Chapter 675 Mu Yue is the popular choice

“My Five Great Consecutive Shots, how could it…?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly opened his eyes, instinctively looking around vigilantly, only to realize he was at home, not in a battle with Sōsuke.

“Hmph, I even had a nightmare.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, exhaled, and then rubbed his forehead, which made him feel a little better.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the clock, and seeing that it was only a little earlier than his usual waking time, he simply got up.

After washing up and finishing breakfast, Hiruzen Sarutobi went directly to the Hokage Office to start working.

“I need to tell Muzuki about Sōsuke’s matter this afternoon,” Hiruzen Sarutobi thought after dealing with a few documents.

No matter what, Muzuki was Konoha’s Hokage Assistant.

Yesterday, when he just returned, his mood was complicated, so it was understandable that he didn’t say anything, but dragging it on would be improper; he couldn’t conceal such important information for the sake of his pride.

Knock knock.

At this moment, the door to the Hokage Office was suddenly knocked.

“Enter.”

Minato Namikaze pushed open the wooden door and entered the Hokage Office, “Sandaime-sama.”

“Ah, Minato, is there something you need?” Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, putting down his pen.

“I’m here to report on my work, regarding the recent Special Jonin certifications,” Minato Namikaze explained.

Special Jonin were a very unique group.

Konoha’s original intention for establishing this rank was to promote talented individuals who were not strong enough or were specialized and did not meet the standards of official Jonin, but possessed special abilities.

However, with development, a hidden rule was gradually added: even without special abilities, if one had enough merits and seniority, they could also be promoted to Special Jonin.

Now that the war had ended, it was natural to promote a group of meritorious veteran Chunin.

Otherwise, with Konoha Jonin’s high standards, most Ninja would have no need to strive after reaching Chunin, because they would absolutely be unable to be promoted to Jonin.

Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a listening expression.

This was no small matter; Special Jonin were still Jonin, and it was very difficult to be promoted based on merit alone.

“Mm, you’ve done very well,” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded after listening.

Unlike his teacher Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze was the Ninja Hiruzen Sarutobi considered second only to Muzuki in reliability.

Minato Namikaze smiled humbly, preparing to leave.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi remembered something and called out to Minato Namikaze.

“I see there’s a lot of discussion in the Village recently about the Fourth Hokage. Some people think the Sannin would be better to succeed, while others support young Ninja like Muzuki.

Minato, your teacher is Jiraiya, and Muzuki is also your friend. What are your thoughts on this?” Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously.

In fact, he mainly wanted to ask about his opinion of Muzuki, because Jiraiya didn’t want to be Hokage at all, but that would seem too intentional.

Minato Namikaze stopped, turned back to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi, showed a thoughtful expression, and then said:

“I think Muzuki is more suitable to become Hokage.”

Minato Namikaze understood his teacher well; Jiraiya didn’t want to be Hokage and wasn’t suitable to be Hokage. Minato Namikaze could hardly imagine Jiraiya serving as Hokage.

Tsunade suffered from hemophobia, and unless Tsunade overcame it, Minato Namikaze felt that Tsunade was not suitable to be Hokage.

The Hokage rarely fought on the front lines, but it wasn’t that they never had to. And by the time the Hokage needed to fight, their combat power would be crucial. How could someone with hemophobia fight?

As for Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze felt he was inferior to Muzuki.

Muzuki possessed Wood Release, like Senju Hashirama, which meant that although Muzuki was not from any specific clan, he was incredibly legitimate. This was one victory.

Muzuki possessed strength surpassing Orochimaru, having defeated the Fourth Kazekage extremely quickly on the battlefield. This was a second victory.

In the Third Shinobi World War, Muzuki was the Ninja with the greatest military achievements in all of Konoha. This was a third victory.

Minato Namikaze felt that if he was willing to think, he could find ten more victories for Muzuki, because Muzuki was truly too outstanding.

“It seems you have high hopes for Muzuki as Hokage, Minato,” Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, listening to Minato Namikaze earnestly list Muzuki’s advantages.

“Perhaps you two will compete in the future; some people in the Village also have high hopes for you.”

From the perspective of lineage, Minato Namikaze was directly connected to the Hokage, and if he developed for a few more years, his popularity might even surpass the Sannin.

Surpassing Muzuki was impossible. The two had many similarities, but Muzuki was so much stronger. In a situation where they were pitted against Muzuki, most people would not choose Minato Namikaze.

