Chapter 187 – The Fourth Hokage (Part 2)
In the Land of Fire, the four great pillars of Konoha had gathered inside a single office.
Their faces remained calm—each of them fully aware of why they had come here, and each having steeled themselves for what was to follow.
Sitting slightly apart, Nara Shikaku kept his head bowed low, silent and solemn.
"How unfortunate," the Daimyō of the Land of Fire said, lightly fanning himself after reading the reports submitted by the Third Hokage and his advisors. "The Sandaime Hokage has served quite well."
The daimyō's feelings toward Sarutobi Hiruzen were not without warmth. After all, during Hiruzen's reign, the village had weathered two great ninja wars—both times leaving the Land of Fire among the victors.
Relations between daimyō were unlike the rivalries between shinobi villages. In fact, among the nobility, ties of blood were not uncommon; marriages forged for advantage or politics were simply part of their world.
To them, the so-called "great shinobi wars" were little more than a game—bloody, yes, but ultimately a game played on their behalf. Shinobi respected them only because they held the wealth and prestige. Victory gave them face and riches; defeat left them humiliated and impoverished.
At the mention of Hiruzen, Danzō's expression hardened. His eyes—calm, sharp, and unwavering—fixed upon the daimyō, and for a moment even the nobleman felt the weight of his gaze. Awkwardly, he waved his fan faster, trying to hide his unease.
This man wrapped in bandages unsettled him greatly. If it were possible, the daimyō would never have to face him at all.
"In truth," Danzō said evenly, his voice steady yet forceful, "the village was driven to this state because the Third Hokage's ideals were far too naïve."
The Third remained silent, eyes closed.
Danzō pressed on. "Though this latest negotiation succeeded thanks to Minato Namikaze's intelligence gathering, what Konoha needs now is a Hokage who can lead true reform. A Hokage who will uphold the shinobi code without compromise."
"Oh?" the daimyō replied softly, fanning himself. "And do you have someone in mind?"
After a pause, Danzō declared firmly:
"I nominate one of the Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru."
At once, murmurs swept through the daimyō's officials. Orochimaru's reputation was infamous even beyond shinobi circles. Tales of his brilliance on the battlefield were matched only by the darker whispers—that he had abducted civilians and ninja alike for grotesque experiments.
Everyone had heard the name.
"And what does the Third Hokage think?" the daimyō asked at last, turning to Hiruzen. Truthfully, the daimyō cared little who wore the title of Hokage.
Only then did Hiruzen open his eyes. He pondered in silence before speaking slowly.
"It is true—during the years of war, Orochimaru was a genius without equal."
At this, the corners of Danzō's lips twitched into a smile. But it froze as Hiruzen continued:
"Yet… in his eyes I see malice and unchecked ambition. I cannot entrust the Hokage's mantle to a man such as him."
"Third Hokage!" Danzō snapped, his composure breaking. He had not expected this reversal. Yes, the votes had been leaning away from Orochimaru, but such things could be… adjusted.
Had not the Second Hokage simply appointed his successor outright, bypassing both elections and the daimyō? Strong villages could always bend the rules. With subtle manipulation, they could still ensure Orochimaru's victory.
But Hiruzen's change of heart shattered that path completely. His declaration shocked not only Danzō, but also the officials in the chamber.
Ignoring Danzō's fury, Hiruzen turned to the daimyō and spoke clearly:
"I recommend Minato Namikaze."
"Jiraiya's student?" Utatane Koharu tilted her head. "In other words, your grand-student."
"The one they call the Yellow Flash," Mitokado Homura added, picking up Hiruzen's intent and lending his support.
The daimyō perked up, intrigued, though he knew little of this Namikaze Minato. Still, the discord among Konoha's elders amused him—and he noticed at once the dark scowl twisting Danzō's face. Clearly, there were deeper interests at play.
"Minato is far too young!" Danzō growled, standing abruptly, teeth clenched in rage. His sudden outburst even startled the daimyō.
