Everyone present turned in unison toward Hatake Sakumo when they heard his voice.
They all wanted to hear what Hatake Sakumo had to say. After all, he was arguably the strongest of the three.
As for accomplishments, he was the only person in Konoha to have been awarded a Hokage half-sleeve, and his record was hardly inferior to Minato Namikaze's.
In terms of popularity, however, Sakumo had gone through that incident. Although the Hokage had cleared his name afterward, he certainly wasn't as popular as Minato was now.
So if Hatake Sakumo truly wanted to compete for the Hokage position, Minato Namikaze's chances would be in real jeopardy.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi grew nervous when Hatake Sakumo suddenly raised his hand. If Sakumo succeeded him as Hokage, he really wouldn't dare pull any tricks under Sakumo's nose. If he got caught and Hatake Ziyan found out, he might lose his life! Then he really would be left with nothing.
Seeing everyone turn toward him, Sakumo straightened his clothes and said, "My many years of fighting have left me with too many lingering injuries. Although I would also like to become Hokage, my body simply cannot withstand the intense workload the position demands. So I am withdrawing from the race for Hokage!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief at Hatake Sakumo's words, then asked everyone present, "What do you think of Hatake Sakumo's proposal?"
"No objections!" Everyone shook their heads in unison again.
After all, none of them could afford to offend any of the three candidates, much less the man standing behind Sakumo.
After looking around the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Since none of you object, Hatake Sakumo's withdrawal from the race for Hokage is approved!"
Hatake Sakumo nodded apologetically to everyone around him, then sat down.
No sooner had Hatake Sakumo sat down than Orochimaru stood up.
"Don't tell me you want to withdraw from the race for Hokage too?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile when he saw his student stand.
Orochimaru nodded seriously and said, "Yes. My focus right now is on my ninjutsu research, and I have already made an important breakthrough. I currently have no time to handle Konoha's affairs, so I am not suited to being Hokage. That being the case, I will not be taking part in the race!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected another withdrawal speech. He instinctively stole a glance at his old friend, who had resorted to every possible means in his pursuit of the Hokage position. Yet here these two were, with the position within reach, turning down the candidacy with such strange excuses. Had becoming Hokage really lost that much of its appeal?
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his head and said, "Orochimaru, why are you withdrawing too? With both of you out, Minato is the only one left. How am I supposed to explain this to Konoha's villagers? It'll look as though I, the outgoing Hokage, chose the next Hokage behind closed doors!"
Danzo stood up just then. Seeing his old friend rise, Hiruzen Sarutobi assumed he was about to seize the opportunity to ask to become Hokage again, and hurriedly said, "Advisor Danzo, do you have any thoughts on Sakumo and Orochimaru withdrawing from the race?"
Danzo glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and thought, You've misjudged me this time. I'm here to fully support Minato becoming Hokage! Still, what Orochimaru and Sakumo did really is infuriating. Why did I work myself to the bone stirring things up? To become Hokage, of course! Yet neither of you even wants the position. You're making me look like a fool!
Danzo cleared his throat and said, "Sakumo and Orochimaru have already explained why they cannot become Hokage. Their decision was made entirely with the interests of Konoha's people in mind. I admire their resolve, so I wholeheartedly support their withdrawal from the race! However!"
The moment Danzo said "however," Hiruzen Sarutobi felt certain he had judged his old friend correctly. He was using this opportunity to enter the race for Hokage!
Danzo paused, then continued, "However, this has no bearing whatsoever on Minato being the sole candidate for Hokage!"
"Danzo, I won't ag-" Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stood up as Danzo mentioned Minato.
But when he heard what Danzo said next, he hurriedly cut himself off.
Danzo nearly burst out laughing as well. Suppressing his amusement, he deliberately asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hiruzen, what were you saying you wouldn't agree to? Minato becoming Hokage?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't expected his old friend to resist his desire to become Hokage when such a good opportunity presented itself.
"Elder Danzo, you misheard me. I said I agree!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his expression darkening.
"Really? But I distinctly heard you say 'I won't agree.' Could I have misheard because of my age?" Danzo asked sarcastically.
After saying that, Danzo felt relaxed and refreshed from head to toe! In that instant, he could somewhat understand why Hatake Ziyan enjoyed teasing people so much. It really was delightful.
"Danzo, enough of these irrelevant matters. We're here to discuss the election of the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, asserting his authority as Hokage. Without waiting for Danzo to answer, he addressed everyone else present. "We will now vote on Minato becoming the next Hokage. Those in favor, raise your hands!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi just wanted to end this awkward situation as quickly as possible. Whether the process was reasonable didn't really matter. The next Hokage was normally nominated by the previous one anyway. Only if a Hokage died unexpectedly would the village's higher-ups hold a collective election.
The only reason he had summoned everyone this time was that three strong contenders had emerged at once, and the indecisive Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to hear the advice of the village's higher-ups.
At Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, everyone raised their hands in unison. After all, the only people who could compete with Minato for the position were the two who had withdrawn. Tsunade and Jiraiya had no interest in it, so whatever happened along the way, the result would be Minato becoming Hokage. In that case, why not show Minato Namikaze some goodwill early, rather than risk having him make life difficult for their clans later?
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked over everyone's votes and nodded. "Since we're all agreed, I will submit a letter of recommendation to the Land of Fire's daimyo today, recommending Minato as the next Hokage!"
A week later, the Land of Fire's daimyo sent a letter back approving Minato Namikaze as the next Hokage and instructing him to visit the daimyo's residence for an audience immediately after taking office.
When news of Minato Namikaze's impending succession reached Konoha, it spread as though it had grown wings, quickly making its way throughout the village.
Before you continue