Chapter 675: Mugetsu Is the Popular Choice
"My Five Great Consecutive Shots, how could it…"
Hiruzen suddenly opened his eyes, instinctively looking around with vigilance, only to realize that he was at home and not in the middle of a battle with Sōsuke.
"Hmph, I even had a nightmare."
Hiruzen took a deep breath, exhaled, then rubbed his forehead. Only then did he feel a little better.
Afterward, Hiruzen looked at the clock. Seeing that it was only a little earlier than his usual waking time, he simply got up.
After washing up and finishing breakfast, Hiruzen went directly to the Hokage Office and began working.
"I need to tell Mugetsu about Sōsuke's matter this afternoon," Hiruzen thought after dealing with a few documents.
No matter what, Mugetsu was Konoha's Hokage Assistant.
Yesterday, when he had just returned, his mood had been complicated, so it was understandable that he had not said anything. But dragging it on would be improper. He could not conceal such important information for the sake of his pride.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, the door to the Hokage Office was suddenly knocked on.
"Enter."
Minato pushed open the wooden door and entered the Hokage Office.
"Sandaime sama."
"Ah, Minato. Is there something you need?" Hiruzen asked, putting down his pen.
"I'm here to report on my work regarding the recent Special Jonin certifications," Minato explained.
Special Jonin were a very unique group.
Konoha's original intention for establishing this rank was to promote talented individuals who were not strong enough to become official jonin, or who were specialized and did not meet the full standards of official jonin, but possessed special abilities.
However, as time passed, a hidden rule was gradually added. Even without special abilities, if one had enough merit and seniority, they could also be promoted to Special Jonin.
Now that the war had ended, it was only natural to promote a group of meritorious veteran chunin.
Otherwise, with Konoha's high standards for jonin, most ninja would have no need to keep striving after reaching chunin, because they would be absolutely unable to be promoted to jonin.
Hiruzen showed a listening expression.
This was no small matter. Special Jonin were still jonin, and being promoted based on merit alone was very difficult.
"Mm, you've done very well," Hiruzen nodded after listening.
Unlike his teacher Jiraiya, Minato was the ninja Hiruzen considered second only to Mugetsu in reliability.
Minato smiled humbly and prepared to leave.
Then Hiruzen remembered something and called out to him.
"I see there has been a lot of discussion in the Village recently about the Fourth Hokage. Some people think the Sannin would be better suited to succeed, while others support young ninja like Mugetsu.
"Minato, your teacher is Jiraiya, and Mugetsu is also your friend. What are your thoughts on this?" Hiruzen asked curiously.
In fact, he mainly wanted to ask Minato's opinion of Mugetsu, because Jiraiya did not want to be Hokage at all. But asking only about Mugetsu would seem too intentional.
Minato stopped, turned back to look at Hiruzen, showed a thoughtful expression, and then said, "I think Mugetsu is more suitable to become Hokage."
Minato understood his teacher well. Jiraiya did not want to be Hokage and was not suitable to be Hokage. Minato could hardly imagine Jiraiya serving as Hokage.
Tsunade suffered from hemophobia, and unless she overcame it, Minato felt that Tsunade was not suitable to become Hokage either.
The Hokage rarely fought on the front lines, but that did not mean they never had to fight. By the time the Hokage needed to fight, their combat power would be crucial. How could someone with hemophobia fight properly?
As for Orochimaru, Minato felt he was inferior to Mugetsu.
Mugetsu possessed Wood Release, just like Senju Hashirama. This meant that although Mugetsu was not from any specific clan, he had incredible legitimacy. This was one victory.
Mugetsu possessed strength surpassing Orochimaru and had defeated the Fourth Kazekage extremely quickly on the battlefield. This was a second victory.
In the Third Shinobi World War, Mugetsu was the ninja with the greatest military achievements in all of Konoha. This was a third victory.
Minato felt that if he was willing to think further, he could list ten more victories for Mugetsu, because Mugetsu was truly too outstanding.
"It seems you have high hopes for Mugetsu as Hokage, Minato," Hiruzen sighed after listening to Minato earnestly list Mugetsu's advantages.
"Perhaps you two will compete in the future. Some people in the Village also have high hopes for you."
From the perspective of lineage, Minato was directly connected to the Hokage. If he developed for a few more years, his popularity might even surpass the Sannin.
Surpassing Mugetsu, however, was impossible.
