Hard Confrontation

Something was off with this old man. Could what I casually said downstairs earlier actually be coming true now?

That made no sense!

"I originally passed the position on to the Fourth, but Minato... despite being such an extraordinary genius, died far too young!"

Mentioning the deceased Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could not help but feel sorrowful.

"So afterward, this old man had no choice but to shoulder the burden of Hokage once more. I ended up sitting in this position for another dozen years!"

"But for the past few years, I've felt my age catching up to me. My body can no longer keep up!"

"Especially after the previous war—not only did it drain me greatly, but I also lost an arm. As I am now, I'm even less fit to serve as Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said unhurriedly.

Mirai's mouth twitched. Damn it, why is this sounding more and more convincing...

"In truth, this old man has been seriously searching for a candidate for the next generation of Hokage all these years, but I never found anyone particularly suitable."

"Until not long ago, when this old man finally found the right candidate!" Hiruzen Sarutobi grew somewhat excited as he said this.

"Ahem, ahem..."

Mirai felt that if Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, kept talking, his future would be completely arranged for him...

So it was time to take action...

Mirai decisively interrupted the Third Hokage and said, "Oh! So that's what this is about! But there's no need to tell me something like this at all!"

What?

Everyone froze. The Third Hokage was not only stunned—he was completely dumbfounded.

Something as significant as succeeding the Hokage...

Didn't need to be discussed with the person himself...

The next moment, under the stunned gazes of the four people, Mirai leisurely stood up.

He walked up to Jiraiya like an older brother and patted him on the shoulder.

Mirai said earnestly, "Pervy Sage! After all these years, it looks like you've finally made it!"

"You must have returned to the village in time that day and made a huge contribution by suppressing the summoned beasts. That's why the old man finally decided to pass the Hokage position to you, his disciple!"

"???"

Everyone in the Hokage's office was dumbfounded again. Was this brat really stupid, or was he pretending to be stupid...

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had already made it that obvious, yet this was what you said.

How the hell were they supposed to continue this?!

"Congratulations, congratulations. Alright, see you around!"

Taking advantage of everyone's stunned state, Mirai greased his soles and tried to slip away first.

However, before he could even take a step, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, suddenly slammed his hand against the Hokage's desk.

He roared, "Get back here, you little bastard!"

Seeing that his scheme had been exposed, Mirai could only curl his lips and sit back down.

Only then did the others come to their senses. Those consecutive reactions and his attempt to flee—this guy had been pretending to be stupid!

But after thinking it over, everyone was dumbfounded once more. What was going on? Had the times changed?

Had the position of Hokage in Konoha become so worthless now?

"You brat, I really don't know how your brain works. You reacted so fast that you immediately shoved this matter onto my head!"

Jiraiya rolled his eyes and spoke disgruntledly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted. "If this guy were suited to be Hokage, there would have been no place for Minato in the first place!"

Jiraiya was arrogant by nature and hated being restrained. He simply was not Hokage material.

Mirai spread his hands. "So? If there's something to say, let's just say it directly!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looked at Mirai with a solemn expression. "Mirai, after a decision by this old man and Konoha's higher-ups, we have decided to nominate you as Konoha's Fifth Hokage!"

Mirai was not surprised in the slightest that Hiruzen Sarutobi would say this.

He immediately refused with a perfectly serious expression. "I don't want it! I refuse! I'm not doing it!"

Three rejections in a row—he was clearly saying that nothing could persuade him.

Whoever wanted the Hokage position could have it. Just don't come looking for him.

"..."

Everyone was speechless at once.

What the fuck?

You don't want it! You refuse! You don't dare!

What did you think being Hokage was?

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, glared at Mirai and continued, "Let us continue discussing your succession as Hokage!"

"What the hell is there left to discuss? Let me tell you, I—"

Just as Mirai was about to refuse again, the Hokage's office door was kicked open with a bang.

At the same time, a very aged voice came from outside the door.

"Hiruzen, you've gone too far! You didn't even tell me about something as important as choosing the next Hokage, and you made such a rash decision on your own!"

Mirai did not even need to turn around. From that voice and that manner...

There was no need to think about it. This person was Konoha's Danzo.

That was practically confirmed beyond doubt.

Sure enough, when Mirai turned around, he saw a man leaning on a cane, his entire body wrapped in bandages.

"Sigh, now this is trouble!"

Danzo Shimura's appearance made Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, furrow his brows.

As for Konoha's two advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, they exchanged complicated looks.

They saw another variable in each other's eyes.

And that variable had come with Danzo's arrival.

Danzo frowned as he strode in from the doorway, seething with anger.

The moment he entered, he realized everyone else was sitting while he alone remained standing.

Even Uchiha Mirai, a mere junior, sat there calmly with one leg crossed over the other.

Seeing this, Danzo could not help feeling a little awkward...

To save face and avoid further embarrassment, Danzo turned on Mirai.

"You're Uchiha Mirai, right? Do you think it's appropriate for you to be sitting here while I'm standing?"

Danzo's voice was full of menace. Clearly, he intended to use this chance to put Mirai in his place.

"It really isn't very appropriate."

Hearing that, Mirai nodded, thoroughly agreeing with Danzo.

Seeing Mirai cooperate so readily, Danzo started to feel smug.

In his view, Mirai must have been frightened by his earlier intimidation.

He secretly thought, So that's all there is to him. He's just a little brat! So what if he has some skill? He still has to obediently listen!

Jiraiya, who knew Mirai a little, raised an eyebrow.

In his impression, was Mirai really that easy to intimidate?

Sure enough, the real Mirai showed himself the very next second.

"If standing makes you uncomfortable, you can choose to squat. Or you can kneel and thank us. With so many people here, I don't think anyone would stop you!"

With a puff, Jiraiya sprayed out the tea he had just swallowed.

The tea turned into a mist that filled the air, reflecting off his face.

He really wanted to swear to the heavens and prove his innocence. He had genuinely tried to hold it in just now.

He just had not managed to...