NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

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Tenzen Kumokami had firmly consolidated two factions under his grasp within two days.

Even then, his clones continued to poach one or two jonin of civilian descent or from lesser-known families to their side.

Meanwhile, his other clones were actively working on poaching jonins from the Raikage faction.

After completing negotiations with the elder faction, he decided to deal with the Six Paths tools, which were in the possession of two elite jonins.

However, he planned to handle that matter over the next five days.

He also instructed the elder faction to call a village meeting in five days to appoint the next Raikage.

As time passed naturally, the power of both the Raikage and elder factions gradually slipped from their grasp, like sand slipping through clenched fingers.

Inside his house, Tenzen sat on a cushion atop a tatami mat, holding documents related to Kumogakure.

As he reviewed them, the memories from his clones flooded into his mind, updating him on their progress.

"It seems the plan is flowing smoothly," Tenzen muttered to himself.

After five days of meticulous planning and targeted recruitment, the number of jonins under the civilians' faction had risen significantly.

"Now, I have all of the civilian jonins under my grasp, along with many from smaller families," Tenzen noted.

A detailed report confirmed his growing influence. He now had 64 jonin under his command—17 of whom came from the Raikage faction through careful bribery and planning, while 10 were poached from the elder faction.

In addition, he had 252 special jonin, with 96 of them being recruited by him.

"With this, I can firmly suppress every faction with my strength alone," Tenzen concluded.

The Raikage faction had only 26 jonin, while the elder faction had 35. If he sent two clones to deal with the Six Paths tools, his ascension would be smooth.

Calling back his clones, he prepared for the meeting the next day. He then sent two clones to deal with the elite jonins possessing the Six Paths tools before finally going to sleep.

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The Next Day

The Raikage Building was packed with jonins. Today, the elder faction had called a meeting to support Tenzen's claim to the Raikage position.

Once all the jonin arrived, the jonin leader of the Raikage faction stepped forward and declared,

"We have a ninja here who is more than capable of taking on the title of Raikage. As such, I propose Satsuki Homotsu as the next Raikage. What do you all think?"

Hearing this, Tenzen cleared his throat and voiced his opinion.

"How can Satsuki-san be Raikage? He is merely an elite jonin. Won't we, Kumogakure, become the laughingstock of the Five Great Villages?"

The Raikage faction's jonins frowned at his words, while Satsuki's expression darkened.

Satsuki spoke up. "You don't need to worry about that, Tenzen. Worry about yourself first. I have obtained the Six Paths tools, which have pushed my strength beyond what is necessary."

Tenzen smirked. "Oh really? Then I wonder if you can prove that strength. Since I am also interested in the Raikage position, I nominate myself as a contender."

With those words, Tenzen stood up and released his Kage-level aura.

A frown appeared on the faces of the Raikage faction's jonins as they felt his overwhelming presence.

Satsuki and the Raikage faction leader were shocked.

(How could this be? He has Kage-level power? He hid it so well!)

The Raikage faction leader clenched his fists.

(Well played, Tenzen. I thought the civilians' faction wouldn't meddle in the Raikage selection, but you really showed your hand. You think I don't know about your meeting with the elder faction? Heh… but you don't know that we already made a deal with them.)

The Raikage faction leader smirked slightly and spoke.

"Very well then. Instead of a match, how about we let the jonins of the village vote to determine who will become Raikage?"

He then raised his hand.

"Those who support Tenzen as Raikage, raise your hands."

One by one, the civilian faction's jonins raised their hands.

A slight frown appeared on the Raikage faction leader's face.

(What? Those 10 jonin betrayed me?!)

His thoughts ran wild.

(It seems these civilian scum are just that—scum. No matter, I'll deal with you soon enough. I still have the elder faction's support, don't I? Heh… let's see how Tenzen fares when he realizes the betrayal waiting for him.)

Just then, one hand from the elder faction rose in support of Tenzen.

Then another.

Then more than twenty hands from the elder faction joined them.

The Raikage faction leader and the elder faction leader's faces twisted in bewilderment.

(What is happening?! How did they raise their hands?! I explicitly told them to support Satsuki!)

Their minds raced, but soon, their confusion turned to horror as Raikage faction jonins also raised their hands.

Both faction leaders were left in shock.

(How?! Why?! What is happening here?!)

Meanwhile, Tenzen smirked as he watched their reactions.

(Heh, you two old bastards thought of double-crossing me ehh? I am Sarutobi Hiruzen! I have survived almost 40 years in this world. I possess the knowledge of two worlds—whether it's manipulation or politics, you two are just children before me! Heh… Once I become Raikage, I will give you both the honor of being Kumo's vanguard! Hahaha…)

The Raikage faction leader's bewilderment soon turned to outrage, while the civilian faction's jonins were in awe of Tenzen's political and strategic prowess.

"Hehe… our leader is indeed mighty. It seems the civilian faction is on the rise," they whispered among themselves.

"Seems like the decision has been made, everyone," spoke Tenzen as he arrived in front of all the Jonin and continued,

"I, Tenzen Kumokami, now assume my position as the Fourth Raikage from this moment onwards. Is there anyone here who disagrees?"

