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Chapter 23: Sneaky Politics

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When Bugarino Jonno left the 'political scene', the fireworks that ensued had been quite impressive.

Even more as Minato's constant effort to try and reason that all he did towards Ruruko was for Konoha's sake had backfired horribly and put a serious dent on his reputation.

It would be a lie for Danzou to say that this was something the Fourth Hokage could truly recover from. Especially when this was the culmination of another issue: the waning popularity of the 'Savior of Konoha'.

Minato had been a good-ish peacetime leader, but he hadn't brought novelty to Konoha as his young age when he started his reign would have assumed.

Danzou remembered the rapid legislation passed by Hiruzen when he first took over. The various laws and amendments meant to create a more solid constitution which would work well in a rather warrish period for Konoha. It was why Hiruzen hardly faced any political issues through his rule.

As much as Danzou may have found his fist too soft on many policies, there was no doubt that his long-gone friend had been an effective leader.

The same couldn't be said about Minato. For some inane reason, the Yellow Flash of Konoha had done hardly anything to change laws in Konoha and most of the changes centered around the need to remove the laws on rationing.

The budget was always the same as it was when Minato took over, hardly showing any differences in spending as Konoha had a treasury... and it was money that wasn't being used anywhere.

So, when this scandal came up to the attention of many, the public opinion had been split before ultimately shifting to blame Minato for not only his familial issues which involved the village's Jinchuriki, but also the 'harsh reports' some newspapers bore against his tenure.

To say that Danzou had been slightly surprised to learn that Kushina had even 'borrowed' some money from Konoha's coffers without ever returning them would be an understatement - what was wrong with those people?

Konoha was growing very antagonistic towards Minato's mediocre ruling, with diplomacy being barely a saving grace. His response to the Sunagakure's invasion had been moderate enough considering that any major shakes would have put Iwa and Kumo on high alert.

Instead, Minato's effort to merely force Suna to 'concede' to the current status quo had gained a fairly amount of support to his line of work. For a time.

Minato was, after all, the Hokage and not a Foreign Agent. He was meant to do more than do well in diplomatic affairs. And as both the Shinobi and Civilian Councils started to lash out at him, he barely had any defense up for his lackluster reign.

The Uchiha Police Force also started to grow more 'attentive' on any official affair, noticing some discrepancies in regard to taxes and other fees that the Administration had been either ignorant or outright neglectful over.

The full assault behind Konoha's scrutiny upon the Namikaze family had put Minato in a very ugly spot, one that no one could envy at all.

To Danzou, this was great. He always held his tongue in regard to politics unless he knew he could make it work - and right now, he was a king-maker with how things were faring for him. The major Shinobi Clans were willing to work with him for a replacement for Minato if that wasn't him, and he was more than happy to accept that.

The issues came with Tsunade. She came back, yes, and yet she had ultimately refused to take the hat. It was understandable, but Danzou knew that someone of her caliber had to take over. And the current task at hand soon saw another Sennin excluded from that list as his return provoked quite a newfound stir.

Jiraya was back, and he was already being a headache for talking back on the critics of his student by bringing up the 'good memories' of the past.

A smart listener or two knew that the best solution against this attitude were keen to press on the timeframe - the times of war had been behind them for more than a decade now, and the new generation was not as 'understanding' of wartime being the same as peacetime.

That being said, Danzou's position was nonetheless limited. He could not select a random Clan head without upsetting the environment that was Konoha's politics, but he had to find someone that could fit the bill without actually being perceived as a dangerous tyrant in the long run.

After several nights of pondering and seeking advice among those he trusted, Danzou had a name but... he wasn't sure she could be accepted. Her candidacy would have strength, but her reputation as a shady individual had long eclipsed her leadership skills. All she needed was... good PR.

And that opportunity came as Danzou started his own offensive against Minato.

The first attack came through the report establishing the return of Senju Tsunade. The Hokage had wanted Tsunade to be present to discuss her potential return to the hospital but-

"Kukuku, her response has already been negative, Hokage-sssama," Orochisumi spoke up and was quite amused to finally take centerstage against her 'main rival'. Picking her was not something Danzou had wished to do, but if not Tsunade then Orochisumi had to do. "Alasss, there is a lingering issue that you seek to ignore. The hospital is not underprepared because there is not a single legendary medic in charge of it, but because so many eager administrators have mismanaged the budget. Something that is known to even the least clever members of the administration."

The jab from the Snake Sennin had been the first hit on Minato in what many would see as the political campaign for the Fifth Hokage's rise to power.

Still, Danzou was impressed that Orochisumi had finally accepted to take part to the challenge, something that had been troubled if not ruined by Orochisumi's own disinterest in politics in the last few years.

"What changed?" He had asked her in private after a fierce battle regarding the healthcare system and the way the Hokage wished to 'harass a child and her single father'.

"A little fox's father. Admittedly, I didn't visit him with that intention, but I poised him a few questionsss about the matter. Ah, he has such a bright mind- I can see why Tsunade-chan calls him cute."

Danzou, as any reasonable man, found himself shuddering. Stoic or not, the way this woman knew how to creep out anything with common sense was undeniable.

"Only that?"

"Oh, you would be surprised by the blackboards he shown me. I asked him on the few points I highlighted, and I have a few ideal solutions to those problems. Nothing extreme, but we will go through a period of deficit for a few years into my reign."

A disappointing discovery, but he knew already that one needed to spend money to make more money. And from the looks of it, Orochisumi had some elaborate plans to safely get the profits rising. The fact that the Hokage's office had a large treasury should be able to stave off that issue.

"Anything else?"

The Snake Sennin smirked. "I wish to supplant Bugarino Jonno's protection with some of my students. Starting today."

That request actually surprised the old man.

"Why?"

"Jiraya reached out to me. Not much of a courtesy visit, but one that told me that him and Minato are growing more 'anxious' over Ruruko-chan's current disposition. Jiraya thinks she is the 'Child of the Prophecy' and is willing to go through big lengths to secure her and 'show her the way'."

Kidnapping. Of course the Toad Sennin would think like that when it comes to inconvenient matters.

"Are those students loyal?"

"Me? Absolutely. But they aren't affiliated to Konoha."

...Since when did Orochisumi have agents beyond her student?

"Strength?"

"Enough to prevent a kidnapping, but far from matching a Sennin in a death-battle."

Good enough then.

Danzou nodded and turned to leave but-

"I will also see that Jonno-san is given a position. At least for a year."

"Why?" The elder asked in surprise. Was this part of some deals with that simple civilian? No, there was more to it.

"I want him around. He is funny. Plus, my student has a crush on him and... I need someone else to take the fall for the paperwork."

"And what does he want out of this?" Danzou asked with a hint of displeasure but it was brief as Orochisumi chuckled.

"Kukuku, money to renovate and get a bigger house. After all, there are many ladies now in his home and... I feel like more will tag along."

And with that, Orochisumi left, either to prepare her next attack against Minato on the political battleground or to get back to her experiments. Maybe both.

If Hiruzen had been alive, he would have teased Danzou for thinking of being too old for this shit. And he would have all the rights to do so...

AN

Danzou's truest punishment is dealing with idiocy and being the bearer of common sense in those turbulent times. Also, Orochimama for Hokage? And her 'students' are clearly individuals you may know as 'Sound Four'. And one of them is related to Ruruko and Menma.