The Third Hokage did not refute Mitokado Homura's words. He merely smiled, took a drag from his pipe, and said, "When I told him to become the next Hokage, he said the same thing."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were both stunned. Then they heard the Third Hokage continue, "After that, he flatly refused and said right in front of me that only fools would become Hokage."
The two had not expected Chen Fan to dare say such a thing, and right in front of the Third Hokage at that. "What do you think? He's quite the bold one, isn't he? Countless people want to become Hokage, but he thinks the position is nothing but trouble. We're all getting old, while the younger generation is still too young. Kakashi would be a good choice, but he would be even less willing."
"Then what about Tsunade and Jiraiya? They're your students. You should know them best," Utatane Koharu said.
"Yes, he said the same thing to me. Those two are indeed the best choices. Maybe I really am getting ahead of myself, like he said. I'm just worried that one day, the three of us might suddenly disappear. If that happens, Konoha will fall into chaos."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions turned grave at the Third Hokage's words. Konoha's power was somewhat divided now. Half of Konoha's Anbu was controlled by Root—by Danzou. Danzou was watching like a tiger eyeing its prey, harboring great ambitions and always coveting the position of Hokage. The three of them all knew this. (Qianqian's)
But as long as the Third Hokage remained alive, no one else would ever have the chance to stir up trouble. Yet if the Third Hokage died, and the two of them disappeared as well, Konoha might face the worst