Jiraiya hesitated, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he remained silent.
Because he understood Tsunade very well. Once she had made a decision, she would never change it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen instinctively stroked his beard.
Although he had already retired, he was still a Jōnin. With the threat posed by the Akatsuki Organization looming over the Ninja World, he had also come to attend this Jōnin Meeting.
He simply hadn't expected that the very first item on the agenda would be the selection of the Sixth Hokage.
Yet Sarutobi Hiruzen did not move to stop it.
After all, when Tsunade had become Hokage back then, it hadn't been entirely of her own free will.
And more importantly, Sarutobi Hiruzen was extremely satisfied with Kitazawa. There was not a single flaw he could point out if Kitazawa were to become Hokage.
Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi exchanged glances. Both of them saw unmistakable delight and pleasant surprise in each other's eyes.
After Tsunade took office as Hokage, she had treated their clans fairly and appropriately, but there was always a certain distance.
Kitazawa was different. Once he became Hokage, Sasuke, Hinata, and Shikamaru would effectively become the Hokage's students.
Even if they were not his official disciples, the bond formed through the Genius Class alone would keep their families extremely close to Kitazawa.
What was more, Kitazawa would most likely choose three students from the Genius Class to be his true disciples.
Those three would then become Hokage candidates, competing for the position of Seventh Hokage in the future.
Both Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi were convinced that their own children would be among those three.
When that day came, the Hokage's seat would be well within reach.
"Now, we will begin the first step of the Hokage selection process: Hokage nomination." Tsunade paused briefly before continuing.
"If anyone has a candidate in mind, speak up now."
"I believe it must be Kitazawa." Uchiha Fugaku was the first to stand and speak.
Hyūga Hiashi froze for a moment, a sharp pang of regret flashing through his heart—he had been a step too slow.
"I also nominate Kitazawa." Nara Shikaku followed immediately.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio had always advanced and retreated together; his nomination also represented the opinions of Akimichi Chōza and Yamanaka Inoichi.
"Kitazawa is currently the strongest ninja in Konoha Village. He is the most suitable person to become the Sixth Hokage." Hyūga Hiashi quickly regained his composure and spoke without hesitation.
Soon after, many other Jōnin voiced their support one after another.
Aburame Shibi.
Kakashi Hatake.
Might Guy.
One voice after another echoed through the hall.
No one was more excited than Kurenai. Although she had long anticipated this day, when it truly arrived, her heart still raced uncontrollably.
She wished she could rush over, jump straight into Kitazawa's arms, lift her feet off the ground, and stay there for the entire day.
Tsunade glanced at Kitazawa, a faint smile appearing on her face. As expected of her student.
The people's choice. Not a single objection.
"Other than Kitazawa, does anyone have another candidate?" Tsunade asked once more.
Under normal circumstances, there would be multiple Hokage candidates. With only one candidate, it might appear too blatant.
"None." Everyone shook their heads in unison.
In this situation, nominating a second candidate would only offend two Hokage-level figures at the same time.
They weren't fools—no one would make such a pointless move.
At that moment, Kitazawa was slightly startled.
Three lines of text suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[Current Mission: Become the Sixth Hokage.]
[Mission Reward: Master-level Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa's first reaction was that the reward felt a little underwhelming. But after thinking about it carefully, it made perfect sense.
System mission rewards were always proportional to the difficulty of the mission.
And for him, becoming the Sixth Hokage was practically effortless.
That said, Master-level Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation was still a very good reward.
Once this mission was completed, he would possess Mastery-level Chakra Nature Transformation for all seven attributes.
In theory, mastering all attributes would allow one to create Truth-Seeking Orbs—or even Kekkei Mōra—by hand.
Of course, theory and reality were two very different things.
What new changes or effects would appear could only be known after truly obtaining Master-level Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation.
"Since the Jōnin Meeting is being held today, we'll proceed with the Jōnin vote first." Tsunade raised her hand, silencing the room.
