The Next Day.
The Hokage building was as silent as usual.
In fact, it was eerily quiet.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, dragging his weary body, walked step by step toward the Hokage office.
These past few days had been the most exhausting for him, not because of administrative duties but because of the immense mental pressure.
The great victory against Kumogakure.
Namikaze Mirai’s prestige in the village had risen to new heights.
Walking through Konoha, one could hear villagers fervently discussing him everywhere.
If he were like Minato in character, letting him become Hokage wouldn’t be out of the question.
But he had not only ruthlessly killed his dear friend Danzo, but he had also garnered the support of the entire Uchiha clan!
How could he feel at ease with that?
“I must find a way to curb Namikaze Mirai’s influence. Fortunately, becoming Hokage requires more than half the votes from the ninja council. He can’t possibly get that many votes.”
Thinking this, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s tense spirit began to relax.
He let out a sigh of relief.
Becoming Hokage wasn’t easy.
His faction, including the Sarutobi clan, the Shimura clan, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, would be enough to block Namikaze Mirai’s election.
The situation wasn’t so bad.
But when he pushed open the door to the Hokage office, the scene before him was like a bolt of lightning, rendering him stiff and his pupils trembling violently!
The office that had been empty when he left last night was now filled with ninjas!
All eyes were on him, as if they had been waiting for his arrival.
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze trembled as he scanned the familiar faces in the office.
The people waiting here were all well-known to him.
They were prominent figures in Konoha!
The Uchiha clan leader Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga clan leader Hyuga Hiashi, Aburame clan leader Aburame Shibi, Inuzuka clan leader Inuzuka Tsume…
He even saw some unexpected faces among them.
Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku.
The clan leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, who were affiliated with the Sarutobi clan!
“What are you all… doing here…”
Swallowing hard, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked in a dry, trembling voice.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
A strong sense of crisis surged from his heart.
So many people, all high-ranking and influential, were gathered silently in the Hokage office!
Why hadn’t he received any information?
Where were the Anbu stationed outside the Hokage building?
Damn it!
What was happening!
“Third Hokage.” Yamanaka Inoichi, standing at the forefront, took a deep breath.
His sincere gaze locked onto Sarutobi Hiruzen.
“It’s time to step down.”
As the representative of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, his words held immense significance!
“Inoichi! You…”
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s body trembled, his face instantly paling.
Yamanaka Inoichi was the head of the Yamanaka clan. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio had been allies of the Sarutobi clan since the founding of the village.
Now, he was publicly uttering such treasonous words!
“Please, Third Hokage, step down!”
The second voice came from Akimichi Choza.
His expression was solemn.
“Please, Third Hokage, step down!”
The Aburame clan leader Aburame Shibi followed closely.
“Please, Third Hokage, step down!!”
Next was the Inuzuka clan leader.
The firm voices echoed in the Hokage office, each one making Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face even paler and his body tremble more.
He had thought that the only clan likely to support Namikaze Mirai would be the Uchiha.
But now, Uchiha Fugaku hadn’t even spoken yet.
The other leaders alone were making him break out in cold sweat, his body shivering.
When had Namikaze Mirai garnered so much support?
“Anbu! Where are the Anbu?”
Suddenly remembering something, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face tightened as he called out around him.
Usually, just a light cough from him would bring the Anbu stationed outside the Hokage building rushing to assist him.
But this time, no matter how much he called, no Anbu appeared.
“Hokage-sama, there’s no need to call for them. The Anbu won’t be coming.”
In Sarutobi Hiruzen’s shocked and disbelieving gaze, a white-haired Anbu with a cat-like mask stepped forward from the crowd.
“Kakashi?!”
“Why are you alone?”
The Anbu stationed outside the Hokage building should be at least a full squad. Why was Kakashi the only one here?
Kakashi chuckled, as if reminiscing.
“The Anbu stationed outside the Hokage building are all people who recognize the situation.”
“Even the few who were loyal to you were not strong enough. It wasn’t difficult to deal with them.”
These words were the last straw, making Sarutobi Hiruzen step back in trembling shock, leaning against the cold wall.
“Kakashi, you killed your own comrades?”
“Hokage-sama, I must correct you.”
Although Kakashi’s eyes were smiling, there was a faint coldness in them.
“I dealt with a few fools who couldn’t adapt to the times.”
The atmosphere in the Hokage office instantly solidified.
Everything fell into place.
The reason these high-ranking officials could appear in the Hokage office so easily without him receiving any information was due to betrayal within the Anbu.
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eyes turned lifeless, as if he were a withered old tree leaning against the wall.
In his dim gaze, a figure with golden hair walked in slowly, looking down at him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head to meet the gaze.
The blue eyes were like those of a god, devoid of any emotion.
“Third Hokage, I propose we hold the succession ceremony for the Fifth Hokage the day after tomorrow.”
“What do you think?”
Though the words were framed as a question, there was no inquiry in the tone.
It was as if it was just a formality.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath.
“The Hokage must be approved by the Daimyo. Without the Daimyo’s consent, I cannot confirm the appointment.”
He could only place his last hope on the Daimyo.
The Daimyo was the ruler of the Land of Fire.
He controlled the economy and political power of the Land of Fire.
Konoha’s annual funds all came from the Daimyo.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t believe that invoking the Daimyo’s name wouldn’t deter Namikaze Mirai.
But just as he finished speaking.
“Hahahaha!!”
The wild laughter echoed in the Hokage office.
The laughter made Sarutobi Hiruzen’s already pale face even whiter.
“What are you laughing at?”
Namikaze Mirai’s smile gradually faded, his lips curling slightly.
“The Daimyo, how many divisions does he have?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Uchiha clan members behind him burst into laughter, filled with contempt.
The Daimyo?
As members of the Uchiha clan, they knew well what Namikaze Mirai’s policies would be once he took power.
The Land of Fire might not even have a Daimyo in the future!
Amidst the Uchiha’s mocking laughter, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze darkened like a soaked ember.
He knew.
His era had ended.
The next stage for Konoha would be Namikaze Mirai’s!
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
