Chapter – 854 An SSS-Rank Mission Worth 200 Million Ryo?

"I am sorry, I refuse."

"What… what did you just say?" asked Hiruzen with a shocked expression.

There is hardly anyone in Konoha who wouldn't want to become Hokage if presented with the opportunity, after all, becoming Hokage is the dream of every child, therefore, when Kuroto refused his proposal, Sandaime couldn't believe his ears.

Kuroto shrugged, and spoke again, "I am sorry Sandaime-sama, but I refuse to accept the position of Godaime Hokage."

Don't take it the wrong way, it's not that Kuroto doesn't want to become Hokage, back when he was in his early teens, he had indeed dreamed of becoming Hokage. His desire of wanting to become Hokage stems from his admiration for Yondaime Hokage Namikaze Minato.

So, Kuroto would be lying if he said that he wasn't tempted to accept the offer presented by Hiruzen, however, he knows that now is not the right time as being bound to the position of Hokage may create problems for him and it would be too tiring to deal with Konoha's affairs while continuing his plans.

There are a lot of things on his plate at the moment, the 'Type II Biological Armor', the 'Rinnegan Project', the 'Lightning Chakra Clone', Hashirama Cells implantation in Shinichi and Itachi along with many other things that he has to take care of, so he can't spare much energy for Hokage's work.

It's not that he doesn't want to be Hokage, it's just not the right time.

What's more, once he becomes Hokage, Kuroto would be stepping into the bright light. The reason his plans have gone unhindered so far, it's that he has always remained in the shadows and has attracted much attention to himself. For people like Nagato, Obito, and Zetsu, Hyuga Kuroto is just the principal of Konoha Ninja Academy, not someone who needs their special attention, however, once he becomes Hokage, everyone will start watching him, they will study him, and prepare countermeasures against him.

There is even a possibility that someone might discover his secrets and plans. Kuroto doesn't want to take such a big risk so easily as it can create problems in his Project Godhood!

"You refuse to accept?" muttered Hiruzen in shock, he was puzzled, and asked, "Hyuga Kuroto… don't you want to become Hokage? I remember you once told me that you wish to become someone like Minato… so why refuse?"

Kuroto answered with a smile, "To become someone like Minato-sama, I don't necessarily need to become Hokage." And added, "Moreover, after dealing with Konoha Ninja Academy for the past few years, I have come to realize that these management things might not be my cup of tea, it takes a great deal of effort just to take care of Academy… Any more, and I wouldn't know what to do… To put it in simple terms, becoming Hokage would be troublesome… And I don't like trouble!"

"Trou… Troublesome?" Hiruzen did not expect such an answer from Kuroto. He was speechless, and spoke in an annoyed tone of voice, "It would be more accurate to say that you have become too lazy by remaining in that office of yours… You are a Konoha Shinobi, so you must bear the responsibility of protecting the village. And becoming Hokage is also part of this responsibility, you cannot shirk off this responsibility just because you find it troublesome!"

Hiruzen is really uncomfortable at the moment. He never considered the possibility that Kuroto would refuse, therefore, all the planning he has done to use the position of Hokage as bait and step-by-step lead the discussion in the direction he wanted has become completely useless.

Now, rather than leading the discussion in the direction he wants, he has to find a way to convince Kuroto to become Hokage, which is giving him a headache.

Hearing Sandaime's words, Kuroto spoke slyly, "If it's the talk about taking the Hokage's responsibility, I think Tsunade-hime and Jiraiya-sama deserve it more."

"You are really…" Hiruzen sighed upon hearing Kuroto's words.

If Jiraiya or Tsunade were willing to take charge and accept the responsibility of Konoha's Hokage, the Hokage faction wouldn't be facing such a predicament.

Sandaime tried to convince Kuroto with talk and reasoning, however, Kuroto remained unmoved. Being repeatedly refused, although Hiruzen was a bit annoyed and angry, he started to feel that Kuroto was really suitable for the position of Hokage, and once again spoke, "Kuroto… given the current situation I really cannot allow you to refuse… You were nominated as one of the candidates, and you won against Uchiha Shisui… since you have already come this far, then you have to accept the responsibility of Hokage! You have no other choice!"