There were generally four steps to becoming Hokage.
Hokage nomination.
Jōnin vote.
Villager vote.
Daimyō appointment.
In simple terms, one needed both strength and fame. For Kitazawa, both were already at their peak.
If one had to say which step was the most important, it was naturally the Hokage nomination.
In certain special periods, even the nomination alone could be enough.
For example, during wartime, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had directly appointed Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage.
"Shizune," Tsunade said calmly.
Shizune immediately stepped forward and placed a ballot box on the table.
The Jōnin vote officially began. Following the seating order, Jiraiya and the others went up one by one to cast their votes.
"Sensei, you will count the votes," Tsunade thought for a moment and said.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but smile. You've already called me Sensei—what else could I possibly say?
He stood up, walked over to the ballot box, and began counting. In truth, there wasn't much to count at all.
"Kitazawa—unanimously approved!" Sarutobi Hiruzen announced loudly.
As expected, the meeting hall immediately erupted in applause.
Many faces were filled with anticipation. After all, the inauguration of a new Hokage symbolized a transfer of power.
And because of the Genius Class, many people felt they already had a good relationship with Kitazawa and would benefit from it in the future.
"The villager vote will be handled by the Konoha Military Police Force." Once the applause subsided, Tsunade considered briefly before speaking again.
Under normal circumstances, the villager vote would be handled by ANBU.
But given Kitazawa's close ties with ANBU, the responsibility was instead assigned to the Konoha Military Police Force.
At present, the Military Police Force is also a suitable choice. It was no longer an organization exclusive to the Uchiha Clan.
Long ago, at Kitazawa's suggestion, the Military Police Force had begun recruiting ninjas from outside the Uchiha Clan.
Although Uchiha Fugaku remained the head, more than half of its members were now non-Uchiha.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Uchiha Fugaku straightened, his spirits clearly lifted as he responded.
This was undoubtedly a favorable sign for the Uchiha Clan.
Being entrusted with the villagers' vote allowed them to openly show goodwill toward Kitazawa.
Hyūga Hiashi couldn't help but feel a trace of regret. The Hyūga Clan didn't possess a department like the Military Police Force.
But perhaps they would in the future—depending on Hinata's and Neji's performance.
"Once the villager vote is completed, I will have someone notify the Fire Daimyō." Tsunade paused briefly before continuing.
"Now, let's move on to the second matter—the Akatsuki Organization."
At once, everyone's expressions grew solemn.
Many of them had experienced Ninja World Wars before. But the crisis brought by the Akatsuki Organization was entirely different.
Never before in history had a single organization captured seven Tailed Beasts or Jinchūriki.
The pressure posed by Akatsuki far exceeded that of Kumogakure or Iwagakure. It could be called the greatest challenge Konoha Village had faced since its founding.
Yet, to the surprise of many, Tsunade only spoke of routine arrangements. She did not mention the other Ninja villages at all.
"Tsunade, aren't we going to cooperate with the other Ninja villages?" Jiraiya asked after listening.
"The other Ninja villages won't agree."
Tsunade shook her head and said, "Even if they were willing to cooperate, they would wait until after Konoha Village had suffered a crushing defeat."
Hearing this, everyone present understood immediately.
Jiraiya let out a helpless sigh.
The reason peace was so difficult to achieve in the Ninja World was precisely that every major Ninja village harbored its own ulterior motives.
That was the norm.
Ninjas who genuinely pursued peace for the sake of the entire Ninja World were, in truth, a minority.
"This Jōnin Meeting is now adjourned. When the Akatsuki Organization makes its next move, I will have ANBU notify you."
After Tsunade finished speaking, she stood up and left the meeting room.
Kitazawa intended to follow her, but he was immediately surrounded by a group of Jōnin.
They didn't have anything particular to say—only congratulations, one after another, for his impending promotion to Sixth Hokage.
By the time Kitazawa finished responding to everyone, another half an hour had quietly passed.
