The Standard for Becoming Hokage

Today, Sarutobi Hiruzen dismissed the Anbu ninjas as usual and convened a high-level meeting with his three old friends in the Hokage office.

Despite it being a routine meeting, Mitokado Homura felt uneasy, recalling the rumors circulating about himself and Utatane Koharu; it felt as if someone had placed nails on his chair.

No one spoke. Sarutobi Hiruzen, half his face hidden in shadow, stared at the Hokage desk that had existed since the era of the First Hokage. He couldn't help but drift into a daze; the desk was old, much like he was.

After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh, breaking the quiet: "The rumors from a while ago have finally subsided, but I fear the villagers' resentment toward us will only continue to grow in the shadows."

"Why care about a group of powerless commoners?" Shimura Danzō interjected. In his view, if you killed a few of the ringleaders, the remaining villagers would naturally become obedient.

"Sigh, Danzō, you are as rigid as ever. But now, we are all old, and the new generation in the village is gradually coming of age."

"Are you thinking of abdicating? Hiruzen!" Danzō's face lit up with joy; he was extremely sensitive to such matters.

"Is that true, Hiruzen? But isn't everything going well? Why think about stepping down?" Koharu and Homura were also quite shocked.

One generation of Hokage, one generation of advisors; over these many years, they had reaped countless benefits from their status as Konoha elders, and they were loath to leave.

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Enough, my mind is made up. I find myself increasingly unable to handle various matters, and who knows when the next Shinobi World War might break out."

"It is foreseeable that this one will be more intense than the Second Shinobi World War. Perhaps all Five Great Shinobi Villages will be involved. When that time comes, will I go to the battlefield? Or will you?"

Knowing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had made a decision that could not be stopped, the group began to concern themselves with who the Fourth Hokage would be.

Mitokado Homura: "Then Hiruzen, who do you intend to pass the position of Hokage to? Jiraiya?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head: "Jiraiya is an excellent ninja, but he has been running around for Mount Myoboku matters for the past two years. I don't feel at ease handing Konoha over to him."

Utatane Koharu: "Then Tsunade? She is the First Hokage's kin, and her reputation among both ninjas and villagers is very high."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head again: "Ever since her lover Dan Katō sacrificed himself, Tsunade has been listless. I fear she has no interest in the position of Hokage."

Hearing this, Shimura Danzō was overjoyed: "Then it must be Orochimaru. Excellent, he is powerful, wise, and many Konoha ninjas admire him."

Danzō planned to support Orochimaru as Hokage first, then use his human experiments involving Konoha villagers as leverage to further expand his own power, step by step, until even becoming the Fifth Hokage would not be out of the question.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen still shook his head: "The environment of Root is too dark. I always worry that Orochimaru will go down a twisted path. Perhaps I shouldn't have let him get involved with Root in the first place."

Danzō's face darkened: "Not satisfied with Orochimaru either? It couldn't possibly be Hatake Sakumo, could it? He isn't one of our own."

Utatane Koharu: "How could we hand the Hokage position to an outsider? I think Hiruzen must be looking at the younger generation of ninjas—Chiba Genichi or Minato Namikaze?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen finally nodded: "Young people have more vitality; we must give them more opportunities."

The result did not meet his expectations, and Danzō was already impatient: "Who is it exactly?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not answer directly: "I think we need a firm successor of the Will of Fire to serve as the Fourth Hokage. It would be best if his personality were gentle, he had no interest in power, possessed great strength but could carefully accept the teachings of his predecessors, and did not hold overly radical views, preferably delegating major village affairs to professionals."

Reflecting on the two, Chiba Genichi had long since made a name for himself on the battlefield, had mastered the Magnet Release, and had a contract with Ryūchi Cave. His comprehensive strength had likely entered the Kage level long ago, and he was no weakling even among the Kage of other villages—not to mention his youth.

Although Minato Namikaze had been overshadowed by Chiba Genichi since childhood, he had mastered the Second Hokage's signature Flying Thunder God Technique. He had been executing missions during this period, becoming a Jonin, and had also contracted with Mount Myoboku; the potential of his space-time ninjutsu was far from limited to this.

Both were of commoner origin, focused on training to improve their strength, and should have little interest in politics or power, right?

Mitokado Homura: "It should be Chiba Genichi, don't forget his relationship with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"And don't forget his relationship with the Uchiha clan!" Shimura Danzō thought of how this brat had directly hinted at making him a scapegoat during the last meeting: "Have you forgotten the teachings of our teacher? The Uchiha clan is inherently evil..."

