Chapter 126 - The Fourth Hokage Election
Silently, Mitokado Homura shot a subtle glance at the dazed Koharu beside him. Then he immediately spoke up in support of Danzo.
"Lord Hiruzen, I think what Danzo said makes sense. At this point, we don't have many options. I support Danzo's candidacy for Hokage."
Receiving Homura's signal, Koharu quickly followed up, voicing her agreement with Danzo's proposal as well.
Hearing Homura's words, Danzo couldn't help but feel delighted. So that favor I did earlier wasn't in vain after all—this is the old friend I know!
But Hiruzen Sarutobi only felt a chill settle in his heart.
His greatest fear had come to pass—his two old comrades had betrayed him.
They might think their actions were subtle, but how could they hide it from him, the Hokage?
They had long been displeased with his decision to grant Danzo control over Root. Both had privately expressed dissatisfaction about it.
And now they were supporting Danzo's run for Hokage?
Hiruzen didn't believe for a second that they truly backed Danzo.
There was only one explanation: they were certain Danzo couldn't win.
And for them to be so confident… the only possibility was that they had already sided with Orochimaru.
Hiruzen couldn't think of any other reason.
"…Sigh. Then let it be."
With that thought, Hiruzen suddenly seemed ten years older. He turned his back on them with a wave of his hand, indicating his approval.
Even comrades of over thirty years no longer believed in his victory—what else could he do?
The rest of the village had likely already chosen Orochimaru's side.
If that was the case, then let things play out as they may. Perhaps Konoha no longer needed him.
The other three in the room, caught up in their personal victories, failed to notice the desolation in Hiruzen's expression.
---
Meanwhile, after Hiruzen's return to the village—
Konoha's major clans had turned their attention to him.
Unlike the common villagers, these clan leaders weren't blind to what was happening.
They had seen every round of political maneuvering between Orochimaru and Hiruzen with perfect clarity.
And in every clash, it was Orochimaru who came out on top.
With Orochimaru growing stronger and more dominant in the village, the clans waited to see how Hiruzen would respond.
But to their surprise, a full month passed—without a single move from the Third Hokage.
Since returning, Hiruzen behaved as if nothing had happened. Every day, he buried himself in paperwork and mission assignments.
Even when he did leave the Hokage Tower, it was only to visit the Academy and observe the children's training, or to check in on injured shinobi at the hospital.
Beyond that, he merely commuted between his home and the tower, never interacting with the major clans, and not even speaking to any jōnin beyond work-related tasks.
Yet despite his silence, support for Orochimaru becoming the Fourth Hokage only grew stronger.
Until one day…
---
Hokage Tower
Meeting Room
An hour earlier, Hiruzen had instructed the ANBU to summon all clan heads to a council meeting.
He now sat at the head of the conference table.
To his left and right:
Uchiha Fugaku, head of the Uchiha clan, Konoha's most powerful family.
Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga clan, the village's second most powerful.
Lined up behind them were the leaders of the Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara, Inuzuka, and other major families.
Notably, seated directly across from Hiruzen was Hatake Kazane, clan head of the Hatake clan.
With only Kazane and Kakashi remaining, Kazane had naturally assumed the position of clan leader.
Seeing that all had arrived, Hiruzen opened the meeting.
"There is only one item on today's agenda," he said, adjusting his Hokage hat. His aged eyes scanned the room as he continued calmly.
"I intend to step down as Hokage in one month. Today, we must decide who will succeed me as the Fourth Hokage."
Though he had resolved to let go, a trace of sorrow still clung to his heart.
When Hiruzen finished speaking, the room erupted into murmurs and chaos.
Everyone had seen this coming. Under Orochimaru's pressure, Hiruzen's resignation was only a matter of time.
But now that it had actually happened—it still felt surreal.
The man who had ruled Konoha for years was really stepping down.
Even more surprising was that Hiruzen had taken the initiative to announce it himself.
"Lord Hiruzen, why so sudden?" asked Akimichi Torifu, head of the Akimichi clan, breaking the stunned silence.
"Konoha just finished a war. Now, more than ever, the village needs your leadership. How can you step down at a time like this?"
Torifu, like Hiruzen, was a disciple of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. After Hiruzen became Hokage, Torifu had been tasked with overseeing village security.
But much like the two elders, his position was nominal. The Konoha Police Force was run entirely by the Uchiha, who ignored his orders.
Unlike Homura and Koharu, though, Torifu had no interest in power. His one true love was food. That's why Hiruzen had never included him in elder council meetings.
"I've already made my decision, Torifu. There's no need to say more."
Hiruzen's tone was resolute. He had decided to resign before Orochimaru could act against him—at least then he could preserve the dignity of the Third Hokage.
If he waited for Orochimaru to strike, the outcome might be far worse.
Sigh. Who knows what Homura said to Orochimaru…
Hopefully, by stepping down voluntarily, Orochimaru won't push things further.
"If anyone has a candidate in mind, feel free to speak."
After a long pause and aimless discussion, Hiruzen finally urged them again.
"I propose Advisor Shimura Danzo as the Fourth Hokage candidate."
The first to rise was Aburame Shibi, head of the Aburame clan.
"I second the nomination. Lord Danzo has served as an advisor for many years and is also a village elder. In both contribution and understanding of Konoha, he is the most qualified."
Inuzuka Sora, head of the Inuzuka clan, stood up in support.
Half the jōnin from both their clans served in Root, so naturally, they backed Danzo.
Two weeks prior, Danzo had already promised them irresistible terms.
If Danzo became Hokage, they would be named Konoha's new elders.
It was an incredibly tempting offer. After all, both the Sarutobi and Shimura clans had once been minor families.
But after Hiruzen became Hokage and Danzo became an elder, their clans had risen to stand just beneath the Uchiha and Hyuga in influence.
"Hahahaha! Hahaha!!"
Suddenly, loud laughter echoed from the side.
It was Uchiha Fugaku, laughing as though he had just heard the funniest joke of his life.
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