I Am the Hokage! (Please Follow)

Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage of the towering trees, casting dappled shadows upon the ground below.

Within those shadows, the figure of Haori darted forward at high speed; he had already left Konoha!

That old man's efficiency really isn't half bad.

Haori couldn't help but muse to himself as he traveled; he had only spoken to Uchiha Setsuna about this matter yesterday.

As a result, that very afternoon, he had sent someone to negotiate with the Hokage and secured the mission, allowing Haori to set out today.

Although, in truth, there was no need to trouble the Hokage for something like a mission; Konoha's resource management was actually quite well-organized.

The Mission Department existed specifically to handle the allocation of various tasks, but Sarutobi Hiruzen was the type of person who preferred to keep everything under his own control.

Moreover, Uchiha Setsuna had his own agenda for this mission, and that was Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui was currently a super genius within the Uchiha clan, but he was a person from the "other side."

Even though he was several years younger than Haori, he already possessed the Three Tomoe Sharingan!

Uchiha Setsuna couldn't help but be curious about such a talent, especially one who belonged to his "rival."

But just because you told me to go, does that mean I have to drop everything and leave immediately?

For Haori, making contact with Uchiha Shisui wasn't something he couldn't accept.

As for Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, those two were either selfish to the extreme or arrogant to the extreme, possessing not a shred of logic.

Haori's only reaction to them was the doctor's verdict: hopeless, wait for death, goodbye.

As for Uchiha Shisui, although this guy was also a two-faced traitor, he wasn't a very thorough one.

In his grand yet ultimately fruitless life, if there was one trait that left the deepest impression, it was probably this: he was weak when he should have been firm, and he wasn't exactly unyielding when he should have been soft.

Furthermore, aside from his brain failing him at critical moments, the guy still cared about his clan.

Unlike Uchiha Itachi, who hardened his heart and swung his blade, wiping out everyone—young or old, guilty or innocent—with the sole exception of his beloved younger brother.

So, even though this guy is a traitor and has a rather cowardly personality, he's at least still human.

Thinking this, he decided that he would have to meet the man in person to see what he was really like.

But he didn't have the time for that right now; after all, the most important thing for him at the moment was to go to Qiuyue Valley and dig up some graves.

Inside Konoha, the Hokage's office.

Smoke swirled as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffed on his pipe while staring at the document in his hands.

This was a peace agreement he had just drafted, and he hadn't shown it to anyone yet.

However, he knew in his heart that once this document was made public, it would certainly cause a massive stir.

Because, just like in the original history, he intended to acknowledge that Iwagakure's military actions were for the sake of protecting their own interests, and he was waiving the demand for war reparations from Iwagakure!

In his view, Konoha truly couldn't hold on any longer.

Although Kumogakure in the north had suspended their large-scale offensive, they had no intention of negotiating peace with Konoha.

Even though Iwagakure had been defeated and had to guard against Kumogakure, he dared not underestimate their war potential.

Konoha itself had suffered heavy losses, and even though there was still plenty of war potential to be tapped, he was more eager to find a way to exit through peace.

Besides, letting Iwagakure and Kumogakure clash is the better choice.

Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured to himself; his goal in giving up what a victor should rightfully claim was actually very clear.

Preserve Iwagakure's strength so they could continue to grind against Kumogakure!

Unfortunately, these things could not be spoken aloud, and he was already prepared to face the accountability that would follow the conclusion of these peace negotiations.

The most important thing right now is to reach peace with Iwagakure.

Looking at the document in his hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen made up his mind completely.

In any case, those lined up to take his place were all his own people; as long as the policy remained unchanged, it would be fine!

Knock, knock, knock—

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen made his decision, the office door was suddenly knocked upon.

"Come in."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, calmly putting the document away before speaking.

"Hiruzen."

The door was pushed open shortly after, and Danzo walked in with a grim face. He didn't waste any words, getting straight to the point.

"That Uchiha brat, why did you let him leave Konoha?"

"Haori?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. He understood what Danzo meant instantly, but he chose to downplay the issue.

"Konoha is under a lot of pressure regarding manpower right now. It's a good thing that he is willing to take on some simple missions."

"Hiruzen, you know that isn't what I'm talking about."

Danzo's expression turned exceptionally dissatisfied the moment he saw Sarutobi Hiruzen trying to smooth things over.

"Don't tell me you aren't aware of that brat's contact with Kushina!"

"I am naturally aware of his contact with Kushina, and I have already looked into the matter."

Watching Danzo act this way, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a measure of internal dissatisfaction, yet he knew Danzo was acting for the sake of Konoha.

Having both lived through the rebellion of Uchiha Madara, they could never forget how the ferocious Nine-Tails had been so easily controlled by the Sharingan.

However, in his view, Haori and Madara were not even remotely comparable, though he would not blame Danzo for his caution.

"Kushina told me that Haori came regarding sealing techniques, and that this was entrusted to him by Minato.

Furthermore, Uchiha Obito also had a good relationship with Kushina.

Do not forget that Kushina has always treated Obito like a younger brother."

"Don't be so whimsical, Hiruzen."

Danzo let out a cold snort, his tone turning somewhat rigid.

"An Uchiha being interested in sealing techniques is nothing short of a fantasy.

Even if he were truly interested, don't forget that the brat is one of Uchiha Setsuna's men.

Uchiha Obito certainly had potential, but no one discovered it before, and he never developed it either.

Most importantly, he is already dead, and he did not have Uchiha Setsuna backing him.

Hiruzen, there can be no room for carelessness when it comes to the Nine-Tails!"

The current Danzo had not yet been beaten down by various setbacks, so his attitude remained quite unyielding.

It would likely only be after his Root organization was rebuilt following the assault by Nagato, after he was backstabbed by Kakashi during his assassination attempt on the Third, and finally after Yamato was forcibly taken away by the Anbu, that he would show respect toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, rather than treating him as a mere rival as he did now.

He had always believed that he had simply been a step slower to speak, which was the only reason his old friend had become the Third Hokage.

"Danzo, I know your good intentions, and I know your concerns."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo and took a drag of his pipe; even as his internal frustration rose, he still spoke with forced patience.

"But Haori has earned Minato's trust, and his conduct has been beyond reproach.

Konoha is currently in a critical period, and we need to unite everything to face the outside world together.

Besides, do not forget that the child is a hero of Konoha."

"Isn't that only because you propped him up so high?"

Danzo did not buy it; he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen was right, but he did not believe he was wrong either.

"Even if he has some merits, he has overstepped his bounds this time.

I stand by my opinion: he must be brought back to facilitate observation.

If necessary, we also need to conduct an investigation.

If internal problems cannot be solved, how can we possibly focus on the outside world with peace of mind?"

"Enough, Danzo, you are overstepping your bounds now!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer hold back; he did not want to continue arguing with Danzo.

He was very clear that their personalities were actually quite similar—

They both believed they were the ones who were right, and that only they could lead Konoha to success.

However, while Danzo was stubborn, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still the Shinobi Hero who had made a name for himself across the ninja world!

"Konoha is short on people, and the war has not yet completely ended. We need to maintain unity, just as before. You should go back."

"You—"

Danzo was choked by Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, but seeing the unquestionable expression on his old friend's face, he knew that his friend had already made up his mind.

"Hmph, Hiruzen, you will regret this sooner or later!"

"That is a matter for another day; the urgent priority is to end the war."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo coldly, taking a drag of his pipe before speaking unhurriedly.

"Do not forget, I am the Hokage!"

Newbie author begging for your continued readership; current follow-up rates determine everything for a book, and "nurturing" a book by waiting often leads to its death.

Thank you, everyone! Onz