of course. Isn't she at the front-line base?"

"Yes, she was recalled a few days ago and should be back in Konoha today. She couldn't reach you, so I'm letting you know," Tsunade said hesitantly.

Kai rubbed his nose, feeling the awkwardness of her words at this crucial moment. It was dripping with unspoken implications.

"Haha, you little rascal, I thought you'd run off," the Third Hokage's voice cut through the tension.

They turned to see the Third Hokage, flanked by the two Konoha advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, their expressions grim.

Behind them were representatives from Konoha's various clans, along with civilians and ninjas who had poured in from all directions.

The ninjas immediately established security, directing the crowds towards the audience seating and setting up guard posts. Everything proceeded smoothly, much like the Chunin Exams in the original story.

"Hokage-sama, security is in place. The Konoha gates are temporarily sealed," Kurenai Yūhi reported, landing before the Third Hokage, her gaze lingering on Kai with a hint of amusement. They'd shared life-or-death experiences at the border outpost.

While she'd mostly been a bystander, they were comrades nonetheless. This was why the Third Hokage had entrusted her with security.

"Excellent. This Hokage election concerns Konoha's future and cannot be disrupted. Past elections have opened the gates, so there can be no mistakes," the Third Hokage nodded, his final words clearly intended for Kai's ears.

"Lead the other clan heads to their seats," Jiraiya instructed.

"Understood, Jiraiya-sama," Kurenai nodded, then turned to Kai. "Long time no see. I hear you've gotten stronger."

"You should visit Kurenai. That girl's been focusing on improving her strength, afraid of holding us back again. She's become a shut-in; I'm worried she'll never marry," she added, laughing.

"Haha, Kurenai, don't hard-sell him. It's the young people's time now," Moonlight Night chuckled, pulling Kurenai away.

The Third Hokage stroked his chin. "You're popular, kid. But it's getting late. Let's handle business first."

"Clan heads, please take your seats."

The Third Hokage ascended to the dais, the seats beside him reserved for the Hokage and senior advisors. The seats on either side were for Konoha's various clans, with the Uchiha clan seated separately.

"That's Uchiha Kai, the Blood Asura, the Uchiha's Hokage candidate," whispers circulated among the clan heads.

This election was triggered by Kai's actions, but other clans had the right to participate. However, few would dare challenge the Blood Asura.

"Heh, Yamanaka clan, vying for the Fourth Hokage position?" an elder from the Nara clan chuckled. "If so, I'll support you. Let the Ino–Shika–Chō's name ring out."

The other clan heads showed interest. Besides Konoha's Yellow Flash, many Konoha ninjas had gained renown during the Third Shinobi World War, including the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.

"Nara, don't let the wind blow your tongue away," the Yamanaka clan head retorted. "We know our limits. We can boast, but vying for Hokage? Forget it."

"I say Hyūga Hizashi. Master of the Gentle Fist and Byakugan, with unparalleled defense, he's highly respected and qualified to be Hokage."

The Hyūga clan head nearly choked on his tea, glaring at the elders. "You're all stirring trouble. Hizashi is good, but Konoha's waters are deep. Do you really want to wade in and risk drowning?"

"Sarutobi Rou, the Third Hokage's son, a member of the Konoha Eight, is strong and respected. He's qualified to be Hokage."

"Senju Tozai, skilled in Water Release, possesses the style of the Second Hokage. He's also studying Lightning Release, aiming to create powerful combination jutsu. He's very active on the battlefield."

The clan heads listened intently.

"Oh, Hyūga, you seem to have overlooked the Hatake and Namikaze clans," the Nara clan head interjected. "You don't think they're qualified?"

The Hyūga elder glared but knew the Nara clan head was prone to exaggeration. "If Hatake Sakumo were alive, he'd have a 70% chance. But his past mission failure haunted him, and public opinion turned against him.

The Hatake clan is small, but Hatake Kakashi, Sakumo's son, is a prodigy. He became a jōnin at thirteen and distinguished himself at the Kannabi Bridge. He's a pillar of Konoha's future."

____________________

for more advance chapters visit my p@treon

[email protected]/kane45

Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters

Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters

Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters