Young Master, Please Become Hokage

"Rin, this is the ninja corpse of the Snow Clan that I obtained... I was wondering if I could analyze the combination of 'Wind' and 'Water' chakra to obtain information on the Kekkei Genkai: Ice Release..."

Akira Sarutobi said, pointing at the Jonin corpse that Ringo Ameyuri had killed.

"For this, I'll have to rely on you, a specialist Medical Ninja..."

Money, confidence, and praise... Akira Sarutobi had initially won over Rin Nohara.

Akira Sarutobi believed this was a good start.

"Young Master, Lord Hokage has arrived..." Outside the door, Ino Yamanaka pushed the door open and said softly.

"Mm, I know. A-Hui, stay here with Rin and help her find anything she needs..."

Akira Sarutobi nodded, gave instructions, and left the hidden room.

Chapter 53: Who is the Suitable Candidate for Hokage?

"Father, Mother."

In the courtyard at night, Akira Sarutobi met his parents.

Asuma wasn't there; he was probably being disciplined. In reality, with Asuma's talent, he could have graduated alongside Kakashi. However, Asuma, at such a young age, was infatuated with beauty and lingering over Kurenai Yuhi, wanting to graduate with her, which is why he was still at the Ninja Academy.

"Mm, Shin'nosuke, have you eaten dinner?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his hands behind his back, began to inquire about his well-being. He was quite satisfied with his eldest son.

Judging by his defeat of the Guardian Ninja and Kurotsuchi Raiga, his talent was not a cause for concern. What remained was the consideration of his understanding of the Will of Fire.

Last time, at the entrance of the Anbu office, father and son had a conversation. Only those recognized by the masses could become Hokage, but his eldest son felt that the majority wasn't always right. Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to hear his eldest son's thoughts again tonight.

"I've given serious thought to what you mentioned last time..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi happily entered the house with his eldest son. Akira Sarutobi invited his parents to sit and poured each of them a cup of hot tea.

A slight clarification: "Shin'nosuke" was Akira Sarutobi's childhood nickname. Because it was too awkward, Akira Sarutobi had applied to change his name.

"Father, please continue to call me Akira Sarutobi," Akira Sarutobi said casually.

"Mm, Akira Sarutobi, in your opinion, who is most suitable to become the next Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took the teacup, indifferent, and asked with a smile.

Since his eldest son was so confident in his understanding of the Will of Fire, he might as well test him.

Akira Sarutobi replied without hesitation, "Replying to Father, from a conventional perspective, those who could become the Fourth Hokage would be Konoha's White Fang and the Sannin."

"..."

Biwako couldn't help but nod at his words. Her eldest son's judgment was sound.

"In your opinion, who among them is more suitable?"

In fact, before coming, the couple had already met Jiraiya, who had returned to the village. After a few years, Jiraiya seemed to have changed slightly, yet also not.

As for Akira Sarutobi, he indeed had the ambition to become Hokage.

However, he was too young.

Before the Third Shinobi World War arrived, he was still young. Even Minato Namikaze would not have been able to command enough respect.

Or rather... people wouldn't possibly choose a teenager to be Hokage. In this era, everyone's attention was focused on Kagami Uchiha and the Sannin.

"In terms of combat power, the Sannin are inferior to White Fang..."

Akira Sarutobi pointed out the difference in combat power among the four.

The Sannin were one tier, and Kagami Uchiha was another.

Of course, being Hokage wasn't solely based on combat power.

Considering Tsunade had left due to her hemophobia, her possibility of becoming Hokage could be ruled out.

As for Jiraiya, he clearly showed no interest in the position of Hokage, so he could also be ruled out.

The remaining possibilities lay between Orochimaru and Kagami Uchiha.

"Mm, so... between Orochimaru and Kagami Uchiha, who is truly the most suitable?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a sip of tea, his expression unreadable. In truth, he already had an answer in his heart.

To outsiders, Orochimaru was the Hokage's beloved disciple, with equally brilliant war achievements.

In terms of strength, he was ranked first among the Sannin.

He was also the only one in the future who could potentially contend with Kagami Uchiha. After all, Orochimaru was still young and had significant room for improvement in the future.

However, Orochimaru had his issues.

Not to mention... Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the malice in Orochimaru's eyes.

Even the official character book had once evaluated Hiruzen Sarutobi's abilities, stating that... even Orochimaru couldn't fully inherit Hiruzen Sarutobi's talent, which Hiruzen Sarutobi deeply regretted. His entire set of skills began to be lost after his death.

