Chapter 311: Pick Anyone to Be Hokage???

The Hokage Office is so quiet you can hear a pin drop.

The three held their breath, pricked up their ears, hoping to hear the answer from Qianshou Feijian.

"I declare the three‑year assessment over—Tuan Cang, you have passed."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's pupils suddenly contracted, his knuckles whitened, a slight curve rose involuntarily at the corner of his mouth but he forced it down, and his body trembled with excitement.

He passed the assessment! He can soon become Hokage as he wished!

The lifelong dream is about to come true; the scene from a Sharingan Illusion will soon become reality…

Decades of effort finally bear fruit; if Teacher Feijian weren't here, he would have nearly laughed out loud.

And Ri Zhan, standing beside him, had his smile freeze, eyelashes drooping, his Adam's apple moving silently.

He said nothing, just stood quietly; though he had long prepared himself for losing, he still felt loss and sorrow upon hearing the result.

The Hokage position will ultimately be out of his reach.

"Tuan Cang, congratulations!" Ri Zhan forced out an ugly smile, "I believe you can become an excellent Hokage."

Though he didn't become Hokage as hoped, he still sincerely offered his friend his blessings.

The two have always been close friends; this matter must not affect their friendship.

"Hmm, I take your good words." Tuan Cang nodded excitedly.

He had no intention of mocking Ri Zhan; as someone about to become Hokage, he naturally wouldn't demean himself.

Whether Ri Zhan's congratulations are sincere or not, he can gladly accept them!

To become an excellent Hokage, a broad mind is essential. Only such a person can lead the Village toward prosperity.

Lian Ye sat in the chair, his gaze drifting between the two before finally resting on Qianshou Feijian's satisfied face.

The old guy only said Tuan Cang passed the assessment, but said nothing about whether Ri Zhan passed.

After all, passing the assessment and becoming Hokage are two different things; the old guy never claimed that passing the assessment makes one Hokage.

Tsk, truly the innately evil Qianshou Feijian!

The silence lasted a few seconds until Qianshou Feijian spoke again, "Ri Zhan, you also passed the assessment."

Lian Ye showed a "so it is" expression, sighed helplessly. He knew it wasn't that simple; Qianshou Feijian really can mess with people's minds!

It's a pity Tuan Cang isn't Uchiha; otherwise he could definitely activate the Kaleidoscope Sharingan.

Tuan Cang's smile on his face instantly froze.

W‑What a joke!

In contrast, Ri Zhan flashed a brilliant smile.

Hahaha, so I also passed the assessment; I thought I had no chance at all.

"Sorry, Tuan Cang," Ri Zhan's mouth lifted, "Turns out I also passed the teacher's assessment."

"Heh, congratulations." Tuan Cang's expression was uglier than a dead mother.

He originally thought he could become Hokage directly, but now sees the teacher still has further tests.

Qianshou Feijian took in both of their performances, yet said nothing.

"Uncle, they both passed the test, who will become Hokage?" Lian Ye voiced the question on their minds.

"You brat, you really want me to retire?" Qianshou Feijian glared at him irritably.

"Day after day, handling paperwork nonstop, your body will eventually develop problems," Lian Ye spread his hands, "Better retire early and let the youngsters take over the Village's affairs."

The old guy is already fifty, his physical condition no longer like it was a decade ago.

Young people's bodies are at their peak, perfect for being workhorses.

Qianshou Feijian heard that and did not rebut; of course he knew Lian Ye was concerned about his health.

Yet regarding the successor choice, he still couldn't decide; if he chose the wrong person and the Village suffered loss, what then?

It's fine for now, but in a few decades he won't be able to manage the Village for the elder brother.

Ninjas have fought countless battles, sustaining many wounds; some injuries were fine when they were young. But as age increases, those hidden wounds keep surfacing one after another.

Making the already declining condition even worse…

The ninja profession lives off youthful vigor; when they grow old they can only retire, yet most ninjas die while young, never reaching retirement.

Fifty is considered a long life among ninjas.

In recent years Qianshou Feijian has clearly felt his physical abilities slipping, and the decline is gradually increasing.

Selecting an excellent Hokage is crucial in his view!

Over three years, he countless times tried to have one of them become Hokage, but ultimately gave up.

Humans are truly complex; as age grows, mindset changes, becoming more hesitant.

Even Qianshou Feijian is the same.

Ten years ago, he would have chosen a successor without hesitation, but now he is somewhat indecisive.

"Uncle, stop hesitating," Lian Ye said softly, "Just pick anyone to be Hokage, and you can retire peacefully."

Anyway, whoever becomes Hokage, Konoha Village won't be destroyed.

The old guy might as well retire early; otherwise handling affairs all day poses a real risk of sudden death…

Ri Zhan and Tuan Cang: "???"

What on earth are you saying?

【Randomly pick anyone to be Hokage???】

Bastard, don't be so reckless!

You don't want to be Hokage, but we do!

Qianshou Feijian unexpectedly gave no rebuttal, his gaze falling on the two tense individuals, seemingly pondering the final choice.

Ri Zhan and Tuan Cang, seeing this, felt as if the sky had collapsed.

Teacher Feijian seems to have truly taken Lian Ye's words to heart.

This is even more thrilling than the earlier announcement of the assessment results; whether one can become Hokage rests on a single thought of the teacher...

"Kid, you're right." Qianshou Feijian looked at Lian Ye, "I've lost the resolve I once had; indeed I must retire."

Some matters must be free of hesitation; otherwise, the more one worries, the more problems arise.

"Ri Zhan, your performance is commendable," Qianshou Feijian shifted his tone, "but I favor Tuan Cang more, because he possesses the decisiveness and resolve that I am losing..."

His hesitation over the successor's choice is precisely because he lacks the former decisiveness and resolve, isn't it?

If so, then let the one with decisiveness and resolve become Hokage!

Compared with Ri Zhan, Tuan Cang clearly meets the criteria better.

"Tuan Cang, from today onward—you are the Hokage Assistant!" Qianshou Feijian looked at Tuan Cang, "Stay by my side and learn how to govern the Village."

"Yes, Teacher!" Tuan Cang exclaimed, his face flushed, his emotions truly soaring and plunging today!

"Ri Zhan, you too." Qianshou Feijian looked at the despondent Ri Zhan, "In the future you can assist Tuan Cang in governing the Village."

"Remember, the Hokage Position belongs to the capable!"