The two had many similarities, but Mugetsu was far stronger. In a situation where they were compared with Mugetsu, most people would not choose Minato.
"Then I would probably lose terribly," Minato said with a smile.
This could not be blamed on others. If Mugetsu became a candidate for the Fourth Hokage, Minato himself would want to vote for Mugetsu.
If it came to a real competition, Minato would not surrender. But with his current abilities, he indeed could not compare to Mugetsu. Mugetsu could lead Konoha further.
Looking at the gentle Minato, Hiruzen could not help thinking of Danzo.
Why could Minato say such things so calmly, while Danzo had harbored such deep resentment after failing to become the Third Hokage?
Did the position only count as important if one became Hokage?
"Sandaime sama, if there's nothing else, I'll go back to work."
Hiruzen nodded and watched Minato leave.
Five minutes later, Hiruzen put down his pipe, exhaled a thick puff of smoke, and called to the Anbu at the door.
"Please invite the two Advisors over."
He was indeed no longer suitable to continue serving as Hokage. He had even suffered nightmares related to Sōsuke.
Compared to him, an aging wrongdoer, Konoha needed a strong and confident young ninja more.
For the sake of the popular Mugetsu, he would act willfully one more time.
"Hiruzen, is there something…"
"I am resigning from the position of Hokage and initiating the election for the Fourth Hokage," Hiruzen interrupted directly.
Homura and Koharu were stunned.
They had thought about it for an entire night, and this was what he came up with?
"Hiruzen, this is a serious matter…"
Homura tried to persuade him again but was interrupted by Hiruzen.
"Call me by my title during work," Hiruzen said, tapping the table with his finger.
Homura was a bit helpless, but this also conformed to the rules, so he could not say anything and had to change his words.
"Sandaime, the war has just ended. Konoha needs you to preside over the overall situation and maintain stability. Four years. Wait four years before electing a new Hokage, and I will fully support it."
Koharu also tried to persuade him, but Hiruzen remained unmoved.
"I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen said firmly.
Homura was speechless, realizing Hiruzen's determination.
"Have you forgotten the consequences of being self willed? You will regret this."
Koharu made a final effort.
"I am self willed, but Mugetsu is popular," Hiruzen said meaningfully.
Koharu and Homura fell silent.
"For six years. Within six years, I will ensure your positions are unaffected."
In six years, they would be sixty years old, considered elderly in the ninja profession, and it would be time for them to retire and give opportunities to new people.
"Let's discuss the election matters," Homura said.
The three discussed until noon. Then Hiruzen had the Anbu notify Mugetsu to go to the conference room for a meeting.
He had originally intended to tell Mugetsu about Sōsuke's matter at noon, but the high level meeting was currently more important, so Hiruzen wanted to talk about it after the meeting.
Inside the conference room.
When all four high level officials were present, Hiruzen spoke.
"This meeting is mainly to confirm the election of the Fourth Hokage."
As he said this, Hiruzen specifically glanced at Mugetsu.
"Electing the Fourth Hokage now?" Mugetsu was a little surprised.
It was not that Mugetsu was conceited, but at this time, electing a Hokage could only mean that Hiruzen wanted him to become Hokage.
Upon closer thought, Mugetsu felt it was reasonable.
Due to his restraint, Konoha had not suffered any losses this time, and Hiruzen's mistake was not major, at least not to the extent that he had to resign from the Hokage position.
But one thing had to be considered.
Mugetsu had performed too well, and Hiruzen trusted him greatly.
In this situation, it was normal for Hiruzen to have the idea of letting him succeed early.
"I almost made a grave mistake and am no longer suitable to continue as Hokage," Hiruzen said with a slight sigh.
Since this was a high level meeting, Hiruzen did not say too much. He only briefly explained the reason for reelecting the Hokage.
"Regarding the nominations for the Fourth Hokage, what are your thoughts?" Hiruzen asked, looking around.
He intended to pass the position to Mugetsu, but this process could not be him directly giving an order and then Mugetsu becoming Hokage. It had to be done through an election.
Senju Tobirama could directly pass the position to him because that had been a critical wartime situation, and special measures were taken.
Direct succession during peacetime would violate tradition. Konoha's First Hokage had been chosen by a joint vote of all Konoha people.
"I think Assistant Mugetsu is qualified and capable of serving as the Fourth Hokage and can be one of the nominees," Homura said.
