Hearing the Third Hokage sigh, Kakashi offered some comfort. "Lord Third, Naruto is still too young to understand your difficulties.
"I think he'll understand someday."
The Third smiled. "Heh, Kakashi, you don't have to comfort me. I know Naruto really was disappointed in me this time. Letting Karin join
"Konoha was a good thing, but I chose to back down because I was afraid Konoha's reputation would suffer. I suppose I disappointed
"him."
Mitokado Homura spoke up. "Hiruzen, you didn't make the wrong choice."
"Didn't I?" the Third replied. "Then why did Jiraiya and Tsunade leave Konoha? Why did Orochimaru defect? Were they
"disappointed in me too, just like Naruto? Ah, it seems I really have grown old. Once these exams are over, I should step down
"as well. It's time to let someone younger become Hokage."
Danzo exclaimed in surprise, "What did you say? You're going to step down?"
Koharu was surprised too. "Yes, what will Konoha do if you step down?"
Only Mitokado Homura remained reasonably composed. "Hiruzen, who do you intend to have succeed you?"
The Third thought for a moment, then smiled. "Let Jiraiya or Tsunade take the position."
Koharu considered it. "Either of them would be suitable, but neither is in the village right now."
Mitokado Homura said, "Their absence isn't the problem. The problem is how you intend to get them to accept your position. You
"all know neither of them is very interested in becoming Hokage, especially Tsunade. Because of what happened to Dan and her brother, she practically
"loathes the title."
Rather than answer Mitokado Homura, the Third turned to Danzo. "Danzo, what do you think about my handing the position to Jiraiya
"or Tsunade?"
Danzo said flatly, "Why ask me when you've already decided?" With that, he left.
Watching Danzo leave,