End of February, Year 44 of Konoha.
Lord Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned all people of Konoha to gather at the Hokage Building. Both ninja and civilians must attend…
Then…
That morning, the Third Hokage stood on the rooftop of the Hokage Building. He faced all the villagers and made a profound confession, as well as self reproach. He believed it was because he had not taught Orochimaru well, had not imparted the Will of Fire to him, that he allowed an excellent young man to go astray.
Therefore…
He felt ashamed facing everyone…
To obtain everyone's forgiveness, he himself voluntarily resigned from the position of Hokage immediately. But because there was no suitable candidate in Konoha currently, he would temporarily act as Hokage. Once a suitable person appears later, he would immediately let that person take office. And he himself would then retire behind the scenes, silently protecting Konoha.
He would dedicate his entire life to Konoha…
Instantly…
All the villagers were moved, tears streaming down. They shouted, we forgive you, we have already forgiven you, please Lord Hokage do not blame yourself anymore.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen firmly shook his head. He believed that wrongdoing must be punished. Therefore, he would strictly abide by the punishment he set for himself. He was no longer suitable to be Hokage. But for Konoha, he could not retire yet. So, he hoped for their understanding…
As soon as his words fell…
The audience below erupted into intense applause and praise. They believed the Third Hokage lived up to the name of Kage, he was a Kage of noble character and integrity.
Not far away, Danzo…
His expression was as if he had been fed shit. This…
Wasn't this no punishment at all?
However…
Early March, as merchants became active again, various items from the Land of Whirlpools, like mobile phones and televisions, appeared all over the ninja world. They injected a spark of vitality into the entire ninja world. At the same time, along with the spread of commercial activities, a legend also spread throughout the ninja world.
A legend about a Konoha jonin who nearly destroyed the Land of Whirlpools single handedly…
Anyway, according to information inadvertently leaked by certain people…
Back then, a Konoha ninja with golden hair performed brilliantly and destroyed the Land of Whirlpools' newly made high power chakra cannons. This achieved an absolute advantage for the allied forces' landing. However…
Because of a bunch of pig teammates…
He was defeated and captured…
The general idea was that if it had been only Minato alone at the time, he could have destroyed that small island nation, the Land of Whirlpools. But because there was a group of pig teammates messing up the rhythm…
He failed…
It was all because of those pig teammates…
Upon hearing this, Ohnoki's face turned green, he almost kicked the bucket. He, a dignified Tsuchikage, a powerhouse with a Kekkei Tota, was actually inferior to a Konoha jonin, and became a pig teammate…
But after thinking about the current situation of Iwagakure, he could not die, he had to survive…
He immediately ordered a thorough investigation into where the rumor originated, and strictly forbade anyone from continuing to spread the rumor.
Of course, these rumors were not believed by many people. After all…
Who is Namikaze Minato?
In Konoha, he was just a jonin with a decent record. Why would they not believe the Tsuchikage's official statement and instead believe a captured jonin?
So…
Gradually, just as the rumors were about to fade away…
One night, a wealthy noble, out of curiosity, bought a television. Also out of curiosity, he turned it on…
Suddenly, he saw footage of a golden figure continuously flashing across the sea, overcoming all obstacles, until landing and destroying all the chakra cannons of the Land of Whirlpools…
Watching this made that noble's blood boil, and he exclaimed, Golden Flash…
At the same time, this video…
It was said that many people saw it that night…
Instantly…
The rumors rose again, especially regarding the Third Tsuchikage's official statement…
Everyone began to suspect the Third Tsuchikage…
They believed he must have maliciously belittled Minato out of jealousy because Minato was handsome and powerful.
Anyway…
The name Golden Flash began to spread throughout the ninja world…
Especially within Konoha, voices began to appear calling for Namikaze Minato to return and become Hokage, and these voices grew stronger…
It was said that the Hokage Office replaced another batch of teacups that day.
And Danzo…
His face remained livid, making the clans in Konoha think some fool had offended this Konoha Senior Advisor and ruthless businessman…
This was simply asking for the entire family to be wiped out…
…
"So, what do you think?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his cigarette, furrowed his brows, and looked at his friends sitting in front of him. He said, "What do you think about letting Minato become Hokage?"
"No." Danzo stood up, shook his head, and said righteously, "This clearly shows someone is pushing Namikaze Minato into the position. Their intentions are condemnable."
"There is definitely a conspiracy behind this. As the Dark Ninja who silently protects Konoha from the shadows, I absolutely do not approve."
So…
What kind of situation was this…
Why did something always happen every time the Hokage position was within reach…
"I think so too." Utatane Koharu nodded seriously and said, "We cannot give the Hokage position to someone pushed forward by strangers."
"This is too dangerous. Who knows what the people in the shadows are planning."
"But Minato is Jiraiya's student." Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "I know this young man. He is a very trustworthy excellent successor to the Will of Fire."
"We are all already old."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, stood up again, and looked towards the village outskirts…
"Where the leaves dance, the fire also burns endlessly. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."
When else to show off the Will of Fire if not now…
He, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was a Hokage who loved Konoha's excellent young people…
"Therefore, as long as Minato can shoulder the heavy responsibility, what harm is there in letting him become Hokage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a gratified smile on his face, his gaze fixed on the Konoha children playing below…
But inside, he wondered if he should say this…
He had just boasted a few days ago that he was no longer Hokage, and that he would definitely step down once a suitable person was found. Yet…
It had only been a few days, how could one appear already…
Now most people in Konoha approved of Minato. If he refused now…
It would simply mean losing his reputation in his old age…
"But this is really too dangerous." Utatane Koharu said with a frown, "I'm not saying I don't trust Jiraiya."
After all, Jiraiya had already proven with his actions that he loved Konoha.
"But."
Who knows about Namikaze Minato…
"Unless it can be proven that Minato is an excellent successor to the Will of Fire, otherwise, like Danzo, I absolutely do not approve."
Especially the person hiding in the shadows…
The situation was still unclear. Refusal was the best choice.
"Since that's the case." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and said, "You are also doing this for Konoha's sake. I."
He seemed to speak with a tone of helplessness and conflict.
"I will listen to you."
"Before things are clarified."
"I will continue to temporarily act as Hokage and protect Konoha well."
Although he said this, his heart was also very vigilant against the person secretly scheming against Konoha.
Now all evidence pointed to the Land of Whirlpools…
Especially the Third Tsuchikage's speculation that Uchiha Shin was Uchiha Madara. This was also very possible. After all, since ancient times…
Only one Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan…
So…
No one could say for sure. And that Pain Tendou had a close relationship with the Land of Whirlpools. Combined with the substandard ninja tools they sold during this invasion of the Land of Whirlpools, and the two people who activated the legendary swords.
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt in his heart…
A huge conspiracy was enveloping the entire ninja world.
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