What he hoped for most was still for Hiruzen to remain Hokage. But since an election was happening, they would definitely choose the best option.
"Assistant Mugetsu has repeatedly achieved great merits on the battlefield. I agree," Koharu nodded in approval.
Mugetsu sat silently without speaking.
In fact, he wanted to say, "I have an opinion, I don't agree," but this was a nomination concerning himself, so he could not express an opinion.
"Then the first nomination is confirmed. Are there any others?" Hiruzen nodded and continued asking.
Since it was an election, there naturally could not be only one candidate. Otherwise, what would they be electing?
"I think Orochimaru also has the ability to become Hokage and can be one of the nominees for the Fourth Hokage," Koharu suggested.
Only a few people in Konoha were qualified to be Hokage candidates.
Tsunade and Jiraiya did not want to be Hokage, and it would look bad to force their nomination, so it could only be Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru has fought for Konoha on the battlefield for many years and has made great contributions. I agree," Homura acknowledged.
"With Orochimaru's seniority and strength, he is indeed qualified to serve as the Fourth Hokage. I agree," Mugetsu also nodded.
After all, Orochimaru was his partner, so he gave him some face.
"Then the second nomination is confirmed as Orochimaru," Hiruzen decided.
"I believe Minato should also be nominated. He is capable and has made many contributions to the Village," Mugetsu said after thinking for a moment.
Mugetsu did not have many thoughts about becoming Hokage, but in the current situation, even if he did not want to be Hokage, many people would beg him to take the position. Even if he wanted to yield to Minato, it might not be useful, and Minato might not even accept a forced concession.
His nomination of Minato was not to yield the Hokage position, but to give Minato an opportunity for further advancement.
If Hiruzen and the others did not refuse Minato's nomination, then Minato would effectively have been a true Hokage candidate once, and his status would become different.
If Hiruzen and the others refused, then if Mugetsu promoted Minato to a high level position later, Hiruzen and the others would find it difficult to refuse again.
"Minato is indeed outstanding, but a nomination might be inappropriate. He is still somewhat lacking compared to you, Mugetsu," Homura said after exchanging glances with Hiruzen.
There was no explicit restriction requiring only two Hokage nominees.
Mugetsu wanting to nominate another person was not a problem, but that person could not be Minato.
It was not that they had an issue with Minato as a person. Rather, Minato's seniority was slightly problematic.
Although Mugetsu was as young as Minato, Mugetsu's merits were incredibly exaggerated. He had turned the tide of battle multiple times and single handedly captured more than a thousand Mist ninja.
Minato's excellence was not enough to compensate for his seniority.
If Minato were nominated, it would certainly cause dissatisfaction among some veteran jonin who had made significant contributions on the battlefield.
Although their performance in the Third Shinobi World War was not as good as Minato's, they had also rendered service in the Second Shinobi World War. Overall, the difference was not too great. Why should Minato be nominated?
Even if he was not ultimately elected, it would still count as having almost become the Fourth Hokage. For many Konoha ninja, that was an honor and recognition.
"Minato still needs more training. Hokage is too early for him," Koharu also stated.
"Then it will temporarily be Mugetsu and Orochimaru. Does anyone else want to nominate someone? If not, the nominees will be confirmed," Hiruzen continued asking.
Koharu and Homura shook their heads.
The three of them had already discussed it. They would nominate Mugetsu and Orochimaru, with Orochimaru serving as a running mate, and simply not nominate anyone else.
"I have no objections," Mugetsu replied.
His goal had already been achieved.
"Since there is a consensus, a jonin meeting will be held in one week for the official Fourth Hokage election vote."
There would be two rounds of voting.
The first round would be the jonin vote. Although the number of jonin was small, their votes carried very great weight, accounting for about forty percent of the total vote. The leading candidate would essentially secure the Hokage position.
The second round would consist of chunin and genin votes, as well as civilian votes, each accounting for thirty percent.
The voting was not the end. There would also be a meeting with the Daimyo and high ranking officials of the Land of Fire.
The Daimyo had to personally confirm that there were no issues before it could be determined who would serve as Hokage. Finally, the official Hokage succession ceremony would be held for the handover.
Of course, this was basically just a formality. The Daimyo would not refuse the candidate put forth by Konoha.
On the surface, Konoha was merely the military force of the Land of Fire. But in reality, Konoha was a nation within a nation, and the Daimyo had no control over Konoha whatsoever.
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