I'm the Future Fifth Hokage

I'm the Future Fifth Hokage

Rustle...

As if they had spotted the source of a plague, the people near Aoba immediately retreated in panic, afraid they would soon be splattered with blood!

The originally crowded area suddenly became a vacant zone, with a small figure standing at its center.

To be honest, being stared at so intently by so many Jonin—including two Hokage—was terrifying. Anyone who said otherwise was freaking lying!

But there was no turning back once the bow was drawn. Completing the mission offered a slim chance of survival; refusing meant certain death.

For the sake of his life, he could only dance along the edge of death, probing wildly!

So he forced himself to calm down and fearlessly looked toward the Third Hokage and Fourth Hokage above.

"Where did this child come from, spouting nonsense? Someone, take him—"

"Wait!"

With a flash, Minato appeared directly in front of Aoba as if he had teleported there, stopping the Jonin who was about to act.

Minato then revealed a warm, genial smile and asked gently, "Can you tell me your name?"

"Shimiya Aoba."

"Aoba? That's a lovely name. So, can you tell me why you object?"

Aoba took a deep breath. He knew he had made the right bet, and now it was time to test his acting skills!

He summoned his courage and shouted, "Because I'm the one who's going to become Hokage!"

Silence!

Utter, deathly silence!

A bizarre atmosphere suddenly filled the air!

"Pfft! Sorry, I really couldn't hold it in."

"Hahaha..."

"What an interesting little brat!"

"I suddenly thought of that brat of mine. He shouts every day that he'll become Hokage when he grows up. Haha."

"To say that in a setting like this takes incredible courage. This kid really is a talent!"

"That's right, that's right. I'm starting to like him."

The grim, tense atmosphere suddenly turned into a roast session. Everything became relaxed and cheerful as countless people laughed so hard at the little brat's brave declaration that they bent double. Some were simply mocking him, some were teasing him good-naturedly, and most treated it as a joke born of childish innocence.

After all, there were far too many children who clamored about becoming Hokage to count. But this kid was the first to have the courage to shout it in front of so many people!

Even Minato, who had personally come down, wore an expression caught between laughter and tears. If I ever have a child, I absolutely can't let them act like this. It's far too embarrassing.

"Hmm. I believe that one day you'll definitely become Hokage and continue protecting the people of Konoha. But not now—you're still too young."

As he spoke helplessly, Minato reached out and vigorously ruffled Aoba's hair in retaliation.

When Aoba heard the system's notification that the mission was complete, the heavy stone in his heart finally fell. He immediately went along with Minato's words and climbed down the ladder, saying somewhat reluctantly, "All right, then. I won't compete with you for now. When I grow up, you have to save the position of Fifth Hokage for me."

When Aoba's childish words rang out again, the laughter from the crowd grew even louder.

A five-year-old brat wanted to compete with the legendary Yellow Flash for the position of Hokage—and had already reserved the seat of Fifth Hokage. Could there be anything funnier?

Perhaps the name Shimiya Aoba would become famous within a day!

But Aoba himself had no choice but to swallow his bitterness. If he didn't act cute and pretend to be young, he was definitely going to die.

So no matter how embarrassing it was, he had to keep living bravely, tears in his eyes.

"All right, then, it's a deal, future Fifth Hokage."

Looking at Minato's extended little finger, a black line flashed across Aoba's forehead. Still, he pretended to be happy and hooked fingers with Minato. "Of course, Fourth Hokage."

After this little interlude ended, Minato flashed back to the top of the Hokage Building and prepared to continue the unfinished ceremony.

Even so, quite a few people kept glancing at Aoba, and no one knew what they were thinking.

From beginning to end, Hiruzen Sarutobi had simply waited with a calm expression, presumably weighing what impact this farce would have and how it would affect Minato's reputation.

But judging from the current situation...

Minato's handling of it had pleased him, and the result seemed acceptable as well.

Once this matter spread, it might even give more people a direct understanding of Minato's approachable image.

But even so...

Mikawa!

I'll be waiting for an explanation from you!

After casting an inconspicuous glare at Mikawa, who was drenched in cold sweat among the crowd, Hiruzen put his smile back on and handed Minato the hat symbolizing the office of Hokage.

This time, naturally, there were no objections, and everything proceeded smoothly.

When Minato began delivering his speech, Aoba, who had been sitting on pins and needles, finally couldn't take it anymore and quietly slipped away.

When Mikawa saw him leave, he gritted his teeth and quietly left early as well.

Although doing so was somewhat disrespectful to Lord Fourth Hokage, he could no longer restrain himself from giving that little brat a thorough beating!

That meaningful glance from Lord Hiruzen had left him chilled to the bone!

He never would have imagined that on the very first day he had been forced to become the other party's guardian, that damned brat would cause such a huge mess!

If Lord Minato hadn't been broad-minded and unwilling to hold a child accountable, his career as a Special Jonin probably would have been over.

"If I don't beat the crap out of you today, I'll quit being a Jonin and go back home to farm!"

After viciously swearing this oath inwardly, Mikawa chased after Aoba and vanished with a whoosh.

Meanwhile, Aoba avoided the crowd and slipped into a dango shop, where he began counting up his gains from this trip.

"I paid such a huge price. I hope the rewards are worth it!"

After rubbing his hands together, he immediately opened the Bronze Treasure Chest from the mission reward.

[You obtained the complete Foundation of the Navy Body Tempering Method]

In an instant, countless poses... ahem, knowledge entered his mind, allowing him to immediately understand what this [complete Foundation of the Navy Body Tempering Method] actually was.

Talk about getting a pillow when sleepy!

He had been worrying about how to strengthen his physical stamina, and this [complete Foundation of the Navy Body Tempering Method] perfectly filled that gap.

As long as he trained scientifically according to the methods within it, his physique could improve by leaps and bounds. Perhaps this reward wasn't the best item in a Bronze Treasure Chest, but it was definitely the most suitable for him.

He then checked the Beginner Skill Card. This was a good item too, one used to upgrade skills.

He had begun wondering long ago how to improve those abilities that were still at LV0. Now, he finally knew.

It seemed that if he wanted to grow stronger quickly, he would have to recklessly court death even more!

P.S. The contract has already been mailed out. Please bookmark, vote, add it to your reading lists, and invest! I want it all! Eek eek~