The current situation had even put Hiruzen Sarutobi in a difficult position; let alone Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Hiruzen cast a serious glance at Chinya.
Chinya was no longer someone they could manipulate as they pleased. Fully matured, he had already flown beyond their control entirely. Their previous criticisms and confrontations against him could no longer be ignored.
Hiruzen glanced at Danzo beside him.
Danzo met Hiruzen's gaze.
His hands clenched tightly into fists, his expression gradually darkening with resentment.
That look from Hiruzen carried an unmistakable message.
This was his doing, and now he must be the one to resolve it.
Yet to calm the current situation, he would need to accept Chinya's conditions.
There was absolutely no chance of disbanding Root Division, but what about the Hokage Advisor position...
Would sacrificing this seat just to spite Chinya really be worth it?
The title of Advisor mattered little—he drew true power from Root itself. Even without the official title, he could still exercise its authority.
Besides, with Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura around, he could reclaim the Hokage Advisor role anytime he wanted.
Still, Danzo felt bitter inside—why should he alone bear all the consequences!
But under these circumstances, whether he liked it or not, he had no choice but to accept.
After taking a deep breath, Danzo announced, "Regarding Chinya, my suspicions were based on nothing more than conjecture—I admit today's actions were unprofessional. I've held the position of Hokage Advisor long enough. Today, I hereby announce my resignation, stepping down willingly to make way for younger, talented individuals."
Hiruzen immediately chimed in, "Since Danzo has chosen to step down voluntarily from the role of Hokage Advisor, generously offering it to promising youth, there couldn't be a better solution. With that settled, let us now refocus this meeting on discussing potential successors for the Hokage position!"
Danzo, Koharu, and Homura returned to their seats.
Hiruzen, however, remained standing, looking instead at Chinya, who was still on his feet.
Chinya gave a faint smirk and said, "If the Third says we should move past this, then naturally I have no objections. After all, I'm just an ordinary ninja in Konoha whose voice carries little weight."
Chinya sat back down at his seat.
Hiruzen gave Chinya a profound stare before also returning to his seat.
The clan leaders present simultaneously exhaled in relief.
Just moments ago, seeing Chinya face off so aggressively, they'd nearly expected him to start a fight.
When they heard Chinya describe himself as having "little influence," they each exchanged skeptical glances.
This is someone with "little influence"?
Someone who dares directly challenge Konoha's top leadership—and forces Danzo, the Hokage's own advisor, to concede and resign from his post?
Everyone in attendance knew clearly—the real reason Chinya dared act so boldly came down to one thing: his strength.
In the shinobi world, survival followed one rule: might makes right.
Otherwise, if Chinya possessed reputation without power, would he dare openly defy the Elders like that? Would Danzo really back down?
Hiruzen turned his gaze toward Shikaku Nara.
Shikaku immediately caught on. This was his cue to bring up the next topic.
Shikaku suggested, "How about entrusting it to a ninja from the generation after Minato?"
Actually, Shikaku had originally pegged Chinya as the best choice.
After all, right now in Konoha, no one fit the Hokage role better than Chinya.
But after what just happened, Chinya was no longer an option. Neither Hiruzen Sarutobi nor the others would ever pick him as the Fifth Hokage now.
The same went for Orochimaru.
What's more... Shikaku also figured out the true motive behind Hiruzen Sarutobi's summoning this meeting.
The generation following Namikaze Minato referred to Kakashi's generation of ninjas. Among this group, no one yet had the qualifications to become the Fifth Hokage.
They were simply too young, lacking in both experience and seniority.
As expected, Koharu Utatane spoke up right away, "Although a few of them are excellent Jonin, there's no denying they lack the experience needed to lead everyone."
Shikaku immediately asked, "Then who else is there?"
Danzo's eyes lit up with sudden inspiration—wasn't this a golden opportunity?
He had just stepped down as the Hokage's advisor; obviously, he should inherit the position next.
His case for succession was that he was deeply familiar with everything related to the Hokage role and could step in effortlessly.
Still, Danzo felt uneasy—if Chinya used what just happened to pressure him later, it could be troublesome.
Danzo hadn't known beforehand what kind of meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi was holding today. Thus, upon first hearing they were choosing the Fifth Hokage, he immediately confronted Chinya head-on.
Because Danzo clearly understood that among everyone present, Chinya was the only truly qualified candidate in terms of both seniority and strength—no one else came close.
Even Orochimaru couldn't compare with Chinya now.
If he had known earlier that Shikaku would make such a suggestion, Danzo wouldn't have gone after Chinya at all.
Now Danzo felt like he'd lifted a rock only to drop it right on his own foot.
However, Danzo wouldn't need to wrestle with this for long.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up once again to volunteer himself, saying, "Under these dire circumstances, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am willing to take on this responsibility."
Homura Mitokado immediately chimed in enthusiastically, "You're willing to come out of retirement!"
Koharu Utatane also joined in, "Since you're willing to accept..."
Danzo stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in disbelief—he finally got it. Again, it was Hiruzen Sarutobi ganging up with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado—and once more, leaving him out completely!
This whole meeting was nothing but a formality for Hiruzen Sarutobi to retake the Hokage seat.
So then, what was the point of him going after Chinya earlier just to stop him from becoming the Fifth Hokage?
Was he just an idiot?
Every time, they shut him out—why?!
Suppressing his anger, Danzo cut off Koharu Utatane mid-sentence and challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi, "You once gave up the Hokage title—can you really handle it this time?"
Danzo locked eyes with Hiruzen Sarutobi, his gaze piercing, and pressed on, "To be honest, even though you arrived at the Nine-Tails' attack site, you were stuck behind a barrier the entire time—you didn't actually do anything!"
Homura Mitokado snapped back angrily, "Danzo, you've crossed the line! Back then, Sarutobi was powerless just like everyone else."
Koharu Utatane questioned, "Where were you then, Danzo...?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen snapped lightly, "Koharu!"
He'd just managed to brush the issue aside when Koharu brought it up again. Wasn't she just making things harder for him?
He wished he had told Koharu and Homura about the Uchiha Clan matter before coming here.
Hiruzen subtly glanced toward Chinya and saw that he wore a mocking smile, watching them as if they were absurd performers.
Hiruzen's displeasure toward Chinya deepened further in his heart.
After giving a light chuckle, Hiruzen said, "I guess I was just an old man punching above my weight. Until the next Hokage comes of age, consider me merely a temporary placeholder. This should be acceptable enough, right?"
Danzo shot a resentful glare at Hiruzen, clenching his teeth so hard they might crack.
He got absolutely nothing out of this—and even lost his position as Advisor to the Hokage.
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