Master, Please Become a Hokage

Why did they have to design a trap for him layer by layer?

Does the old saying really apply: "When the birds are gone, the good bow is stored away; when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked"?

Ringo Ameyuri's experience and the misfortune about to befall Hatake Sakumo ignited a flame in Sarutobi Ryos's heart.

What is the Will of Fire?

What is the Will of Fire?!

“Sarutobi Ryo, do you have something to say?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked over, sizing up his son. He seemed to have noticed the anger in Sarutobi Ryo's eyes.

“Nothing, Father. Maybe I've encountered a bottleneck in my training.” Sarutobi Ryo made an excuse.

“Is that so...”

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and decided to visit his son at night.

Come to think of it, as a father, he hadn't really guided him much from childhood.

Now, this child has proven himself through his own abilities.

It's time to pass on some of the Sarutobi clan's traditions to him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi made the arrangements in his heart, which was exactly what Sarutobi Ryo wanted.

There were some things that Sarutobi Ryo really wanted to say to his father.

“For the next period of time, Sarutobi Ryo, you should rest well and heal your injuries first.” Biwa Lake took over the conversation, clearly satisfied with her eldest son's performance.

“Yes, Mother.”

Sarutobi Ryo nodded and turned to leave the Hokage's office.

“Young Master Ryo.” Outside the door, Minato Namikaze nodded to Sarutobi Ryo.

Sarutobi Ryo returned the greeting.

Watching Sarutobi Ryo leave, soon, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also walked out of the office.

“Hmph, that Sarutobi Ryo... he's becoming more and more arrogant lately.” Koharu Utatane scolded as she walked.

He used to be quiet and reserved, not saying much.

How has he changed so much now?

“Perhaps... he's been influenced by Danzo.” Homura Mitokado speculated.

These conversations were heard clearly by Minato Namikaze, who was following behind.

When he heard that Sarutobi Ryo had successively killed the Guardian Shinobi Twelve and Raiga Kurosuki, he couldn't help but reveal surprise.

“Young Master Ryo... so he's that powerful.”

Minato Namikaze quickly responded.

To become Hokage, one needs to go through several steps.

First, official endorsement from the Fire Country Daimyo.

Second, endorsement from the Konoha higher-ups.

Third, an election by the Jonin.

Back then, the Third Hokage was appointed by the Second Hokage, which led to a lot of people being dissatisfied after returning to the village.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was too young at the time.

To appease the crowd, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo put in a lot of effort.

Through alliances and manipulations, they persuaded many clans.

This turned Konoha's higher-ups into a system of "four people."

The reason why Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo had so much say was that they had helped Hiruzen Sarutobi secure his path to becoming Hokage back then.

In other words.

Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo actually represented the interests of a large number of clans beneath Konoha.

Later, as time passed, the structure of Konoha underwent some changes.

When Konoha was first established, it was mainly composed of "clan ninjas."

Now, the number of "civilian ninjas" has surpassed that of clan ninjas, becoming a significant influence in the populace.

This group of people has no clan, no inheritance.

It is impossible for Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado to buy them off like they bought off the clan ninjas.

Therefore.

They devised a plan to dig a pit for Hatake Sakumo, preparing to ruin Hatake Sakumo's reputation among the people.

When the time comes, Hatake Sakumo, who has lost support, will not be able to threaten the next Hokage election.

The ordinary civilian ninjas who originally supported Hatake Sakumo will also turn to support others.

That person is Minato Namikaze.

This is the complete plan of Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo.

Of course, Danzo does not support Minato Namikaze, which is different from the two advisors.

But the three of them have a unified plan to ruin Hatake Sakumo's reputation.

“But... esteemed advisors, I believe that the most likely person to become the Fourth Hokage should be Mr. Sakumo...”

Minato Namikaze, unaware of the situation, voiced his doubts.

He might be able to compete to become the "Fifth Hokage."

But competing for the Fourth Hokage is clearly no match for Hatake Sakumo.

The two are at least a generation apart, which has widened the gap in experience and reputation.

When Mr. Sakumo became famous, I was still playing in the mud.

“Heh...”

Koharu Utatane sneered, revealing an inscrutable smile.

“Before long, you will understand...”

Minato Namikaze wanted to say something, but Homura Mitokado waved his hand: “Minato, work hard... the position of Fourth Hokage will be yours...”

Even though it was daytime, Minato Namikaze felt a chill.

The two advisors faced away from the window, and the sunlight shone in, making their faces even more sinister.

“I understand...” After saying softly, Minato Namikaze bowed and took his leave.

“A young Hokage is always better than the powerful Konoha White Fang...”

After Minato Namikaze left, Koharu Utatane spoke again.

Minato Namikaze's youth is his greatest advantage.

In contrast, Hatake Sakumo has experienced too much and is too unconventional, making him difficult to control. Therefore, he is not suitable to be Hokage.

But after all, Hatake Sakumo has a son... Hatake Kakashi.

With a weakness, he can be easily manipulated.

......

“What exactly are the two higher-ups planning...”

Minato Namikaze walked out of the Hokage Building, muttering to himself.

He couldn't understand why the two higher-ups were so sure that he would be the Fourth Hokage.

“Could it be...”

An impossible possibility made Minato Namikaze stop in his tracks.

The scene of Sarutobi Ryo educating Kakashi flashed through his mind.

And, the meaningful look that Ryo gave him at the end.

Just as Minato Namikaze's eyes slowly widened.

A figure he hadn't seen for several years blocked the sun in front of him.

“Yo... Minato, long time no see...”

Minato Namikaze: “Jiraiya... Sensei?!”

Chapter 49: The Great Toad Sage's Prophecy

During the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure invaded Amegakure.

To make amends, Jiraiya actively chose to stay in Amegakure to teach three orphans.

He taught them for three years.

Three years later, Jiraiya returned and went back to Konoha.

“Minato, after not seeing you for a few years, you've become a very handsome young man...”

Jiraiya picked up his teacup and took a sip.

At this time, he had already arrived at Minato Namikaze's home.

“Jiraiya-sensei doesn't seem to have changed at all...” Minato Namikaze said with a smile, clearly very happy in his heart.

After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Jiraiya looked at the photo on the cabinet.

It was a group photo.

Back then, he took a group photo as a Jonin instructor with three genin.

“Where are the other two little guys...”

In the photo.

A boy and a girl of the same age surrounded Minato Namikaze on his left and right sides.

Jiraiya was in the back.

Minato Namikaze in the photo looked very young, still like a child.

“They... died in battle...” Minato Namikaze's tone became heavy.

“Is that so...”

Jiraiya took a deep breath, and a melancholy atmosphere spread out.

Just as the quiet atmosphere completely enveloped the place, footsteps approached from far to near.

“Minato-sensei...”

Kakashi ran in with a dissatisfied face, intending to have Minato-sensei conduct special training to address his weaknesses.

But he didn't expect to encounter a guest present.

“This is...”

An unfamiliar face, he hadn't seen him before.

Minato Namikaze: “Kakashi, let me introduce you, this is my benefactor... Jiraiya-sama.”

“……”