Chapter 681: Mugetsu, the Hokage!
All the Konoha ninja attending the meeting, except Mugetsu himself, recommended Mugetsu.
And Mugetsu was not Danzo, so naturally, he could not recommend himself. He simply watched quietly.
"Hayate Mugetsu…" the Daimyo subconsciously looked at Mugetsu, who was sitting beside Hiruzen.
He knew Mugetsu.
First, because Mugetsu had become famous after several major battles.
Second, because Mugetsu had once escorted him to the Land of Rain to watch the Youth Martial Arts Tournament.
"Hayate Mugetsu is indeed a very good choice. He played a major role in the Land of Fire's victory in the Third Shinobi World War," a somewhat plump Land of Fire official stated.
"Yes, and Hayate Mugetsu is also a Wood Release ninja, capable of using the First Hokage's signature jutsu," a long bearded Land of Fire official also expressed approval.
During the Hokage election, they generally only supported the candidate presented by Konoha and never opposed it.
If Konoha recommended multiple people at the same time, then Konoha would discuss and decide among themselves.
Slap.
Seeing no objections, the Daimyo closed his fan and tapped it against his palm.
"Since Hayate Mugetsu has made great military achievements and is the inheritor of the First Hokage's jutsu, let Hayate Mugetsu serve as the Fourth Hokage."
With that, the election of the Fourth Hokage ended, and the Hokage candidate was finally confirmed.
"Thank you for your approval, Daimyo sama," Mugetsu politely expressed his gratitude.
Clap, clap, clap!
The officials and Hiruzen applauded together, celebrating the birth of the Fourth Hokage.
While applauding, Hiruzen glanced at Mugetsu, let out a light sigh, and his expression became somewhat complicated.
He was not greedy for the power of the Hokage.
But when Hiruzen thought that he would soon no longer stand before the glass window of the Hokage Office overlooking Konoha, he could not help feeling a strange sensation.
For Hiruzen, Konoha was not just a powerful ninja force, nor merely the place where he had grown up.
It was the Ninja Village he had led during a time of crisis.
Back then, Hiruzen had truly struggled.
Even with Tobirama's dying wish, it had taken him a great deal of effort to secure his position as Hokage.
During that process, comrades like Danzo, Homura, and Koharu, as well as his own clan, had contributed greatly, so Hiruzen was very grateful to them.
After securing his position as Hokage, Hiruzen quickly began consolidating forces to participate in the war, driving all forces attacking Konoha out of the Land of Fire and launching counterattacks.
Gradually, the situation stabilized, and Konoha grew stronger.
Countless Konoha residents thanked him for his contributions to Konoha, and many Konoha ninja regarded him as an idol, setting the position of Hokage as their lifelong goal.
He had created a new era for Konoha under the Third Hokage.
The harder it had been, the more Hiruzen loved Konoha.
This was the Village he had nurtured with all his heart and soul.
If his succession had gone a bit more smoothly back then, perhaps his feelings for Konoha would not have become so deep.
"Our era is coming to an end," Homura sighed lightly in his heart.
It would be fine when Mugetsu first became Hokage, but after he served as Hokage for a while, he would inevitably build his own core team, just like when Hiruzen appointed him, Koharu, and Danzo.
By then, the best choice for old people like them would be to step down gracefully and preserve their last bit of dignity.
After all, Mugetsu was not like others.
Although he was young, he was not someone who could be easily manipulated.
Homura was reluctant to give up the power of an Advisor, but he did not plan to confront Mugetsu head on when the time came.
He had indeed worked hard for Konoha's development, but in the process, he had also sought some personal gain.
Homura did not want to end up with a bad reputation in his old age.
It was better to step down.
Having been a high ranking official for so long, he had achieved something in his life.
"Perhaps this is the best outcome," Minato thought with a slight smile as he applauded vigorously.
As a ninja who aspired to become Hokage, witnessing Mugetsu rise step by step from chunin instructor to Hokage, it would be a lie to say Minato had never felt disappointed.
This was his lifelong dream.
No matter who he competed with, Minato would give it his all.
But the gap between him and Mugetsu was too great.
So great that he could not even become Mugetsu's competitor.
The most awkward thing was that Mugetsu was now very proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique, which Minato had mastered, and the two of them also looked somewhat similar. It gave people the feeling that Mugetsu was a superior version of Minato.
Everything Minato had, Mugetsu had.