“Then I’d probably lose terribly,” Minato Namikaze said with a smile.

This couldn’t be blamed on others. If Muzuki became a candidate for the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze himself would want to vote for Muzuki.

If it came to a real competition, Minato Namikaze wouldn’t surrender, but with his current abilities, he indeed couldn’t compare to Muzuki. Muzuki could lead Konoha further.

Looking at the gentle Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t help but think of Danzo Shimura.

Why could Minato Namikaze say such things so calmly, while Danzo Shimura harbored such deep resentment after not becoming the Third Hokage?

Did this position only count as important if one became Hokage?

“Third Hokage-sama, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to work.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, watching Minato Namikaze leave.

Five minutes later, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe, exhaled a thick puff of smoke, and called the Anbu at the door: “Please invite the two Advisors over.”

He was indeed not suitable to continue serving as Hokage; he even had nightmares related to Sōsuke.

Compared to him, an aging wrongdoer, Konoha needed a strong, confident young Ninja more.

For the sake of the popular Muzuki, he would be self-willed one more time.

“Hiruzen, is there something…”

“I am resigning from the position of Hokage and initiating the election for the Fourth Hokage,” Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted directly.

Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu were stunned. They thought for a whole night and came up with this?

“Hiruzen, this is a serious matter…”

Homura Mitokado tried to persuade him again but was interrupted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

“Call me by my title during work,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said, tapping the table with his finger.

Homura Mitokado was a bit helpless, but this also conformed to the rules, so he couldn’t say anything and had to change his words:

“Sandaime, the war has just ended, Konoha needs you to preside over the overall situation and maintain stability. Four years, wait four years before electing a new Hokage, and I will fully support it.”

Utatane Koharu also tried to persuade him, but Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unmoved.

“I am the Hokage!” Hiruzen Sarutobi said firmly.

Homura Mitokado was speechless, realizing Hiruzen Sarutobi’s determination.

“Have you forgotten the consequences of being self-willed? You will regret this.”

Utatane Koharu made a final effort.

“I am self-willed, but Muzuki is popular,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said meaningfully.

Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado fell silent.

“For six years, within six years, I will ensure your positions are unaffected.”

In six years, they would be sixty years old, considered elderly in the Ninja profession, and should retire to give opportunities to new people.

“Let’s discuss the election matters,” Homura Mitokado said.

The three discussed until noon, and then Hiruzen Sarutobi had Anbu notify Muzuki to go to the conference room for a meeting.

He had originally intended to tell Muzuki about Sōsuke’s matter at noon, but the high-level meeting was currently more important, so Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to talk about it after the meeting.

Inside the conference room.

When all four high-ranking officials were present, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke:

“This meeting is mainly to confirm the election of the Fourth Hokage.”

As he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi specifically glanced at Muzuki.

“Electing the Fourth Hokage now?” Muzuki was a little surprised.

It wasn’t that Muzuki was conceited, but at this time, electing a Hokage could only mean that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted him to be Hokage.

Upon closer thought, Muzuki felt it was reasonable.

Due to his restraint, Konoha had not suffered any losses this time, and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s mistake was not major, at least not to the extent of having to resign from the Hokage position.

But one thing had to be considered: he had performed too well, and Hiruzen Sarutobi trusted him greatly. In this situation, it was normal for Hiruzen Sarutobi to have the idea of letting him succeed early.

“I almost made a grave mistake and am no longer suitable to continue as Hokage,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a slight sigh.

Since it was a high-level meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t say too much, only briefly explaining the motivation for re-electing the Hokage.

“Regarding the nominations for the Fourth Hokage, what are your thoughts?” Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, looking around.

He intended to pass it to Muzuki, but this process could not be him directly giving an order and then Muzuki becoming Hokage; it had to be done through an election.

Senju Tobirama could directly pass it to him because that was a very critical time of war, and special measures were taken.

Direct succession during peacetime would violate tradition; Konoha’s first Hokage was the result of a joint vote by all Konoha people.

“I think Assistant Muzuki is qualified and capable of serving as the Fourth Hokage and can be one of the nominees,” Homura Mitokado said.

What he hoped for most was still for Hiruzen Sarutobi to be Hokage, but since an election was happening, they would definitely choose the best one.

“Assistant Muzuki has repeatedly achieved great merits on the battlefield; I agree,” Utatane Koharu nodded in approval.

Muzuki sat silently without speaking. In fact, he wanted to say, “I have an opinion, I don’t agree,” but this was a nomination concerning himself, so he couldn’t express an opinion.

