My Lord, Nohibi Has an Important Matter to Report

The sight of those two men fidgeting as if sitting on pins and needles only deepened Minato's suspicions.

Hiruzen gave Minato no room to refuse any further. He rose, placed his injured hand on Minato's shoulder, and made the final decision.

"I called you back today only to inform you of the result, not to discuss it."

"I have officially resigned as Hokage. Until the handover is complete, I will temporarily manage village affairs. Once the Third Shinobi World War ends, you will formally succeed me!"

The scent of fresh lumber lingered in the room while wooden hammers pounded against the walls being repaired outside.

Minato looked at Hiruzen's resolute gaze and the two senior officials nodding frantically, then fell into a long silence.

This was a position he had long desired.

Only by becoming Hokage could he personally break the ironclad rules set by the higher-ups and change Kushina's fate of being confined as a Jinchuriki.

After a long silence, Minato drew a breath, suppressed the absurdity in his heart, and answered in a deep voice.

"If the village truly needs me, then I am willing to shoulder this responsibility."

Koharu and Homura slumped into their wooden chairs at the same time, letting out long breaths as some color finally returned to their faces.

Hiruzen's tightly drawn back slowly relaxed as well.

But Minato did not relax.

Pointing at the brand-new wooden walls around them that gave off a pungent smell, as well as the temporary floorboards beneath his feet that did not match at all, he asked the question that had been weighing most heavily on his mind.

"I'll take the responsibility, but can someone tell me who exactly tore down the Hokage Building?!"

The room fell into dead silence again, leaving only the dull pounding of carpenters