"You're really popular now." Kurenai walked over with a smile that filled her face.
"It's the Hokage who's popular, not me," Kitazawa replied casually.
"That's not true." Kurenai stepped closer and said, "You were already very popular even before this."
"That's also true." Kitazawa pulled her into his arms, gave her buttocks a squeeze, and added with a grin, "At least I'm popular with you."
Kurenai instinctively glanced around. Only after confirming that everyone nearby had already left did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry. I definitely won't mess around when people are watching." Kitazawa lowered his head and gave her rosy lips a playful nip.
"I really didn't expect you to become Hokage this soon." Kurenai shot him a teasing glare and sighed.
"With Lady Tsunade's Yin Seal, it would've been perfectly normal for her to remain Hokage for another ten or even twenty years."
"Given Lady Tsunade's personality, being Hokage for this long is already quite an achievement." Kitazawa shook his head.
"Lady Tsunade really is… very unique." Kurenai couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm going up to the Hokage Office." As he walked, Kitazawa asked, "Want me to walk you home?"
"It's still early. I'm going to check on the film crew." Kurenai replied.
Since the establishment of the Film and Television Department, preparations for Konoha Village's first film had been underway, and filming had already begun.
The subject was none other than the legendary life of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
"Alright then." Kitazawa nodded and turned to head upstairs.
---
A moment later, he arrived at the Hokage Office.
He knocked lightly. After receiving permission, he pushed the door open and walked inside.
"You're about to become the Sixth Hokage. How does it feel?" Tsunade set down the documents in her hand and asked with a smile.
"Not great." Kitazawa walked over, reached out, and touched her cheek. "I'm more interested in how you're planning to thank me."
"Thank you?" Tsunade swatted his hand away and snorted.
"Shouldn't you be thanking me instead? Why do you make it sound like becoming Hokage is some kind of grievance?"
"Then how about you continue being Hokage?" Kitazawa blinked innocently.
"..." Tsunade was rendered speechless.
Kitazawa couldn't help but laugh.
Fortunately, there was no third person in the Hokage Office.
Otherwise, anyone hearing this exchange between teacher and student would be torn between laughter and tears.
The position of Hokage—dreamed of by all of Konoha Village, even the entire Ninja World—seemed like a burden no one wanted to carry for the two of them.
"Speaking of rewards…" Kitazawa's eyes darted around as he continued, "I actually do want one."
"What is it?" Tsunade asked curiously.
She genuinely couldn't think of anything else she could give him.
After all, everything that could be given had already been given, and even she herself no longer belonged entirely to her own.
"You're not allowed to beat me up after I say it." Kitazawa cleared his throat lightly.
"…?" A look of suspicion appeared on Tsunade's face.
"Promise me first," Kitazawa emphasized.
"I promise." Tsunade's curiosity was piqued, and she agreed without much thought.
Kitazawa bent down, leaned close to her ear, and whispered a single sentence.
Tsunade's expression froze instantly. In the next moment, she threw a punch straight at him.
"You just promised! How can you go back on your word so quickly?" Kitazawa grabbed her wrist and protested immediately.
"You certainly have a beautiful imagination!" Tsunade snorted coldly, clearly displeased.
"I was just saying it casually—you don't have to take it seriously." Kitazawa hurried to explain.
"Do you think I don't know you well enough by now?" Tsunade lifted her leg and kicked him lightly, asking, "Have you had this idea for a long time?"
Kitazawa sized her up with a few glances. To his surprise, she didn't seem as angry as he had expected.
Could it be that his dream of sharing a bed with multiple women might actually come true?
"Since you don't like it, then we won't talk about it." Kitazawa retreated deliberately.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, raised her chin, and stared at him.
Kitazawa met her gaze calmly.
"You really are thick-skinned." Tsunade shook her head.
"I have a clear conscience," Kitazawa replied shamelessly.
