Because Minato Namikaze was about to become the Fourth Hokage, Kushina Uzumaki had an extra meal.
Shindai sat on the chair noisily digging into his meal while Kushina excitedly chatted with Minato. Pakura ate quietly, listening in.
Kushina sighed wistfully, "How wonderful it is! When I first came to Konoha, I dreamed of becoming its first female Hokage. Now that you've become Hokage, Minato, it feels like a part of my dream has come true."
Seeing how happy Kushina was, Minato felt delighted too.
After swallowing the food in his mouth, Shindai said, "That probably won't happen, though. You won't be able to become Hokage, Sister Kushina."
Kushina shot Shindai a sideways glance, "Huh? Why not? Are you underestimating me?"
Fearing he might get hit, Shindai quickly shook his head, "No way! I would never dare underestimate you, Sister Kushina! But once you marry Lord Minato, you'll get your chance."
"Oh? What do you mean by that?"
Not just Kushina, but Minato and Pakura also looked at Shindai curiously.
Shindai held up his fingers as he explained, "Let me break it down: First, the village was founded by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Then the Second Hokage was Hashirama's younger brother, Tobirama. The Third Hokage became Hokage because he was Tobirama's apprentice. And Lord Minato here is the apprentice of the Third's apprentice."
"If you look at how things have gone so far," he continued, "then only someone from the same family or close connections can become Hokage. So according to this logic, Sister Kushina, you need to marry Lord Minato before you could possibly become Hokage."
Kushina and Pakura both fell into deep thought.
It actually sounded somewhat convincing.
Minato saw that both Kushina and Pakura were seriously considering Shindai's words and helplessly remarked, "You two actually took Shindai's twisted logic seriously! The truth is, the Hokage chose me because he recognized my abilities and entrusted me with leading Konoha. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether I'm the apprentice of the Third's apprentice. If we follow this line of reasoning, then Jiraiya-sensei or Orochimaru would be more suitable candidates for Hokage than me, right?"
Kushina and Pakura considered this again.
What Minato said did sound pretty reasonable too.
Shindai just smirked and shrugged, muttering to himself, 'Suit yourselves if you don't believe me.'
In the original timeline, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, was the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju and also an apprentice of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Kakashi, the Sixth Hokage, was Minato's own apprentice. As for Naruto, the Seventh Hokage—no explanation was needed there.
Minato turned to Kushina and gently said, "Kushina, after I officially take over as Hokage, let's find a time to hold our wedding ceremony too."
Kushina instantly blushed, "Y-you, why suddenly bring this up now?"
Minato blinked in confusion, "Huh? Didn't we agree on this already? After the war ended, we'd get married."
Pakura sighed softly—it was clear Kushina was just being shy. How could Minato not see that?
Shindai thought Minato Namikaze was supposed to be a master at flirting, but he didn't really seem like it.
Kushina Uzumaki gave him a sharp glare. If she didn't know Minato so well, her hair might have already started rising by now.
Curious, Shindai asked, "Where will the wedding be held? At the Hokage Building?"
Minato shook his head. "Kushina and I are going to keep our wedding low-key—just some close friends and family to witness it."
"Oh, right."
Shindai rubbed his chin thoughtfully. With Minato becoming hokage and their wedding drawing near, little Naruto wouldn't be far behind either.
Naruto Uzumaki... now that would be fun!
Shindai's eyes gradually lit up.
But just as quickly, his brightened gaze dimmed again.
He glanced toward Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, who were happily discussing whom they should invite to the wedding. That meant the Nine-Tails incident must also be drawing near.
However... since Obito hasn't been led astray this time, maybe the Nine-Tails attack won't even happen?
Still, there was no way to be certain—someone else might have taken Obito's place instead.
One couldn't afford to be careless, or else when trouble came, all they'd be able to do was stare helplessly.
Since so many things had already changed, changing things a bit more shouldn't matter much... right?
But still... the Nine-Tails! Facing such a monstrous opponent, wouldn't he get flattened with just one hit?
As for the Tailed Beast Ball—if he got hit by that, he wouldn't feel pain, of course, because he'd probably cease to exist entirely.
Pakura noticed Shindai's expression and asked curiously, "Shindai, what's wrong?"
Shindai shook his head. "Nothing much. I'm just thinking, if Lord Minato and Sister Kushina are holding such a small wedding, then I won't have an easy chance to pack leftovers in bags."
Pakura broke into a cold sweat. "Could you please stop acting so shamelessly?"
Shindai shrugged. "What shamelessness? This is called saving food."
Shindai took a bite of rice while pondering possible solutions in his mind. In the end, he should rely on his original expertise: ninja science changes lives.
He could discuss ideas with Orochimaru later; inspiration might hit during their talk.
...
Four days passed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already received responses from Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
Since Konoha—the victorious side—had already made concessions, there was naturally no reason for Suna and Iwa to refuse. They agreed and reestablished an Alliance Contract with Konoha.
With everything settled, Hiruzen summoned Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.
In the conference room,
Hiruzen then passed the alliance agreements from Sunagakure and Iwagakure to the three for review.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado fully supported Hiruzen's decision because Konoha indeed needed time to recover and regroup.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado said to Hiruzen, "Thank you for your hard work, Hiruzen. At least we can breathe easier now."
Danzo was deeply dissatisfied, saying, "Are you truly satisfied with this treaty? Acknowledging Iwagakure's wartime actions and abandoning our right to seek compensation is as good as admitting defeat!"
Homura Mitokado asked, "What do you think, Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen replied, "We all know clearly that continuing this war would be fatal to Konoha. Everyone in the village is already exhausted—these compromises were necessary to keep us united."
Danzo slammed the table angrily and said, "Many ninja gave their lives in this war—this move renders their sacrifice meaningless!"
Hiruzen sighed and said, "They all died for peace. Now that peace is finally within reach, I won't let it slip away. As Hokage, this burden is mine alone, and I will carry it."
Danzo pressed, "And exactly how do you intend to bear that responsibility?"
Hiruzen replied solemnly, "By stepping down as the Third Hokage and passing the mantle to the Fourth."
Danzo's eyes narrowed sharply as he demanded, "Who do you plan to pass it to?"
Hiruzen eyed him sideways and said, "You'll know when the time comes. Drop your schemes, Danzo. Konoha needs a new Kage to lead, and it's time for us old ones to step aside."
Danzo glared furiously at Hiruzen. That was a clear warning.
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