"Oh, right."
Jiraiya, as if remembering something, spoke to the distressed Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Don't blame Tsunade. I convinced her to support Hyūga Kawa along with me."
"Don't be so self-important," Tsunade sneered, crossing her arms and refusing to take the credit. "Do you think I'm helping you?"
"I'm supporting that kid because I also believe that, based on his strength, prestige, and contributions to the village, he is the most suitable candidate right now."
"In extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary measures. Being constrained by seniority and old rules will only cause us to miss opportunities."
Tsunade's stance was not surprising.
Just as she was the earliest advocate for assigning medical ninjas to every squad during the Second Great Shinobi War, it proved she was not a rigid, conventional person.
However, that proposal was vetoed by Hiruzen Sarutobi at the time due to a lack of personnel and technology. Even though it was trialed later during the Third Great Shinobi War, it had always bothered her.
In Tsunade's view, the more critical the moment, the more the village needed a leader who dared to break convention and pursue progress.
And Hyūga Kawa, who, despite being from the Hyūga clan, chose to combine Wind Release and Lightning Release ninjutsu instead of sticking to the Gentle Fist and Byakugan, was undoubtedly the candidate most aligned with her philosophy.
Shikaku Nara watched this dramatic scene, and his tightly furrowed brow suddenly relaxed.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio, without uttering a single word, reached a tacit understanding in an instant through rapidly exchanged glances.
Just then, seemingly to break the deadlock or to state his position:
"The Anbu supports Jiraiya-sama as the successor to the Hokage," the silent Anbu Commander spoke in a husky voice.
However, his statement not only failed to achieve its intended effect but acted like a key, unlocking the discussion for those who had been holding back.
Almost the instant the Anbu Commander's voice fell, Shisui Uchiha immediately declared: "The Uchiha Clan supports Hyūga Kawa as the successor to the Fifth Hokage."
Because of the previous coup attempt and Itachi Uchiha's defection, the trust of the Konoha high-level officials in the Uchiha had long been depleted.
Shisui's move was undoubtedly a gamble, betting that Hyūga Kawa, once in power, would change the village's cautious attitude towards the Uchiha Clan.
Three votes to three votes!
The situation instantly became a deadlock.
Yet, for Hiruzen Sarutobi, this meeting, which he had thought he controlled, was rapidly deteriorating and collapsing like a flood.
After a brief silence, as if an invisible signal had been received, declarations began to come thick and fast.
"The Aburame Clan supports Clan Head Hyūga Kawa," Shibi Aburame's statement was concise.
Immediately afterward, several departmental heads who had remained silent, such as the Logistics Head, also spoke up, choosing to support either Jiraiya or Hyūga Kawa.
Those supporting Hyūga Kawa were not necessarily siding with him, but were making a "pragmatic" choice after realizing the direction the wind was blowing.
After all, even the highly respected Jiraiya, personally nominated by Hiruzen Sarutobi, clearly supported Hyūga Kawa. What else could they do?
Moreover, a candidate has the right to accept or refuse a nomination, though it is rare for anyone to actually do so.
Most crucially, Shikaku Nara, the Fire Shadow faction's strategist and the Jōnin Commander, had yet to voice his support for Jiraiya.
His silence, in itself, was an extremely powerful signal.
If even he chose to acquiesce or wait and see, what reason did others have to stubbornly uphold Hiruzen Sarutobi's already shaky position?
Of course, there were still quite a few people who supported Jiraiya. However, their votes were mostly out of respect for Hiruzen Sarutobi, intending to save his face and prevent the situation from becoming too ugly.
Other clans and departments with less influence opted for a more "safe" stance, helping neither side and instead supporting Kakashi Hatake or Tsunade.
Even the Shimura Clan, due to obvious family interests, cast their vote for Danzō Shimura.
Although Danzō himself lacked a sense of belonging to the clan, his identity as Hokage's Advisor and the leader of the Root organization had already brought the Shimura Clan many hidden benefits.
If he were truly able to ascend to the Hokage position, the benefits would be immeasurable.
Soon, as those present voiced their opinions one after another, the votes for Hyūga Kawa and Jiraiya were tied once again.
The atmosphere in the conference room became strange and tense. Everyone's gaze wandered between the yet-to-vote Shikaku Nara and Danzō Shimura.
Just then, two unexpected voices rang out.
Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi, who should have moved in sync with Shikaku Nara, spoke separately.
"The Yamanaka Clan supports Jiraiya-sama."
"The Akimichi Clan supports Hyūga Kawa-dono."
This seemingly fractured statement momentarily confused everyone.
Subsequently, Shikaku Nara slowly let out a breath and said in a deep voice: "The Jōnin Corps supports Jiraiya-sama."
Jiraiya now led Hyūga Kawa by just one vote.
Danzō Shimura's eyes narrowed slightly. He instantly understood Shikaku Nara's strategy.
The separate voting of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans both saved Hiruzen Sarutobi's face and subtly hinted at a tendency to support change, giving Hiruzen Sarutobi a graceful way out.
After all, this was merely the nomination and recommendation stage, not the final decision. The matter still needed to be considered by the Fire Daimyō. There was no need to intensify the conflict now and make Hiruzen Sarutobi lose face.
They could simply send the list of candidates to the Daimyō and let the Daimyō decide the final choice. Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't be able to say much afterward.
"Hmph."
Danzō Shimura let out a sneer, feigning opposition to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "In that case, I support Hyūga Kawa."
It was a tie.
No one doubted that he genuinely supported Hyūga Kawa; they only assumed he cast his vote for Hyūga Kawa in order to spite Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I..."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, intending to immediately refuse the nomination.
He fundamentally did not want to take the restrictive Hokage position.
However, before he could speak, someone lightly tugged on his sleeve.
Jiraiya subconsciously turned to see Homura Mitokado slightly shaking his head, giving him a meaningful look.
Jiraiya followed Homura Mitokado's gaze to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was seated at the head of the table.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's normally straight back now seemed somewhat hunched. He leaned deeply against the back of his chair, his face's deep wrinkles filled with unconcealed exhaustion, his eyes slightly closed.
Seeing his teacher in such a state, Jiraiya swallowed the words on his lips. He closed his mouth, pursed his lips, and let out a sigh so soft it was barely audible, offering no further objection.
He understood that refusing in public at this moment would only make the situation more awkward.
However, whether Jiraiya refused the nomination or not was essentially irrelevant now.
Kazuma, the Daimyō's envoy, was seated right beside them.
All the candidates nominated at this meeting—Hyūga Kawa, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi Hatake, and even Danzō Shimura—as well as the detailed records of the entire meeting process...
All would be presented by Kazuma, without alteration, to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
As long as the Daimyō was of sound mind, upon realizing Jiraiya's unwillingness to serve as Hokage, he would naturally choose to appoint Hyūga Kawa as the Fifth Hokage.
To others, it seemed that, having reached this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi should have conceded.
After all, face had been saved, and a graceful exit had been provided.
To continue making trouble with the vague reason of "lack of experience" would truly become unseemly.
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
I only share the most exquisite and beautiful novels. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon DaoistWujinzi