Chapter 188 – The Fourth Hokage (Part 3)
"Lord Third, you summoned me?"
Minato Namikaze entered the Hokage's office and knelt respectfully upon the floor. Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi seated solemnly before him, Minato lowered his head without hesitation.
Two days had passed in a blur. During that time, Minato had deliberately avoided overthinking matters, instead following his daily routine as usual. He found that only by doing so could he relax, free from the constant swarm of worries. In this way, he could more clearly sense the true will of the village's people.
He had to admit, both Uchiha Kei and Uchiha Fugaku impressed him deeply. Everything seemed to unfold exactly as if calculated by them. At present, Minato found himself holding the upper hand—a realization that pleased him, though he remained calm and chose not to share it with Kushina. Not yet. He would wait until everything was truly settled.
That morning, he had been summoned to the Hokage's office. A quiet premonition told him what awaited.
"Minato," Hiruzen began, his voice steady, his expression without fluctuation. "Since you are here, I will speak plainly.
I have long believed you to be the heir of the Will of Fire.
Your battlefield merits speak for themselves. Your diplomacy in Kusagakure and with the Stone proved your wisdom to guide Konoha forward. And above all, you hold the overwhelming support of the people."
The Third paused, then continued:
"For these reasons, I have decided to entrust to you the future of Konoha—and the fate of the shinobi world itself. Do you accept this responsibility?"
So it's true!
Even though Minato had already prepared himself for this moment, hearing the words aloud sent a powerful thrill through his heart.
This was the answer he had been waiting for. For so long.
Ever since that conversation with Uchiha Kei half a year ago in the Land of Grass, a seed had been planted within him. Jiraiya's affirmation, followed by his return to the village and his meeting with Fugaku, had nurtured that seed until it had sprouted and flourished.
He had turned a blind eye to Kei's purge of his clan. He had tacitly allowed Kei and his allies to heap every sin upon Orochimaru's shoulders. He had quietly accepted the waves of public opinion Kei had stirred.
These were all actions Minato had never thought himself capable of—things he once believed he would never condone.
How many times had he wanted to speak up, to object? Yet each time, the words died on his lips.
All for this.
All for Hokage.
All to realize his dream with Kushina.
And now—here it was. Finally within reach.
Drawing a deep breath, Minato straightened his back, his expression solemn.
"I will not fail your trust, Lord Third."
"Good." Hiruzen nodded. "Prepare yourself well. When spring arrives, you will become the Fourth Hokage."
A sigh escaped him.
"I had hoped to hold your succession in a more favorable climate, but the road ahead is still uneasy. Steel your heart, Minato."
Though vague, Minato understood his meaning immediately. This choice weighed heavily upon Hiruzen as well. He could guess where the pressure came from—likely those factions who had supported Orochimaru.
But wasn't the Hokage chosen by the will of the people? Why would there be other forces at play?
Minato was kind by nature, but not naïve. Still, he decided not to pursue the thought further.
Lifting his gaze, his eyes were resolute.
"I am ready, Lord Third."
"Mm." Hiruzen's lips curved in a faint smile. "I believe you will succeed."
---
That evening, after his duties were finished, Minato returned home.
Kushina was in the kitchen preparing their meal. Minato stood quietly, watching her, and a smile broke across his face. The sight filled him with warmth.
Sensing his presence, Kushina turned and beamed back at him. "What are you standing there for, silly?" She walked over with a playful grin. "I heard Lord Third summoned you first thing this morning. What was it about?"
"There was… something important," Minato replied, still smiling.
"Let me guess—he scolded you, didn't he?" Kushina teased, recalling his troubled mood from the other day. "It's nothing to worry about. You're back on your feet now, aren't you?"
Her gentle words filled Minato with even greater warmth. He closed his eyes, pretending to be serious.
"No… it wasn't that."
"Then what was it?" she asked curiously.
"That…" Minato's expression strained, but he couldn't hold it long. His face broke into a bright smile.
"He named me the Fourth Hokage."
