Acting Hokage, Torifu Akimichi

Mitokado Homura was speechless.

Tsunade and Jiraiya had been renowned throughout the Shinobi World for decades, and their abilities were outstanding.

During two Shinobi World Wars, they had rendered great service to the village.

Moreover, both were Hiruzen Sarutobi's students, with impeccable credentials.

Although they had remained outwardly united with them while growing apart over the years, they were at least nominally still in the same camp.

Their ability, achievements, and backgrounds were beyond reproach.

They were fully qualified to serve as Hokage.

"Tsunade and Jiraiya have been away from the village for many years, and their whereabouts are unknown. I think we should find them both first, then elect a new Hokage."

After a moment's consideration, Mitokado Homura played his final card.

Stall. Keep stalling.

As long as Tsunade and Jiraiya did not return to the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi would remain Hokage, and the power in Homura's hands would stay there.

"Does Advisor Mitokado intend to drag this out for as long as possible? You really won't give up."

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head, then spoke gravely before everyone's eyes. "The Fifth Hokage will be chosen from between Tsunade and Jiraiya. Until then, we can select an Acting Hokage."

An Acting Hokage?

At those words, everyone's expression shifted slightly.

Selecting an Acting Hokage was certainly an option.

But who else in Konoha could shoulder such a heavy responsibility now?

Hyuga Hiashi cleared his throat and declared solemnly, "I, Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Clan, recommend Torifu Akimichi for the position of Acting Fifth Hokage until the Fifth Hokage is chosen."

His words fell.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slumped in his chair.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked livid.

Their final effort had failed as well.

Torifu Akimichi was a student of the Second Hokage, having studied alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, and the others.

However, Torifu Akimichi had been in semiretirement since shortly after the Third Shinobi World War.

During the Nine-Tails' Attack, Torifu Akimichi had been gravely wounded and left on the brink of death. Uchiha Douyang had pulled him back from death's door.

After that, Torifu Akimichi had officially retired, staying home and spending his days singing and taking his pet birds out, leading quite a pleasant life.

With Torifu Akimichi's seniority and the support of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans behind him, he might have struggled to win everyone over as Hokage, but there would be absolutely no problem with him serving as Acting Hokage.

"The Kurama Clan seconds the nomination of Torifu Akimichi as Acting Hokage."

At that moment, Kurama Congyun, head of the Kurama Clan, suddenly stood to support Hyuga Hiashi.

Immediately afterward.

"The Uchiha Clan seconds the nomination of Torifu Akimichi as Acting Hokage."

Uchiha Fugaku came to his senses and stated his position without hesitation.

The Uchiha had already gained enough from this jonin meeting.

But given the choice, who would refuse even more benefits?

So, seeing an opportunity to push Hiruzen Sarutobi out of office, Uchiha Fugaku immediately kicked him while he was down.

"The Hyuga, the Uchiha, the Kurama..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart was especially heavy.

Leaving the Kurama Clan aside for the moment.

The Hyuga and the Uchiha were Konoha's two strongest shinobi clans, and now both had stepped forward to support Torifu Akimichi.

There was no way he could remain Hokage now.

After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes and said slowly, "We will do as the Hyuga clan head proposed. I will resign as Hokage immediately and have Torifu Akimichi serve as Acting Hokage."

No sooner had he finished speaking.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu slumped in their chairs.

Although Torifu Akimichi had studied alongside them, he was not in their camp. Otherwise, he would not have retired so early.

It was easy to imagine that their days ahead would not be pleasant.

Uchiha Fugaku let out a long breath.

This jonin meeting had truly been full of twists and turns, spectacular in the extreme.

It had originally been a meeting to put Danzo on trial, yet by its end, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been impeached and forced to step down.

Suddenly, Uchiha Fugaku glanced at Uchiha Douyang, who wore a faint smile.

A thought rose in his mind.

Was all of this part of Douyang's calculations too?

"Me? Acting Hokage?"

Torifu Akimichi, who had been enjoying his retirement at home, admiring flowers and listening to songs, was stunned by the sudden news.

Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka exchanged glances, then told Torifu Akimichi everything that had happened at the jonin meeting.

After learning the full story, Torifu Akimichi narrowed his eyes slightly, until only thin slits were visible on his plump face.

He understood that he did not command such great prestige. Rather, circumstances had forced the issue, leaving them no choice but to nominate him as Acting Fifth Hokage.

He raised his eyes and glanced at Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka.

Even someone as laid-back as Shikaku Nara could not help showing a trace of delighted surprise.

No matter how one looked at it, Torifu Akimichi's appointment as Acting Hokage offered the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans every benefit and no disadvantage.

And whether for his clan or for Konoha, Torifu Akimichi had no reason to decline.

At that thought, Torifu Akimichi said with a chuckle, "Very well. Until Tsunade and Jiraiya are found, I will serve temporarily as Acting Fifth Hokage, until the true Fifth Hokage is chosen from between them."

Inoichi Yamanaka's eyes shone with excitement. "Senior Torifu, the era of our three clans has begun."

"Inoichi, you're celebrating too soon. I'm only the Acting Hokage, and that's all I can be."

At those words, Torifu Akimichi poured cold water on Inoichi Yamanaka's enthusiasm.

"Old man, Tsunade and Jiraiya are traveling the Shinobi World without a word from either of them. Who knows when they'll return?"

At that point, a shadow flashed through Inoichi Yamanaka's eyes, and he continued coldly, "Besides, even if they return, surely we can't simply hand over the Hokage position?"

Torifu Akimichi blinked. Rather than answering, he looked at Choza Akimichi and Shikaku Nara and asked gravely.

"Do you two think the same way as Inoichi?"

Choza Akimichi and Shikaku Nara exchanged a glance and slowly nodded.

United, the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans could just barely contend with either the Uchiha or the Hyuga.

Most importantly, the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans were neither as insular as the Uchiha nor as feudal and conservative as the Hyuga, so quite a few shinobi clans were on good terms with them.

Those shinobi clans were all political forces they could work with.

And that was the greatest source of confidence for the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans.

"You lot..."

Torifu Akimichi sighed in disappointment and said, "The power before your eyes has gone to your heads."

Shikaku Nara asked doubtfully, "Senior Torifu, what are your concerns?"

Torifu Akimichi poured a cup of hot tea and spoke slowly.

"Ambition isn't a bad thing, but ambition without the strength to match it is a disaster."

"To become Hokage, you must possess strength that convinces everyone."

"I'm getting old, and I've grown accustomed to taking things easy. My strength is nowhere near what it once was."

"I'm more than qualified to be Acting Hokage, but I fall a little short of being Hokage."

"Once our three clans risk universal condemnation by trying to remove the word 'acting,' we will become everyone's target."