Satsuki and the Raikage faction leader gnashed their teeth in annoyance. At that moment, Satsuki stepped forward and declared,

"Tenzen, I challenge you to a duel now! Do you dare to accept it in the name of the Raikage position?"

Tenzen chuckled. "It seems I must show my strength to gain recognition from everyone here. Very well then."

In an instant, he vanished, along with the other Jonin, and arrived at an open field. There, Tenzen and Satsuki stood opposite each other.

Tenzen smirked. "Come, Satsuki. Let me play with you."

Satsuki became enraged by the provocation and roared, "It seems scum like you must be put in their place so they don't meddle in village politics whenever they want!"

He flickered forward, instantly closing the distance between him and Tenzen, ready to unleash the Six Paths tool that he had summoned from a scroll and now wielded in his hand—the legendary fan used by Tenten during the Fourth Ninja War.

As Satsuki approached, Tenzen swiftly wove hand seals at lightning speed and launched a jutsu at close range.

"Flare Release: Flare Discharge!"

A bluish fire, crackling with lightning arcs, erupted from Tenzen's mouth, speeding toward Satsuki.

Seeing the attack, Satsuki swung the fan and poured a large amount of chakra into it to disperse the fire.

However, as he did so, a scream erupted from him—his body burned and sparked with lightning due to the speed and intensity of the attack.

Even though he managed to parry it while retreating, the roaring flames devoured the wind chakra and reignited, surging toward him once more.

Satsuki flickered backward, maintaining distance, and gasped, "Flare Release… the long-lost Kekkei Genkai… You have it, Tenzen?"

Even the ninja standing were shocked with this.

Before he could finish, another wave of kunai, each attached to explosive tags, shot out from the fire.

Satsuki hastily parried them with another burst of wind. But as he did, he noticed something—Tenzen had vanished from his spot the moment Satsuki started speaking.

Scanning his surroundings, Satsuki barely caught a glimpse of a blue flash to his left. Lightning arcs crackled ominously as Tenzen closed in at blinding speed.

Reacting swiftly, Satsuki raised his right hand, channeling chakra as lightning surged up to his elbow, forming a rapier-like weapon in conical shape.

"Lightning Style: Rapier Blast!"

As Tenzen lunged with a spear-like strike, Satsuki hurriedly defended with the fan, but the sheer force blasted him over ten meters back.

Tenzen didn't stop. He vanished again and launched another Rapier Blast.

While parrying the attack, Satsuki gritted his teeth and questioned, "Why do you have Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Tenzen?!"

Tenzen remained silent, his expression cold and unyielding as he continued his relentless assault.

Satsuki staggered backward, struggling. My chakra is already down to two-thirds… If I activate my Lightning Chakra Mode now, I'll exhaust myself. Even with the Six Paths fan, I can only hold out for a few more moves. I must end this quickly!

Meanwhile, Tenzen observed Satsuki's expression and smirked. It seems his chakra reserves are running low. Well, well… This is why the Six Paths tools are so difficult to use.

Only someone like a Senju or an elite Uzumaki Jonin could wield them efficiently. Not an ordinary ninja like him.

Tenzen formed another set of hand seals.

"Storm Release: Dragon Roar Jutsu!"

A dragon of water and lightning chakra materialized from Tenzen's energy, roaring as it shot toward Satsuki with incredible speed.

At the same time, a clone slipped into the ground reaching behind Satsuki, forming hand seals in preparation.

Seeing the incoming attack, Satsuki exclaimed, "You even have Storm Release?! But—!"

Pouring the remainder of his chakra into the fan, he summoned a powerful hurricane to counter the advancing dragon.

The two forces clashed violently, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The hurricane managed to slow the dragon's advance, but not stop it entirely.

After a brief struggle, the dragon pushed forward and crashed into the gust of wind.

Just as Satsuki felt relieved, he sensed another presence behind him—a second roaring dragon, this time made of Flare Release chakra, had erupted from Tenzen's clone.

Satsuki barely managed to turn before it struck. He raised the Six Paths fan in defense, but the impact sent him flying, crashing into the ground, forming a deep crater.

Before he could react, Tenzen's main body appeared above him, delivering a powerful punch that knocked him unconscious.

Grabbing the fan from Satsuki's grasp, Tenzen adjusted his clothes and turned to the gathered Jonin.

"Now then, everyone, I have proven myself worthy. From this moment onwards, I am the Fourth Raikage!"

 Soon every ninja came out of their shock and a chant erupted from the surrounding ninja.

"Raikage! Raikage!"

Meanwhile, the leader of the elder faction smiled wryly. I was a fool to give up such an opportunity and enter the Raikage succession struggle opposing Tenzen while with little greed from Raikage Faction leader.

His thoughts turned to anger before shifting into reluctant admiration. Hah! It seems he prepared thoroughly against us old-timers. Not only does he possess the long-lost Flare Release Kekkei Genkai, but he also has Storm Release. A monster…

While Raikage faction leader just clenched his fist and struggled to comprehended how he was defeated so throughly.

Soon after, an official announcement spread throughout the village—Tenzen Kumokami had ascended as the Fourth Raikage, assuming his position in the Raikage's office.

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