Young Master, Please Become the Hokage Chapter 6

The name of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, was far too resounding...

The three of them might not have intended to kill Hatake Sakumo, but they had certainly schemed in private, planning first to control him, even to bury him in obscurity, in order to pave the way for someone else to become the Fourth Hokage.

Otherwise, by all reason and logic, the strongest shinobi with the highest popular support, Hatake Sakumo, would surely have smoothly become the next Hokage.

"Father, Mother."

Just then, Sarutobi Ryo stepped forward, and the moment he spoke, he drew everyone's attention.

"Teacher Sakumo has no interest in politics, nor does he wish for Kakashi to be dragged into it. To serve Konoha quietly and plainly is his greatest wish."

Sarutobi Ryo's words rang out through the Hokage's Office.

He lifted his head and looked around.

Face after ugly face came into view, crystal clear.

Ha.

You want to devour people, yet you put on a show of false sympathy, not daring to say it outright.

Your mouths speak of the Will of Fire, but when I open it up and look, every page is about devouring people.

Chapter 7. Preparations Before the Mission

Once upon a time, the Will of Fire meant protecting the people or things you cherished... but now it has become—for the sake of the village, you can kill your own family, friends, even your wife and children.

Should I say you've forgotten your original intent? Or that the dragon slayer has become the dragon?

The onlooker sees the game best; the player is lost in it.

Having lived Two Lives, Sarutobi Ryo's heart was a clear mirror, seeing everything with absolute clarity.

"Young Master Ryo..."

Seeing Sarutobi Ryo step forward to speak for him, Hatake Sakumo's eyes were filled with relief.

He had seen many talented juniors, but those with firm resolve and outstanding character were few and far between.

Sarutobi Ryo called Sakumo "Teacher" because he had been following him to learn swordsmanship.

Just like in later years, Konohamaru had Ebisu as his private tutor.

Sarutobi Ryo had also apprenticed himself to Hatake Sakumo to train in the way of the blade.

Seven Elemental Natures Jutsu and Summoning Jutsu were nothing rare.

But powerful swordsmanship... within all of Konoha, only Hatake Sakumo possessed it.

It was precisely with his sharp and fierce blade techniques that Sakumo had earned the name Konoha's White Fang.

"Hmm, Sarutobi Ryo, well said."

Mitokado Homura nodded.

So there's no need to say more.

"Then it's settled. After Kakashi graduates, let Minato become his squad leader."

Mitokado Homura looked at his colleagues, and after a brief discussion, they finalized the future arrangement.

Sarutobi Ryo's counsel was ignored.

This scene only confirmed the importance of power.

Having strength alone, without power, left no freedom to choose one's own fate.

Staring at the Main Quest prompt shining before his retina, Sarutobi Ryo silently made up his mind in his heart.

The path of Anbu Squad Six Leader...

"Homura, Koharu, Danzo, perhaps we should hear Sakumo's opinion..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly at his colleagues, then turned his gaze to Hatake Sakumo, his expression softening.

"Sakumo, speak your mind freely, without holding back..."

"Lord Hokage..."

Hatake Sakumo lifted his head and looked around at the faces of the several higher-ups.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's kind and benevolent expression stood in stark contrast to the cold sharpness in the eyes of the other elders.

The icy stares of Koharu and the other elders seemed to warn him: Hatake Sakumo, watch your words. If you won't consider yourself, at least think of your son.

As the saying goes... it's easy to see the King of Hell, but hard to deal with the little ghosts. Even though the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had shown goodwill, Sakumo still had to read the faces of the other elders beside him.

Faced with his own weakness, Hatake Sakumo could only force himself to speak in compromise: "Lord Hokage... I... have no objections..."

Not long after.

Everyone walked out of the Hokage Building.

The Jonin Exam mission was scheduled for tomorrow.

The participants included Sarutobi Ryo, Ino Yamanaka, Hyuga Ruri, Minato Namikaze, Uzumaki Kushina, Shirakumo Hayama... and a group of other Konoha Ninja.

The destination was the "Ruins of the Land of Whirlpools."

Years ago, the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed in the Shinobi World War.

The Konoha High Command's misjudgment in providing support was also the reason for Dan Katō's death.

Green hills bury loyal bones.

Princess Tsunade's lover died in that support campaign.

Because the ones who invaded the Land of Whirlpools back then weren't a handful of scattered elites, but a joint force from two great nations—Kumogakure and Kirigakure!

Countless enemy ninjas surged in like a tide, and within just a few days, the entire nation was completely annihilated.

Of course, the dispute over dividing the spoils led Kumogakure and Kirigakure to continue fighting among the ruins—that's a story for later.

