Chapter 74: The Awkward Hokage Debate

"Come on, kid, you still have a lot to learn!"

Jiraiya seemed to be a little happy after drinking. He first glanced at Tsunade's expression, waved his hand and said: "Kazuki is indeed a very good ninja, but Minato is aiming to be a Hokage!"

"You have all heard of the Flying Thunder God Technique of the Second Hokage, right?"

Jiraiya paused dramatically, scanning the expressions of everyone present, expecting to see shock reflected on their faces.

But to his surprise, whether it was Kazuki, Tsunade, Asuma or Orochimaru...

Everyone looked at him with an impassive expression, except for Rin, whose eyes shone with a mixture of confusion and mild expectation.

Among these people, either their second grandfather is Senju Tobirama, or they know too many forbidden techniques, or they have a Senju Tobirama in their body, or they are the son of the Hokage who has seen the talent of Kazuki...

If Jiraiya had not used such a boastful tone, perhaps the others would have been more considerate and flattered him with a few words of admiration.

But obviously, no one was willing to do that favor to the drunken Jiraiya...

"Wow, you guys are really weird... We're talking about a forbidden technique that no one has ever mastered." Jiraiya muttered softly and continued: "Minato has managed to completely master it! Furthermore, he has improved the flaws left by the Second Hokage!"

At this moment, inside Kazuki, someone let out a cold snort, clearly annoyed.

"With his talent in sealing techniques, his spatial ability, his physical skills, and his inheritance of the summoning scroll of Mount Myoboku. In a couple of years, Minato will be ready to learn Sage Mode with me."

"I repeat in front of Minato, the talent of any other pales!"

Jiraiya was full of praise for Minato.

Orochimaru shook his head. The last time Jiraiya had spoken of finding the child of prophecy, he had been at a loss for words. Now, once again, the toad was making him feel Jiraiya's tactlessness.

Jiraiya at this moment seemed like a child, and Minato, his luxurious toy. It was as if by praising how excellent Minato was, Jiraiya could prove his own greatness and make Tsunade look at him differently.

In fact, Tsunade had already frowned, but Jiraiya, who was in high spirits, completely ignored this and immersed himself in his own world.

'Looking for the child of prophecy is indeed a good job for you, idiot Jiraiya...' Orochimaru thought silently, though his eyes showed a slight glint of interest.

Tsunade and Asuma looked too calm, as if they really felt that although Minato's talent was good, it was not amazing.

Although Kazuki just smiled calmly, it was just a polite smile.

To be honest, Minato's talent is definitely top-notch, but the performance of the three people in Tsunade's team made Orochimaru seem to understand something.

Orochimaru's long tongue licked the corner of his mouth subconsciously. Just as he was about to add fuel to the fire, Asuma was faster than him-

"Jiraiya-sama, have you ever seen someone Kazuki's age with a three-tomoe Sharingan, skilled in the Second Hokage's high-level water release, mastering all of the Uchiha clan's fire release techniques, kenjutsu, and the Senju clan's Chakra Enhanced Strength, all while having an overwhelming amount of chakra?"

Asuma listed the skills fluently, as if he were reading them from a menu. "Doesn't Kazuki know the sealing technique? I heard that Mito-sama has been sighing many times recently, saying that Kazuki's talent is like that of the Uzumaki clan!"

After Asuma finished speaking, even Kazuki looked at him in surprise.

Did you peek at my system panel? How come he seems to know more about it than me...

Tsunade patted Asuma's shoulder with amusement. "Good boy, you said what I wanted to say."

Asuma puffed out his chest with pride, as if Kazuki's strength was a source of glory for him, a mere genin, and firmly declared: "Although Minato-san is also very good, if I were to say who can be the Hokage, I think it must be Kazuki!"

Kazuki shook his head helplessly, patted Asuma's shoulder, and teased himself. "Asuma, let's focus on becoming chunin first. Minato is already a jonin and we are still genin working on minor missions..."

Minato laughed awkwardly. "I'm sorry, everyone... Jiraiya-sensei had a bit to drink. I only just became a jonin recently. Being Hokage is something I want, yes, but I still have a long way to go..."

Both Kazuki and Minato apologized to each other, both smiling with obvious discomfort.

However, after Asuma's words, the atmosphere became slightly tense.

This meeting, although initially intended to be just a celebration, had an unmistakable air about it: the next Hokage of Konoha was probably among those present.

After all, everyone present was part of the Hokage's inner circle. Even Nohara Rin, who seemed the most ordinary, as long as she can take advantage of her advantages in the future, she will at least be the director of an important department.