But Hiruzen stood as well, his voice resolute:
"He is the one who led us to victory at the Battle of Kannabi Bridge. He is the reason the Third Great Ninja War came to an end. Without his negotiations with Iwagakure, there would have been no swift peace, and Konoha's interests would have suffered greatly."
"I object!" Danzō roared, glaring into Hiruzen's eyes, desperate to glean hesitation.
But all he found there was certainty. Conviction. Resolve.
As one by one the others nodded in agreement, Danzō realized the truth. He had lost—utterly and completely.
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Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Minato Namikaze stood upon a balcony, watching as snowflakes drifted softly from the sky. His heart was unsteady.
Two days remained before the results would be announced, yet ever since the Third had departed for the capital, Minato had found no peace of mind.
Normally, he was a man who sought quiet moments with a book, not one to linger outside staring at snowfall.
"Minato, why aren't you sleeping yet?"
The voice broke his thoughts. He turned, smiling gently at the red-haired woman approaching him—his wife, Kushina Uzumaki.
"Ah, just… thinking. I'll come back to bed soon." His smile was warm, his tone light—so much so that one would never guess at the turmoil within.
"You'll catch cold, standing out here in this snow," Kushina scolded, brushing flecks of white from his cloak. She looked at him closely, then sighed. "I don't know what's going through that head of yours, but this isn't like you. You're distant. Preoccupied."
"Sorry," Minato chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head. He truly wasn't good at feigning ease.
But how could he not think about it? For every shinobi in Konoha, the Hokage's seat was never far from their thoughts.
Although he knew it was still early—since even after the announcement, the new Hokage wouldn't officially take office until next spring—he still couldn't calm the restless surge in his heart.
He also understood better than anyone how much influence Uchiha Kei and Uchiha Fugaku had stirred up in recent months.
But at this point, it was nearly impossible for him to suppress his own anticipation.
"Alright, now you owe me an apology."
Kushina tugged lightly at Minato's collar, speaking with a touch of dissatisfaction.
"If you really want to apologize, it shouldn't be for this!" she continued, her expression softening but voice still firm. "Kakashi is your only student now, and yet you let him join the Anbu. It's gotten to the point where even seeing him is difficult."
"That…" Minato's face grew even more awkward. "You know, Kakashi, he…"
"I know what you mean, Minato," Kushina shook her head. "Kakashi has been through far too much—things no child his age should ever have to endure. But I believe what he needs most is guidance, not to be sent into the Anbu."
Minato could only sigh helplessly. He wasn't sure how to explain this properly.
Kakashi did indeed need guidance, and Uchiha Kei had already made the effort to provide it. Minato himself had tried as well, but the results had been… underwhelming. That was why, in the end, he accepted Kei's suggestion.
Looking back now, he began to see Kei's intentions more clearly. If Minato was to become Hokage, then naturally, he would need loyal people within the Anbu. Kakashi, talented as he was, would not only have the chance to heal and recover, but would also serve as a hidden asset in the event Minato truly succeeded.
Sometimes, Minato wondered—how could someone Kei's age think with such foresight?
And Fugaku, his wife's close friend's husband, what kind of judgment did he make that allowed him to trust Kei and cooperate with him so closely?
Shaking his head at the thought, Minato decided it was pointless to dwell on what he couldn't fully grasp.
Instead, he gently wrapped his arm around Kushina, lifting his gaze to the full moon above and the snowflakes drifting quietly down. In that moment, Minato felt the scene was breathtakingly beautiful.
But beauty like this was fleeting. The better tomorrow they longed for would have to be built with their own hands.
His heart gradually steadied, perhaps calmed by the scenery—or perhaps by the simple fact that the woman he loved most stood at his side.
In the end, it didn't matter.
Just two more days. In two days' time, everything would finally settle—whether his cooperation with Uchiha Kei and Fugaku would deepen, or whether it would end right then and there.
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