"But I am not the only Hokage candidate." Muttered Kuroto with a playful smile.

Hiruzen was speechless, "You–!" And he doesn't know what to do anymore.

If Kuroto refuses to become Hokage, they really don't know what they will do… At this rate, Fugaku would be the one to ascend to the position of Konoha's Godaime Hokage, and they–the Hokage Faction–don't want such a thing to happen.

Hiruzen ragged his brain and tried to think of a method he could use to convince Kuroto, just when he felt helpless as nothing was coming to his mind, he suddenly thought of something, and spoke, "Old rules… Hundred Million Ryo!"

Kuroto was taken aback as his eyes sparkled, "Hundred Million Ryo?" however, the color soon returned to normal, and he shook his head, "What are you talking about Hokage-sama… How can something so important be bought with money?"

Hiruzen squinted. The unnatural sparkle in Kuroto's eyes didn't go unnoticed, however, Kuroto still refused, this can only mean, "Is it too little?"

Kuroto spoke in–I don't understand what you are talking about–tone, "Little? I am afraid you are misunderstanding something Hokage-sama."

"I see." Nodded Hiruzen, and spoke after a minute of silence, "How about One hundred twenty million?"

"Hokage-sama, this isn't about money."

"Still not enough… what about One hundred thirty million?"

"Hokage-sama… this is really…"

"One hundred forty million!"

"This matter concerns Konoha and the rest of the Shinobi World… money can't…"

"Oh come on kid… just how greedy are you?" spoke Hiruzen in annoyance, and added, "You must become Hokage… Using my authority as Sandaime Hokage of Konoha, I am entrusting you with the mission of becoming Konoha's Hokage, and you must complete it!" Then he added after a pause, "The rank of this mission is SSS… a mission that has never appeared before, therefore, you are allowed to name your price!"

"Two hundred million Ryo in hard cash for accepting the mission… and ten million Ryo will be my monthly salary!" spoke Kuroto after a while of thinking.

"Two… two hundred million Ryo in advance and ten million Ryo per month?" muttered Sandaime and gritted his teeth, "All right, you have got your deal… however, you have to work hard during the election campaign! I don't want to hear any complaints."

"I can work hard now that I have a motivation." Nodded Kuroto with a smile as he stood up, just before he turned around to leave, Kuroto suddenly said, "By the way Hokage-sama I will not be dealing with all the paperwork as well as management affairs… you must employ someone to deal with those things."

"Don't worry, the Elder Council will manage these things." Nodded Hiruzen, in fact, this is exactly what he wanted. This way, even if Kuroto is the Hokage, he wouldn't have too much power in his hand.

After reaching an agreement, Kuroto left the Hokage Office.

…

Hokage Office

A while after Kuroto had left, Elder Koharu and the others came to the Hokage Office, and asked, "Hiruzen, how did it go? Did he agree?"

Hiruzen had a strange look on his face. He wasn't sure how to explain what happened.

Elder Koharu misunderstood upon noting Hiruzen's silence, and asked, "Did he not agree to our terms?"

Jiraiya felt the same, and said, "Sarutobi Sensei… those conditions are actually too tight… I think there should be no harm in relaxing it a little bit. As Hokage… he should have some power in his hand."

"Hmm… I think there would be nothing wrong with that either." Added Tsunade.

Everyone realizes that they really don't have any other option at the moment. Rather than handing over the entire authority to the Uchiha Clan, it would be better to transfer some power to Kuroto.

Sandaime shook his head, "That wouldn't work."

Hearing Hiruzen's words, Elder Koharu was confused, and asked, "What exactly does he want then?"

Tsunade and Jiraiya were also puzzled and looked at the man in question.

Hiruzen sighed, and explained, "That kid… he did not want to become Hokage at all! I had to spend two hundred million in advance and promise him a salary of ten million Ryo to convince him! And even after that… he did not want too much power… the kid straight off refused to deal with the paperwork and management affairs!"

"What?!" Tsunade froze in place, "Why… why did I not think of this method?"

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