"No!"
Uzumaki Kuming's answer left Hiruzen Sarutobi astonished. He stared at Kuming in surprise.
Moonlight spilled down, illuminating Kuming's face. After watching him in silence for a long while, Hiruzen finally asked, puzzled, "Why?"
"I heard someone say that you want to change the Shinobi World as it is today."
"Wouldn't becoming Hokage bring you one step closer to your goal?"
"Besides, you've already proven your strength and talent on the battlefield. If you became Hokage, I believe you could do an even better job than me. Why don't you want it?"
Hiruzen produced a pipe from somewhere, put it between his lips, and took a deep drag. Then he exhaled a stream of purple smoke.
"I want to become Hokage, but the time isn't right yet."
"At this stage, the Hokage Position would only hold me back!"
Kuming looked up at the sky and sighed. Hiruzen's asking whether he wanted to become Hokage meant that he was seriously considering stepping down. From their conversation, Kuming could tell that Hiruzen truly hoped he would take over.
For Hiruzen, there could be no better choice than Kuming becoming Hokage. Kuming was his student, after all, and he was powerful, with an impressive record of service.
Hiruzen had considered that Kuming might refuse, but he never expected him to give such an unusual reason: that "the Hokage Position would hold me back."
"Hold you back? What do you mean?"
Hiruzen's expression shifted as he pressed for an answer.
"Becoming Hokage and handling the daily affairs would hold me back."
"I know very well that I'm strong now, but I'm still not strong enough. There are too many enemies I can't defeat."
Kuming sighed softly. He was still very young, still growing, with plenty of room to improve. Even though he could now