Inside the Hokage's office, all the Jonin of Konoha were gathered. However, something unusual seemed to have infiltrated the group. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Jiraiya, swollen to the point of resembling a pig.
Seeing his beloved disciple in this state, Sarutobi Hiruzen was also troubled. He had personally witnessed the entire incident with his Crystal Ball. It was Jiraiya's inability to control his tongue that led to this. He deserved it.
"Quiet down."
At this moment, the elder advisor spoke up. Instantly, the meeting room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"I'm sure everyone is already clear about the purpose of this meeting."
After seeing everyone nod, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
"I'm retiring, so the Hokage position can't remain vacant. Hokage candidates are Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze."
"Each Jonin present represents a vote. In the end, whoever receives the most votes, Orochimaru or Minato, will be the next Hokage."
"Then I won't waste any more time, let's begin the voting!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen speaking, Elder Advisor Mitokado Homura stood up and was put in charge of counting the votes.
Each Jonin Central City a slip of paper that had been distributed to them; white represented Orochimaru, and yellow represented Minato Namikaze. Each person then tossed their choice into the ballot box.
"Orochimaru, one vote."
"One vote for the Minato."
As Mitokado Homura read out each vote, someone would mark it on the wooden board. Then came the last vote. Since Orochimaru and Minato were tied, this final vote would determine the winner.
"Orochimaru- senpai, are you confident?"
"Karot asked quietly."
Orochimaru, on the other hand, looked completely confident.
"This is just a formality."
Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Karot already knew that Orochimaru had victory in the bag.
"One vote for the Minato."
"Holy shit."
Karot stared at Orochimaru in astonishment. "Is this what you meant by going through the motions?" Karot thought. This outcome was completely unexpected. Then Karot noticed that Orochimaru maintained a smile on his lips.
Could something unexpected have happened?
Another idea suddenly popped into Karot's mind.
"Congratulations Minato!"
Jiraiya embraced Minato. His disciple had become Hokage, fulfilling his dream, and he was genuinely happy for him. The atmosphere in the meeting room was polarized, with one side celebrating jubilantly while the other hung their heads in dejection.
"Alright, I hereby announce that the next Hokage is..."
Before Sarutobi Hiruzen speaking, the conference room door was pushed open.
"Lord Hokage, we haven't voted yet!"
At that moment, two Jonin walked in from outside.
"You're still alive?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up, recognizing the two ninjas. Logically, they should have been silenced; how could they be here? Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly looked at Orochimaru, who had been sitting quietly.
Orochimaru gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a smile, and that smile said it all: Orochimaru had saved them both.
What are your choices?
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "This is Konoha's rule; any Jonin can vote."
"Of course it's Lord Orochimaru."
The two ninjas said in unison.
"How is that possible?"
Minato, Jiraiya, and the ninjas who supported Minato were all shocked. This reversal came too quickly. They just thought victory was in their grasp, but they were hit hard and brought back to reality.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slumped in his chair. From the moment the two ninjas entered, he knew he had lost. All his plans and the underlying exchanges of benefits had completely failed. He had underestimated his student; the younger generation was indeed surpassing the older. The two advisors and elders also refused to accept this fact.
"Teacher, it's time to announce the results."
Orochimaru spoke in a calm and unhurried tone.
"You made me worry for nothing, Orochimaru- senpai."
Karot, on the other hand, started to complain. He had just been worried that Orochimaru would miss out on the Hokage Position, but then things took a dramatic turn.
"I hereby announce that Fourth Hokage Orochimaru."
Sarutobi Hiruzen speaking, it was as if all the strength had been drained from his body.
"Lord Orochimaru."
The ninjas who supported Orochimaru began to cheer; this was their victory.
"I will take over in three days."
This was Orochimaru's first order after taking power.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The ninja in the conference room accepted the order. Everything is now set in stone.
"Minato, don't be sad. You still have a chance."
As Jiraiya walked out of the Hokage Building, he patted Minato on the shoulder to comfort him. He had seen Minato's efforts over the past few days. He just hadn't expected Orochimaru to be a cut above the rest.
"Don't worry, teacher, I will try my best."
Minato forced out an ugly expression and said.
This made Jiraiya more distressed. In just a few minutes, Minato experienced the process of going from hope to realization to destruction.
"Well."
Jiraiya didn't know how to comfort his apprentice, so he could only accompany him home.
"Bang!"
As soon as Minato entered the gate, Kushina, Obito, and Rin fired a salute.
Welcome back.
Today is the day Minato competes for the Minato Hokage, Kushina has specially prepared a celebration banquet for Minato.
An awkward silence fell over the scene; neither Minato, Jiraiya, nor Kakashi showed any signs of triumph. Even the usually Kushina sensed something was amiss.
"Didn't it work?"
"Um."
Kushina stepped forward and hugged Minato.
"If we don't succeed this time, we can wait for next time. You're still young; you can outlast Orochimaru."
Kushina comforted him. Jiraiya quietly beckoned everyone to leave; at this moment Kushina's comfort alone was enough.
"Karot, our era is about to begin."
Orochimaru and Karot stood atop the Hokage Rock, overlooking the entire village.
Seeing the village thriving and the smiles on people's faces, Karot wanted to protect this happiness.
"Yes, our era has begun."
"By the way, Lord Orochimaru, what are your plans for the Third Hokage and the two advisors?"
"If they cooperate, then let them retire. After all, there's still some friendship between us."
"If they choose to oppose us, then they shouldn't blame me."
Karot largely approved of Orochimaru's decision. If a leader is too ruthless, his subordinates will also be afraid. The path had been left to them; if they chose the wrong one, no one else could be blamed.
"Hiruzen, what should we do now?"
Mitokado Homura, Koharu, and Sarutobi Hiruzen were discussing what to do next, as today's events had truly exceeded their expectations.
"You should all resign yourselves! Orochimaru won't allow anyone to tell him what to do."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said to his two old friends, "I know my disciple's personality very well."
"Why should we? Are you saying the three of us can't stand up to Orochimaru?"
Koharu said emotionally. She was unwilling to give up the power she held. Power was like a poison, addictive to her. She was unwilling to relinquish it.
"Yes, Hiruzen. Are you really content with this?"
Mitokado Homura had the same idea.
"What can we do even if we're unwilling to accept this? Retreating now might save our lives, but if we wait too long, our entire family might be doomed."
"I don't care what you think, I'm resigning."
After saying that, Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored the two of them and left.
Seeing Hiruzen leave, Koharu and Homura parted on bad terms. As they were leaving, a figure emerged from the floor of the room. It was Black Zetsu.
Is there internal discord within Konoha?
Then it disappeared again.
"Um?"
"The aura of Black Zetsu? They've got guts."
Karot ignored him and continued drinking; Orochimaru's victory celebration was currently underway.
Cheers, everyone!
"Cheers."