To put it bluntly, even a ninja like Hatake Sakumo can't find his place at this table.

This has nothing to do with strength, but only with identity...

In this way the position of Hokage is decided internally.

It's a very simple truth. If Tsunade becomes Hokage, then the possibility of Minato becoming Hokage will be much lower than that of Kazuki.

Currently, the competition for the position of Hokage in Konoha had become more complicated due to the appearance of Kazuki...

Jiraiya kept saying that he wanted to find the child of prophecy. In theory, he withdrew from the competition, but in fact he supported his apprentice Namikaze Minato to become Hokage, and often praised Minato's talent in public.

Orochimaru was the most promising, but he was involved in the storm related to Shimura Danzo, and his attitude was also very ambiguous, and he had the intention of lying down. After all, with his ability and qualifications, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no other choice.

But after Kazuki appeared, Tsunade, who was cured of hemophobia, was in the limelight and had a high voice.

She was originally the most legitimate and popular of Konoha. Both of her grandfathers were Hokage, and her grandmother was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. She was also a powerful medical-nin and had a lot of popularity.

Now, in addition, she had a super genius of the Uchiha and the son of the Third Hokage, as her disciples...

Although Tsunade wasted a few years, her foundation and team are too rich. Even though Kazuki is still young, Tsunade has never said that only fools want to be Hokage since she recovered from her hemophobia.

The meeting, which had been lively so far, fell into an awkward silence after the discussion between Asuma and Jiraiya.

All the people present are top-notch people. Although some of them have problems with emotional intelligence in love, everyone thinks clearly about the fundamental interests of future development.

This was not a question of morality; the position of Hokage could only be for one person, and whoever wanted it had to earn it.

This is reality.

Whether it was Tsunade, Orochimaru or Jiraiya, no one would think that they could give in and let the other party become Hokage first, and then pass the position to their apprentice...

Shimura Danzo's example was right in front of them: once you lose the chance to be Hokage, it's almost impossible to get it back.

Throughout history, there are few leaders who would take the initiative to pass the throne to their nephews...

The atmosphere became more and more awkward. No one spoke for a while, and everyone ate in silence.

Only Rin blinked in bewilderment, not understanding what was happening.

Why did no one speak suddenly?

"Today is such a special day, we don't have any mission. How about we take advantage of it to train a little?" Orochimaru suggested, clasping his hands together as his eyes became as piercing as a snake's. "Jiraiya, Tsunade, it seems that we haven't fought for a long time?"

Orochimaru was not happy. Talking so much about the position of Hokage in front of him felt disrespectful.

The so-called position of Hokage should have been his.

In Orochimaru's heart, he can give up the position of Hokage, but Sarutobi Hiruzen must give it to him...

Although Namikaze Minato's tone was very humble, the desire in his eyes could not be faked.

As for Kazuki, Orochimaru did not think that a thirteen-year-old child could pose any threat to him.

"Stinky snake, why are you pretending? This Toad Sage, he can defeat you whenever he wants!"

"Want to fight? Sure, I haven't used my fists seriously for a long time..." Tsunade twisted her neck and said indifferently.

The scene instantly became heated.

If words couldn't clear things up, then it would be better to settle it with a fight.

Namikaze Minato frowned, he didn't want the matter to be so big...

When his gaze met Kazuki's, he had an idea and spoke softly: "Jiraiya-sensei, Tsunade-sama, Orochimaru-sama, you are all important figures in the village, and now is the critical period for Mito-sama..."

After speaking, Minato looked at Kushina beside him.

The Nine-Tails would soon be transferred, and right now Sarutobi Hiruzen's three disciples were about to fight each other. That could destabilize the morale of the shinobi in the village.

Jiraiya nodded. "Minato is still thoughtful, stinky snake, you should learn more!"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Comparing me to a junior?

Jiraiya, you are so arrogant...

But Jiraiya did not give him a chance to retort and waved his hand. "However, since the atmosphere has come to this point..."

"Last time at our meeting I mentioned that Asuma and Kazuki should see how talented their senpai are. So why don't we let our disciples handle the fight today? There shouldn't be a problem with that, right?"

"As for you, stinking snake, since you do not yet have a disciple... today you can only watch."

Jiraiya still controlled his provocation and did not say words such as asking Minato to fight Orochimaru.

Tsunade snorted in disdain, but then looked at Kazuki for his opinion.

Kazuki winked at her.

"Okay, then let's find a place and go now!"

Tsunade said arrogantly: "Jiraiya, today I will show you what a true genius is!"

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