Young Master, Please Become Hokage

Kagami Uchiha was that kind of man.

He didn't want to be Hokage.

But if the village was in danger, and even needed him to temporarily act as Hokage, he would definitely step forward... for his comrades, for the village that raised him.

"Teacher Sakumo, if a comrade is in danger during a mission, and not completing the mission would cause significant losses to the nation... how would you choose?"

Akira Sarutobi posed the second question.

It was also... the difficult question that led to Kagami Uchiha's suicide.

Kagami Uchiha smiled, his eyes narrowing into crescent moons once more.

He answered with unwavering resolve, "I would absolutely never watch a comrade die before my eyes..."

Of course, he would choose his comrades.

"..."

Akira Sarutobi nodded.

This was Konoha's White Fang.

A man who could dedicate everything for his comrades, for his village.

Yet, such a man was schemed against and persecuted by the higher-ups, ultimately choosing death to prove his resolve.

He would rather die than abandon his beliefs.

For this, he waited for Kakashi on the path to the underworld for over a decade, to show his stance.

Kakashi eventually understood his father's beliefs.

Comrades... are the most important.

And this, this was the true meaning of the Will of Fire.

"Walls have ears, Master. Let's go somewhere private to talk."

Akira Sarutobi stood up, signaling Kagami Uchiha to go to the study next door for a discussion.

The environment there was quiet, and no one would eavesdrop.

The following conversation was not suitable for anyone to hear.

Chapter 52: Rin Nohara: Young Master Ryo is Handsome and Rich

Inside the study.

"Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, two high-ranking officials, favor Minato Namikaze, believing he is the next Hokage..."

"Danzō and the two advisors have differing opinions. Danzō wants to support Orochimaru..."

As one secret after another was revealed from Akira Sarutobi's mouth.

The surprise in Kagami Uchiha's eyes grew deeper.

He was stunned for a long time, unable to comprehend how complex the infighting among the higher-ups was.

This was the difference in their upbringing, leading to differing perceptions.

Although Kagami Uchiha was powerful, he lacked experience and his political acumen was not high.

Akira Sarutobi, who was passionate about political discussions in his previous life, had passively and actively learned too much.

Moreover, reading history enlightens. Throughout 5,000 years of history, a history of human consumption has been forged.

Akira Sarutobi was all too familiar with these political maneuvers and schemes, able to see through the nonsense of the three high-ranking officials at a glance.

"And you, Konoha's White Fang, your achievements overshadow the leader's. Your strength is too great, too conspicuous..."

Akira Sarutobi analyzed the situation for Kagami Uchiha.

No matter how Kagami Uchiha thought about it, he would be seen as a thorn in the side of the higher-ups due to "possessing wealth that invites trouble."

This was different from Jiraiya.

Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, had the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as his teacher.

Therefore, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura considered Jiraiya one of their own. The two advisors would not harm him.

In contrast, Kagami Uchiha was isolated and alone, without any relatives or backing. He became an existence that the higher-ups had to deal with.

Akira Sarutobi: "Teacher Sakumo... sometimes, not taking a side is also a way of taking a side."

"Not taking a side... is also a way of taking a side..."

Kagami Uchiha lowered his head, murmuring the words, lost in thought.

In this world, no one can remain detached.

Wherever there are people, there are political factions and political debaters.

Basic political concept: Politics... is closely related to everyone.

This was definitely not an empty statement.

Kagami Uchiha's expression shifted several times, as if he were struggling. After a long while... he slowly looked up at Akira Sarutobi, seeming to plead, "Young Master Ryo, if that's the case, then why didn't they just tell me directly?"

Some things, why not just say them directly? Why be so roundabout?

Akira Sarutobi slowly stood up, his gaze drifting out the window. "During the chaotic Warring States period, there was a sage named 'Tree Man' who once said... 'I know their methods, they are unwilling to kill directly, nor do they dare, fearing misfortune. So they all conspire, laying out nets to force me to commit suicide.'"

"Bye-bye, Kakashi~"

In the courtyard, Kakashi bid farewell to his two little friends.

At this moment, Akira Sarutobi and Ino Yamanaka also emerged from the study.

"Where's Father?" Kakashi turned his head, not seeing his father to see them off, which was strange.

"Mr. Sakumo is a bit tired. Kakashi, we're leaving now."

Akira Sarutobi said casually.

Watching their figures slowly disappear into the darkness, Kakashi scratched his head, not noticing anything amiss.

