Chapter 623: Muyue Hokage!

The Konoha ninja attending the meeting all recommended Mu Yue, except for Mu Yue himself.

And since Mu Yue wasn't Danzo Shimura, he certainly couldn't recommend himself, so he just watched quietly.

"Hanyu Mu Yue..." The daimyo instinctively looked at Mu Yue, who was sitting beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He knew Mu Yue, first because Mu Yue had become famous after several major battles, and second because Mu Yue had once escorted him to the Land of Rain to watch the Youth Martial Arts Tournament.

"Hanyu Mu Yue is indeed a very good choice. The Land of Fire owes a great deal to him for winning the Third Great Ninja War," said a somewhat portly high-ranking official of the Land of Fire.

"Yes, and Hanyu Mu Yue is also a Wood Release user, isn't he? He can use the First Hokage's signature jutsu," another high-ranking official of the Land of Fire with a long beard expressed his approval.

When conducting the Hokage election, they generally only supported the candidate presented by Konoha, never opposing it.

If Konoha recommended multiple people at the same time, then Konoha would discuss and decide among themselves.

*Snap. *

Seeing that no one raised any objections, the daimyo closed his fan and tapped his palm with it, saying:

"Since Hanyu Mu Yue has such brilliant military achievements and is also the inheritor of the First Hokage's techniques, let Hanyu Mu Yue become the Fourth Hokage."

With that, the election for the Fourth Hokage ended, and the choice of Hokage was completely decided.

"Thank you for your approval, Lord Daimyo," Mu Yue politely expressed his thanks.

*Clap clap clap! *

The officials and Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others all applauded, celebrating the birth of the Fourth Hokage.

As he clapped, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Mu Yue and let out a soft sigh, his expression somewhat complicated.

He was not greedy for the power of the Hokage, but when he thought about how he would soon no longer be able to stand by the glass window of the Hokage's office and look down upon Konoha, he still felt a strange feeling in his heart.

For Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha was not just a powerful ninja organization, nor just the place where he grew up—it was the ninja village he had led in a time of crisis, entrusted with a heavy responsibility.

Back then, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a really hard time. Even with Tobirama Senju's dying words, it took a lot of effort for him to secure his position as Hokage.

In that process, comrades like Danzo Shimura and Homura Mitokado, as well as his clan, had contributed a great deal, so Hiruzen Sarutobi was very grateful to them.

After firmly securing his position as Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly began to consolidate forces and participate in the war, driving all the forces that attacked Konoha out of the Land of Fire and launching counterattacks.

Gradually, the situation stabilized, and Konoha grew stronger. Countless Konoha residents thanked him for his contributions, and many Konoha ninja regarded him as an idol and made the position of Hokage their life goal.

He had created a new era of Konoha under the Third Hokage.

The harder it had been for him, the more Hiruzen Sarutobi loved Konoha—it was a village he had painstakingly built.

If his succession had been a little smoother back then, his feelings for Konoha might not have been so deep.

"Our era is about to end," Homura Mitokado sighed softly, thinking to himself.

It would be fine when he first became Hokage, but after serving for a while, Mu Yue would inevitably establish his own inner circle, just like when Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed him, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo Shimura back in the day.

By then, the best choice for them, the old-timers, would be to step down gracefully, preserving their final dignity.

After all, Mu Yue was not like the others—he was young, but not someone easily manipulated.

Homura Mitokado was reluctant to give up the power of his advisor position, but he also did not plan to clash head-on with Mu Yue when the time came.

It was true that he had worked hard for Konoha's development, but in that process he had also sought some personal gains.

Homura Mitokado did not want to end up old and without a good reputation. He might as well retire—after being in the high ranks for so long, he had already achieved something in his life.

"Maybe... this is the best outcome," Minato Namikaze thought with a slight smile as he applauded vigorously.

As a ninja who aspired to become Hokage, watching Mu Yue step by step from a chunin instructor to Hokage, it would be a lie to say Minato Namikaze had never felt disappointed.

This was the dream of his life; no matter who he was competing against, Minato Namikaze would give his all to fight and compare.

However, the gap between him and Mu Yue was too great, so great that he couldn't even become Mu Yue's rival.

The most awkward part was that the Flying Thunder God Technique that Minato Namikaze had mastered, Mu Yue now also used very skillfully, and they looked somewhat alike, giving Mu Yue the impression of a supercharged Minato Namikaze.

Everything Minato Namikaze had, Mu Yue had; what Minato Namikaze didn't have, Mu Yue also had.

How was he supposed to compete?

