Sarutobi Hiruzen cheated and was discovered by Naruto.
According to the default rules, Sarutobi Hiruzen would bear the consequences.
But at this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to play the emotional card with Naruto.
Sarutobi Hiruzen showed a nostalgic expression and talked about Namikaze Minato and Kushina.
He was trying to make Naruto change his mind.
But it had no effect.
As a last resort, Sarutobi Hiruzen had to order Anbu to compile a copy of the barrier information and give it to Naruto.
Naruto's attitude softened slightly after receiving the information.
He said to Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Third Hokage-sama, I will take my leave."
Naruto bowed politely and left without looking back.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed as he watched Naruto's retreating figure, his eyes gradually becoming dull.
…
Naruto didn't stop and immediately began studying Konoha's barrier system.
Compared to defense, Konoha's barrier actually served more as a large-scale reconnaissance network.
As long as an unfamiliar chakra appeared, the barrier would sense it.
The shinobi monitoring the barrier would then report to the Hokage, who would make a decision.
The deeper Naruto studied, the more he realized how complicated barriers were.
It was impossible to fully understand everything in just a day or two.
So Naruto decided to list the materials required to construct a barrier and gather them first.
For three days, Naruto wandered around Konoha.
Most of the materials needed for a barrier were rare ores, usually possessing chakra-conducting properties.
Although rare and expensive, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't refuse Naruto's purchase requests.
After all, Konoha's finances had not been good recently.
It even seemed like the Daimyō's mansion had intentionally withheld funds for a day—no one knew why.
With Naruto's financial support, Konoha could at least ease some of the pressure.
So Naruto gathered everything needed to build the barrier.
Now, all he needed was to fully understand the barrier system, and he would be able to create one of equal level for the Land of Snow.
But something unexpected happened.
During this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen actually fell ill.
After Tsunade examined him, she finally determined that Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer serve as Hokage or handle such high-intensity work.
As soon as the news broke, the entire village was in an uproar.
Heads of major clans went to visit Sarutobi Hiruzen at the hospital.
Sarutobi Hiruzen lay on the hospital bed looking as though he had aged ten years in just a few days.
Looking at the clan leaders and his two disciples around him, Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth and weakly said: "Tsunade… you will be the next Hokage."
At this point, Tsunade didn't know how to refuse.
Just as she was about to accept the position, a stern voice came from outside the door: "Wait!"
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
An old man walked in.
One arm and one eye were wrapped in bandages.
Yes—this man was Shimura Danzō, whose arm had been severed by Naruto and whose eye had been gouged out!
Yet somehow, Danzo had regained both an arm and an eye.
This unknown trick sent chills down everyone's spine.
Danzo's appearance interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen's passing of the title to Tsunade.
The gloomy old man walked in and directly said to Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Sarutobi Hiruzen, have you forgotten the rules set by the Shodai and our teacher?"
"The Hokage position is not hereditary, and you have no right to appoint the next Hokage directly!"
He was correct.
When the First Hokage Senju Hashirama passed away from illness, he declared before his death that the Hokage should be someone recognized by the villagers.
Senju Tobirama, who had led Konoha's administrative reforms, naturally received the villagers' recognition and became the Second Hokage.
Later, during the battle with the Kinkaku Force, Senju Tobirama stayed behind and entrusted the choice of Hokage to the decision of his disciples.
Sarutobi Hiruzen proved his capability and was recommended by Tobirama.
With the support of Tobirama's disciples, Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage.
But before he died, Tobirama also set clear rules:
To become Hokage, one must be recognized by the villagers.
And the position cannot be appointed directly without going through the council of elders and advisors.
This was to prevent the Hokage from becoming a hereditary system.
But now, Danzō was using this rule as a political weapon.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Danzō enter, he weakly closed his eyes and shook his head slightly: "Danzō… after so many years, can't you still let go?"
Danzō ignored the question and directly announced: "The Third Hokage cannot determine the next Hokage candidate.
We must hold an Elders' Meeting and a Jōnin Meeting to discuss it, then report the result to the Daimyō.
Only after the Daimyō approves can a Hokage be appointed!"
The clan leaders' expressions changed slightly.
Originally, everyone had no objection to Tsunade becoming Hokage.
She had the qualifications, youth, experience, and was the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
Both emotionally and logically, she was the best choice.
But the rules were exactly as Danzō said.
Tsunade crossed her arms and stared at Danzo, sneering inwardly.
So this old bastard was the "Konoha parasite" Naruto and the teacher had mentioned?
Even though she knew Danzo's purpose, Tsunade couldn't openly defy the rules left by the First and Second Hokage.
Doing so would make her appear unfit for the position.
So Tsunade said, "Fine! Since Hokage is elected, I have no objections!"
She didn't believe that Danzō—who lurked in the shadows all day—could win many votes.
The so-called vote was essentially Konoha's internal process of choosing a Hokage.
In the past, Namikaze Minato and Orochimaru went through the same procedure.
First, the Elders' Meeting would decide the candidates.
Then the influential ninja and heads of major clans would vote to select the most suitable Hokage.
Danzō gave Tsunade a cold glance, then turned and left without a word.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched silently. He closed his eyes weakly and said to those around him: "You may all go now. I have something to say to Tsunade."
The clan leaders understood and left.
After a while, only Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade remained.
Sarutobi Hiruzen told her: "Danzō has many supporters among the elders, and the advisors have been influenced by him in recent years."
"If you're not confident, you can seek help from Uzumaki Naruto."
"As long as he is willing to help you, you will definitely become Hokage."
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