What Minato did not have, Mugetsu also had.
How could he compete?
It was precisely because of this huge gap that Minato quickly came to terms with it.
He loved Konoha, not a Konoha where he served as Hokage.
So, who became Hokage did not really matter to Minato.
When the applause stopped, the Daimyo announced the official end of the meeting.
"Third Hokage, is that news true or false?" The Daimyo was still very curious about the rumor and asked in a low voice.
"It's true," Hiruzen replied.
"So it wasn't a rumor. That Sōsuke is really that strong?" The Daimyo opened his fan to cover his somewhat surprised face.
He had not expected the Land of Rain to have such a powerful ninja.
"There is no need to worry. I was the only one who lost. Our Fourth Hokage will not lose to any ninja, not even the First Hokage," Hiruzen said confidently.
Although in many people's eyes, being called the second God of Shinobi was already the highest praise for Mugetsu, Hiruzen knew that Mugetsu not only had the potential to become a second Senju Hashirama, but might even surpass Senju Hashirama.
If he said it aloud, few might believe him.
But when Senju Hashirama was Mugetsu's age, his strength was actually not as great as Mugetsu's.
In Hiruzen's view, Mugetsu was somewhat like a combination of the First, Second, and Third Hokage.
The First Hokage's incredible Wood Release talent.
The Second Hokage's ability to develop jutsu.
Hiruzen's talent for Ninjutsu.
Mugetsu had all of these.
The Daimyo was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Hiruzen to compare Mugetsu to Senju Hashirama.
As the founder of Konoha, and because of his extremely terrifying strength, Senju Hashirama held a transcendent status in Konoha.
Even though the Second and Third Hokage were highly recognized, no one had ever claimed to be on par with the First.
"Then I'll wait for your good news," the Daimyo said with a chuckle.
He had a mutually beneficial relationship with Konoha. A stronger Konoha was better for the Land of Fire.
"Congratulations, Mugetsu. Soon, I'll have to call you Lord Fourth," Minato said with a smile as he walked beside Mugetsu.
Mugetsu had only been confirmed as the Fourth Hokage. He would not truly become Hokage until the inauguration ceremony.
"No need for Lord Fourth. Actually, I think you are more suited to be Hokage than I am," Mugetsu shook his head.
If he could give away the Hokage position, he would really like to let Minato have it.
But the reality was that Mugetsu could not.
If he forcibly made Minato Hokage, it would only stir up a bunch of conspiracy theories and opposition in the Village, which would harm Minato instead.
Mugetsu's qualifications could even overwhelm Orochimaru, let alone Minato.
Due to Mugetsu's influence, Minato's military achievements were far worse than in the original history, and even being nominated might invite criticism.
"That's your illusion, Mugetsu. I'm glad you recognize my abilities, but if even you can't be a good Hokage, it will be even harder for me," Minato said seriously.
After the high level meeting, Hiruzen had summoned Minato and told him about Mugetsu's intention to nominate him as the Fourth Hokage.
Mugetsu's trust in him moved Minato deeply.
But in terms of ability, he was indeed inferior to Mugetsu.
"Now that you've become Hokage, Mugetsu, you must face yourself properly and not be overly modest. So many people voted for you. That shows everyone trusts your abilities."
Seeing Minato lecture him so seriously, Mugetsu could only nod in agreement.
It could only be said that people's joys and sorrows were not the same.
Compared to the affairs of the Hokage, Mugetsu had other things that were more meaningful to him.
Mugetsu silently thanked Tobirama again.
Shadow Clones were really useful, especially after obtaining the Yang Seal.
Shadow Clones were not as effective as the original for teaching, but they were sufficient for handling Konoha's political affairs.
Half an hour after the meeting ended, Hiruzen announced that Mugetsu had been confirmed as the Fourth Hokage, and that the inauguration ceremony would be held one week later.
After all, the Hokage was the supreme leader of Konoha, not like a teacher at the Ninja Academy who could be replaced casually.
There were many matters to handle.
In fact, Hiruzen had already begun preparing from the moment he decided to step down. Otherwise, even one week would not have been enough.
The news that Mugetsu was about to become the Fourth Hokage quickly spread throughout Konoha.
"So it really is Teacher Mugetsu becoming Hokage."
"Although Orochimaru sama is also good, I still think Teacher Mugetsu can better lead Konoha to prosperity."
"What Teacher Mugetsu? It's our beloved Lord Fourth!"
