Hiruzen Sarutobi was preparing to hand over the position of Hokage to Minato Namikaze, and Minato had agreed to accept this responsibility from Hiruzen.
Hiruzen smiled with satisfaction as he stroked his beard. "Very good. I had originally planned to hold the succession ceremony under better circumstances, but the path ahead remains treacherous, Minato. The war must end, and the burden on your shoulders will be great."
Minato replied solemnly, "I'm mentally prepared for that."
Sarutobi affirmed firmly, "I believe you, Minato, will become an outstanding Hokage. Next, there are several matters I must entrust to you—issues that should take priority once you assume the role of Hokage.
Firstly, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha. The tension between Konoha and the Uchiha has always been a headache for me. But without doubt, the Uchiha have always held deep feelings for Konoha and made tremendous contributions during this war.
So after you become Hokage, you must actively work to improve relations between Konoha and the Uchiha. We're comrades in the same village; we shouldn't have such deep resentment lingering between us.
The current head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku Uchiha, is known for being level-headed and composed. He holds great prestige among the Uchiha and is respected and beloved by his clansmen. A ninja who deeply desires peace for the village. If you wish to improve relations with the Uchiha, Minato, it's crucial that you build a good rapport with Fugaku."
Minato listened attentively to Sarutobi's instructions. "I understand."
Sarutobi continued, "Secondly, there's Root. I think you already know, Minato, that Root serves as a training division of Anbu, yet it operates independently under Danzo's command. Even I don't possess direct authority over Root.
This is a mistake I've made. As Hokage, there were things I couldn't do openly. Root hides deeper than Anbu, doing deeds even darker and more secretive. It became Konoha's sharpest and deadliest weapon, eliminating all threats inside and outside the village, so I silently allowed its long-term existence.
But Danzo is someone who would go 'by any means necessary.' Because the Second passed the Hokage title to me instead of him, he has held a grudge against me ever since. He has always craved the Hokage position himself. Yet Danzo is too extreme and ruthless—if he ever became Hokage, Konoha would surely fall into extremism and come under his authoritarian rule.
I have always been soft and overly tolerant toward Danzo, which only emboldened him further, allowing both Danzo and Root to grow increasingly brutal and uncontrollable. This is the burden I leave behind, and now I pass it to you, Minato. For that, I am truly sorry."
Minato shook his head. "There's no need for apologies, Third. Since I will become Hokage, I'll find ways to resolve this issue."
Sarutobi spoke gravely, "Minato, Root must be reined in. Once you become Hokage, your approach toward Root must be firm and decisive—you must deal with it decisively. Otherwise, Danzo will bring you nothing but trouble."
"The last matter concerns Orochimaru. I promised him to establish a Science Division."
Hiruzen Sarutobi explained to Minato Namikaze everything that Orochimaru's Science Division had already completed.
"Originally, this task should have fallen on me. However, now you, Minato, will soon become Hokage, so these responsibilities must now fall upon you instead. There are just three matters in total."
Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement. "I understand. After my succession, I'll do my best to address each of them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath. "After serving as Hokage for so many years, I can finally rest easy. Do your best, Minato. We'll all support you, so feel free to proceed boldly."
Minato's eyes shone with determination. "Yes! I definitely won't disappoint everyone!"
Suddenly smiling somewhat mischievously, Hiruzen asked, "Minato, you and Kushina are already living together—so good news is coming soon, right?"
Minato blushed slightly and shyly replied, "Well, I originally planned to marry Kushina after the war ended."
Hiruzen congratulated him warmly. "That's truly great news! However, Minato, since Kushina is the jinchuriki and we've always kept her identity secret, very few people in Konoha know this. As the next Hokage, you'll be under constant scrutiny, so it would be better not to make too grand a ceremony. Keeping things low-key will also help protect Kushina."
Minato answered, "We've already discussed this. Kushina doesn't have many friends either, so we plan to invite only a few close family members and friends to witness our wedding."
Looking at the tender new buds on branches outside the window, Hiruzen sighed thoughtfully, "Konoha is about to enter a new spring."
...
Minato Namikaze returned home.
Shindai was lying on his side on the sofa watching TV while Kushina Uzumaki and Pakura were preparing dinner ingredients.
Seeing Minato come in, Shindai said with a touch of grievance, "Oh, Mr. Minato has finally deigned to come back—you had me thinking you'd gone missing."
Minato looked puzzled toward Kushina Uzumaki, silently asking, 'What's wrong with this kid now?'
Kushina shrugged her shoulders. "He says you promised to take him to Ichiraku Ramen to eat until he's full once you got back to the village. He's been waiting a long time and got upset."
Scratching his head sheepishly, Minato admitted, "I really forgot about that... How about now? Should we go now?"
Kushina wiped her hands with a towel and dryly remarked, "Pakura and I have nearly finished making dinner already. If you take Shindai out for ramen now, Shindai might be happy—but Pakura and I won't be."
Minato shuddered slightly. "Then how about tomorrow, Shindai? I'll make it up to you tomorrow. Let's just have dinner at home today."
Shindai was clearly unhappy now, but didn't dare defy Kushina Uzumaki or Pakura, so he could only snort in response.
Kushina asked curiously, "You just went to submit a mission report. Why did you stay so long? Did Hokage-sama scold you for performing poorly?"
Minato shook his head. "No, it's not that."
"Then what is it?"
"Well… Hokage-sama appointed me to become The Fourth Hokage."
Shindai and Pakura stared at Minato Namikaze in shock.
Kushina didn't quite register what he'd said at first, absentmindedly stirring with her spatula as she muttered, "Oh, being Hokage isn't that big of a deal…" Then it finally clicked.
"Hold on! What did you just say?" Kushina blurted out, rushing to confirm.
Minato repeated solemnly, "I've been appointed to succeed as The Fourth Hokage!"
Kushina joyfully threw herself into Minato's arms. "That's amazing news, Minato!"
Pakura also offered her congratulations to Minato.
While keeping his composure, Shindai felt secretly delighted—now his connections within Konoha would be rock-solid!
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