After quite a while, Minato Namikaze finally adjusted his state of mind and replied seriously.
"Lord Hokage, I can do it!"
Whether for his own dream or for Kuhina, he would not back down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at him for a long while before smiling in satisfaction.
"Your current strength is already comparable to that of a Special Jonin. Report to ANBU tomorrow. Come to my office every afternoon, and I'll teach you what it means to be the Hokage."
He truly thought highly of Minato Namikaze. His talent and strength went without saying, and his mind was first-rate as well. Most importantly, he had no family ties holding him back, and his temperament was gentle. He respected his teachers and valued morality, making him an extremely suitable candidate for the Fourth Raikage.
He had originally intended to cultivate him in secret, but since that boy had exposed everything, he might as well bring it into the open.
Jiraiya opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out. In the end, he could only glare resentfully at a certain hateful brat.
"Minato, we'll be rivals in the future."
Tamura Hiroshi wore a broad smile. He had already bent Minato Namikaze's path out of shape. Who knew whether he would still become that little sun in the future?
Perhaps he would evolve into a black hole that devoured everything.
"I don't want to be your rival, and I especially don't want to see you again."
Minato Namikaze looked extremely gloomy. Today was the most difficult day of his life.
"But we're destined to clash. You're the opponent Lord Dodai chose for me. There's no escaping it."
Tamura Hiroshi continued smiling. Then he nodded to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya before turning to leave.
There was still another preliminary match.