The resignation was approved.
The moment Chiba Ran finished speaking, the surprise on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face lasted only an instant.
Then, a surge of wild joy flooded his heart, and even his taut nerves relaxed.
It worked!
He shouted inwardly.
This daimyo was still too young after all.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself.
Perhaps Chiba Ran had seen through the surface of his tactical retreat, but he had not seen that this retreat was meant to ensure the most secure transfer of power within the Hokage faction!
This meant the position of Hokage would pass smoothly into Minato's hands.
Konoha's foundation would not only remain unshaken; it would become even more secure because of Minato's achievements and prestige.
Yet for some reason, an indescribably complicated emotion welled up within him instead.
Twenty-seven years.
From his prime to his declining years, he had devoted his entire life to Konoha.
From this day onward, that Hokage hat, symbolizing the village's highest will, would no longer belong to him.
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's complicated expression, Chiba Ran sneered inwardly. Old fox, you've swallowed the bait. Now enjoy yourself a little longer.
Minato Namikaze's emotions churned as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with reverence.
The Third had paved the way for the village and for him.
Chiba Ran rose to his feet, his face filled with sincerity and sentiment. "I gave it some careful thought just now, and I have many feelings about it as well."
His tone carried a trace of reminiscence.
"I remember that in Konoha Year 20, you took up the burden of Hokage from the hands of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, correct?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded instinctively. "Yes."
"And this year is Konoha Year 47."
Chiba Ran let out a long sigh and gestured with his hand. "Twenty-seven years!"
"For a full twenty-seven years, you devoted the most precious years of your life to the village and to the Land of Fire. Third, you've worked hard."
Those respectful words moved Hiruzen Sarutobi with a feeling of recognition, and the disdain born of having achieved his objective faded somewhat.
Even Minato Namikaze felt deep admiration.
Chiba Ran continued, "A meritorious servant like you is now resigning out of guilt over the losses from the war. If I simply approved it so easily, wouldn't that make me, the daimyo, seem cold and heartless?"
"But your body truly needs rest, and it is time for the younger generation to shoulder the burden."
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, Chiba Ran asked, "Third, in your opinion, who would be the most suitable person to succeed as Hokage in Konoha today?"
It was here!
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt completely at ease!
Not only had the other party agreed to let him step down, but he had even voluntarily placed the authority to recommend the next Hokage into his hands!
What trust! What respect!
It seemed Yūhi Shinku's description had been completely wrong!
The last trace of doubt in his heart vanished. His expression turned solemn as he pointed behind him without hesitation.
"Lord Daimyo, I recommend Minato Namikaze! He is the most suitable person to take over as Hokage."
"Tell me in detail."
"In this great war, Minato dominated the battlefield with the Flying Thunder God Technique, slaughtering countless enemies. He earned the title of Yellow Flash and shook the entire Shinobi World! Iwagakure even issued an order allowing anyone who encountered the Yellow Flash to abandon their mission and flee!"
"He is utterly loyal to the daimyo and the village, cares for his comrades, and possesses the strength and prestige needed to serve as the Fourth Hokage!"
"The Yellow Flash!"
Chiba Ran's gaze fell upon Minato Namikaze, and he said approvingly, "I have heard of your great reputation as well. I can rest easy with such a hero serving as Hokage."
"Very well, it shall be as you say. At the coronation ceremony the day after tomorrow, I will formally appoint Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage."
The matter was settled!
Minato Namikaze was thrilled and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your trust, Lord Daimyo!"
The burden that had weighed on Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart all this time finally lifted completely, and his aged face immediately broke into a broad smile.
"Third, you have found another exceptional talent for the Land of Fire! You have labored for the nation your entire life, and now you are retiring after achieving success. As daimyo, I certainly cannot treat a meritorious servant poorly."
Chiba Ran immediately decided, "From today onward, your salary and benefits will be doubled! I will send people at once to renovate your residence in the capital. Servants, maids, and all living expenses will be fully covered by my Daimyo Manor!"
"From now on, all you need to do is enjoy your retirement and this honor."
Those words greatly comforted Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This was not merely respect. It was an extraordinary status.
Even without real power, what did it matter?!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Daimyo!"
Since the daimyo valued him so highly, his other purpose for coming today would surely be easily resolved as well.
With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile became even more sincere as he continued, "I am deeply grateful for Your Excellency's generosity. However... there is one more matter concerning Konoha's very foundation that I must mention."
"Oh?"
Chiba Ran looked at him with interest and thought inwardly, It's finally here!
"Please speak freely, Third."
"It is the budget that was cut."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and put on the air of a man worrying for the nation and its people.
"Konoha is the shield of the Land of Fire. Ninja training, mission execution, village defense—every aspect requires money. A twenty percent cut truly... would make it difficult to sustain the village's operations."
He believed that such heartfelt words, coupled with the pleasant atmosphere from earlier, would surely make the daimyo relent.
However, the smile on Chiba Ran's face had already faded.
"Third!"
He was not angry, but his calm tone was incomparably stern. "I did not cut Konoha's budget to target you. It is a matter of national strategy."
"Come, come with me!"
He stepped forward, took Hiruzen Sarutobi by the arm, and led him to the table. Pointing at a document, he asked, "Do you know what this is?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head blankly.
Chiba Ran unfolded the document and handed it to him. Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head and saw its contents clearly.
It recorded reports of losses from all across the country: population losses, property losses, row after row of cold numbers that were shocking to behold.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood speechless, clearly stunned by the figures above.
"The war is over."
Only then did Chiba Ran's voice drift over.
"You only see Konoha's wartime losses, but have you seen the entire Land of Fire?"
"Have you visited the towns along the border? They were destroyed by the flames of war and left in ruins."
"Have you asked in the rural villages? How many families there lost their children and husbands, leaving behind only widows and orphans?"
"The citizens of the Land of Fire need time to recover! The destroyed towns need to be rebuilt! The displaced civilians need to be resettled!"
"Do these things not require money?"
Chiba Ran suddenly turned around, his blazing gaze piercing straight into Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart!
"Every penny must be spent where it matters most! What matters now is calming the people and rebuilding their homes, not allowing a ninja village that has already won the war to continue maintaining its enormous wartime expenditures!"
That barrage of words, together with the shocking report of wartime losses, struck Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze's hearts like heavy hammers.
They had never considered the issue from this perspective.
In their eyes, the village's interests came before everything else.
But at this moment, the people's livelihood spoken of by the daimyo was the true foundation!
"Third."
Chiba Ran's tone softened, but his next words were especially cutting.
"Konoha is the sharp blade of the Land of Fire and the pride of the nation."
"But..."
"Konoha cannot only know how to demand from the nation while failing to understand the daimyo's difficulties or sympathize with the suffering of the people."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned deathly pale.
His lips trembled as he tried to defend himself, only to realize he could not say a single word.
Those words were too harsh.
They were tantamount to nailing Konoha—and Hiruzen Sarutobi himself—to the pillar of shame for competing with the people for profit!
Beside him, Minato Namikaze felt as though he had been struck by lightning.
He wanted to refute it, but he could not bring himself to speak.
Because every word the other party spoke occupied the moral high ground, and its legitimacy was impossible to dispute.
In an instant, cold sweat soaked both their backs.
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