The Third Hokage looked at his fellow disciples, each trying to shift the blame, bitterness filling his face. He knew that no matter whom he chose, it would create a rift, and the alliance they had only just managed to forge would immediately fall apart. If the four of them could not stand together, how would they contend with Nawaki after he became Hokage?
The Third Hokage glanced at the disciple opposite him, who wore a faint, ambiguous smile, and silently marveled at him. So this was your true goal, Nawaki? At that moment, the Third Hokage understood for the first time what the name Skywalker meant. One would never understand the terror of such an opponent without clashing with him directly. These seasoned methods were those of a sly, veteran politician—how could they belong to a young man barely in his twenties?
"Whew!" The Third Hokage took a deep draw from his pipe, then heavily exhaled the smoke. As though he had cast off some grave burden, he said calmly, "I personally brought about these peace talks as Hokage, so I should be the one held responsible!"
No one had expected the Third Hokage to take the blame upon himself. They all cried out in shock, "What?"
Ignoring the crowd's reaction, the Third Hokage continued, "To give the village an explanation, I have decided to resign and step down from the position of Hokage!"
Upon hearing the Third Hokage's decision, the senior officials present were even more astonished and hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
Koharu and Homura instinctively spoke up to stop him. "Lord Hokage, you cannot!"
The Third Hokage said with an easy expression, "Fortunately, I had already prepared to pass on the position earlier. This is simply a convenient time to step down as Hokage. I was