Chapter 617: Muyue, the People's Choice

“How could my Five Elements Great Chain Bomb...”

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly opened his eyes, instinctively looking around warily, only to realize he was at home, not fighting Yusuke.

“Hah, even having nightmares.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and exhaled, then reached up and rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit better.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the clock, saw that it was only a little earlier than his usual wake-up time, and decided to just get up.

After washing up and finishing breakfast, Hiruzen Sarutobi went straight to the Hokage's office to start working.

“I need to talk to Muyue about Yusuke at noon today.” After handling a few documents, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought.

After all, Muyue is Konoha's Hokage Assistant.

It was understandable that he didn't say anything yesterday when he just came back with a complicated mood, but dragging it out would be inexcusable; he couldn't hide such important information for the sake of pride.

Knock knock.

At that moment, a knock suddenly came at the Hokage's office door.

“Enter.”

Minato Namikaze pushed open the wooden door and walked into the Hokage's office. “Third Hokage-sama.”

“Ah, Minato. Is there something?” Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pen and asked.

“I came to report to you on the recent certification of Special Jōnin.” Minato Namikaze explained.

Special Jōnin are a very special group.

Konoha originally established this rank to promote talented individuals who lacked the strength or had imbalanced skills, failing to meet the standard for full Jōnin, but possessed special abilities.

However, as time went on, an unspoken rule gradually emerged: even without special abilities, if one had enough merit and seniority, they could also be promoted to Special Jōnin.

Now that the war is over, it's natural to promote a group of meritorious veteran Chūnin.

Otherwise, given Konoha's high standards for Jōnin, most ninjas would have no need to strive after reaching Chūnin, because they would absolutely be unable to advance to Jōnin.

Hiruzen Sarutobi assumed a listening expression.

This was no small matter; Special Jōnin are still Jōnin, and it's very difficult to be promoted purely through merit.

“Hmm, you did well.” After listening, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

Unlike his teacher Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze was a ninja Hiruzen Sarutobi considered to be second only to Muyue in reliability.

Minato Namikaze smiled modestly and prepared to leave.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of something and called Minato Namikaze back.

“I've seen a lot of discussion in the village recently about the Fourth Hokage. Some think the Sannin should succeed, and others support young ninja like Muyue.

Minato, your teacher is Jiraiya, and Muyue is also your friend. What are your thoughts on this?” Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously.

Actually, he mainly wanted to ask about his opinion on Muyue, because Jiraiya doesn't want to be Hokage at all, but that would have been too obvious.

Minato Namikaze stopped, turned back to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi, showed a thoughtful expression, and then said:

“I think Muyue is more suitable to become Hokage.”

Minato Namikaze knew his own teacher inside out; Jiraiya didn't want to be Hokage, nor was he suited for it. Minato Namikaze could hardly imagine Jiraiya serving as Hokage.

Tsunade suffers from hemophobia. Unless Tsunade overcomes this, Minato Namikaze felt she was not suited to become Hokage.

Hokage rarely fight personally—it's not that they never need to, but when it reaches a stage where the Hokage is needed on the battlefield, the Hokage's combat power becomes crucial. How can someone with hemophobia fight then?

As for Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze thought he was inferior to Muyue.

Muyue possesses Wood Release with the caliber of Hashirama Senju, which, although Muyue is not of any clan lineage, makes him extremely orthodox—that's the first advantage.

Muyue has strength surpassing Orochimaru, having defeated the Fourth Kazekage on the battlefield at extreme speed—that's the second advantage.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Muyue was the ninja with the greatest military achievements in all of Konoha—that's the third advantage.

Minato Namikaze felt that if he was willing to think it over, he could list ten advantages for Muyue, because Muyue was truly outstanding.

“It seems you are very optimistic about Muyue becoming Hokage.” Listening to Minato Namikaze earnestly counting Muyue's merits, Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked with a sigh.

"Maybe you two will compete in the future, who knows. There are also some people in the village who think highly of you."

"From the perspective of sect lineage, Minato Namikaze is a direct disciple of the Hokage. If he developed for a few more years, his reputation might surpass the Sannin."

"Surpassing Muyue is impossible. They have many similarities, but Muyue is so much stronger. In a match against Muyue, most people would not choose Minato Namikaze."

"Then I would probably lose terribly," Minato Namikaze said with a smile.