"What's going on? Gathering and making a racket!" An Uchiha ninja patrolling the streets saw people gathered together and making noise, then stepped forward and scolded them.
The crowd instantly quieted down.
This was a member of the Uchiha Police Force, someone who really had the authority to lock people up.
"Sir, we heard that Teacher Mugetsu is about to become Hokage, so we were happy and couldn't help raising our voices," one person bravely explained.
"Teacher Mugetsu is about to become Hokage?!" The leading Uchiha jonin showed a surprised expression.
Their Uchiha's new era was finally coming.
Thinking this, the Uchiha jonin's mood immediately improved, and the gathered crowd did not seem so annoying anymore.
"Keep your voices down a bit. Don't disturb others," the Uchiha jonin said simply, then left with his team.
The civilians showed surprised expressions.
Just now, some of them had already mentally prepared themselves to be locked up for a few hours by these Uchiha on some pretext.
It was not that they were being alarmist. There were many similar rumors.
There was a rumor that if the Uchiha were in a bad mood, even if a passerby accidentally dropped something on the ground, they could use the excuse of damaging Konoha's environment to lock that passerby up for a few days.
Another rumor said that the Uchiha looked down on everyone outside the Uchiha Clan, regardless of age.
If you did not set up your stall according to the rules, even if you were old, they would overturn both you and your stall.
However, regarding this rumor, many elderly people in Konoha disagreed, saying that not all Uchiha were the same, and that there were good Uchiha who did not serve in the Police Force.
In short, there were many rumors about the Uchiha in Konoha, but most of them were infamous.
"Maybe they are in a good mood today," the civilians thought.
Hyuga Clan compound.
"What a pity. In recent years, the ninja in our clan have been mediocre, and none have caught Teacher Mugetsu's eye," Hyuga Hiashi sighed.
As another dojutsu Kekkei Genkai clan with many jonin, the Hyuga had always regarded the Uchiha as rivals.
And the soon to be Hokage, Mugetsu, had two Uchiha disciples but no Hyuga disciple. This was undoubtedly unfavorable to them.
In the past, Hiashi had never worried about the Hyuga Clan's position in Konoha.
Because the Byakugan's strategic significance was too great. Its powerful long range observation ability was unmatched by the Sharingan.
Now, things were different.
The Observation Haki secret technique developed by Mugetsu was far more powerful than ordinary sensory jutsu and even greatly aided in battle.
The emergence of the Observation Haki secret technique did not make the Hyuga immediately obsolete, but their importance was certainly not what it used to be.
"I hope some outstanding children will be born in the future."
Hiashi prayed inwardly, not wanting the Hyuga Clan to decline under his watch.
Clans connected to Mugetsu were excited about his succession, while those without connections worried about the future.
…
Although Orochimaru was Mugetsu's competitor, he did not learn about Mugetsu's succession until evening.
During the day, he had been in the training team's laboratory researching Hashirama cells, and even if someone wanted to inform him, they did not know where he was.
It was only when Mugetsu invited him to dinner that he heard the news.
"Congratulations, Lord Mugetsu," Orochimaru said with a faint smile.
He had long given up and never intended to compete with Mugetsu for the Hokage position. Otherwise, he would not have been holed up in the laboratory without taking action.
Orochimaru knew he could not win, so he might as well use this opportunity to show Mugetsu his sincerity.
"This Hokage election was really well done," Tsunade said with satisfaction as she looked at the sumptuous feast on the table.
That's right.
This was a celebration party Tsunade had proposed to celebrate Mugetsu's succession as Hokage.
She had already planned that once Mugetsu truly became Hokage, they could celebrate again.
And after Mugetsu had been Hokage for one week, they could celebrate the one week anniversary.
"One week is too much. At least one year," Shizune could not help complaining.
Only then did Tsunade realize that she had inadvertently spoken her thoughts aloud.
"You misheard. I said one year," Tsunade said, pinching Shizune's cheek.
Mugetsu probably would not agree to a one week anniversary.
"It was one week. I heard it too," Obito stepped forward to say.
"Hmm?" Tsunade raised her fist.
"Uh, on second thought, it seems like it was one year," Obito backed off.
It was not that he did not care about his friendship with his classmate, but Tsunade did not show mercy regardless of age.
....
https://discord.gg/KvMN2CFsMR
[If you don't want to wait for the next update, read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03].