The Man Who Wants to Become Hokage

"Brother Kizaru, were you too tired from training yesterday?"

"Today really scared me, Brother Kizaru!"

"Oh, by the way, Brother Kizaru! I made notes on everything today. Do you want to take a look?"

...

Walking home with the three little ones from the Shimura family, the talkative Shintaro clung to Kizaru's side, his mouth firing off like a machine gun, never stopping.

Kizaru managed with simple responses, picking up the pace and quickly returning to the Shimura clan's residence.

"You guys go ahead! I need to see the clan leader." Pushing open the gate, Kizaru walked into the main courtyard and immediately declared.

"Big Brother Kizaru, I..." Shintaro tried to speak but was forcefully pulled away by Shinobu and Yuki.

"Goodbye, Brother Kizaru!"

The two smiled, one holding onto the weak Shintaro and the other waving towards Kizaru.

"Goodbye!"

Watching the three little ones walk away, Kizaru breathed a sigh of relief, lightly scratched his ear with his pinky finger, dropped his hands into his pockets, and headed towards the courtyard where Danzo resided.

Kizaru's intention to visit Danzo wasn't an excuse to avoid Shintaro but a request from Danzo.

The training at the Ninja Academy was too mild and basic, not providing much help to Kizaru. Hence, Danzo demanded that Kizaru come to him for training after classes every day.

Kizaru had no objections to Danzo's request; he understood that all privileges and benefits came from strength.

This was a common understanding, whether within the clan, the village, or even throughout the ninja world.

Therefore, regarding the arrangements made by the family for his training, Kizaru rarely voiced any opinions.

Danzo's residence was at the center of the main clan's courtyard, merely a few hundred meters from the main gate.

As Kizaru pushed open the wooden gate of the courtyard and entered Danzo's dwelling, Danzo stood alone in the center of the courtyard.

"I hope I'm not late, Clan Leader Danzo!" Walking into the courtyard and facing the stern-faced Danzo, Kizaru said with a cheerful smile.

Danzo had always had opinions about Kizaru not being serious enough, and had mentioned it numerous times, but it had no effect.

Kizaru, who was constantly protected by the three elders, maintained a serious attitude towards training, which was a source of headache for Danzo.

Not bothering to correct Kizaru's attitude issues, Danzo turned around and walked towards the house.

"Follow me!"

Kizaru followed Danzo into the house, and as they sat across from each other at the tea table, Danzo asked, "I heard from Isshin that you were sleeping and zoning out in class today?"

"Uncle Isshin, even this has to be reported!" Kizaru rubbed his head, grumbling with a smirk.

It wasn't surprising to Kizaru that Danzo knew about his situation; after all, the family had arranged for a high-ranking ninja to secretly protect him. Kizaru was always aware of it.

"Those classes aren't something you need to pay attention to. It's good for you to rest." unexpectedly, Danzo, who usually liked to educate Kizaru on various details and issues, didn't blame him this time.

"Don't be surprised. Those ideological classes aren't for you; they're for the lower ranks." Danzo continued.

"Kizaru, you're different from those mediocre people. You have the potential to bring about change to the entire ninja world, just like the First Hokage. You're a born strong individual, a leader! You should think about this world with the mindset of a strong one, a ruler!" Danzo stared sharply into Kizaru's eyes, speaking very earnestly.

"Ruler? Sounds troublesome!" Kizaru replied with a smile. "My ideal is to find a job with high pay, less hassle, and a good position, to live happily for the rest of my life."

Danzo didn't get angry at Kizaru's response but instead chuckled.

"Isn't being a Hokage that kind of job?"

"Didn't feel a thing!"

"That guy, Hiruzen, is now living the life he always wanted. Probably spends most of his days hiding in his office, looking at women using a crystal ball!" Danzo said, laughing.

"Hey, hey, hey! Clan Leader Danzo, I'll definitely inform the Hokage about this!"

"Feel free! And while you're at it, you can ask him how much he earns every year as the Hokage!"

Danzo was extremely confident in his close friend. Their relationship was the closest and tightest in the village.

When Hiruzen returned to the village with the teacher's last words, seeking to become the Hokage, various forces within the village didn't fully approve.

If it weren't for the support of Lord Mito and the Shimura clan's full backing, Hiruzen, who had only the support of the Sarutobi clan, wouldn't have easily ascended to the position of Hokage.

For over a decade, without the collaboration between himself and Hiruzen in light and darkness, there was no way Hiruzen could have easily claimed the rights of the Hokage.

The title of Hokage was just that—a title. Becoming the Hokage didn't necessarily mean becoming the leader of the village.

Only after truly controlling the village's military and financial power could one be considered a genuine Hokage.

"Your relationship with Uncle Hiruzen is really good! Uncle!" Kizaru exclaimed.

With a dignified yet self-satisfied smile on his face, Danzo nodded slightly, "Just a little!"

"Kizaru, I know you don't like troublesome things, but you have to understand, troubles will always find their way to you! So, while you may dislike troubles, you must have the ability to resolve them." Danzo continued teaching, "Powerful strength can solve most troubles, but the process of solving troubles through strength itself can be a trouble, don't you think?"

"Yes!" Kizaru agreed.

"So, you need to have your own power, delegate troubles to subordinates; that's the easiest way to solve them." Danzo advised persuasively.

"So, you still want me to compete for the position of Hokage in the future." Kizaru said.

Nodding firmly, Danzo's expression remained resolute, with a hint of cunning in his eyes. He spoke with extreme certainty, "Not to compete; in the future, the position of Hokage will definitely be yours! This is my promise to you!"

It was the first time Kizaru had seen Danzo display such an ambitious expression. His inner self didn't feel afraid, instead, he gained a bit of fondness. After all, regardless of Danzo's reputation among former Hokage fans, at least for now, he was looking out for Kizaru's well-being.

Kizaru understood that within this goodwill, there lay Danzo's own interests and calculations. But how many instances of genuine goodwill exist in this world without any ulterior motives or benefits?

"Alright then, I, Kizaru, will definitely become the man who will be Hokage in the future!" Kizaru cooperatively said.

"...Speaking of it, how old was Tsunade when she became Hokage? Can I handle such responsibility?"

While saying these words, Kizaru's thoughts drifted away instantly.

Satisfied with Kizaru's declaration, Danzo showed a pleased expression, his lips curling up into a wide smile.