"This is not entirely others' fault. If Muyue became a candidate for the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze himself would want to vote for Muyue."

"If there was a real competition, Minato Namikaze would not surrender or admit defeat, but with his current abilities, he truly cannot compare to Muyue. Muyue can lead Konoha further."

"Looking at the gentle-faced Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but think of Danzo Shimura."

"Why could Minato Namikaze say such words so calmly, while Danzo Shimura, after not becoming the Third Hokage, held such a deep obsession?"

"Does a position have to be Hokage to be considered great?"

"Lord Third Hokage, if there is nothing else, I'll go back to work first."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and watched Minato Namikaze leave."

"Five minutes later, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, and called the Anbu at the door: 'Please bring the two advisors here.'"

"He truly was unfit to continue as Hokage, as he was even having nightmares about Yousuke."

"Compared to him, an old wrongdoer entering his twilight years, Konoha needed a strong and confident young ninja."

"For the sake of Muyue, who is the popular choice, let him be stubborn one more time."

"Hiruzen, is there something…"

"I want to resign as Hokage and begin the election for the Fourth Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi directly interrupted.

"Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were dumbfounded. After thinking all night, this is what he came up with?"

"Hiruzen, this is a serious matter…"

"Homura Mitokado wanted to persuade further but was again interrupted by Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"Address me by title during work," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, tapping the table with his finger.

"Homura Mitokado was a bit helpless, but this was also within the rules, so he couldn't say anything and had to change his wording:"

"Third Hokage, the war has just ended. Konoha needs you to lead the overall situation and maintain stability. Four years—if we elect a new Hokage after four years, I will wholeheartedly agree."

"Koharu Utatane also added a word of advice, but Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unmoved."

"I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said firmly.

"Homura Mitokado was speechless, realizing Hiruzen Sarutobi's determination."

"Have you forgotten the consequences of acting arbitrarily? You will regret this."

"Koharu Utatane made one final effort."

"I am acting arbitrarily, but Muyue is the popular choice," Hiruzen Sarutobi said meaningfully.

"Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado both fell silent."

"Six years. Within six years, I will ensure that your positions are not affected."

"Six years later, they would be sixty years old, which is considered old in the ninja profession. They should step down and give opportunities to newcomers."

"Let's discuss the election matters," Homura Mitokado said.

"The three discussed until noon, and then Hiruzen Sarutobi sent an Anbu to notify Muyue to come to the conference room for a meeting."

"He originally planned to talk to Muyue about Yousuke at noon, but the high-level meeting was more important at the moment, so Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to discuss it after the meeting."

"Inside the conference room."

"When all four high-ranking officials had arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke:"

"This meeting is mainly to confirm the election for the Fourth Hokage."

"As he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Muyue a special look."

"Elect the Fourth now?" Muyue was a little surprised.

It wasn't that Mu Yue was narcissistic; at this time, the only reason to select a Hokage was that Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted him to become Hokage.

Upon careful thought, Mu Yue found it reasonable.

Because he had held back, Konoha had not suffered much loss this time, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's mistake was not serious—at least not to the point of needing to resign as Hokage.

But considering one thing—he had performed too well, and Sarutobi Hiruzen trusted him greatly—under these circumstances, it was only natural for Sarutobi Hiruzen to consider letting him succeed earlier.

"I nearly made a grave mistake; I am no longer fit to continue as Hokage." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly and said.

Since it was a high-level meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not say much, only briefly explaining the reason for the re-election of the Hokage.

"Regarding the nomination candidates for the Fourth Hokage, what are your views?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked around and asked.

He intended to pass the title to Mu Yue, but the process could not be him directly ordering it and Mu Yue becoming Hokage; it had to go through an election.

Senju Tobirama could directly pass it to him because it was a critical war period, and special matters were handled specially.

Directly passing the title in peacetime would go against tradition; Konoha's first Hokage was the result of a vote participated in by all Konoha citizens.

"I think Assistant Mu Yue is qualified and capable to be the Fourth Hokage and can be one of the nominees." Mitokado Homura spoke up.

What he most wanted was still Sarutobi Hiruzen to be Hokage, but since a selection was to be made, they would naturally choose the best.

"Assistant Mu Yue has repeatedly performed outstanding feats on the battlefield. I agree." Utatane Koharu nodded in approval.

