Chapter 103: The Fourth Hokage!

“It must be Jiraiya!”

A minister spoke on behalf of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

“Jiraiya? Hmm, a fine choice!”

The daimyo nodded.

In truth, this meeting was merely a formality—the daimyo had no authority to appoint the Hokage of Konoha.

Of course.

He naturally had access to all the necessary intelligence.

He knew Jiraiya.

Among the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya was indeed the most suitable.

Whether in battlefield achievements, strength, or reputation, he qualified on all counts.

Yet just as everyone thought the matter was settled, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke: “Jiraiya is indeed a suitable candidate, but he has declined.”

“Declined?”

Not only the ministers, but even the daimyo was stunned—someone actually refused to become Hokage?

The daimyo chuckled, “What a pity. If so, who is next?”

The daimyo’s voice sounded casual, but his peripheral gaze remained fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The daimyo could not appoint the Hokage, but that did not mean he was uninterested.

After all, the Hokage was one of the two pillars of the Land of Fire, entrusted with its protection.

“Orochimaru…”

Hiruzen Sarutobi began.

But before he finished, a minister nodded in agreement: “Orochimaru is certainly a strong candidate—he played a major role in defeating the Sand Ninja this time!”

“And his performance in the last war was outstanding—he would surely lead Konoha…”

Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi cut in: “Orochimaru has sufficient strength and achievements, but lacks the necessary prestige.”

“He may not gain the approval of the Jonin.”

The ministers in the daimyo’s hall fell silent.

“Then the only one left is Tsunade…”

The daimyo said: “Though appointing a woman… she is still one of the Legendary Sannin, and a direct descendant of the First Hokage!”

“Then let it be her!”

At that moment, Shikamaru Nara rose: “Daimyo, I apologize, but Tsunade has temporarily left Konoha and cannot assume the Hokage position.”

“This…”

The daimyo covered his face with his fan, displeased: “Then who is the Fourth Hokage?”

Danzo suddenly stood: “If none of the Legendary Sannin are suitable, then this old man—”

Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi declared: “Minato Namikaze!”

“Minato is the most suitable candidate!”

Danzo’s words died in his throat.

“Minato Namikaze?”

The daimyo frowned, turning to his ministers; one immediately replied: “Minato Namikaze—the young man known as the Yellow Flash of Konoha?”

“Isn’t he Jiraiya’s student?”

“Precisely!”

Shikamaru Nara nodded.

Danzo immediately said: “Minato is far too young!”

Another minister spoke up: “I heard the man called the Death God of Konoha, who single-handedly crushed the Sand Ninja, is Minato’s student?”

“Yes—the one who forced the Stone Ninja to retreat was also this master and disciple pair.”

It was Tsume Uchiha who spoke.

Upon hearing this, Danzo’s heart lurched—he felt a bad omen.

“Jiraiya’s student? Then he is the Third Hokage’s grandstudent!”

The daimyo nodded, smiling: “Youth is fine—it brings energy and drive.”

“Then let it be him!”

The daimyo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others: “Any further objections?”

Tsume Uchiha and Mizukage En Yan remained silent.

Danzo’s face darkened; he sat down without a word.

He knew—he had lost.

Minato.

Unexpected.

Danzo suddenly regretted it—he should have supported Orochimaru as originally planned.

Then Tsume Uchiha and Mizukage En Yan might have backed him.

He had been careless.

Danzo seethed with resentment, but could do nothing.

Meanwhile.

Back in Konoha, Fujinaka Genma enjoyed a long-awaited peace.

He soaked in a comfortable bath, shared a delicious lunch with his mother, and helped out at the family’s fruit shop in the afternoon.

In the evening, Fujinaka Genma went to Minato’s house.

“Hey, it’s been so long—Itachi’ve grown taller than me now!”

After so long apart, Kushina Uzumaki hugged him, then measured him with her hand: “Itachi’re almost as tall as Minato-sensei!”

“Kushina-sensei, I’m fifteen now!”

Fujinaka Genma spread his hands.

But he immediately received a punch from Kushina Uzumaki: “Fifteen? Itachi’re still far from adulthood!”

Fujinaka Genma groaned, clutching his head.

No matter how powerful he seemed outside, he still got beaten up at home.

After a bit of play, they stepped out together.

This time, Fujinaka Genma had come to invite Kushina Uzumaki home for dinner.

But they did not know.

At that very moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his party returned from the daimyo’s residence.

Since the war was still ongoing, they did not linger at the daimyo’s estate.

Upon returning to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately dispatched Anbu to the Cloud Ninja front to notify Minato Namikaze and prepare him properly.

At this point, no further complications were likely.

Minato Namikaze possessed sufficient strength and dazzling battlefield achievements, though his glory had been overshadowed in this war by his student, Fujinaka Genma.

Yet now, Fujinaka Genma’s accomplishments would, to some extent, reflect positively upon his teacher, Minato.

Outside the Legendary Sannin, no one in Konoha could rival him.

Though Uchiha Fugaku of the Uchiha clan was also capable, his charisma was utterly outclassed by Minato’s.

The Uchiha clan was powerful, but could not match the combined strength of the rest of Konoha’s ninja.

After dinner.

Fujinaka Genma escorted Kushina Uzumaki home; halfway there, a masked ninja blocked their path.

“Fujinaka-sama, the Hokage requests your presence.”

Fujinaka Genma raised an eyebrow—late at night? Was something urgent?

Following the Anbu ninja to the Hokage Tower, he knocked and entered.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi again after months, Fujinaka Genma felt he had grown even older.

“Genma, sorry to call Itachi so late.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression was gentle.

Fujinaka Genma immediately said: “Third Hokage, has something happened on the battlefield?”

“The battlefield situation remains stable. The Mist Ninja have made minor moves, but Jiraiya can handle them.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained, then added: “The Fourth Hokage has been decided—it is your teacher, Minato Namikaze.”

Fujinaka Genma’s gaze sharpened; he said nothing, only listened.

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued: “I want Itachi to go to the Cloud Ninja front—to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

“Understood!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded firmly.

“Go. Be careful.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi added another warning.

“Yes!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded, then turned and left.

Stepping out of the Hokage Tower, Fujinaka Genma halted, looked up at the star-strewn sky, and for the first time in a long while, his calm heart stirred—“This day has finally come.”

Will the rise of the Fourth Hokage mark a new era?