Still, every story had to end sometime. Since not all of the Five Kage had arrived, the summit had yet to begin. To prevent assassination attempts against the Five Kage and avoid other trouble, the samurai of the Land of Iron maintained exceptionally tight security. Unless they had important business, even the Five Kage were not allowed to step outside.
"It feels almost like house arrest," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"It's the same for everyone, so there's no need to take it personally. You may find yourselves in the same situation someday. You might as well get used to it now," Tobirama said.
At his words, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kazemori Masaki exchanged a glance. As the people concerned, they both knew about the rumors quietly circulating through the village, and each held the other's abilities in considerable regard.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that both of them were suited to becoming Hokage. It would be best if he got the position himself, but he could accept it if he did not. Kazemori Masaki, however, was more eager than Hiruzen Sarutobi on this point. Some of his ideas would be much easier to implement only after he became Hokage.
It was not that Hiruzen Sarutobi becoming Hokage would be unacceptable, but Masaki certainly would not have as much freedom as he would if he held the position himself. Moreover, the title of Hokage represented legitimate authority, lending legal weight to the holder's words. Even if Danzo's Root had already become a private army, an order from the Hokage would require it to disband, at least on the surface.
Thus, Hiruzen Sarutobi could accept not becoming Hokage. Given his standing and ambitions, he could carry them out even as the head of the Sarutobi Clan. Kazemori Masaki could not.
"Teacher, is there really no one