Mu Yue sat silently without speaking. In fact, he wanted to say "I have objections; I disagree," but since it was a nomination concerning himself, he could not express his opinion.

"Then the first nomination is confirmed for now. Any others?" Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and continued asking.

Since it was an election, naturally there could not be only one candidate—otherwise, what would be the point of voting?

"I think Orochimaru also has the ability to become Hokage and can be one of the nominees for the Fourth Hokage." Utatane Koharu suggested.

In Konoha, only a few people were qualified to be Hokage candidates. Tsunade and Jiraiya both did not want to be Hokage, and forcing them to be candidates would be unsightly, so it had to be Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru has fought for Konoha on the battlefield for years, working hard and achieving great merits. I agree." Mitokado Homura endorsed.

"With Orochimaru's seniority and strength, he is indeed capable of being the Fourth Hokage. I agree." Mu Yue also nodded.

After all, Orochimaru was his collaborator; he had to show some face.

"Then the second nomination is confirmed as Orochimaru." Sarutobi Hiruzen made the final decision.

"I think Minato should also be nominated. He is highly capable and has made many contributions to the village." Mu Yue said after thinking for a moment.

Mu Yue had no particular interest in being Hokage, but in the current situation, even if he did not want to be Hokage, many people were begging him to take the position. Even if he wanted to yield it to Namikaze Minato, it might not work, and forcing Minato to take it might not be accepted.

He nominated Namikaze Minato not to give away the Hokage position, but to give Minato further opportunities.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others did not reject Minato's nomination, then Minato would effectively have the status of a true Hokage candidate, and his position would become different.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others rejected it, then when Mu Yue promoted Namikaze Minato to a high-level position, they would find it hard to refuse.

"Minato is indeed outstanding, but nominating him would be somewhat inappropriate. He is still inferior to you, Mu Yue." Mitokado Homura said after exchanging glances with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

There was no explicit limit on the number of Hokage nominations; it was fine for Mu Yue to nominate another person, but that person could not be Namikaze Minato.

It was not that they had any issue with Namikaze Minato as a person, but Minato's seniority was somewhat problematic.

Although Mu Yue was as young as Namikaze Minato, Mu Yue's achievements were astonishing—he had turned the tide of battle multiple times and single-handedly captured over a thousand Kirigakure shinobi.

Namikaze Minato's excellence was not enough to compensate for his seniority. If Minato were nominated, it would definitely cause dissatisfaction among some veteran jōnin who had considerable battlefield achievements.

Although their performance in the Third Shinobi World War was inferior to Namikaze Minato's, they had also made contributions in the Second Shinobi World War; overall, they were not much worse, so why should Minato be nominated?

Even if he ultimately was not elected, it would count as having almost become the Fourth Hokage, which for many Konoha shinobi was both an honor and recognition.

"Minato still needs more training; being Hokage is too early for him." Utatane Koharu also stated.

"Then let's tentatively settle on Mu Yue and Orochimaru. Does anyone else want to nominate? If not, the nominees will be confirmed." Sarutobi Hiruzen continued asking.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura shook their heads.

The three of them had already discussed it: nominate Mu Yue and Orochimaru, with Orochimaru as a runner-up, and simply not nominate anyone else.

"I have no objections." Mu Yue replied.

His goal had already been achieved.

"Since everyone agrees, we will hold the Jonin meeting in one week to formally conduct the election vote for the Fourth Hokage."

"The voting consists of two rounds. The first round is the Jonin vote. Although the number of voters is small, it carries a large weight, accounting for about 40% of the total vote. The advantage basically locks in the position of Hokage."

"The second round is the votes of Chunin and Genin, and the votes of ordinary citizens, each accounting for 30%."

"The voting is not the end; there will be a meeting with the Daimyo and high officials of the Land of Fire."

"The Daimyo must personally confirm that there are no issues before deciding who will be the Hokage. Finally, the formal succession ceremony for the Hokage will be held."

"Of course, this is basically a formality. The Daimyo will not reject the candidate presented by Konoha."

"On the surface, Konoha is just the military force of the Land of Fire, but in reality, Konoha is a country within a country. The Daimyo has no control over Konoha."

"PS: The existence of the Daimyo in the original work is quite subtle. Sometimes he seems high in status, but in reality, that's about it."

"Danzo even dares to openly threaten during the meeting."