Ten days later, the area in front of the Hokage Building was packed with people. Ninjas and civilians alike filled the space, all of them wearing expressions of pure joy.
"tsk tsk tsk, becoming Hokage really puts you in the spotlight, huh, Minato."
"Who says it doesn't? Konoha's Yellow Flash becoming the Fourth Hokage-sama—tsk tsk. Minato, don't forget your old friends when you're basking in glory."
As Namikaze Minato's sworn brother, best friend, and rival, Gekko Chizan and Uchiha Fugaku stood at his left and right, roasting him nonstop.
Behind them, the three women were chatting happily, laughing from time to time while glancing over at the three men.
"Aiya, can you two stop teasing me already?"
"Chizan, your achievements are greater than mine. And Fugaku, you're the clan head of the Uchiha. Either of you could have become Hokage."
Minato said this sincerely. But there was one thing he didn't say—he also wanted to become Hokage.
After all, when he first entered the Ninja Academy years ago, that blond kid boldly declared that he would become Hokage.
"Cut it out. Compared to you, I'm a ghost, you're the Flash—what kind of ghost becomes Hokage?"
"Hm?"
After roasting himself, Gekko Chizan shifted his gaze to Uchiha Fugaku beside him, and under his stare began mocking the Uchiha clan head.
Feeling Chizan's gaze, a wave of unease rose in Fugaku's chest. He knew this bastard definitely wasn't about to say anything pleasant.
"Look at Fugaku over here. Yes, yes, the great Uchiha clan head, so impressive."
"And the result? Ever since he had a son, he turned into a total son-slave. If he's not circling around his kid, he's staring at him while smiling like an idiot."
"Ai, one sentence sums it up: ever since he had a son, this guy—utterly ruined!"
Fugaku's face darkened after hearing that, an aura of irritation emanating from him.
Seeing this, Gekko Chizan burst into laughter and quickly waved his hands.
"Relax, relax. Today is Minato's big day. Don't start anything."
Fugaku snorted coldly, forcefully suppressing the urge to attack. Chizan was right—today was the Hokage succession ceremony. This was not the time for roughhousing.
But even if he couldn't strike, he could still fight back with words.
"Damn you, Chizan. Don't think I don't know how much you enjoy messing with me. Just wait—when Itachi grows up, let's see if I don't chase you down with a blade."
"And when I chase you, my son will chase you too!"
"Today, for Minato's sake, I'll let it slide."
Minato laughed and patted both of them on the shoulders. As the mediator, it was his turn to step in.
"Alright, alright, we're all friends. Stop fighting the moment you see each other."
The three continued bickering playfully—in truth, only Gekko Chizan was actually enjoying himself.
At that moment, a voice came from atop the Hokage Building:
"Minato, it's time to head inside for the ceremony."
Minato answered, and his playful expression vanished as he became completely serious.
Gekko Chizan also quieted down, giving him a thumbs-up in encouragement.
Fugaku folded his arms and nodded solemnly at Minato.
Feeling their different kinds of encouragement, Minato smiled slightly—and vanished using Flying Thunder God.
"Ara ara, we'd better hurry and find a good viewing spot."
"Fugaku, how about it? Want to come with me? I'll take you to the best spot."
Chizan didn't care at all about Fugaku's threats and casually wrapped an arm around his neck while giving suggestions.
Fugaku originally had no interest, but after glancing back at his wife and son, he still nodded.
He himself could skip watching, but Uchiha Mikoto and young Uchiha Itachi should see this. Events like this were rare in Konoha.
"If we're going, then move. Bring Mikoto and Itachi."
Chizan shot him a white-eyed look. Not a word of what Fugaku said was wrong—ever since he married, the guy truly had become a model family man.
Heart full of wife and child—nothing else.
"Tch, I know, I know. You man whose eyes only hold wife and kid."
"Alright everyone, let me take you to the best viewing spot."
Gekko Chizan stepped aside, brought his hands together in a seal, then slammed them onto the ground.
"Crystal Release — Aerial Pavilion!"
The pose looked exactly like: hands together, shout a technique, and boom it appears—very much giving off Senju Hashirama vibes.
Next, under everyone's gaze, transparent crystal rapidly formed.
Crackling sounds echoed, and soon a massive platform appeared before them. Don't ask why it was transparent yet still visible.
Maybe chakra has color. Who knows.
Besides the platform, the crystal formed two giant dragons that lifted the structure up.
Finishing everything, Chizan dusted his hands off proudly and grinned.
"Everyone, please. It may be transparent, but the quality is absolutely top-notch."
With that, he was the first to step onto it. And indeed, the platform he created was pretty impressive.
There were even five seats on it.
A flash of amazement passed through Uchiha Fugaku's eyes. News about Gekko Chizan possessing a second kekkei genkai had already spread through Konoha.
This raised people's perception of Chizan yet another level.
Self-developed kekkei genkai—such talent was terrifying.
"Chizan, your Crystal Release is pretty good. But why is the crystal transparent?"
"Can't you make it pink or red?"
Kushina stepped onto the platform, pressing down with her foot, then asked curiously.
Chizan ignored her. His Crystal Release was transparent—so what?
Didn't she know the less you can see, the more versatile it is?
The five adults and one child floated into the air above the Hokage Building.
Their sudden appearance triggered waves of shocked exclamations from below.
"Heavens! Look up—someone's flying!"
"Flying? That's Gekko Chizan! I heard he created a completely new kekkei genkai. That must be Crystal Release."
"Right! It was with this ability that he fought Salamander Hanzō to a draw!"
The exclamations continued, drawing everyone's attention skyward. Even many of the village's elite jonin couldn't help looking up.
...
"This kid really can't stay still for even a moment."
"Hahaha, who could disagree?"
On top of the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two advisors also saw the airborne group, but said nothing.
Because the Hokage succession ceremony was about to begin.
Namikaze Minato already stood before them.