Since then, conspiracy theories quietly emerged...

One theory claimed that the Konoha High Command deliberately abandoned the Land of Whirlpools...

After several years of festering, these civilian conspiracy theories showed signs of growing more intense.

To shut people up and quell these rumors, the Konoha High Command decided to send a team to the Ruins of the Land of Whirlpools to drive out the scattered enemy ninjas still holed up there.

Now, with the great war over, an era called "Post-War" had begun.

Though the fighting wasn't as brutal as during the war, those who survived were the elite among elites.

This also meant many post-war missions could be even more dangerous than wartime ones.

On the surface, this was an ordinary Jonin Exam.

In reality, it was a display of the Konoha High Command's resolve.

At the core of this mission was Akira Sarutobi.

As the eldest son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, every move Akira Sarutobi made was under constant scrutiny.

Sending his own son to the dangerous Ruins of the Land of Whirlpools was enough to sweep away civilian discontent and conspiracy theories.

After all, even the Hokage's son was being sent to the most perilous region.

What reason did others have to keep condemning the High Command?

"Young Master Ryo, your exam mission is fraught with danger—you must survive..."

Hatake Sakumo walked side by side with Akira Sarutobi on the road.

If Akira Sarutobi died in the Ruins of the Land of Whirlpools, it would only deepen the loyalty of more Konoha ninjas and civilians to the village, while also reducing the number of competitors for the next Hokage election—this was an open scheme.

Just like Senju Nawaki's death.

"Teacher Sakumo, I'll be fine on my end. But you... you're going to suffer in the future..."

Akira Sarutobi looked at this gentle-faced man.

Though Hatake Sakumo possessed unparalleled talent, surpassing even the Sannin in strength, His personality wasn't suited to being a cold-blooded killing machine. A pastoral life was his true calling.

With Kakashi about to graduate and be led by Minato Namikaze's team, Hatake Sakumo's era of being suppressed and gaslit by the Konoha High Command was about to begin.

Under the High Command's gradual torment, this man, as gentle as a neighborly uncle, would inevitably slide into the abyss.

"Well..."

Hatake Sakumo scratched his silver hair.

"I don't think it'll be that big a problem."

His eyes curved into crescents from his smile. At this moment, Hatake Sakumo had no idea of the possible outcomes awaiting him in the future.

That night, the bright moon hung in the sky.

After dinner, Akira Sarutobi stood in his family's courtyard, settling into a stance.

As a Chunin about to take the Jonin Exam, Akira Sarutobi's actual strength had already reached the standard—it wouldn't be wrong to treat him as a Jonin.

But since he hadn't officially become a Jonin, the resources he currently had access to were still at the Chunin level.

For example, with the techniques of the five basic natures, the difficulty levels of the techniques Akira Sarutobi had mastered ranged from E-Rank to D-Rank to C-Rank.

The same went for Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Yin Release, and Yang Release.

C-Rank represented Chunin-level difficulty.

Once he truly became a Jonin and obtained the qualification assessment, he would naturally gain access to B-Rank—that is, Jonin-level resources.

Technique rank doesn't absolutely represent power.

But usually, technique rank and power are equated—it will only be equal to or greater than its own power.

For example, a C-Rank Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu.

Its power only starts at C-Rank.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi were to perform it, he could unleash B-Rank or even higher power.

However, if a child or a beginner released it, they might only spit out a small fireball, with power possibly only D-Rank, or even E-Rank.

Akira Sarutobi recalled what he had learned in his mind, preparing for tomorrow's "Jonin Exam."

After reviewing all the techniques, Akira Sarutobi assumed a stance and began training in taijutsu.

Once a ninjutsu is learned and muscle memory sets in, it can be maintained at a certain level.

But taijutsu—if not trained—will rapidly regress.

So... daily physical training became Akira Sarutobi's mandatory routine.

D-Rank taijutsu includes Konoha Whirlwind, Konoha Violent Wind... and other techniques.

C-Rank taijutsu includes Konoha Great Whirlwind, Konoha Rising Wind, Shadow Leaf Dance... and other techniques.

As Akira Sarutobi executed them, the courtyard roared with wind, stirring the surroundings.

The Sarutobi Clan possesses Innate Divine Strength, a unique advantage, and unlike the Akimichi Clan, they aren't bulky.

Thus, they are highly suited for training in various taijutsu.

By combining immense power with appropriate moves, one can maximize the might of their clan name.

"Konoha Whirlwind!"

Akira Sarutobi twisted his body, spinning like a whirlwind, his left leg kicking out and churning the air.

Then came his right leg.