"Enough, Danzō. The Uchiha clan is also a part of the village." Hiruzen interrupted Danzō: "Once Chiba Genichi becomes Hokage, it will be the perfect opportunity to ease the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan. Do you really want to see the day the Uchiha clan rebels against the village?"

Hearing this, Homura and Koharu nodded in agreement.

The cake in the village was only so big; following the teacher's will to suppress the Uchiha meant the extra portions were consumed internally by them anyway. They didn't actually want to start a war with the Uchiha.

"I only have the thought of abdicating; I am not stepping down today. In any case, just keep this in mind," Sarutobi Hiruzen added.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this."

Danzō didn't care whether the Fourth Hokage was Chiba Genichi or Minato Namikaze. His power stemmed from Root; with his cursed seals and brainwashing methods, he would always be the leader of Root.

Still in the Hokage office, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Chiba Genichi and Minato Namikaze.

"Lord Hokage." ×2

"Genichi, Minato, you're here," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a chuckle.

"Time flies so fast. A few years ago, you were both just children in the Ninja Academy, and in the blink of an eye, you are both capable of handling things on your own."

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire burns. Every time I see the children of the village growing up, I feel that my years of dedication have not been in vain."

"Lord Hokage is too kind." Minato scratched the back of his head, wearing a silly smile.

Becoming Hokage had been Minato's dream since childhood, and the Third Hokage's reputation in the village had always been quite good. Minato had always held the Third Hokage in deep respect.

Genichi: "Lord Third, if you have something to say, say it quickly. I have things to do tonight."

For an unspeakable wish in his heart, Genichi recently planned to build a large hot spring in his courtyard. One that used machines to heat water and automatically circulated it to maintain the temperature, with a one-way sealing barrier built around the perimeter so he could look at the sky from inside, while those outside couldn't see in.

The Third Hokage wasn't angry. He didn't know that the rumors making him so miserable were secretly spread by Chiba Genichi. In his eyes, Genichi was the best candidate for the next Hokage: "Hehe, Genichi, don't be in such a hurry. It won't take long."

"Just as I took the Sannin as disciples back then, and Jiraiya trained Minato, and Orochimaru trained you, Genichi—now that you are both outstanding Jonin of the village, it is time for you to train the next generation of ninjas."

"The list of early graduates from the Ninja Academy is out. I have selected the two most outstanding squads for you, and I hope you can serve as their lead Jonin."

As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen handed over several student files.

Asuma Sarutobi was not among them. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen hoped his youngest son could grow closer to Chiba Genichi and Minato, he considered the impending war; their two squads would be tasked with the most dangerous missions. It was too early for Asuma, and it was better to keep him in a safe place to accumulate experience first.

Minato Namikaze: Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara.

Chiba Genichi: Might Guy, Shizune Kato, Kurenai Yuhi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen explained, "I recall that Might Guy is a disciple taken in by Genichi, and Kakashi worked under you, Minato, when he first became a chunin, correct? I have built these two squads with them as the core. Go on, they should already be waiting for their jonin instructors in the classroom."

In the ninja academy classroom, only six people remained.

Obito: "Why is that stuck-up Kakashi here? Didn't he become a chunin last year?"

"Idiot." Kakashi had no desire to engage with this hot-blooded fool.

The voice was soft, but Obito still heard it: "You guy!"

Seeing Obito about to lose his temper—and knowing that if a fight broke out, he would be no match for Kakashi—Rin hurriedly intervened: "Maybe it's because the numbers didn't add up. Squads are usually three people, and we were missing one. It just so happens that Kakashi is also a student of our year."

Hearing Rin speak, Obito calmed down, wearing a silly grin: "So that's how it is. Rin, you're so smart."

"998, 999, 1000, done." In the corner of the classroom, Might Guy, who had been doing push-ups, stood up, gave a thumbs-up to Kakashi, and said with a smile, "Kakashi, the jonin instructor hasn't arrived yet. Why don't we have a duel between men first?"

"I refuse." Kakashi remained as indifferent as ever.

Shizune: "Speaking of jonin instructors, I have inside information. Our instructor might be Chiba Genichi-sama or Minato-sama."

"Chiba Genichi? Could it be that 'White-Clad Death God'?" Kurenai Yuhi was also surprised. Since her classmates had already been assigned to other squads, she had been quite nervous being the only one in the room from a different grade, but she hadn't expected a chance to be assigned to Chiba Genichi-sama: "I heard from my father that Chiba-sama is the strongest ninja of the younger generation; even he admits he is no match for him."

