Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye.
The news of the Hokage election spread throughout Konoha over the past three days, and villagers were excitedly discussing it everywhere in the streets and alleys.
The Uchiha Mirai, in particular, adds a touch of legend to this election.
That Calamity Uchiha, the Godzilla Jinchuriki, forged countless legends.
Who do you think will become Hokage this time?
"It's hard to say. I heard that Lady Tsunade is also running for the position. She's the granddaughter of the First Hokage!"
"But Uchiha Mirai also ran for election! In terms of fame, he's not much less famous than Uchiha Madara was back then, is he?"
"How exciting! The Senju Clan and Uchiha Clan, after decades, will clash again in this way. Who will ultimately become Hokage?"
Compared to the heated discussions outside, the atmosphere in a certain conference room inside the Hokage Building was much more somber.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face looked as if he had aged more than ten years in an instant, his face covered with wrinkles like wild chrysanthemums in full bloom.
Just sitting at the conference table caused his body, already ravaged by lung disease, to cough uncontrollably and violently.
"Cough cough! Cough cough..."
Utatane Koharu, cast a worried glance at him.
In contrast, Torifu Akimichi and Nara Shikaku, among others, across the conference table, had much more indifferent expressions.
"I haven't even stepped down yet! Why are they already electing a new Hokage?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi Hiruzen suppressed his physical discomfort, scanned his surroundings, and tried his best to display the remaining power of this old lion.
However, it doesn't seem to have any effect.
"Hiruzen, is your body still capable of fulfilling the duties of Hokage?"
Torifu Akimichi glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and sighed.
"What? Even you... cough! cough cough..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to argue, but the discomfort in his lungs made him cough.
Torifu Akimichi secretly shook his head.
As expected, Sarutobi Hiruzen's lung disease had reached a very serious stage.
Given this situation, let alone whether he can be competent as Hokage, even his daily life will likely become a problem.
Torifu Akimichi sighed, "Hiruzen, even setting aside your physical problems, your recent behavior makes it impossible for you to continue winning people's hearts."
Having said that, Torifu Akimichi glanced slightly to his side, where the heads of the other Konoha ninja clans were sitting.
The ninja clans, including the Ino-Shika-Cho, are large and small.
This action was naturally noticed by Sarutobi Hiruzen, who immediately fell silent.
Danzo died, along with the elite ninjas drawn from other clans that night, all perished on Uchiha Clan Compound.
He knew that many ninja clans harbored resentment.
He had assumed that, faced with a choice between the Uchiha Clan and the village, these ninja clans would make the right decision.
In hindsight, he was too idealistic.
No, or rather, the moment Uchiha Mirai emerged from seclusion, the prestige he had built up in Konoha over the past decade was gradually destroyed.
And now, this is the backlash from the collapse of that prestige.
"Even so, it should wait until I step down voluntarily."
After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen a deep voice.
"Waiting for you to step down?"
Whether Torifu Akimichi were a mockery or a sigh was unclear.
"Hiruzen, knowing you as I do, I'm afraid this wait will take several years, won't it?"
With the Uchiha Clan currently enjoying great power and the Hokage lineage suffering repeated setbacks, how could Sarutobi Hiruzen possibly give up the most valuable Hokage position?
Even if he's lying in a coma in a hospital bed due to lung disease, it's likely that the selection of a new Hokage will have to wait until he wakes up.
Torifu Akimichi couldn't wait, Konoha couldn't wait, and neither could the ninja clans around him.
A new Hokage must be elected immediately.
Sarutobi Hiruzen is no longer qualified to serve as Hokage.
After a series of exchanges, Sarutobi Hiruzen realized that no matter how he tried to break through, his opponent would always easily retaliate.
This setback made him look even more haggard.
Ultimately, he no longer has enough power to support the position of Hokage.
It's clear that the Sarutobi Clan alone is no longer enough to suppress the current chaos in Konoha.
"Third Hokage, rest assured, if nothing unexpected happens, the new Hokage will undoubtedly be Tsunade."
"At that time, you will still retain the power of a high-level position."
Nara Shikaku into Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
"This is my promise to you, this is the promise of our three races to you."
After hearing Nara Shikaku's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's previously pale face regained some color.
The three clans that Nara Shikaku mentioned are naturally the Ino-Shika-Cho.
These three clans had followed him for a long time.
If the Uchiha Mirai, and if his body doesn't exhibit any abnormalities, these three clans will absolutely not betray him.
Most importantly, Torifu Akimichi is also one of the three clans, Nara Shikaku's promise naturally includes him.
Based on his understanding of Torifu Akimichi, the other party wouldn't deceive him on such a matter.
Not to mention...
A bitter smile appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's lips.
What right does he have left to choose?
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
This is already the best possible outcome.
Torifu Akimichi and Nara Shikaku secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They were really worried that Sarutobi Hiruzen refuse to budge, which would make things much more complicated.
"However, I have one request."
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly spoke.
"What are your requirements?"
The hearts of those who Torifu Akimichi were once again on edge.
"The Uchiha clan must never become Hokage in the future."
Sarutobi Hiruzen each word slowly and deliberately, almost as if he were squeezing them out from between his teeth.
This is his final line!
"Nature."
Torifu Akimichi grinned.
"We are prepared that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Uchiha Mirai will suffer a crushing defeat this time."
"That's good..."
A smile appeared in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, as if even his previous defeat had vanished.
He has never defeated Uchiha Mirai in anything.
This is the best opportunity yet.
Even if he is no longer the Hokage, he will still make sure the Uchiha Mirai.