"A-Hui, Ruri, let's go..."
Akira Sarutobi ignored Kushina and headed straight for the entrance to the Hokage Building.
"Akira Sarutobi~! I want to duel you~~!" Kushina shouted from behind him. Minato Namikaze did his best to stop her, finally preventing an incident.
By the time Akira Sarutobi entered the Hokage's Office, several members of the high command were already waiting.
Having heard of Akira Sarutobi's Anbu record, they naturally had questions for him.
"Akira Sarutobi..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had just begun to speak.
But Mitokado Homura suddenly cut in from the side. "Minato, you're here."
Minato Namikaze entered the office a moment later.
"Minato's recent performance has been quite outstanding..." Utatane Koharu turned to look at Mitokado Homura.
"Mm."
Mitokado Homura nodded.
"While leading a team, he has completed all his other missions perfectly as well... Hm... There's even an S-rank mission among them?"
"..."
Watching the two of them play off each other, a strange glint flashed through Akira Sarutobi's eyes.
What was this?
Were they paving the way for Minato Namikaze in advance?
Thinking of Ryoma Aburame's firsthand experience, as well as Nonō's sudden departure without saying goodbye.
Combined with this scene before him.
The plot against Hatake Sakumo had probably begun.
To clear the way for Minato Namikaze, the high command had begun making a series of moves.
This included, but was not limited to, harming Hatake Sakumo and advertising Minato Namikaze everywhere, beginning to elevate him.
This was their Will of Fire?
How could the Will of Fire flourish with vermin like them around?
Whatever the Konoha High Command said afterward went in one of Akira Sarutobi's ears and out the other.
After they finished praising Minato Namikaze and spouting a whole heap of nonsense, the two advisors finally looked at Akira Sarutobi.
"Akira Sarutobi, what do you think?"
"Hm?"
Akira Sarutobi turned his head.
"What did the two of you just say? I didn't catch it."
Utatane Koharu: "..."
Mitokado Homura: "..."
"Akira Sarutobi, how are your injuries?" Biwako, seated to the side, had kept her eyes on her son the entire time.
Having already read Nonō's mission report, she was deeply concerned about Raiga Kurosuki's desperate counterattack with the Thunder Sword Fang before his death.
"Mother, I'm mostly recovered now. In a few more days, I should be completely fine."
Akira Sarutobi nodded, looking full of vigor.
There was no sign that he had been injured at all.
That allowed Biwako Sarutobi to relax slightly.
"Minato, you may leave first." Utatane Koharu gestured for Minato Namikaze to withdraw.
Click.
Soon, the door to the Hokage's Office closed. The shadows within the room stretched long.
"Akira Sarutobi, we all know about your mission experience. However, there is one point of doubt..."
Danzo, seated in the shadows, slowly spoke.
"How did you win over Ringo Yūri?"
The people being questioned were Akira Sarutobi, Ino Yamanaka, and Ruri Hyuga.
The three had acted together earlier, so Ruri Hyuga was also among those being questioned.
Nonō's report did not describe how Akira Sarutobi had won over Ringo Yūri. That was simply the limitation of Nonō's perspective.
Naturally, the specific answer had to be obtained through a personal inquiry by the Konoha High Command.
"Your earlier report said... the Twelve Guardian Shinobi had colluded with the enemy, so your plan was to lure out their contact... namely, Ringo Yūri..." Utatane Koharu took over, her expression stern. "But why did you suddenly change your mind afterward?"
"The Thunder Sword Fang was not on Ringo Yūri's back at the time. According to Kirigakure convention, the sword and its wielder were inseparable. I therefore guessed that Kirigakure intended to use that transaction to eliminate Ringo Yūri... On top of that, her complexion was abnormal. She looked like someone gravely ill..."
Akira Sarutobi began explaining. Neither arrogant nor submissive, he swiftly laid out the entire course of events.
"Killing Ringo Yūri would have merely been a normal replacement within the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. But saving her and keeping her alive would bring Kirigakure immense trouble later on... Besides..."
Akira Sarutobi's expression changed, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"I removed the rot from the Land of Fire—the Guardian Ninja—and also killed Kirigakure's designated successor, Raiga Kurosuki. Isn't that enough?"
Akira Sarutobi now possessed an illustrious record.
