Following Danzo were the two Hokage advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and Seiki.
Though Minato and the others found it a bit odd that Seiki was with Danzo, they didn't dwell on it.
"Danzo, enough already. Don't push too far!" Hiruzen said solemnly, looking at Danzo.
"Hiruzen, what are you talking about? I don't understand," Danzo replied with a smile, sitting down across from Hiruzen.
"Don't tell me those rumors outside weren't spread by you?" Hiruzen said, restraining his anger.
"Rumors?" Danzo looked confused, then pretended to suddenly understand. "Oh, you're talking about the Hokage-sama fleeing the battlefield last night?"
"Minato was fighting the mastermind controlling the Nine-Tails last night!" Hiruzen defended.
"Did anyone witness that?" Danzo tapped the table. "Without evidence, I could just as easily claim I was fighting the Sage of Six Paths last night!"
"You..."
"Hiruzen-sama, there's no need to say more," Minato shook his head slightly, then looked at Danzo. "Elder Danzo obviously thinks I'm no longer qualified to be Hokage. Fine then, I'll just step down from this position!"
Danzo raised an eyebrow. "That was quick of you."
Minato gave a faint smile. "Perhaps I was never truly meant to be Hokage in the first place."
"Then let's discuss the matter of selecting a new Hokage right here," Danzo suggested. "If we start arguing in front of the Daimyo, it might leave a bad impression on the Fire Daimyo's court."
"A bad impression?" Hiruzen's gaze turned odd. He knew the Daimyo privately called Danzo the fierce-eyed man.
"In that case, I'll propose Seiki," Minato said with a smile. "In terms of strength, reputation, and contributions, Seiki is the undisputed best choice!"
Hiruzen nodded. "I agree with Minato's suggestion."
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances before announcing their decision. "We support Danzo. He has foresight, capability, and can foresee dangers in advance, strictly monitoring dangerous factors within the village. He is the very man worthy of becoming Hokage!"
Seeing Mitokado and Koharu's stance, Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
If it had been between him and Danzo, they would most likely have supported him.
But if it was between Danzo and someone else, they would support Danzo instead.
He knew they simply believed an older person was more reliable.
"They still don't fully trust the younger generation's abilities," Hiruzen thought inwardly. "Well, if it's a tie at three to three, then perhaps we can bring in others..."
However, just then, Seiki suddenly said, "I also support Elder Danzo."
"What?" Both Homura and Minato couldn't believe what they had just heard. For a moment, they even questioned their own ears. "Seiki, how could you?"
If they hadn't known for sure that Danzo was no match for Seiki, they might have suspected this Seiki had been kidnapped.
"Thank you both for your generous support, Homura-sama and Hokage-sama. Unfortunately, I lack the experience and sufficient ability. I'm not ready to take on such a heavy burden. Elder Danzo, however, should be a more suitable candidate than me!"
"Haha, looks like the result is already clear!"
Danzo laughed loudly as he stood up and walked out, "You all seem to have a lot more to talk about. I won't disturb you then."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, as if they had expected this result all along, quietly followed him out without a word.
Once only the three of them remained in the meeting room, the Third finally couldn't help but ask, "Seiki, why?"
Seiki sighed, "Third Lord, you must already know what the village is saying about Minato Aniki, right?"
"I certainly know..." The Third began, then his expression slightly changed, "Could it be...you've agreed to step down as Hokage in exchange for Danzo no longer targeting Minato?"
"That was only part of the agreement."
"Seiki, you..." Minato felt touched yet couldn't help sighing, "You fool! I don't care about any of those rumors at all. If you're worried I'll end up like the late White Fang, that's unnecessary too!"
Looking at him with sincerity in his eyes, Seiki said, "I know you don't care, Minato Aniki, but what about Sister Kushina and young Naruto? Do you want them to grow up in an environment filled with hatred and prejudice?"
Minato shuddered, "What do they have to do with this?"
"Sister Kushina is the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, and Naruto was the reason for the temporary release. If you could be accused of deserting the battlefield in the middle of battle, then they could easily be blamed as the root of all disasters!"
"If Danzo tries that, I'll take him down myself..." For the rare time, a trace of killing intent appeared on Minato's gentle face.
"There are not a few people supporting Danzo," Seiki's eyes filled with concern, "If it really comes to that, Konoha might even tear itself apart!"
Minato fell silent. Without mentioning anything else, those two Hokage advisors definitely wouldn't agree, and perhaps even those who originally opposed Danzo would change their stance.
"So, Seiki, you've chosen to sacrifice yourself?"
"Don't blame yourself, Minato Aniki," Seiki smiled. "Besides you guys, this decision also partly concerns the Uchiha clan."
"The Uchiha clan?"
"Holding Danzo back from targeting the Uchiha clan entirely might be difficult, but if it's simply about not making an issue out of this particular incident, he readily agreed."
Seiki continued, "I know there were definitely Uchiha clan members secretly manipulating things behind this incident, but to push the entire Uchiha clan to Konoha's opposition because of that would be too rash!"
The Third sighed, "Indeed, it's fortunate for the Uchiha clan to have a friend like you!"
"I wouldn't go that far," Seiki let out a complex sigh. "I just feel that certain village policies are pushing the Uchiha clan toward opposition, and that's already somewhat unfair to them. That's why I want to try my best to make a difference."
The Third didn't comment further, after all, those policies were closely related to what his mentor had established.
"In any case, for the stability and harmony of the village, it's best for me to leave for a while."
"Leave?" The Third suddenly lifted his head, "Seiki, you're leaving Konoha?"
Seiki smiled, "You don't think Danzo would feel at ease letting me, the person most likely to become Hokage, remain in the village, right?"
The Third angrily slammed his hand on the table, "That damn Danzo!"
"Speaking of that, Seiki cast an apologetic look to the side, then said, "Minato my Aniki, you're included too. Danzo won't allow you, the former Hokage, to remain in Konoha any longer."
Minato, though somewhat reluctant to part with Kushina and Naruto, didn't refuse. "Seiki, you've gone this far for me. My small sacrifice is nothing in comparison."
"Also, considering my current reputation, temporarily staying away from the Uzumaki might actually provide Naruto with a more normal environment to grow up in."
"Later on, Danzo will announce publicly that we've embarked on a classified mission. If you miss Kushina and young Naruto, Aniki, you could return once a month."
"Come back once a month?" Minato's eyes lit up. "That's enough. More than enough!"
After a deep breath, Seiki continued, "As for this so-called classified mission, it's actually another major reason I agreed to step away from Konoha temporarily!"
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