"Hmph. You think you can still fool me?" Tsunade rolled her eyes and said, "That depends on your performance."
"What?" Kitazawa asked subconsciously.
"I'm going to work. If you have nothing else to do, don't disturb me." Tsunade didn't elaborate, her tone turning serious.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sensei." Kitazawa stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her on the cheek.
Tsunade wore an expression of disdain, but she didn't push him away. After he left, she sat there in silence, sinking into thought.
---
Noon arrived.
The students of the Genius Class stopped their training and gathered together for lunch.
At that moment, a commotion erupted from the school gate.
"What happened?" Kiba asked curiously.
"I'll go check it out!" Konohamaru immediately sprinted toward the gate in excitement.
"I'm coming too!" Udon Ise hurried after him.
"So energetic…" Shikamaru yawned lazily.
"Actually, Neji could just use his Byakugan and look from here," Tenten said with a smile.
"It's all the same," Neji replied indifferently. "We won't have to wait long."
A moment later, Konohamaru and Udon came running back at full speed.
"It looks like something big happened." Yakumo guessed, watching the two boys' excited expressions.
"The Sixth Hokage!" Konohamaru panted as he spoke.
"What do you mean?" Kiba froze for a moment. "Isn't it still the Fifth Hokage?"
"Next Monday, the entire village will hold a vote to elect the Sixth Hokage!" Konohamaru answered without hesitation.
"Changing the Hokage at a time like this? How is that even possible?" Shikamaru's face was filled with disbelief.
They all came from prominent Ninja clans, so they were naturally aware of how tense the current situation in the Ninja World was.
"It's true!" Udon Ise hurriedly chimed in. "The notices have already been posted! It was decided at this morning's Jōnin Meeting!"
"No wonder Kitazawa-sensei and the others weren't here this morning," Sakura said with sudden realization.
"Then who's the Sixth Hokage?" Naruto asked impatiently.
"You should be asking who the Hokage candidates are." Sakura corrected him at once.
"It's obviously Kitazawa-sensei." Ino snorted confidently.
Hinata nodded unconsciously in agreement.
"It really is Kitazawa-sensei." Konohamaru paused for a moment before adding, "He's the only candidate—there isn't a second one."
"Doesn't that mean the Sixth Hokage can only be Kitazawa-sensei?" Hanabi asked instinctively.
"That's logically sound." Shino Aburame adjusted his glasses.
"Even if there were other candidates, none of them could compete with Kitazawa-sensei," Jūgo spoke up calmly.
Kimimaro and Tayuya nodded in agreement.
Only Gaara and Fū showed little reaction. After all, they weren't Konoha Ninjas—at least, they hadn't fully integrated into Konoha Village yet.
"As expected of Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto gave a thumbs-up enthusiastically. "I'll definitely inherit Kitazawa-sensei's youth and become the Seventh Hokage!"
"The Seventh Hokage will definitely be Sasuke-kun!" Sakura shot back immediately.
"…" Sasuke opened his mouth, but hesitated.
Sakura had spoken so fast that he hadn't even had time to react.
"Maybe it'll be me." Kiba crossed his arms and boasted shamelessly.
"Being Hokage sounds like a huge pain." Shikamaru shook his head lazily. "I'm definitely not doing it."
"That's fine," Ino said with a trace of schadenfreude. "Then the position of Hokage Advisor is yours."
"…" Shikamaru was instantly rendered speechless.
There were many uncertainties surrounding the position of Hokage, but more than ninety-nine percent of Hokage Advisors came from the Nara Clan.
Lunch passed amid idle chatter and laughter.
Once the break ended, the afternoon training officially began.
Kitazawa, Jiraiya, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kakashi, and the others who had been absent in the morning all returned to the Ninja Academy.
Only Kurenai was missing.
She was busy with matters related to the Film and Television Department and effectively in a state of semi-resignation.
"Before we begin training, I have an announcement to make." Kitazawa stepped forward and addressed the students of the Genius Class.
