It's not easy for a teenager to be taken seriously.
For example, Naruto's firm attitude before leaving the Hokage's office was easily dismissed by the two advisors as simple teenage rebellion. After Naruto and Tsunade left, Koharu Utatane sighed with a hint of helplessness. "That little guy still feels like a child. How can he possibly serve as Hokage?"
"If both Tsunade and Jiraiya are willing to stay in the village, then letting Naruto become the Fifth Hokage seems like a good choice," Homura Mitokado said, lowering his head to take a sip of tea.
Tsunade and Jiraiya had been traveling for a long time. If Naruto's appointment could bring two Kage-level ninja back to the village for good, it seemed like an acceptable trade-off.
"For now, this is all we can do..." Koharu sighed again. She glanced at the Hokage Guard Platoon and frowned. "What a hassle... You there, go find a way to tell everyone in the village the following things..."
"Yes!"
"First, the Sannin Tsunade and Jiraiya have both returned to the village."
"Second, Naruto Uzumaki is the son of the Fourth Hokage and the student of Jiraiya, one of the Sannin. The Third Hokage himself once said that Naruto is a ninja who can take on great responsibility and one day become Hokage."
"Third, the villagers are no longer forbidden from mentioning Naruto and the Nine-Tails. The truth of the Nine-Tails' rampage twelve years ago will be made public: to protect the village, the Fourth Hokage sealed the demon into his own newborn son."
"Fourth, once the villagers have accepted this, post the announcement of Naruto Uzumaki's succession as the Fifth Hokage."
After being practically strong-armed by Tsunade and Jiraiya, Koharu and Homura fell back on their usual habit of compromising. They were never strong-willed figures to begin with.
Aoba Yamashiro and the other members of the Hokage Guard Platoon listened as Koharu laid out the orders. Every single point was designed to pave the way for Naruto to become the Fifth Hokage.
Is that boy, still a Genin, really going to become Hokage?
As Homura listened, he gave Koharu a surprised look. "Wait, did Hiruzen ever say Naruto could become Hokage? I don't remember that..."
"Hiruzen has passed away. Who can verify if he said it or not?" Koharu glanced at Homura and continued nonchalantly. "Besides, he did once say that every child in the village has the potential to become Hokage."
Homura Mitokado was silent.
-----
Outside the Hokage's office, the group ran into a father and son: Shikaku and Shikamaru Nara.
Compared to other ninja who were still mourning the tragedy of the Chunin Exams, the Nara family was different. People with high IQs tend to be very rational.
Shikaku had come to submit his son's application for promotion to Chunin. When he saw Tsunade, a look of joy flashed across his face before he quickly suppressed it. "Lady Tsunade, long time no see," he said respectfully.
In that brief moment, just by seeing the legendary kunoichi at the Hokage's office, Shikaku deduced that she was almost certainly going to be the next Hokage.
"Shikaku. Are you here on business?"
"Yes, I'm here to submit Shikamaru's application for his Chunin promotion." Shikaku looked down at his somewhat lazy son and patted his own forehead helplessly.
Shikamaru tilted his head and looked at his classmate. "Hey, Naruto, what are you doing here?"
Naruto Uzumaki spread his hands, his face blank. "Something unexpected happened. I'm here to discuss becoming the Fifth Hokage."
"Huh?" After a moment of surprise, Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "You're spouting nonsense, as usual."
"It's true," Tsunade said, patting Shikamaru's head with a smirk. "Careful, little Nara. Your Chunin application might get rejected by Naruto."
Shikamaru Nara was speechless.
Shikaku's face showed some surprise. His gaze swept over Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi. "Lady Tsunade? Lord Jiraiya? Kakashi? That kind of joke is..."
"It's not a joke," Jiraiya confirmed with a nod. He looked at Shikaku and continued, "The two advisors inside will also mention the Jonin Corps' vote of confidence to you. After the Daimyo's announcement, the process for Naruto's succession can begin..."
The succession of a Hokage required the Daimyo's approval, but most importantly, it required a vote of confidence from the Jonin Corps. Only after passing that vote could one officially take office.
"How could that possibly pass..."
"Why couldn't it?" Tsunade glanced at Shikaku. "Is Naruto's strength not enough to be Hokage?"
"...I understand." Shikaku pondered for a moment and nodded.
Naruto Uzumaki's strength certainly wasn't an issue. A single person who could beat up three former Hokage—not many in Konoha could claim that. However, the fact that Tsunade only mentioned Naruto's strength meant someone would be guiding him before he took on the duties of Hokage himself.
A teenage Hokage!
The head of the Jonin Corps glanced at his son. When the two of them played shogi, Shikamaru had often mentioned Naruto Uzumaki from the academy.
It seems... not so bad?
He just wondered what his son was thinking, knowing that his Chunin application would soon be on his friend's desk.
Of course, Shikamaru felt no pressure at all. If his good friend from the ninja academy became Hokage, wouldn't that mean he could slack off even more?
Shikamaru looked at the blond boy and tilted his head. "Naruto, I'll be counting on you for my Chunin promotion..."
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
"You two brats, watch it!"
"Abusing your power before you're even in office? Isn't that a bit much?"
"Naruto, at least remember you're in front of the Hokage's office! What if the two old geezers inside hear you?"
Thwack!
Three hands landed on Naruto Uzumaki.
Shikaku put an arm around his son's neck, a playful smile on his face. "Hey, hey, Shikamaru, even if you want to use your Hokage connections to get promoted, you should consider the time and place, right?"
"I was kidding."
"Me too," Naruto said, rubbing his forehead. "Shikamaru, we still have to go to the hospital to visit Sasuke. See you later!"
"Yeah, go on..." Shikamaru watched as the group walked away, then suddenly asked, "Is Naruto really going to become Hokage?"
"Probably," Shikaku's expression grew serious for a moment before returning to its usual laid-back look. "With the support of two of the Sannin, the Jonin Corps won't have any objections."
"I kind of... don't understand their thinking."
"That's normal," Shikaku said, patting his son's head. "If even I can't figure it out with my intelligence, how could you?"
"..."
-----
Bonus:
Naruto: What are you doing at the Hokage's office?
Shikamaru: Submitting my Chunin promotion application. What about you?
Naruto: I'm here to become the Fifth Hokage!
Shikamaru: Huh?
Naruto: Oh, right, just leave your application on the desk. I'll look at it when I have time.
Shikamaru: What?
Naruto: Considering our relationship, I'll definitely promote you!
Shikamaru: You're really becoming Hokage?
Naruto: For real.
Shikamaru: Can you let me take over my dad's position and approve a fifty-year paid vacation for me?
Naruto: ...You can stay a Genin for life