Do You Want to Become the Fourth Hokage?

Tsunade straightened her expression and opened with a bombshell:

"Sakumo, do you want to become the Fourth Hokage?"

"With your accomplishments, you'd be more than qualified to become the Fourth Hokage. If you want the position, I can support you."

Ye Ning's eyes widened instantly.

He'd never expected that Tsunade had invited Sakumo over to discuss such explosive news.

At the same time, Ye Ning realized that the world of Naruto had begun to change in subtle ways the moment he saved the White Fang.

He was just a little butterfly, but he'd flapped his wings. Where the future would lead, he couldn't predict at all.

Just like now.

At this point in the original story, the White Fang had already taken his own life, and Tsunade would soon leave Konoha to travel the world. But now, they were drinking together at the same table, even discussing the Fourth Hokage.

Most importantly, one was Tsunade, and the other was Sakumo. The two of them really could decide who would become the Fourth Hokage in Konoha!

One was a Sannin who had saved countless wounded during the war and made a name for herself by facing Hanzo on the Land of Rain battlefield. The other was the White Fang of the Leaf, who had led Konoha Ninja to defeat the Land of Wind head-on. Other ninja had earned merits on the other battlefields, but they still fell far short of these two.

It could be said that the two most influential people in Konoha were both right here.

Under these circumstances, Tsunade's decision to support Sakumo's bid for the Fourth Hokage had a very good chance of succeeding.

With just the two of them, the outcome might still be uncertain.

But what if they had him—and the Daimyo—on their side?

Although the Hokage candidate needed the approval of the previous Hokage or the elders, and a visit to the Daimyo Mansion was only a formality, the Daimyo could actually influence the choice of Hokage to a certain extent.

During the Third Shinobi World War, the Third Hokage's poor command had led to defeats on the front lines and heavy losses. After the war ended, he resigned, pressured by widespread criticism—especially the Daimyo's dissatisfaction with the defeat. Minato Namikaze then succeeded him as the Fourth Hokage.

That showed that the Daimyo did have some influence over who became the next Hokage.

Of course, that influence was usually limited to choosing among a small number of candidates.

Could they really force the Third Hokage to step down now?

To be honest, Ye Ning didn't feel much hostility toward the Third Hokage himself. After all, Danzo had taken the blame for more than half of it.

But the Third Hokage could be far too weak at times—or perhaps he was simply too tolerant of Danzo. That had allowed Danzo's power and ambition to grow unchecked, leading him to do one revolting thing after another.

With someone else as Hokage, Danzo couldn't possibly hold such a high position. Naturally, he'd have to rein himself in.

Tsunade's suggestion left Hatake Sakumo just as shocked.

But Sakumo soon gave her his answer:

"Forget it."

Sakumo shook his head. He was still in his prime, yet a weary, twilight air hung about him. "I once thought that I might become Hokage someday. But that thought is gone now. Kakashi has graduated from the Ninja Academy. My only hope now is to see him become an outstanding ninja one day."

"I also hope he'll carry on the Hatake Sword Technique. Other than that, I have no other ambitions."

Only when talking about Kakashi did a gleam of light spark in Hatake Sakumo's eyes. He looked every bit like a father proud of his son.

Ye Ning blinked but said nothing.

This was Sakumo's own choice, after all. There wasn't much an outsider could say.

He was more interested in something else.

In the original story, Kakashi could be called a formidable contender for the title of the greatest genius in the history of the Hokage candidates. A Genin at five, a Chunin at six, and an elite Jonin at twelve, when he developed the A-rank Chidori. Apart from those with cheat-like advantages, no one could match that record—not even Uchiha Itachi.

And his life could compete for the top spot on the list of most tragic characters.

He lost his father at five. At twelve, he watched his friend "die" before his eyes. At thirteen, he killed a girl who loved him with his own hands. After his teacher helped him through it, he finally began to recover, thanks to witnessing a new life come into the world—only for his teacher and his teacher's wife to die soon afterward.

If it weren't for the ever-optimistic Might Guy constantly cheering him up, Kakashi's entire life would have been filled with tragedy.

Even his name meant "scarecrow in a rice field," standing watch alone.

In his previous life, plenty of people had wondered: what if Kakashi hadn't had that "burdensome" Sharingan? What if his father hadn't died, and had taught him the Hatake Sword Technique all along? Just how strong would Kakashi have become?

Ye Ning clicked his tongue.

He had no way of knowing the answer.

But he could witness it with his own eyes.

Come to think of it... Kakashi seemed to have worn a mask ever since he was little, didn't he?

When he got the chance, he'd have to visit Sakumo's house and take a good look at the face beneath that mask.

"What about you, Tsunade? Why don't you want to become Hokage?"

Hatake Sakumo took a couple of sips of wine and tossed the question back, curiosity hidden in his eyes.

After all, her grandfather and Second Granduncle had both been Hokage. Tsunade should have been raised from childhood to aspire to the position. And yet she'd never dreamed of becoming Hokage. Even when she was young, her only dreams had been to visit every corner of the world and win at every casino.

In other words, Tsunade hadn't started rejecting the idea of becoming Hokage because Nawaki, who had always dreamed of becoming Hokage, died.

Ye Ning was just as curious about the answer.

"Being Hokage... It's too exhausting. There are endless documents to handle every day, and the paperwork piles up like a mountain. I'd rather spend that time going out and seeing more of the world. At the very least, I could drink and gamble!"

Tsunade pursed her lips after a sip of wine, looking rather bored. "Only idiots want to become Hokage."

Hatake Sakumo: "..."

Only idiots want to become Hokage, so why were you just asking me to become the Fourth Hokage?

Are you all right?

Fortunately, Sakumo knew Tsunade had had too much to drink and didn't take it to heart.

"I only hope that peace will last a little longer."

Sakumo let out a wistful sigh, glanced up at the clock hanging in the shop, and stood.

"It's about time. I should head back and prepare dinner for Kakashi."

"Thank you for the meal. I'll be going, then."

Tsunade's response was to sway unsteadily, then finally collapse onto the table with a loud thump.