Did playing cards with Tsunade even require thought?

The meeting went more smoothly than anyone had imagined.

So smoothly that, in the end, Danzo was forced to try sowing discord.

"Speaking of military achievements, doesn't Kazan surpass everyone here?"

"By your own reasoning, he would be an even better choice for Hokage!"

At those words, Uchiha Fugaku's eyes visibly brightened.

But again, choosing a Hokage was no joke. It wasn't like choosing a class president, where someone could stand up, announce their candidacy, and let everyone vote.

Konoha's Shinobi Clans had already chosen their sides.

It wasn't that Kazan couldn't be chosen, of course, but he would have to wait until the next generation.

You can't become Hokage before we've even had a chance to ride your coattails. That won't do!

In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi made the final decision: Minato Namikaze would inherit the Fourth Hokage position.

"Finally, it's over."

Kazan stretched, holding the matcha the ANBU had bought for him.

Aside from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kazan was probably the only person in Konoha who could make the ANBU run errands.

But they had little choice. Kazan really would hit people if they disobeyed, regardless of the occasion.

Besides, the ANBU had heard that once Hiruzen Sarutobi retired for good, he would put Kazan in charge of them.

Would they dare disobey their future boss?

As for Kazan, he hadn't liked matcha at first, but after drinking enough of it, he had come to appreciate its flavor.

He went up to the Hokage Building's rooftop to head home, only to find Tsunade and Jiraiya trying to look cool by the edge.

"What are you two doing here?"

Kazan took a long slurp of tea, then let out an "Ah."

Neither answered. Instead, they looked into the distance.

They were looking in the direction Orochimaru had left.

"What? Worried