After hearing what Hashirama had said, Inoichi and Jiraiya's hearts instantly sank.
If Minato could not become Hokage, then all their efforts over the years would have been in vain. Wouldn't Shikaku have died for nothing too?
But things had come to this, and they were powerless to change anything. Besides, even Minato had voluntarily accepted the First Hokage's words.
If Minato did not become Hokage, who would become the next Hokage?
If the First Hokage were to decide, setting aside everyone present, neither Inoichi nor Jiraiya could imagine anyone else in the village who was suitable.
"I understand, First Hokage-sama." Sarutobi muttered slowly to himself.
"The root of all this lies with me..."
"I personally handed him the position of Hokage. I am the one who brought such disaster upon Konoha. I brought shame upon the Hokage..."
"Can you allow me to settle all these grievances myself?"
His voice was filled with resolve, but also with the will to die, moving Hashirama slightly.
Orochimaru sneered. "You?"
Hashirama looked at Orochimaru and said, "Orochimaru, isn't this what you wanted?"
Seeing that he had been seen through, Orochimaru merely snorted coldly. "You alone won't be enough. There's someone else who wants me dead too."
Minato stepped forward at those words and said calmly, "You're right!"
Orochimaru burst into loud laughter, venting his emotions without restraint.
Then he turned his gaze to the last person and demanded, "Jiraiya, don't you want to make a move too?"
Jiraiya remained silent. Now that he knew everything Orochimaru had done, he still could not bring himself to act.
Master and disciple, fellow students, brothers in arms—they had all reached the end of the road.
Orochimaru suddenly formed hand seals before him. The meeting room began to shake; no, the entire Hokage's Office was trembling.
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