Walking on the road, Akira Sarutobi was accompanied by Rin Nohara and Obito.

"Heh heh, I can use this opportunity to walk Rin home~!" Obito secretly rejoiced, happy to have a chance to impress her.

Meanwhile, Akira Sarutobi took the lead. "Rin Nohara, although it's late, I still have something I'd like to ask of you, regarding the 'Anbu'..."

Upon hearing the word "Anbu," Obito and Rin Nohara's expressions sharpened.

In the eyes of ordinary people, the Anbu were the most secretive and mysterious existence.

They were also a department that was akin to "unspeakable."

Obito immediately shut his mouth, wanting to go home.

After all, the secrets of the Anbu were not something a mere elementary school student like him could hear.

"Obito, I will personally escort Rin Nohara home later, please don't worry."

Akira Sarutobi indicated this while also showing him the way out.

"Oh, Rin... I'll head home now, bye." Obito waved his hand and immediately quickened his pace, running away.

"Anbu?"

Rin Nohara couldn't help but look at the young master.

Under the moonlight, his already handsome face was bathed in a mysterious glow, making her a little dizzy.

The mature aura he exuded was something Kakashi could never compare to...

Oh dear~, Rin, what are you thinking...

As Rin Nohara's thoughts became jumbled, Akira Sarutobi spoke again. "Regarding the Anbu, a certain expert [Nonō] has gone on a mission, so the work of researching and analyzing enemy corpses has been delayed... I'm quite anxious about this..."

He had injected the Will of Fire into Ringo Ameyuri and obtained the corpse of a Jonin from the Snow Clan.

Currently, everything was ready except for the final crucial element.

All that was needed was a skilled medical ninja to unlock the secrets of the corpse.

My fate is mine to make.

The System's prompts were guidance.

But the destiny of the strong was ultimately held in their own hands.

Akira Sarutobi believed this was the meaning behind the System's existence.

"Today I saw your Medical Ninjutsu, and I feel your talent... might be able to help me unlock the secret of the corpse. Rin Nohara... can I entrust this to you?"

Akira Sarutobi clasped his hands behind his back and stopped walking.

Under the moonlight.

Akira Sarutobi looked down at the little girl before him.

Akira Sarutobi's resolute and handsome face made Rin Nohara nod as if possessed. "No problem, Young Master Ryo..."

More than ten minutes later, at the Sarutobi Clan's compound, the Third Hokage's ancestral home.

A corpse was laid out on a platform, surrounded by various surgical tools.

The room was protected by alarm barriers and traps.

Access required a "password."

Akira Sarutobi informed Rin Nohara of the password, granting her the freedom to enter and exit.

Rin Nohara also promised to help keep the secret, after all... Anbu work was all about confidentiality.

"This is an advance payment... a total of thirty thousand Ryo, count it."

Akira Sarutobi took out a bag containing money.

The reward for a D-Rank mission averaged around 5,000 Ryo, as it needed to be split among the Jonin instructor and two teammates.

After subtracting taxes owed to the village, a Genin can expect to pocket about 500 Ryo.

Thirty thousand Ryo is equivalent to the reward for 60 D-Rank missions or 10 C-Rank missions.

For Rin Nohara, this was undoubtedly a windfall, a fortune!

"This is just an advance payment. If the analysis is successful, I'll give you another 150,000 Ryo. How about it?"

150,000 Ryo is equivalent to the after-tax income of a Jonin who has completed two A-Rank missions independently.

"..."

Rin Nohara's eyes widened, and she was completely stunned.

There was no way, this, this was simply too much~~~.

Originally, with Akira Sarutobi's qualifications as a newly promoted Jonin, he wouldn't have been able to produce so much money.

But this situation changed after Akira Sarutobi defeated the female guardian ninja and took over the port town's businesses from her.

With the dock transportation business in hand, Akira Sarutobi was already a foreseeable future tycoon.

For ninjas, besides noble ideals, they also need to eat, wear, and live.

Or rather... only with material satisfaction in the present can one better pursue their dreams.

"Young Master Ryo is truly handsome and wealthy~."

Rin Nohara thought silently and immediately nodded in agreement.

Although she didn't pursue material wealth, purchasing medicinal herbs and researching medical ninjutsu also required a lot of money.

Now that such a great opportunity was before her, and she could contribute to the village, Rin Nohara was naturally overjoyed.

As the cloth was lifted, the corpse of the Snow Clan ninja was revealed before Rin Nohara.