"…Oh, Hokage, huh? That's nothing to—wait." Kushina froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening. "Wait a second! What did you just say!?"
Minato nodded, his tone firm now.
"I've been chosen. Come spring, I will take office as the Fourth Hokage."
Kushina stood stunned. Then her disbelief melted into joy, then into boundless happiness. She threw her arms around him.
"Hokage! You're really going to be Hokage!"
This wasn't just Minato's dream—it was hers as well. Now, together, their shared dream was about to become reality.
Holding his overjoyed wife in his arms, listening to her repeat her congratulations, Minato felt a profound peace settle in his heart. He also made a silent decision: some secrets were best left buried.
After all, every man—every shinobi—had secrets of his own.
---
Night fell.
Once the last lights in his home went dark, Uchiha Kei silently rose. He donned his battle attire, pulled a large cloak over his shoulders, and fastened a mask upon his face. After leaving behind a shadow clone, he slipped out into the night.
Within the Uchiha compound, all was quiet save for the patrolling guards of the Police Force. Most had long since retired to their homes. Kei moved deftly, evading the watchful eyes of his clansmen, and soon arrived at the place where he had once met Minato.
Someone was already waiting.
Kei approached slowly, recognizing the man at once: Uchiha Fugaku.
When he reached him, Kei raised a hand, removed his mask, and revealed his face.
The other man removed his mask as well—it was indeed Uchiha Fugaku.
"You came early, Clan Head," Kei remarked, slipping his own mask away. "Seems you're nervous too."
"Are you not, Kei-kun?" Fugaku shook his head.
"These past few nights, I haven't been able to sleep. I keep thinking… if this gamble of ours fails, all our efforts will be wasted."
"That's why I urged you to rally the struggling minor clans and the civilian shinobi," Kei tilted his head slightly. "Always leave yourself a fallback. That's how I operate."
"True. You always prepare two hands for one move." Fugaku allowed himself a faint smile. "I suspect even half a year ago, during the memorial, when you defended Kakashi so openly—yes, you were sending me a signal. But you were also making your stance clear to the village leadership, weren't you?"
"I often wonder," Fugaku went on, his eyes narrowing slightly, "if I hadn't discovered your actions then, what would you have done?"
What would I have done?
Kei raised his gaze to the moon above, glowing bright and distant like a watchful eye.
He still remembered that moment, caught within Fugaku's genjutsu—that crimson moon, mirrored in the shape of his Mangekyō Sharingan, a reflection of himself.
Had Fugaku not uncovered his hand, Kei knew his methods would have turned far harsher. He would have made every clan member who opposed him behold those eyes—carrying that memory with them into the depths of hell.
"I think I know," Fugaku murmured, shaking his head. Then he changed the subject:
"Tell me, what do you think tonight will bring?"
"I can't say. But once Captain Minato arrives, we'll have our answer." Kei's tone was calm, steady. "No matter the outcome, though… there are matters between us that need settling."
"Yes… matters that must be resolved," Fugaku agreed with a nod. "Regardless of success or failure, we must talk. But I would rather not do so through combat, Kei-kun."
Though Kei's great cloak shrouded him from head to toe, Fugaku seemed to sense the battle attire hidden beneath.
He had no wish to fight—especially not against a Mangekyō wielder. Yet if forced, he would not back down.
Silence fell between them. No one could know what each was truly thinking.
The wind swept by, carrying drifting snowflakes, until both men felt it simultaneously—a fluctuation of chakra approaching.
They turned. A cloaked figure, face hidden by a mask, landed nearby. The newcomer scanned the area warily, ensuring it was safe before removing his mask.
A handsome face emerged, framed by golden hair that spilled free as he lowered his hood.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," said Minato Namikaze. "I was delayed by a few matters."
"It's fine, we haven't been here long," Fugaku replied quickly, though his gaze betrayed tension. "Well? What's the result?"
"If nothing changes," Minato said with a smile, "come spring, I will be the Fourth Hokage. Thank you both for your support. It seems… we've succeeded."