Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Danzo a warning glance, urging him to abandon his schemes.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado remained silent — they understood Danzo all too well. Naturally, they were both aware of how driven Danzo was to become Hokage.
However, their opinion aligned with that of Hiruzen Sarutobi's — Danzo simply wasn't suited to be Hokage.
Hiruzen stood up and said, "This matter is settled. Tomorrow, we will go to the Daimyo's mansion to report and recommend a new Hokage."
Hiruzen left the meeting room.
Danzo angrily pounded the table once more before also leaving.
Within the Daimyo's Mansion,
Upon hearing that Sarutobi wished to resign from being Hokage, the Daimyo expressed regret, saying, "It's a shame… The Third has served us well."
Danzo shot an intimidating gaze toward the Daimyo. As a civilian ruler, the Daimyo couldn't help but feel his heart race beneath Danzo's stare.
Danzo coldly stated, "If we look at the root cause, it was precisely the Third's excessive idealism that led the village into this dire situation. However, considering the war has just ended and the village remains unstable, it would be better if the Third continues serving as Hokage."
Now that Orochimaru, Danzo's most influential ally, had resigned, Danzo could only try convincing Sarutobi to remain in office.
Otherwise, once the new Hokage took over, Root — a covert and autonomous force — would likely be targeted and stripped of its power base.
Only with Sarutobi continuing as Hokage could he maintain the current status quo.
Sarutobi spoke out, "Danzo is right. I cannot escape my share of responsibility. Also, I am getting old now. I'm no longer suited to continue as Hokage. It's time for a younger generation to guide the village. I hereby recommend Namikaze Minato as the Fourth Hokage!"
Hearing Sarutobi's choice of Namikaze Minato as the next Hokage, Koharu and Homura felt slightly surprised at first; originally, they had assumed it might be Jiraiya or Orochimaru.
But upon thinking further about Minato, both agreed he was indeed a suitable candidate for Hokage.
Among the younger generation, there was no ninja more renowned than Namikaze Minato.
Thus, Koharu and Homura nodded in agreement, saying, "Jiraiya's disciple and also the Third's great-disciple — he is known as the Yellow Flash, an elite ninja. Definitely an excellent choice."
Danzo abruptly stood up and rejected the idea, "No! Namikaze Minato is still too young. He isn't ready to become Hokage yet!"
Sarutobi rose again, stating firmly, "Minato played a decisive role in ending the war. And he inherits the Will of Fire faithfully. Minato is undoubtedly the most suitable person to succeed me, and will become an even greater Hokage than I have been!"
"I oppose this!"
Furious, Danzo strongly rejected Sarutobi's recommendation of Minato.
Minato was too young. If he became Hokage, then Danzo's chances would be practically nonexistent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even glance at Danzo now, instead turning his gaze toward the Daimyo.
The Daimyo asked, "Then what do others think?"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado nodded slightly, followed by the Daimyo's own ministers. Finally, the Daimyo himself also nodded in agreement.
Seeing that everything had already been decided, Danzo was furious inside but could only glare at Hiruzen.
The Daimyo announced, "Then, the next Hokage of Konoha shall be Minato Namikaze."
Hiruzen continued, "One more thing: since I've already resigned, my position as the Hokage's advisor should also be terminated. After all, it will soon be the Fourth Hokage governing Konoha, so the new Hokage advisor should be appointed by the Fourth himself."
Danzo snarled, "Hiruzen, don't push too far!"
Danzo was truly enraged. Minato hadn't even officially become Hokage yet, and Hiruzen was already reducing his power. What would happen once Minato actually took office?
Hiruzen looked straight at Danzo. "I'm not pushing too far. This is just a reasonable personnel adjustment. As I said earlier, I'm old now—and so are you, Danzo. It's time to step aside for the younger generation."
Danzo knew anything he said now would be useless. Since Hiruzen had publicly announced this and even resigned as Hokage, how could he, as the Hokage's advisor, refuse to resign?
"Hmph!"
Danzo simply turned and left with a sweep of his sleeve, unwilling to stay any longer and endure this humiliation.
But avoiding humiliation was only part of it; Danzo feared that if he stayed any longer, Hiruzen might move against ROOT right there.
After returning to Konoha, Hiruzen summoned Minato Namikaze to see him.
Once Minato arrived at the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen handed him a scroll.
"Open and take a look."
Minato unrolled the scroll and began reading. It was an official document—a formal appointment as Hokage.
Smiling gently, Hiruzen said, "From now on, I can call you The Fourth. Today we'll post notices throughout Konoha, and the succession ceremony will take place in three days. Minato, Konoha is now in your hands."
Minato, with a firm expression, tightened his grip on the scroll and declared, "I will definitely give it my all!"
...
Meanwhile, Shindai sat at home, staring blankly at a small potted plant that Pakura had been tending.
Pakura sat on the sofa reading a book, occasionally glancing at Shindai.
Shindai had been staring blankly like that for nearly an hour.
Suddenly, Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara burst into Shindai's house.
"Shindai! Shindai!"
Obito called out for Shindai.
Obito's loud voice made Pakura rub her ears. She pointed toward Shindai beside the window and said, "He's over there."
Pakura gave Obito a strange look. Aren't Uchiha eyes supposed to have exceptional vision?
How come Shindai, being such a big guy, couldn't see anything from the window?
Obito grabbed Shindai's arm excitedly and said, "The news that Minato-sensei is going to be Hokage has already been posted on the notice board! Come quickly with us and take a look!"
Shindai pulled his arm away from Obito's grip, keeping his eyes fixed on a potted plant as he spoke, "You all already knew Minato was going to become Hokage, didn't you? Don't bother me. I'm doing something important right now."
Rin Nohara asked curiously, "Important business? Looking at a potted plant?"
Pakura grumbled, "He's maintained this posture for almost an hour now."
Obito and the other two moved closer to the potted plant and peered at it too. "Shindai, what exactly are you looking at?"
"A spider."
They focused their gaze and indeed spotted a tiny spider sitting on a leaf.
"What's so interesting about a spider? And you watched it for a whole hour?"
"I just saw the spider shoot out a silk thread and then soar into the air."
Obito looked puzzled. "Huh? That's it? What's so fascinating about that? Maybe it just got blown away like a dandelion seed by the wind?"
"No, there was no wind—the window was closed. The spider shot straight up after shooting out its silk..."
Shindai's eyes remained locked on the spider, unblinking.
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