It was precisely because of this huge gap that Minato Namikaze quickly came to terms with it. He loved Konoha, not a Konoha where he was Hokage, so who became Hokage didn't really matter that much to Minato Namikaze.

When the applause died down, the Daimyo declared the meeting officially over.

"Third Hokage, is that news true or false?" The Daimyo, still very curious about the rumor, asked in a low voice.

"It's true," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied.

"So it wasn't just a rumor; that Yūsuke is really that strong." The Daimyo flicked open his fan, covering his somewhat startled face.

He hadn't expected the Land of Rain to have such a powerful ninja.

"No need to worry. I was simply defeated. Our Fourth Hokage will not lose to any ninja – not even the First Hokage," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with absolute confidence.

Although in many people's eyes being called the "Second God of Shinobi" was the highest praise for Mu Yue, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that Mu Yue not only had the potential to become a second Hashirama Senju, but might even surpass him.

If he said it out loud, few would believe him: at the same age as Mu Yue, Hashirama Senju was actually not as strong as Mu Yue.

In Sarutobi Hiruzen's view, Mu Yue was somewhat like a combination of the First, Second, and Third Hokage.

The First Hokage's incredible Wood Release talent, the Second Hokage's ninjutsu development, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's own ninjutsu aptitude – Mu Yue possessed all of these.

The Daimyo was somewhat surprised, never expecting that Sarutobi Hiruzen would even bring up Hashirama Senju for comparison.

Because Hashirama Senju was the founder of Konoha and possessed terrifying power, he held an exalted position in the village. Even though both the Second and Third Hokage were highly recognized, no one had ever been said to equal the First.

"Then I'll wait for your good news," the Daimyo said cheerfully.

He and Konoha had a mutually beneficial relationship; a stronger Konoha was better for the Land of Fire.

"Congratulations, Mu Yue. Before long, I'll have to call you Lord Fourth Hokage," Minato Namikaze said with a smile as he walked beside Mu Yue.

Mu Yue had only been confirmed for the position of Fourth Hokage for now; he would not officially become Hokage until the succession ceremony was held.

"No need to call me Lord Fourth Hokage. Actually, I think you are more suited to be Hokage than I am," Mu Yue said, shaking his head.

If he could give away the Hokage position, he really would have wanted to pass it to Minato Namikaze.

But reality was that Mu Yue couldn't. If he forcibly made Minato Namikaze the Hokage, it would only spawn a bunch of conspiracy theories and opposition within the village, and would ultimately harm Minato Namikaze.

Mu Yue's qualifications could overwhelm even Orochimaru, let alone Minato Namikaze.

Due to Mu Yue's influence, Minato Namikaze's military achievements were significantly fewer than in the original timeline, and even being nominated might invite criticism.

"That's your illusion, Mu Yue. I'm glad you recognize my abilities, but if even you cannot be a good Hokage, then it would be even harder for me," Minato Namikaze said seriously.

After the high-level meeting ended, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Minato Namikaze and told him about Mu Yue's wish to nominate him as Fourth Hokage.

Mu Yue's trust in him moved Minato Namikaze deeply, but in terms of ability, he indeed was not Mu Yue's equal.

"Now that you have become Hokage, Mu Yue, you must face yourself squarely and not be overly modest. So many people voted for you because they all trust your abilities."

Seeing Minato Namikaze's earnest lecture, Mu Yue could only nod in agreement.

All we can say is that people's joys and sorrows are not shared.

Compared with Hokage affairs, Mu Yue had other things that were more meaningful to him to do.

Once again, Mu Yue silently thanked Tobirama Senju.

Shadow Clones were really useful – especially the ones used after the Yang Seal.

Shadow Clones weren't as effective for teaching as the original body, but they were enough for handling Konoha's administrative affairs.

Half an hour after the meeting ended, Sarutobi Hiruzen announced the news that Mu Yue had been confirmed as the Fourth Hokage, and the succession ceremony would be held one week later.

After all, the Hokage was the supreme leader of Konoha – unlike a teacher at the Ninja Academy, you couldn't just swap someone in at a moment's notice. There were many matters to handle.

In fact, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already started preparations when he decided on the succession; otherwise, even one week wouldn't be enough.

The news that Mu Yue was about to become the Fourth Hokage spread rapidly throughout Konoha.

"So it's Advisor Mu Yue who becomes the Hokage after all."

"Although Lord Orochimaru is also good, I still think Advisor Mu Yue can better lead Konoha to prosperity."

"What 'Advisor Mu Yue'? It's our beloved Lord Fourth Hokage!"

