In the following days, Minato left Konoha and embarked on the journey toward the Land of Fire's Daimyō Estate.
This was a mandatory procedure for the succession of the Hokage; he had to receive the approval of the Land of Fire's Daimyō.
Of course, this was merely a formality, because the Daimyō could not possibly disagree. As long as the Daimyō was not foolish, he knew that the Hokage, given his strength, was simply seeking formal recognition.
The power the Daimyō could muster was completely incomparable to that of a Great Ninja Village like Konoha. If he refused, it was possible that someone else might replace him as Daimyō.
Naturally, given Minato's personality, he would not do this, but that did not mean the Daimyō would not consider the possibility.
Takuno also knew about Minato's schedule and simply shook his head at the situation.
One could say that this very mandatory procedure for Hokage succession was what truly blocked Danzo's ambition to become Hokage in the original work.
If the Hokage could smoothly hand over the position simply by announcing who the next Hokage would be, then Danzo in the original work would have long ago used Shisui's Sharingan to cast Kotoamatsukami, controlling the Third Hokage into handing the position over to him.
And it was precisely this procedure that prolonged the time required for the Hokage handover.
Danzo's Sharingan's Kotoamatsukami was not that powerful; although it could affect someone without direct eye contact, it could be detected by the Byakugan, and most importantly, even if it wasn't detected, its duration was not long enough.
For example, if Danzo used Kotoamatsukami to control the Third Hokage into giving him the position, the Third Hokage would have already broken free from Kotoamatsukami's duration before Danzō even arrived at the Daimyō Estate to gain recognition.
And then what would the Third Hokage think?
Oh dear, not only would the Hokage succession procedure be immediately interrupted, but the fact that Danzo stole Shisui's Sharingan would also be directly exposed.
Perhaps Danzo would not die due to their relationship, but would the Third Hokage allow Shisui's eye to remain in his possession? Even if the Third Hokage were an idiot, he would know what choice to make.
Therefore, this procedure was truly Danzo's lifelong nemesis!
He even felt that this process was specifically set up to obstruct Danzo... Time quickly passed, and soon it was the day Minato officially succeeded as the Fourth Hokage.
It must be said that the Flying Thunder God Technique was convenient. He had to walk there because there were no seals, but he saved a lot of time by using the Flying Thunder God Technique directly to return.
He had already received the formal appointment from the Daimyō, and now the Third Hokage was standing on top of the Hokage Building, looking down at the ninja and civilians below, all familiar faces.
Following this, he began his speech, first explaining how his inadequacy had caused Konoha great losses during the war, and how he was unworthy of the title of Hokage, continually giving an emotional speech about past events.
Faced with the Third Hokage's self-reproach, it was naturally impossible for anyone to actually criticize him or make things difficult for him.
Many people couldn't help but shed tears on the spot while listening to the Third Hokage's speech.
Takuno looked at the Third Hokage above and sighed in admiration of his approachability.
Although, among all the Hokage, he was indeed not very powerful and even had many flaws.
However, after urgently receiving the title of Hokage from the Second Hokage, he did indeed lead Konoha through that period, trained the Sannin, and raised Konoha's Golden Generation.
Takuno held no ill will toward the Third Hokage; after all, he was always quite generous when giving him mission rewards.
Moreover, the Third Hokage's lack of energy made it easier to conceal the things Takuno did. In short, his tenure was absolutely beneficial to him!
The conspiracy theories of his previous life had some effect on him then, but in this life, he naturally didn't care about them. It was enough that the Third Hokage's existence was beneficial to him; whether or not any other conspiracy theories were true was irrelevant.
"Lord Third, you have already exhausted your heart and strength for the village," Minato couldn't help but say at this moment.
The Third Hokage chuckled and did not answer Minato, but instead changed the topic and began introducing Minato's achievements on the battlefield.
Immediately, the ninja below became alert.
Especially when the Third Hokage mentioned the shared understanding among the other Four Great Ninja Villages that any ninja encountering Minato could abandon their mission and flee immediately, such an outrageous privilege.
Everyone below cheered, feeling proud that their village had produced such a powerful ninja.
Finally, the Third Hokage announced loudly.
"Starting today, Minato will replace me and become the Fourth Hokage of Konoha!!"
As the Third Hokage's words fell, an even greater cheer erupted once more, echoing throughout all of Konoha.
Minato looked at everyone cheering below, feeling a deep sense of responsibility settle upon his shoulders at that moment.
He stepped forward and began his pledge as the Hokage.
"I will definitely inherit the will of the Third Hokage and lead Konoha toward a more glorious future!"
At this moment, the crowd was in an uproar!
Takuno was also applauding; he was indifferent to Minato becoming the Fourth Hokage.
But some people didn't see it that way.
In a corner, Orochimaru leaned against the wall, his upper body cast in the shadow of the structure. He watched the lively scene, listening to the Third Hokage's announcement. Even though he already knew the outcome, his eyes couldn't help but grow colder at that moment.
Since there was no longer any hope for the Hokage position, it was time for him to focus more on the research of Ninjutsu.
He looked at Minato atop the Hokage Building. Life was very short; perhaps he would still be around to witness his death.
To this end, he needed to research methods for longevity and learn all the Ninjutsu in this world to grasp the truth of existence!
After a sneer, Orochimaru departed, his figure slowly merging into the shadows.
On the other side, Danzo watched the scene, the hand gripping his cane threatening to crush it completely.
He stared coldly at Minato's figure. If it had been the Third Hokage, he labored day and night, and even if they let him continue, he probably wouldn't have lived much longer.
But what about Minato? At most, he was only in his twenties. How long could he serve as Hokage? Even Danzo, relying on the Hashirama cells to sustain him, probably wouldn't live as long as Minato!
He had made so many efforts for this position: colluding with Hanzō, spreading rumors about Orochimaru's experiments, and simultaneously building momentum for himself.
Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had directly overlooked him, overlooked Orochimaru, and handed the Hokage position to Jiraiya's student, such a young whippersnapper!
How despicable!
He stared at Minato, his mind churning with unknown thoughts, before finally snorting in anger and leaving.
The departure of the two did not cause any stir; the scene remained bustling, and most of the commercial streets temporarily lowered prices to celebrate Minato's succession.
On this day, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped down, and Minato became the Fourth Hokage!