Chapter 194 : Rejections Only!!
The Third Great Ninja War has finally come to an end.
However, a series of issues following the war are far from resolved. The most troublesome for the advisory team is selecting a suitable candidate for the next Hokage.
Given the current situation, there are very few candidates qualified to become Hokage. Factors like political background, strength, and popularity must be considered.
After comprehensive evaluation, the most suitable candidates are basically Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru.
Advisors Mitokado Homura and Koharu are more inclined to support Minato Namikaze as Hokage.
However, this proposal was rejected by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
He believes that after the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha suffered heavy casualties and significant loss of personnel. At this time, they need a Hokage who is politically savvy, has a tough attitude, and employs ruthless methods.
Minato Namikaze's style is more about maintaining stability and is too gentle for the current situation.
Especially after the war, they need to negotiate with various ninja villages, making Orochimaru a better choice for Hokage than Minato.
Mitokado Homura and Koharu, not daring to oppose the Second Hokage's decision, called Orochimaru in to discuss the issue of succession.
"Orochimaru, after our discussions, we have officially decided that you will become Hokage!" Mitokado Homura said proudly, with an air of authority that brooked no refusal as he handed over the appointment letter.
"This is Lord Tobirama's intention, but if you act recklessly, we will…"
He was about to say that if Orochimaru tried anything foolish, they would make sure to impeach him, even if it meant facing reprimands.
Before he could finish, he noticed Orochimaru sitting nearby, fingers interlaced, with his narrow snake-like eyes half-closed. The light golden vertical pupils reflected the figures of the two advisors, giving them a feeling of being scrutinized like pitiful creatures, which made them very uncomfortable.
"Orochimaru, what kind of attitude is that?!"
Mitokado Homura frowned and slammed his hand on the table, shouting, "Don't think that just because you're Hokage, you can be disrespectful to us!"
"Orochimaru, just because you can become Hokage doesn't mean you can look down on your advisors," Koharu said, glaring at him with a cold smile, as if she held some leverage over him.
"Besides, if it weren't for me and Homura covering up those things you did in the past, do you really think you would have been chosen?"
"Oh, I see."
Orochimaru looked at the two of them performing theatrically in front of him, feeling like he was watching two old dogs. With one hand supporting his cheek, he smiled lightly and said, "What you mean is you want to find a 'compliant' Hokage, right?"
"It's a partnership!"
Mitokado Homura corrected him.
"Oh, right, a partnership."
Orochimaru smiled, suddenly realizing how foolish his previous pursuits had been.
"Since you've agreed, then—"
Just as Koharu was about to speak, she saw Orochimaru standing up.
"No, you should find someone else."
Orochimaru spoke lazily, seeming uninterested, as he slowly walked toward the door.
"Wait, Orochimaru, what do you mean by that?"
Mitokado Homura and Koharu were both taken aback.
Reaching the door, Orochimaru rested his hand on it without looking back. "I mean, let someone else be the Hokage. I'm not interested."
"???"
Mitokado Homura and Koharu were bewildered.
They had considered a thousand possible outcomes, but they never imagined that Orochimaru would refuse the proposal! If it were Tsunade or Jiraiya who had turned down the Hokage position, they wouldn't have been surprised, since those two had never cared much for the role.
But this was Orochimaru!
He was ambitious and coveted the position of Hokage, even going so far as to collaborate with Danzo to achieve it.
This can't be real; it must be a trick. Orochimaru couldn't possibly be uninterested in the Hokage position. He must be playing a game to threaten them and increase his leverage!
Thinking this, Mitokado Homura felt more at ease. Frowning, he spoke with some anger, "Orochimaru, don't think such little tricks will make us back down!"
"Yeah, if you step out that door, don't even think about becoming Hokage again!"
Koharu glared, looking very upset as she shouted in a high-pitched voice.
"Oh."
Orochimaru remained expressionless, feeling no change within himself.
Perhaps, long ago, he had completely lost interest in the so-called Hokage.
If he hadn't encountered higher existences, he might still be trapped in the perspective of a "mortal." However, the Twilight Hermit Order and Adam had opened a new door for him.
Instead of wasting valuable time fighting over power with these foolish people, he would rather devote more energy to researching experiments that could grant him immortality.
As he watched Orochimaru take half a step out the door, it seemed he really didn't care about the Hokage position anymore. Mitokado Homura and Koharu were panicking.
They suddenly realized that Orochimaru had changed.
"Homura, what do we do now?"
Looking at the departing Orochimaru, Koharu wore a bitter expression.
"What else can we do?"
Mitokado Homura remained calm and said, "If he doesn't want the position, there are plenty of people who do. This is exactly what we wanted, isn't it?"
Koharu thought carefully, and a smile soon appeared on her face. "That's right. Even Tobirama-sensei can't do anything about it now. It looks like Minato Namikaze will have to take the Hokage position."
In the end, they hadn't expected that the title of "Hokage" would fall on Minato Namikaze.
"Are you two suggesting that I should become Hokage?"
Minato Namikaze looked weary, as if he hadn't rested well lately, and his voice was a bit weak.
"That's right. It's the result of our discussions."
As Mitokado Homura spoke, he handed over the appointment letter. "You should prepare as soon as possible."
Minato Namikaze stared at the appointment letter but remained strangely silent for a few seconds. His eyes flickered as if he was recalling a friend.
He couldn't help but clench his fist until his knuckles turned white. His voice was hoarse as he said, "I'm sorry, advisors. Please find someone else."
"…"
Mitokado Homura and Koharu were stunned.
Are you kidding? This is the Hokage position! How did it end up being treated like some garbage on the street that no one wants?
"It's not that, Minato. Look closely, this is the Hokage appointment letter!" Koharu said anxiously, feeling dizzy with anger. She gritted her teeth and said, "Haven't you always wanted to become Hokage? This is your dream! Why are you suddenly unwilling?"
"Because of Uchiha Sogetsu."
Bofeng Minato lowered his gaze and said in a deep voice, "He showed me what a true Hokage is. I'm not qualified yet."
"I know he's great, Minato," Mitokado Homura said, gritting his teeth in frustration but still trying to persuade him. "But you need to understand, Konoha needs a Hokage right now, and you're the most suitable person for it. If you're not ready, you can learn as you go!"
"No, thank you, advisors," Bofeng Minato firmly refused, his eyes cold. "After his death, I vowed to myself and to my ninja way that I wouldn't return to Konoha until I kill Danzo to avenge him!"
"I think you can wait on revenge," Koharu said, trying to reason with him. "Danzo is currently missing. Even if you want to take revenge, you can't find him. Why not take the Hokage position first and deal with it later?"
"Exactly, Minato! You need to think about the bigger picture!" Mitokado Homura added his support.
Neither of them had ever thought they would one day be begging someone to become Hokage.
"There's no need for more discussion, advisors," Bofeng Minato said expressionlessly, his voice cold. "I won't change my mind. Once the five-nation negotiations are over, I will set out to find Danzo!"
Now, Koharu and Mitokado Homura were completely stunned.
No one wants to be Hokage. What are they going to do?!
********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer