The Hokage's Office.
Today was the day voting for the Hokage candidates ended.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe between his teeth, his eyes narrowed as he studied the final voting results.
Minato Namikaze had taken first place, several thousand votes ahead of Orochimaru.
Sometimes, one had to admit that gentle people were more likely to earn goodwill from others.
Although he thought highly of both Minato and Orochimaru, deep down, he had hoped his student would take first place.
Tsunade and Jiraiya were both away from the village.
If Orochimaru became the Fourth Hokage, the two of them might come back for a visit.
Then he could persuade Tsunade to stay.
Even though Tsunade's fear of blood had essentially disqualified her from being a ninja, her Medical Ninjutsu could be considered the very pinnacle of the Shinobi World.
She would certainly be more useful staying in the village than leaving it.
"Minato, huh."
Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured, his expression complicated.
"Time really flies..."
More than twenty years had passed in the blink of an eye since he had taken office as the Third Hokage in a time of crisis.
Over the years, he had governed the village diligently, believing he had made no major mistakes, and earned the affection of its villagers and ninja.
The results of the election for the Fourth Hokage were out.
That meant it was time for him to step down in favor of someone capable.
Realizing he was about to retire, he suddenly felt reluctant to let go.
Could Minato really govern the village well on his own?
He was so young. What if he made mistakes?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze flickered, and he soon came up with a strategy.
Minato was too young and might make mistakes as Hokage. As the Third Hokage, he could certainly