“Then the first nomination is confirmed as such. Are there any others?” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and continued to ask.

Since it was an election, there naturally couldn’t be only one candidate, otherwise, what would they be electing?

“I think Orochimaru also has the ability to become Hokage and can be one of the nominees for the Fourth Hokage,” Utatane Koharu suggested.

Only a few people in Konoha were qualified to be Hokage candidates. Tsunade and Jiraiya didn’t want to be Hokage, and it would look bad to force their nomination, so it could only be Orochimaru.

“Orochimaru has fought for Konoha on the battlefield for many years and has made great contributions; I agree,” Homura Mitokado acknowledged.

“With Orochimaru’s seniority and strength, he is indeed sufficient to serve as the Fourth Hokage; I agree,” Muzuki also nodded.

After all, he was his partner, so he gave him some face.

“Then the second nomination is confirmed as Orochimaru,” Hiruzen Sarutobi decided.

“I believe Minato should also be nominated. He is capable and has made many contributions to the Village,” Muzuki said after thinking.

Muzuki didn’t have many thoughts about being Hokage, but in the current situation, even if Muzuki didn’t want to be Hokage, many people would beg him to be. Even if he wanted to yield to Minato Namikaze, it might not be useful, and Minato Namikaze might not even accept a forced concession.

His nomination of Minato Namikaze was not to yield the Hokage position, but to give Minato Namikaze an opportunity for further advancement.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others did not refuse Minato Namikaze’s nomination, then Minato Namikaze would effectively have been a true Hokage candidate once, and his status would become different.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others refused, then if Muzuki promoted Minato Namikaze to a high-ranking position, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others would find it difficult to refuse again.

“Minato is indeed outstanding, but a nomination might be inappropriate. He is still somewhat lacking compared to you, Muzuki,” Homura Mitokado said after exchanging glances with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

There were no explicit restrictions on having only two Hokage nominees. Muzuki wanting to nominate another person was not a problem, but that person could not be Minato Namikaze.

It wasn’t that they had an issue with Minato Namikaze as a person, but rather that Minato Namikaze’s seniority was slightly problematic.

Although Muzuki was as young as Minato Namikaze, Muzuki’s merits were incredibly exaggerated, having turned the tide of battle multiple times and single-handedly captured over a thousand Mist Ninja.

Minato Namikaze’s excellence was not enough to compensate for his seniority. If Minato Namikaze were nominated, it would certainly cause dissatisfaction among some veteran Jonin who had made significant contributions on the battlefield.

Although their performance in the Third Shinobi World War was not as good as Minato Namikaze’s, they had also rendered services in the Second Shinobi World War. Overall, the difference wasn’t too great, so why should Minato Namikaze be nominated?

Even if he wasn’t ultimately elected, it would still count as having almost become the Fourth Hokage, which for many Konoha Ninja was an honor and recognition.

“Minato still needs more training; Hokage is too early for him,” Utatane Koharu also stated.

“Then it will temporarily be Muzuki and Orochimaru. Does anyone else want to nominate someone? If not, the nominees will be confirmed,” Hiruzen Sarutobi continued to ask.

Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado shook their heads.

The three of them had already discussed it: nominate Muzuki and Orochimaru, with Orochimaru as a running mate, and simply not nominate anyone else.

“I have no objections,” Muzuki replied.

His goal had already been achieved.

“Since there is a consensus, then a Jonin meeting will be held in one week for the official Fourth Hokage election vote.”

There would be two rounds of voting. The first round would be Jonin votes, which, although few in number, carried a very large weight, accounting for about forty percent of the total vote. The leading candidate would essentially secure the Hokage position.

The second round would be Chunin and Genin votes, and civilian votes, each accounting for thirty percent.

The voting was not the end; there would also be a meeting with the Daimyo and high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire.

The Daimyo had to personally confirm that there were no issues before it could be determined who would serve as Hokage, and finally, the official Hokage succession ceremony would be held for the handover.

Of course, this was basically just a formality; the Daimyo would not refuse the candidate put forth by Konoha.

Superficially, Konoha was merely the military force of the Land of Fire, but in reality, Konoha was a nation within a nation, and the Daimyo had no control over Konoha whatsoever.

PS: In the original work, the Daimyo’s existence is quite subtle; sometimes their status feels high, but in reality, it’s just so-so.

Danzo even dared to openly threaten during a meeting.