After Matsu and Yukata settled down in the Hidden Leaf Village, Mirai Uchiha's life had become a little more enjoyable.
Whenever he looked at these newly blooming delicate blossoms, an indescribable sense of satisfaction would arise in his heart.
Days passed peacefully, and under Mirai Uchiha's guidance, both Matsu and Yukata experienced rapid growth across all aspects of their abilities.
At times, even Temari couldn't help but feel startled by their showings, secretly resolving to develop some new techniques.
As for the research on divine treasures belonging to the Otsutsuki Clan, no progress had been made.
It seemed the ninja world lacked the necessary materials to create such divine treasures, which left Mirai Uchiha slightly disappointed.
---
In the Hidden Leaf Village,
Mirai Uchiha arrived at the Hokage's Office, looking at Minato who was busy with work, revealing a look of surprise on his face.
"Minato, you're actually having such a busy time?"
Upon hearing this, Minato showed a helpless smile: "No choice. Lately, I've felt my energy gradually declining, so tasks get postponed easily..."
"I think it's time for me to step back."
Only then did Mirai notice that wrinkles had already crept into Minato's eyes.
Thinking carefully, Minato should already be over fifty years old now.
In the ninja profession, where youth is everything, fifty is considered quite aged.
"Minato, have you and Kushina really not considered immortality at all?"
From Mirai's memory, whether before or after traveling back in time, Minato had always been energetic, completing any task with exceptional efficiency.
But now, even the Yellow Flash is showing signs of weariness.
"Mirai, Kushina and I have thought about this for a long time, eventually deciding it'd be fine just aging like normal civilians."
"We're different from you; even without us, the ninja world wouldn't fall apart."
"Besides... it'd be hard for us to accept seeing our juniors older than ourselves."
After hearing Minato's words, Mirai remained silent briefly.
This was also why he hadn't chosen to have children yet.
Desiring immortality meant inevitably sacrificing many emotional connections.
Once or twice was manageable, but if it happened too often, Mirai feared he might become a cold-hearted monster.
"Mirai, let's drop this topic."
"Have you got someone in mind for the next Hokage?"
Smiling, Minato shifted the subject.
Although slightly disappointed, Mirai Uchiha didn't say much after seeing Minato Namikaze had already made up his mind. Instead, she adjusted her mood and replied thoughtfully, "I do have some candidates in mind, but I'm still a bit conflicted."
Minato Namikaze asked curiously, "Can you tell me more about them?"
Mirai Uchiha said slowly, "Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, Yakumo, Ino, Neji, Shikamaru…"
After hearing Mirai Uchiha's words, Minato Namikaze remarked, "Forget about Naruto. His personality is too reckless, he doesn't think things through clearly, and he acts on impulse too often…"
As soon as Minato Namikaze finished speaking, Mirai Uchiha gave him a teasing look, prompting him to quickly explain, "Of course, I'm not saying this just to sound pretentious. It's simply my duty as the former Hokage to offer some suggestions."
Mirai Uchiha nodded.
Without having experienced the trials of The Fourth Great Ninja World War, Uzumaki Naruto indeed lacked the credibility to command widespread respect.
Appointing him as Hokage would likely lead to constant troubles.
"Minato, then according to your opinion, who do you think would be suitable?"
Minato Namikaze considered carefully before cautiously saying, "Sasuke isn't quite suitable either. That kid is too obsessive—he tends to act solely based on impulse, but the Hokage cannot afford to make decisions purely from momentary whims."
"Comparatively speaking, Itachi Uchiha would actually make a pretty good candidate…"
Mirai Uchiha waved her hand directly, interrupting Minato Namikaze.
"Forget about Itachi. He can't become the Hokage."
Though Itachi Uchiha was now completely under her control through Kotoamatsukami, faithfully serving her, Mirai Uchiha still felt somewhat uneasy thinking about how he had acted in the original story.
Therefore, right from the start, Mirai Uchiha had never planned on making Itachi Uchiha the Hokage.
Although unaware of Mirai Uchiha's inner thoughts, Minato Namikaze didn't ask further and continued analyzing instead, "If Itachi won't work, then I believe Neji and Shikamaru are both highly suitable candidates."
"Neji has a gentle personality and serves as the Hyuga Clan leader, possessing rich experience handling daily affairs. Appointing him as Hokage probably wouldn't cause many problems."
"As for Shikamaru…" Minato Namikaze smiled. "That boy's IQ is high, though he lacks motivation."
"Either one of them should be quite suitable regardless."
After listening to Minato Namikaze's analysis, Mirai Uchiha found it quite reasonable.
"Then let's go with Neji."
"It's about time the Hyuga Clan produced a Hokage."
Between Neji and Shikamaru, Mirai Uchiha naturally preferred Neji.
After all, both Hinata and Hanabi were already her women. Giving the Hyuga Clan a position as Hokage was only fair and logical.
"Then that's settled."
For Mirai Uchiha's decision, Minato Namikaze had no objections.
Now the entire ninja world belonged to Mirai Uchiha. Though the Hokage position was significant, it now amounted to little more than a formality—Mirai Uchiha's decree alone determined its holder.
As the two were speaking, someone knocked on the office door from outside.
"Come in."
A woman strode in sporting a voluminous golden ponytail that caught the light like a sunbeam.
Seeing Mirai Uchiha was also present, the woman quickly bowed: "Your Imperial Majesty! Lord Hokage!"
Minato Namikaze waved his hand and said, "Moegi Kazamatsuri, your jonin application has been approved. These are your new insignias."
"And also…" Minato handed Moegi Kazamatsuri a scroll. "...there've been several high-profile attacks recently across the ninja world. Investigate them thoroughly—consider this your inaugural assignment as a jonin."
Moegi Kazamatsuri responded solemnly, "Understood, Lord Hokage."
Hearing this, Mirai asked curiously, "Minato, what kind of serious assaults?"
Although these missions were usually confidential, there was no need to keep secrets from Mirai, who held the Emperor status.
Therefore, Minato directly replied, "In Shen Nation, there have been multiple cases of human bombs being deployed. While no casualties were caused, the impact has been extremely negative."
"According to our investigation, the perpetrator seems active within the Land of Hot Water."
Upon hearing this, Mirai felt intrigued and smiled, saying, "Since I happen to be free, I might as well go along with her and take a look."
When Mirai pointed toward herself, Moegi Kazamatsuri's eyes widened in shock.
No way… She was actually going to undertake a mission alongside Your Imperial Majesty?!
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