This indicated that Orochimaru's talent had its limits in following the righteous path. That was why he chose paths like human experimentation and researching Forbidden Jutsu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the limits of Orochimaru's righteous path and the malice in his eyes.

But most outsiders were unaware and couldn't see these things.

Of course, people are made of flesh and blood. Even if they can't see some things, it doesn't stop them from subconsciously sensing Orochimaru's certain coldness and thus keeping their distance.

The ultimate result was that Orochimaru's popularity was not as good as the others.

This was a fatal flaw in the Hokage election.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't worry about Orochimaru being elected Hokage; he already had an answer in his heart.

The Fourth Hokage... will be Kagami Uchiha.

"Orochimaru is not suitable."

"!"

As soon as Akira Sarutobi spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed.

He knew his eldest son was a bit reclusive and spoke bluntly, but being blunt didn't mean lacking sharp insight.

Why?

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Biwako asked with their eyes.

"To be Hokage, one needs to seek the well-being of the village. From Orochimaru's eyes, I only saw selfishness... He doesn't have the Will of Fire..."

Akira Sarutobi's words clarified everything.

No matter what talents Orochimaru possessed, his ideology was fundamentally flawed.

If Orochimaru became Hokage, Konoha would become as dilapidated as Otogakure in the original work, a playground for his reckless experiments.

It wasn't impossible for Konoha to eventually become another Kirigakure.

Could such a future be what everyone hoped for?

It perfectly illustrated the saying: when the path is wrong, more knowledge leads to more regression. Orochimaru was such a person.

"..."

Akira Sarutobi's straightforwardness slightly surprised Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After a pause, he nodded and sighed softly.

"Akira Sarutobi, your insight is more profound than I imagined..."

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that his eldest son possessed the Will of Fire and the ability to judge people.

Being reclusive might not be a criterion for judging whether one could be Hokage.

Possessing the Will of Fire and seeking the well-being of the village was what made a Konoha Ninja capable of being Hokage.

"Very good... very good..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very pleased.

The consideration ended here.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, preparing to impart some knowledge.

After tonight's conversation, he had confirmed that his eldest son could continue on the path of the Will of Fire.

Of course, he was still young, and it was too early to discuss the Fifth Hokage.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that his eldest son might one day be on the list of candidates for the Fifth Hokage.

"Next, I will teach you some skills. How much you learn depends on yourself... First is Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked into the courtyard, raised his arms, and as he performed the hand seals, his face showed a powerful will.

"..."

Akira Sarutobi's eyes lit up.

The official databook clearly stated that the Fire Dragon Bullet was a powerful Fire Style ninjutsu that only the Third Hokage could use.

Although Boruto: Naruto the Movie originally created Jiraiya's version, anime-only content was just for fun and often not part of the canon, but rather a secondary interpretation.

"Akira Sarutobi, this jutsu wasn't even learned by Jiraiya and the others. You must study and master it well..."

The fire style illuminated the night sky, reflecting on Biwako's face.

Her earnest instructions also confirmed Akira Sarutobi's guess.

"I understand, Mother."

Akira Sarutobi nodded and began to memorize the details of the jutsu.

This was, in a way, a test of talent.

If he could master the Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet, it would prove his aptitude was even above that of the Sannin...

Time passed, and the night grew deeper...

Chapter 54. Rin's Fluttering Heart, A Maiden's Love

"A-Hui, I'll take Rin home..."

After sending his parents off, it was getting late.

With his photographic memory, Akira Sarutobi memorized every detail of his father's jutsu, waiting to digest it slowly.

Now, it was time to send Rin Nohara back.

Analyzing the corpse wouldn't be finished anytime soon.

Akira Sarutobi and Rin Nohara agreed that she could come back for research whenever he had free time.

Tomorrow was Saturday and Sunday, and the Ninja Academy was closed. Rin Nohara promised to continue coming during these two days.

Akira Sarutobi would also use his connections and resources to help her with the funding and information needed for her Medical Ninjutsu training.

Rin Nohara was naturally grateful, feeling she had met a benefactor on her ninja path.

Under the moonlight.

The two walked side-by-side down the road.

The night air was a bit crisp and cool.

"..."

Rin Nohara turned her head to look at the man beside her.

Resolute, full of strength, and with a gaze that seemed to ponder distant horizons...

In terms of looks, he was just as handsome as Kakashi.

The trials of life and death had also given Akira Sarutobi a maturity and composure that Kakashi couldn't possess.

Rin Nohara gazed at his face, feeling an inexplicable flutter in her heart.

Girls typically developed earlier than boys.