Not long after becoming a Jonin and joining the Anbu, he had already carried out a series of precise kills.
He had dealt with the Twelve Guardian Shinobi and taken down a newly appointed member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen...
No matter how one looked at it, he had fully demonstrated remarkable personal strength and talent.
If he could kill Raiga Kurosuki now, then he could kill others later.
By both sentiment and reason, he was a shinobi worth focusing on cultivating.
"Akira Sarutobi possesses outstanding individual strength, and his leadership ability is excellent as well. All my subordinates speak highly of him... With Akira Sarutobi's talent, he is fully qualified to serve as an Anbu Captain... Why not promote him directly?"
Danzo spoke before Utatane Koharu could, openly giving Akira Sarutobi a boost.
Clearly, Danzo differed from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura when it came to selecting the next Hokage.
Danzo did not believe Minato Namikaze should become the Fourth Hokage.
He... had other plans.
"That would not be appropriate, Danzo." Mitokado Homura immediately frowned upon hearing this.
He had only just joined the Anbu, and he was already being promoted directly to Squad Leader?
There had never been such a thing.
"Have you gone senile? What will people say about Akira Sarutobi if word gets out?" Utatane Koharu immediately objected.
"They'll say... Akira Sarutobi was promoted so quickly because of his father!"
"It does not matter. Akira Sarutobi's talent has exceeded everyone's expectations. He should be placed in a suitable position, and doubts will vanish as his talent continues to prove itself..."
Danzo shook his head, his tone calm.
"Also... Koharu, I am the Anbu Commander."
Danzo made it clear that the Anbu was his domain.
"With my many years of experience leading the Anbu, placing Akira Sarutobi among ordinary Anbu personnel would be tantamount to burying his talent... Rules are dead, while people are alive. Putting people to the best use is what a qualified leader should do..."
Danzo, impervious to reason, did not listen to Mitokado Homura and Koharu's objections at all.
"Hahaha..."
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's hearty laughter rang out.
He was very pleased by Danzo's high evaluation of his son.
"Danzo, I am truly happy to hear you say that, but you should also give some consideration to Koharu and En's views..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that such a swift promotion was indeed somewhat too hasty.
"Then wait a few days."
Danzo nodded.
"In one week, promote Akira Sarutobi to Anbu Captain. How about that?"
Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura: "..."
Was that not practically the same as promoting him immediately?
By tradition, it should take at least half a year, perhaps even over a year!
"Biwako, what do you think?" Danzo looked toward Akira Sarutobi's mother, intending to win her support.
Biwako was among the first generation of Anbu shinobi. In matters concerning the Anbu, she had the longest seniority and the greatest right to speak.
"Mm..."
Biwako furrowed her brows slightly, seeming to consider it.
"In Anbu history, there has never been such a rapid promotion. However... no one has ever been capable of what Akira Sarutobi has accomplished either..."
One could not say there would never be another like him.
But there had certainly never been one before him.
Since the village's founding, no one had heard of someone joining the Anbu and then consecutively killing two famous, long-established powerhouses.
Therefore...
"Danzo, I agree with your proposal." Biwako nodded slightly and finally voiced her opinion with care.
"Then it is settled..."
Danzo's lips curved upward into a cold, sinister smile.
"Akira Sarutobi, visit the Anbu Base when you have time. There may be something there that interests you..."
With that, Danzo rose and left the Hokage's Office.
His goal had been achieved, so there was naturally no need for him to remain.
Koharu, En, the two of you want to elevate Minato Namikaze.
And this old man... is placing bets on both sides.
The involvement of Orochimaru and Akira Sarutobi will muddy the situation.
I will not let the two of you have everything your way... Hmph!
The High Command's Schemes
"..."
Akira Sarutobi watched Danzo leave.
Unsolicited favors were never given without ulterior motives.
Akira Sarutobi could have figured out exactly what Danzo wanted even with his toes.
These people were so certain.
That the Hokage candidate would be one of three people: himself, Minato Namikaze, or Orochimaru.
Then what about Hatake Sakumo?
Did he deserve to die?
The next Hokage did not have to be Hatake Sakumo. After all, Hatake Sakumo dreamed of living free and unrestrained.
But they only needed to say so plainly.
Before you continue