Hokage candidates

Late that night, Kurenai hurried away after finishing her battle with Gentō.

Pakura immediately came in afterward and stood beside the bed, looking down at him with disgust in her eyes.

"You're such a pervert!"

Gentō raised an eyebrow and sat up.

"Oh? A pervert?"

Before he had even finished speaking, his hands were already forming hand seals.

"Yin Seal: Slave Mark!"

The instant he activated the slave mark, lightning release chakra surged from the mark on her lower abdomen, slipping into Pakura's body like countless slender electric snakes.

"Mm!"

Caught off guard, Pakura clamped her legs together. Her body went limp, and she sank straight to her knees on the floor.

She bit her lip and looked up at Gentō, annoyance in her eyes, but she could not speak.

Gentō got up, walked over to her, and bent down to scoop her into his arms.

The bed was a mess, but he did not care. He gently laid her down.

"Since you put it that way..."

He leaned close to her ear, his voice low.

"I'll show you what a real pervert is like."

The next morning.

Gentō opened his eyes, feeling refreshed.

He glanced to the side. Pakura was still curled up beneath the covers, faint red marks visible on her exposed shoulders and arms.

Her whole body was sore and weak, and she slept soundly.

Gentō smiled, got dressed, and headed out.

As soon as he stepped outside, a figure landed in front of him.

It was an Anbu operative under the Hokage's direct command. Wearing an animal mask, he knelt on one knee.

"Lord Gentō, Lord Hokage summons you."

Gentō nodded and followed him toward the Hokage Building, deep in thought.

By the time Gentō entered the meeting room, almost everyone had arrived.

He found a seat and surveyed those present.

Gentō keenly noticed that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was sitting off to the side, leaving the seat at the head of the table empty.

The arrangement made it obvious that an important guest was coming.

Danzo sat in a corner, his face expressionless.

After a while, the door swung open.

A middle-aged man entered, wearing an opulent kimono with a sword at his waist.

He had a fair complexion, slightly raised brows, and a faint, ambiguous smile. There was a condescending air in his eyes.

Two guards followed him. One was a blond young man with a cigarette between his lips-Asuma Sarutobi.

The other was a bald young man in monk's robes, Chiriku.

As soon as Hiruzen saw the man enter, he rose and introduced him to everyone.

"This is Lord Isayama Kōmon, a personal attendant to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. Please welcome him."

Everyone rose to pay their respects.

Isayama Kōmon merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

He walked to the head of the table but did not sit. Instead, he drew a scroll from his sleeve, unfurled it, cleared his throat, and read aloud:

"By decree of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire: the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has served for many years, earning both merit and blame during the war. In recognition of his labors, he is permitted to remain Hokage for one further year. Upon the conclusion of that term, he shall retire, and a new Hokage shall be selected."

After reading it, he rolled up the scroll and casually handed it to Hiruzen beside him.

For a moment, the meeting room fell silent.

Hiruzen accepted the scroll, his face calm, betraying neither joy nor anger.

The setbacks in the war had already led him to expect this.

Being allowed another year was thanks to Minato and Gentō, and it was already far better than he had anticipated.

Danzo, however, reacted differently.

His head was lowered, but his eyes lit up, and he could barely suppress a smile.

If a new Hokage was to be selected in a year, didn't that mean he had a chance too?

Isayama Kōmon showed no intention of sitting. His gaze swept across the room, and he spoke as casually as if making small talk.

"Are Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Gentō here?"

A blond young man stood with a gentle smile. It was Minato Namikaze.

Gentō also rose and nodded to him.

Isayama Kōmon looked the two of them up and down, appreciation appearing on his face.

"The Daimyō has heard of your performance in the war and is very pleased. He intends to name you both as candidates for the next Hokage. Keep up the good work."

Minato bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your confidence in us, my lord."

Gentō followed suit with a bow.

Isayama Kōmon nodded and turned his gaze away from them, seemingly ready to leave.

Danzo suddenly stood.

"My lord, during this war, I joined forces with Hanzō of the Salamander to defeat an organization in the Land of Rain called Akatsuki. We even killed their leader, Yahiko. Surely that was no small achievement? Might the Daimyō have mentioned allowing me to compete for the position of the next Hokage as well?"

Isayama Kōmon turned his head and glanced at him.

His gaze was indifferent, as though he were looking at an unimportant passerby.

"Hmm... What was your name?"

The corner of Danzo's mouth twitched.

"I am Shimura Danzō."

"Oh. The Daimyō never mentioned you."

Isayama Kōmon waved a hand.

"Besides, you're too old."

Danzo clenched his fists. His lips moved as though he still wanted to say something.

But Isayama Kōmon gave him no opportunity, turning straight toward the door.

"My time is precious. I won't linger here."

The two guards followed him, and the door closed behind them.

Everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

In the end, Hiruzen broke the silence.

He cleared his throat softly and spoke in an even tone.

"It is time for me to retire. But during this final year, I will still see to it that everything that needs doing is done properly."

Gentō sat in his seat, his thoughts racing.

In the original story, Hiruzen had been forced to step down as soon as the war ended.

Now, because of the changes Gentō had brought about, Konoha had defeated the Land of Wind, and Hiruzen had actually gained another year in office.

It seemed the Daimyō wanted to give him a dignified departure in recognition of his hard work, even if his achievements were lacking.

Hiruzen continued.

"The war is over, and many shinobi have returned to the village. After spending so long on the battlefield, some have brought its brutal habits back with them. Public order in Konoha has deteriorated considerably lately. Fights and harassment of civilians have become frequent."

He looked at Gentō.

"The Konoha Military Police Force will need to put in some extra effort. Increase patrols and stamp out this misconduct."

Gentō rose and lowered his head in acknowledgment.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. When I return, I'll urge Fugaku to keep a closer watch."

Hiruzen nodded.

"All right. Meeting adjourned."

Everyone rose and left.

Danzo watched Minato and Gentō leave, his gaze vicious.

Upon returning to the Root Base, he waved a hand. A masked figure emerged from the shadows and knelt on one knee.

"Send a few people to investigate Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Gentō."

"Look into every last detail of their pasts. Compile your findings and bring them to me."

"Yes."

The figure flickered and vanished into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Gentō left the Hokage Building and walked along the street toward the Uchiha Compound.

As he walked, he thought about what had just happened.

A new Hokage would be selected in a year, and both he and Minato were candidates.

Minato was upright, powerful, and popular. Like Gentō, he had distinguished himself on the battlefield, but more importantly, he was the student of Hiruzen's student.

Given the unwritten rules surrounding the Hokage's position, Gentō reckoned his chances were slim.

Still, that was fine. The Hokage's position was a hot potato right now, hardly a desirable seat.

As he was thinking, a commotion broke out ahead.

Gentō looked up and saw a noisy crowd gathered at a street corner.

He walked over, pushed through the crowd, and looked inside.

Two young men wearing Konoha Military Police Force vests were pinning a drunken man to the ground. The man was still struggling and swearing.

A woman sat on the ground nearby, her clothes disheveled, her head lowered as she quietly sobbed.

Gentō frowned and stepped forward.

"What happened?"