Konoha's ninja forces fell deathly silent. Such a sensitive topic thrilled these rank-and-file ninja!
And right in front of the Third Hokage's son, too.
Seeing Sarutobi Shinnosuke looking so helpless, these Eastern Front ninja who had fought through hell wanted to laugh.
Because they looked down on "softies" like him, who had stayed in the village without ever rotating onto the battlefield.
Kumogakure had no cowards, and since their Eastern Front had been fighting Kumogakure all along, they had no cowards either!
After the silence came deep thought...
Hiruzen Sarutobi could be Hokage...
What qualified Sarutobi? Wasn't it just that the Second Hokage had appointed him? Otherwise, what did he have-that "Shinobi Hero" title that had come from who knew where?
Then why couldn't their wise, mighty, brave, resourceful, bold yet meticulous Lord Danzo, who loved his subordinates, become Hokage?
They were both the Second's personal disciples, weren't they? Right, Brother Danzo?
Pairs of fervent eyes stared at their beloved Lord Danzo.
Those stares not only made Shinnosuke terribly uneasy, but also left Danzo dripping with cold sweat.
This wasn't how his plan was supposed to go!
Weren't they supposed to champion Sakumo, whose image was so much more glorious and imposing?
I've practically finished paving the way for Sakumo!
This time, he had used a violent force that had destroyed a great nation to intimidate nobles around the world into uniting and pressuring the Land of Fire's daimyo.
The Kage handled warfare, while the daimyo handled domestic affairs. He had disobeyed the Hokage's orders, but accepted the Land of Fire daimyo's request.
A favor that big could absolutely get Sakumo a "Hokage half-sleeve"!
Then the Fourth Hokage's position would belong to Sakumo and no one else!
Sakumo would handle being glorious and imposing, while he could thoroughly research the