"What's going on here? Gathering and making a racket." An Uchiha ninja patrolling the streets of Konoha saw a crowd huddled together making noise, walked over, and scolded them.

The crowd instantly went silent – after all, this was a member of the Uchiha Police Force, and they truly had the authority to lock people up.

"Sir, we heard that Assistant Mu Yue is about to succeed as Hokage, so we were overjoyed and couldn't help raising our voices a bit." One person plucked up the courage to explain.

"Assistant Mu Yue is going to take office?!" The leading Uchiha jonin showed a surprised and delighted expression.

Their Uchiha's new era was finally arriving.

Thinking of this, the Uchiha jonin's mood immediately improved considerably, and the gathered crowd no longer seemed so obtrusive.

"Keep your voices down a little, don't disturb others." The Uchiha jonin said simply and then left with his men.

The citizens showed surprised expressions; just moments ago, some among them had mentally prepared to be locked up for a few hours by these Uchiha on some pretext.

It wasn't that they were borrowing trouble; there really were many such rumors.

There were tales that if the Uchiha were in a bad mood, even if a passerby accidentally dropped something from their person onto the ground, they could use the reason of damaging Konoha's environment to arrest the passerby and lock them up for a few days.

There were also rumors that the Uchiha looked down on everyone outside the Uchiha clan, regardless of age; if you didn't set up your stall according to the rules, even if you were an old person, they would overturn both you and your stall.

However, regarding this rumor, many elderly people in Konoha held opposing views, saying that not all Uchiha should be lumped together, and there were good Uchiha who did not serve in the Police Force.

In short, there were many rumors about the Uchiha in Konoha, but most were notorious.

"Maybe they're in a good mood today," the citizens thought to themselves.

Hyuga Clan compound.

"What a pity. In recent years, the ninjas in our clan have been just mediocre; not one has caught Assistant Mu Yue's eye." Hiashi Hyuga sighed.

Also a dojutsu bloodline limit clan, also possessing many jonin, the Hyuga clan had always regarded the Uchiha as rivals.

And Mu Yue, who was about to become Hokage, had two disciples from the Uchiha clan but not a single Hyuga disciple; without a doubt, this was very disadvantageous for them.

In the past, Hiashi Hyuga had never worried about the Hyuga clan's position in Konoha.

Because the Byakugan's strategic significance was too great; the Byakugan's powerful long-distance observation ability was something the Sharingan could not compare to.

Now it was different. The Observation Haki secret technique developed by Mu Yue was far more powerful than ordinary sensory ninjutsu, and even greatly helpful in combat.

The emergence of the Observation Haki secret technique wouldn't directly put the Hyuga clan out of work, but their importance would certainly be less than before.

"I hope that in the future, some outstanding children will be born."

Hiashi Hyuga prayed in his heart; he did not want the Hyuga clan to decline under his watch.

The clans that had connections with Mu Yue were excited about Mu Yue becoming Hokage, while some clans that had no relationship with Mu Yue were somewhat worried about the future.

Although Orochimaru was Mu Yue's competitor, he only learned about Mu Yue's succession in the evening.

During the day, he had been in the training team's laboratory researching Hashirama's cells; even if someone wanted to inform him, they didn't know where he was.

It was only when Mu Yue invited him to eat together that he heard about this matter.

"Congratulations, Mu Yue-kun." Orochimaru said with a faint smile.

He had long given up; he never had the intention to compete with Mu Yue for the Hokage position, otherwise he wouldn't have been holed up in the lab and not taking action.

Orochimaru knew he couldn't win even if he tried, so he might as well use this opportunity to show Mu Yue his sincerity.

"This Hokage election celebration is really well done." Tsunade looked at the lavish feast on the dining table and nodded in satisfaction.

That's right, this was a celebration party proposed by Tsunade to celebrate Mu Yue becoming Hokage.

She had already planned that once Mu Yue officially became Hokage, they could celebrate again.

Once Mu Yue had been Hokage for a week, they could celebrate the one-week anniversary of becoming Hokage.

"One week is too much; at least it should be one year." Shizune couldn't help but complain.

Tsunade then realized that she had unconsciously spoken her thoughts out loud.

"You misheard. What I said was one year." Tsunade said while rubbing Shizune's cheek.

Mu Yue would most likely not agree to one week.

"It was one week. I heard it too." Obito stepped forward and said.

"Hm?" Tsunade raised her fist.

"Uh, thinking carefully, it seems like it's the first anniversary." Obito stepped back.

It's not that he disregards classmate friendship, it's that Tsunade really doesn't consider age when hitting people.