"Kitazawa-sensei, we've already seen the notices!" Kiba immediately raised his hand.
"That's not what I'm talking about." Kitazawa chuckled. "What I want to discuss is this month's final exam."
"A new combat format?" Naruto asked instinctively.
Sasuke, Kimimaro, and the others instantly became interested.
"No." Kitazawa shook his head. "It's the graduation exam."
"Graduation?" The Genius Class students exchanged stunned looks.
"Under normal circumstances, you would still have half a year left before graduation," Kitazawa said calmly. "But with your current strength, you're already qualified to graduate early."
"So the day has finally come." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed with emotion.
"It's a pity that I'm already old and no longer suitable to be a team leader." Maruboshi Kosuke said regretfully.
"There's no age limit for team leaders." Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled gently. "If you truly want to take the role, you absolutely can."
"Let the opportunities go to the younger generation." Maruboshi Kosuke waved his hand indifferently. "Besides, the Genius Class will still need instructors."
As far as he knew, Kitazawa, Yamato, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Kurenai would all be leaving the Genius Class.
"I'll stay behind as well," Chen said with a smile.
He was already advanced in age and didn't have many years left; spending the remainder of his life teaching the Genius Class suited him just fine.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. His thoughts aligned closely with those of Maruboshi Kosuke and Chen.
At his age, he no longer had the energy to act as a team leader and run missions everywhere.
"The graduation exam will take the form of one-on-one practical combat, with no restrictions," Kitazawa said after giving the class time to digest the news.
Sasuke's eyes immediately lit up. He could finally have a full-power battle with Naruto.
More importantly, this was the graduation exam—the final ranking of the Genius Class.
If he didn't take first place here, his ranking would be set in stone, with no chance of changing it.
"The final dance of youth!" Naruto clenched his fists, his whole body trembling. "I'll give it everything I've got!"
"Naruto!" Seeing this, Rock Lee burst into tears and shouted, "Youth will never stop here!"
The two suddenly embraced each other.
Sasuke, Hyuga Neji, and the others instinctively took several steps back, creating distance.
Hinata bit her lip. She was worried about something else entirely—the team leader appointment.
After graduation, everyone would be assigned a team leader. Naturally, she hoped hers would be Kitazawa.
But Kitazawa was about to become the Sixth Hokage—would he still be able to lead a team?
"Everyone, continue training and prepare for the graduation exam in half a month." Kitazawa shook his head slightly.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!" With graduation approaching, the Genius Class students were noticeably more motivated than usual.
Hanabi, Moegi Kazamatsuri, and the others were exceptions. They were still too young, and this early graduation did not include them.
"Naruto, come here." Kitazawa looked toward Naruto.
Naruto immediately separated from Rock Lee and ran over.
"You've already overcome the darkness within your heart. Next, it's time to overcome Kurama."
Kitazawa reminded him. "Get ready—we'll head to Turtle Island again in a couple of days."
"Okay, Kitazawa-sensei." Naruto nodded seriously.
"Stay still." Kitazawa raised his hand, placing it in front of Naruto's forehead from a distance as his Byakugan activated.
He quickly located the chakra traces of Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina within Naruto's sealing space.
Kitazawa began simulating their chakra, withdrawing his hand only once it was perfectly identical.
He wasn't in a hurry to draw their chakra out. That would wait until the formal training began.
"Go back to training," Kitazawa said casually. "I'll come find you when it's time."
"Mm," Naruto replied and turned to leave.
Kitazawa then called over Hyuga Hinata and Hyuga Neji. He began teaching them the Yin Release Chakra Mode.
If they were fast enough, they could master it before the final exam.
After all, this Yin Release Chakra Mode was essentially a partial Tailed Beast transformation.
It only required coordination with the bows in their hands—Satori and the Zero-Tails.
Naturally, those sealed beings were unwilling to cooperate.
So Kitazawa simply suppressed them directly with his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.