Young Master, Please Become Hokage

Why would they go through such lengths to scheme against him, layer by layer? Doesn't this just prove the old saying, "When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away. When the cunning rabbit is dead, the hounds are cooked"?

Ringo Ameyuri's experiences, and the impending misfortune that Kagami Uchiha was about to face, ignited a flame within Akira Sarutobi.

What is the Will of Fire?

What is the Will of Fire?!

"Akira Sarutobi, do you have anything you wish to say?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked over, appraising his son. He seemed to have sensed the anger burning in Akira Sarutobi's eyes.

"Nothing, Father. Perhaps I've hit a bottleneck in my training," Akira Sarutobi offered an excuse.

"Is that so..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and decided to check on his son that night.

Come to think of it, from childhood until now, he, as his father, hadn't guided him much.

Now, this child had proven himself through his own abilities.

It was time to pass down some of the Sarutobi Clan's heritage to him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi made arrangements in his heart, which was exactly what Akira Sarutobi wanted.

There were indeed some things Akira Sarutobi wanted to say to his father.

"For the next while, Akira Sarutobi, you should rest well and focus on recovering from your injuries first," Biwako chimed in, clearly satisfied with her eldest son's performance.

"Yes, Mother."

Akira Sarutobi nodded and turned to leave the Hokage's Office.

"Young Master Ryo." Outside the door, Minato Namikaze nodded in greeting to Akira Sarutobi.

Akira Sarutobi returned the gesture.

After watching Akira Sarutobi depart, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura soon emerged from the office as well.

"Hmph, that Akira Sarutobi guy... he's become increasingly arrogant lately," Utatane Koharu grumbled as she walked.

He used to be so quiet and reserved.

How could he have changed so much?

"Perhaps... he's been influenced by Danzō," Mitokado Homura speculated.

Minato Namikaze, following behind them, heard all these conversations clearly.

When he heard that Akira Sarutobi had successively killed members of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi and Kurotsuchi Raiga, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Young Master Ryo... is he really that powerful?"

Minato Namikaze, who had grown up with Akira Sarutobi, suddenly realized... he could no longer see through that Young Master Ryo, who rarely smiled.

After entering the offices of the two advisors and closing the door.

Utatane Koharu said, "Minato Namikaze, you are to become the Fourth Hokage. Do not fail the path we have paved for you..."

"Yes."

Minato Namikaze quickly responded.

To become Hokage, several steps were required.

1. Official endorsement from the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire. 2. Endorsement from Konoha High Command. 3. Election by the Jonin.

Back then, the Third Hokage was appointed by the Second Hokage, which led to much dissatisfaction among the villagers upon his return.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was too young at the time.

To appease everyone, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzō put in considerable effort.

Through alliances and maneuvering, they managed to persuade many clans.

This also led to Konoha High Command adopting a "four-person" system.

The reason Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzō held such significant influence was their role in helping Hiruzen Sarutobi secure his position as Hokage.

In other words.

Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzō actually represented the interests of a large number of clans within Konoha.

Later, as time passed, the landscape of Konoha underwent some changes.

When Konoha was first established, it was primarily composed of "clan ninja."

Now, the number of "civilian ninja" had surpassed that of clan ninja, becoming a considerable force among the populace.

These individuals had no clans and no inherited traditions.

It was impossible for Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to win them over in the same way they would win over clan ninja.

So.

They devised a plan to set a trap for Sakumo Hatake, intending to ruin his reputation among the common people.

At that time, without popular support, Sakumo Hatake would be unable to threaten the election of the next Hokage.

The ordinary civilian ninja who had originally supported Sakumo Hatake would then turn their support to someone else.

That person would be Minato Namikaze.

This was the complete plan of Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzō.

Of course, Danzō did not support Minato Namikaze, which was a point of disagreement between him and the two advisors.

However, they were all in agreement on the matter of ruining Sakumo Hatake's reputation.

"But... esteemed sirs, I believe the one most likely to become the Fourth Hokage should be Mr. Sakumo..."

Unaware of their scheme, Minato Namikaze voiced his confusion.

He might be able to compete for "Fifth Hokage."

But competing for Fourth Hokage, it was clear he would be no match for Sakumo Hatake.

They were at least a generation apart, which also created a gap in experience and reputation.

When Mr. Sakumo rose to fame, he was still playing in the mud.

"Heh..."

Utatane Koharu let out a cold laugh, revealing an inscrutable smile.

"You'll understand soon enough..."

Minato Namikaze wanted to say more, but Mitokado Homura waved his hand, "Minato, work hard... the position of Fourth Hokage will be yours..."

Although it was daytime, Minato Namikaze felt a chill.

The two advisors stood with their backs to the window, the sunlight shining in, making their faces appear even more sinister.

"I understand..." Minato Namikaze said in a low voice, bowing as he took his leave.

"A young Hokage is better than the powerfully skilled Konoha's White Fang..."

After Minato Namikaze left, Utatane Koharu spoke again.

Minato Namikaze's youth was his greatest advantage.

Conversely, Konoha's White Fang had experienced too much and his strength was too exceptional, making him difficult to control. Therefore, he was not suitable to be Hokage.

But Sakumo Hatake did have a son... Kakashi Hatake.

With a weakness, he could be easily manipulated.

"What exactly are the two high-ranking officials plotting..."

Minato Namikaze muttered to himself as he walked out of the Hokage Building.

He couldn't understand why the two high-ranking officials were so certain that he would be the Fourth Hokage.

"Could it be..."

An impossible possibility made Minato Namikaze stop in his tracks.

The scene of Young Master Ryo educating Kakashi flashed through his mind.

And then, Young Master Ryo's meaningful glance at the end.

Just as Minato Namikaze's eyes slowly widened.

A figure he hadn't seen in years blocked the sun in front of him.

"Yo... Minato, long time no see..."

Minato Namikaze: "Jiraiya... Teacher?!"

Chapter Forty-Nine: The Great Toad Sage's Prophecy

During the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure invaded the Land of Rain.

To atone for his mistakes, Jiraiya voluntarily chose to stay in the Land of Rain to teach three orphans.

He taught them for three years.

Three years later, Jiraiya returned to Konoha.

"Minato, you've become a very handsome young man in these few years..."

Jiraiya picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He was now at Minato Namikaze's home.

"Jiraiya-sensei doesn't look like he's changed at all..." Minato Namikaze said with a smile, clearly very happy.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jiraiya looked towards a photo on the cabinet.

It was a group picture.

Back then, he was the Jonin instructor, posing for a photo with his three Genin.

"Where are the other two kids...?"

In the photo.

A boy and a girl, around the same age, were flanking Minato Namikaze.

Jiraiya was in the back.

Minato Namikaze in the photo looked very young, still like a child.

"They... died in battle..." Minato Namikaze's tone grew heavy.

"I see..."

Jiraiya took a deep breath, and a melancholic atmosphere spread.

Just as the quiet atmosphere completely enveloped the place, footsteps approached from afar.

"Teacher Minato..."

Kakashi Hatake, looking unconvinced, ran in, intending to ask his teacher Minato to conduct special training targeting his weaknesses.

He never expected to find a guest present.

"And who is this...?"

An unfamiliar face, he hadn't seen them before.

Minato Namikaze: "Kakashi, let me introduce you. This is my mentor... Lord Jiraiya."

"..."