"If Chiba-senpai were my instructor, that would be great. With his help, I'd surely be able to awaken the Sharingan in no time." Obito said, drifting into a fantasy.

A flash of golden light flickered, and Minato appeared behind Obito, reaching out to pat his shoulder as he smiled: "Obito-kun, right? Sorry to disappoint you, but I am your jonin instructor."

Seeing the newcomer, Kurenai was startled and couldn't help but exclaim: "It's Body Flicker Minato!"

Genichi, who entered the classroom right behind him, heard this and felt speechless: Well, after Kushina stole Minato's "Yellow Flash" nickname, Minato has now stolen Shisui's "Body Flicker" title.

I wonder what Shisui will be called in the future? The Clan-Extinguishing Flicker? Never mind, that's too ominous.

"Isn't it Minato Namikaze? How did it become Body Flicker Minato?" A startled Obito looked confused.

Kakashi: "Idiot, how can a ninja let their guard down against the outside world? Didn't you see that Body Flicker Technique just now, just like the Yellow Flash?"

Shizune: "I heard that some people originally called Minato-jonin the "Yellow Flash," but since there is already a jonin in the village with that title, everyone eventually honored him as "Body Flicker Minato.""

Chiba Genichi: "Alright, the three whose names I call, prepare to come with me: Might Guy, Shizune Kato, Kurenai Yuhi. And, long time no see, Obito, Kakashi, and Rin."

Kakashi nodded gratefully. Although he hadn't expected the issue to be resolved this way, neither the villagers nor his father were dwelling on the failure of his last mission anymore.

"Great! I never expected our instructor to be Genichi-sensei. This is truly youthful!" Might Guy jumped up in excitement, tears streaming down his face, once again lost in his own world.

Minato: "It seems I don't need to say much. Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, I am Minato Namikaze, your future jonin instructor."

"Come to think of it, Minato, we're leading the same batch of students. Should we have them compete?" Genichi proposed.

"Ah, that might not be appropriate." The honest Minato looked at Kakashi, who was already a chunin, and felt he would be taking too much of an advantage.

Genichi explained: "Of course, not right now. I mean we should have them compete when there's an opportunity in the future. Having peers as goals will help them progress faster."

"That, of course, is fine."

Genichi: "Then, we shall take our leave."

Genichi: "Although I already know some of you, today is the official formation of our squad, so let's start with self-introductions to get to know each other. As for me, my name is Chiba Genichi, a jonin of the village. I know a little bit of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. I don't really have anything I dislike, and as for things I like to do, I suppose it would be soaking in hot springs? I'm actually planning to build a large hot spring at home, and my dream is to live a happy life in the future."

Guy raised his right hand, gave a thumbs-up, and shouted in response: "A happy life? That is truly youthful! My name is Might Guy. I like doing taijutsu training, and I specialize in taijutsu. I dislike ghosts and ghouls and things of that nature. As for my dream, it is to defeat the genius Kakashi through hard work and prove that effort can overcome the gap brought by talent."

Shizune: "I am Shizune. I specialize in medical ninjutsu, and I hope to become a great medical ninja like Tsunade-sama in the future. I usually like eating brown rice, and things I dislike are eating pork and gambling, hehe."

Kurenai: "Nice to meet you all, I am Kurenai Yuhi. I specialize in using genjutsu. I like, um, I like secretly drinking the shochu my father collects. I dislike sweet foods like cakes, except for three-colored dango. My dream is to become a genjutsu ninja who surpasses my father. Also, does this mean our squad is officially formed, Chiba-senpai? Don't you need to test us again?"

Hearing this, Genichi smiled slightly: "Kurenai, are you looking to play the bell-snatching game? Actually, there's no need. I've already looked at your files and have an understanding of your situations. As for teamwork, there will be plenty of opportunities to cultivate that later. Besides, Kurenai, you aren't in the same grade as them. Are you really that confident in your first time working together?"

Kurenai felt a bit embarrassed: "I was just wondering why there wasn't a test; it's not like I wanted to play bell-snatching."

"Alright, to celebrate the first day of our squad's formation, I've decided to treat everyone to the Akimichi Clan's specialty barbecue." Genichi said generously: "Guy, you head out first. Run around the streets of Konoha to warm up, eat plenty later, and while you're at it, go ahead and book a small private room at the barbecue restaurant."

"Not only is our instructor Genichi-sensei, but he's also treating us to barbecue on the first day—this is youth! Then, I'm off!" Today, Guy was as hot-blooded as ever.