Mitokado Honoo said the main responsibility lies with Shimura Danzo, but Sarutobi Hiruzen knew in his heart that even if it was Shimura Danzo's fault, he couldn't completely distance himself from it.
If not for his previous leniency towards Shimura Danzo, ignoring some of his mistakes, how would Shimura Danzo dare to commit such actions?
Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen prepared to change the plan, and hand over the role to Mokgetsu ahead of time.
However, in order to not affect Mokgetsu's cultivation, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt he could retire a little later and continue to contribute at higher levels, relieving Mokgetsu of some pressure.
"Don't go that far," Mitokado Honoo quickly advised.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had made mistakes, but in Mitokado Honoo's view, he didn't need to retire over this one mistake.
In the battle against Sosuke, not a single ninja from Konoha died, the losses were only theoretical.
"Mokgetsu is still too young; sitting in the assistant's position for a few more years would be better. Hiruzen, you shouldn't undervalue yourself due to one failure."
"Exactly, Konoha is in a critical development period. Rather than a new Hokage, it needs your experienced leadership more," Utatane Koharu chimed in.
She didn't want Sarutobi Hiruzen to retire at this point, both personally and professionally.
"Though young, Mokgetsu has the ability to command respect. As for experience, how can one gain it without taking action, especially when we're here to guide?" Sarutobi Hiruzen countered.
The decision to pass on the mantle was because Mokgetsu's performance was exceptionally outstanding; even if he handed over the role now, there would be no opposition within Konoha.
"You can't be stubborn again, Hiruzen, you need to consider everyone's opinions thoroughly," Utatane Koharu urged, a bit anxious.
This time, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not rebut Utatane Koharu but fell into deep thought.
Indeed, the battle against Sosuke was the result of his stubbornness causing detrimental outcomes.
Would his perseverance be correct this time? Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't sure.
"Koharu's words may be a bit extreme but they're indeed on point, Hiruzen, don't make a hasty decision, think it over well," Mitokado Honoo continued.
Sarutobi Hiruzen showed signs of hesitation and eventually relented, saying, "I'll think about it more."
Mitokado Honoo and Utatane Koharu instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to handle affairs in the Hokage Office until seven o'clock in the evening before returning home.
"You're back, it must've been tough, I'll go heat up some dishes," Sarutobi Biwako said upon seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen return, standing up.
She and Asuma had already finished dinner at six o'clock.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, removed his Hokage Kasa and coat, and headed to the room to grab a set of casual clothes and take a bath in the bathroom.
He was still wearing his combat attire, designed for tasks and battle.
"Did you leave the village? Was there something major happening?" Asuma heard footsteps approaching and just caught sight of Sarutobi Hiruzen before he entered the room.
He knew well that the Hokage needed to stay in the village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused his steps but didn't answer Asuma's question.
How was he supposed to say it—that his old father had overestimated himself and gone to fight someone, only to be crushed?
Or perhaps that, at his age, he had whimsically caused a big trouble for Konoha.
When faced with Utatane Koharu, an old friend who knew the truth, Sarutobi Hiruzen could blatantly admit his mistakes.
In front of Mokgetsu, whom he viewed as a future Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen was also willing to reveal the truth.
But Asuma was his son, albeit one with some minor conflicts, how could he say it out loud and still hope to earn Asuma's respect afterward?
"It's a Konoha secret," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied.
"You should've said it earlier," Asuma rolled his eyes.
He'd been worried earlier because Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed out of sorts, only to hear a heavily guarded secret was the outcome after all the buildup.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to enter his room, he recalled something and looked at Asuma, asking:
"How do you think I've done as Hokage?"
"Not great. My suggestion would be to retire early and let Teacher Mokgetsu become Hokage," Asuma answered without hesitation.
"Is that so..."
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen actually don a contemplative expression, Asuma reconsidered and added:
"Of course, saying not great doesn't mean your performance was poor; it's more that I feel Teacher Mokgetsu as Hokage would perform even better."
Evaluated objectively, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't done poorly. If he had, there wouldn't be so many supporting him in Konoha, nor so many ninjas aspiring to become Hokage.
"Mokgetsu hasn't been Hokage yet, why do you have that feeling?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.
He indeed needed to seek more opinions.
"Because Teacher Mokgetsu excels at everything, whether it's teaching at the Ninja Academy, conducting trainings, or commanding on the battlefield," Asuma listed Mokgetsu's various accomplishments.
"Hasn't Teacher Mokgetsu performed well as Hokage Assistant?" Asuma retorted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, of course not—Mokgetsu gave off a feeling of proficiency, perhaps this is what being multi-talented means.
It couldn't possibly have been cultivated in leadership at the Ninja Academy, that would be too absurd.
"Then that's it, Teacher Mokgetsu performs well as Hokage Assistant, why wouldn't he do well as Hokage?
During his time as Hokage Assistant, the Second was essentially exercising the role of Hokage under the title of assistant, showing that an excellent Hokage Assistant can fulfill the duties of Hokage," Asuma argued confidently.
"These are two separate matters," Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled.
Leaving Hashirama alone to handle politics would be a mess, and while Senju Hashirama had many virtues, he also had quite a few flaws.
"In any case, if you ask me about Hokage, I can only say my clear choice would be Teacher Mokgetsu!" Asuma stated his position.
"Then go find your Teacher Mokgetsu more often; perhaps, he won't have much time to see you in the future," Sarutobi Hiruzen said as he walked into the room to choose clothes.
Asuma's eyes lit up instantly. He hurriedly followed, asking, "Are you really passing on the mantle?"
As the topic came up, he no longer felt sleepy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rolled his eyes at Asuma. Is the retirement of your old dad worth such enthusiasm?
He just said the job wasn't bad.
"Stop guessing, even I don't know, and you're making assumptions already," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, opening the wardrobe.
Mitokado Honoo and Utatane Koharu were so adamant in their opposition that he hadn't decided yet.
"Hehe, I say it's perfectly right for you to pass on to Mokgetsu, you're the one who spotted him back then, it's great insight," Asuma praised, shifting quickly to compliment.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's lips twitched; the change in attitude was truly swift, not long ago he was being contradicted.
Nonetheless, Sarutobi Hiruzen still ignored Asuma, collected his clothes, and went for a bath.
"Tsk," Asuma clicked his tongue, returning to his normal attitude toward Sarutobi Hiruzen after being ignored.
After his bath, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to eat.
Although Sarutobi Biwako didn't eat, she sat at the table accompanying Sarutobi Hiruzen, serving tea and water.
"How do you perceive Mokgetsu?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked after half-filling his stomach.
"I won't easily express opinions as I don't know him well, but from what I hear, he's a teacher highly respected by students," Sarutobi Biwako replied, recalling for a moment.
Her contact with Mokgetsu was minimal, only having exchanged civil words, yet she regarded Mokgetsu favorably.
After Asuma received Mokgetsu's guidance, not only did his skills advance quicker, but he also became more sensible.
Beyond Asuma, a first-hand case, Sarutobi Biwako heard of Mokgetsu through other Sarutobi clan members, all mainly praise.
Among those taught by Mokgetsu, whether below ten-year-olds or adult Jonin, all held Mokgetsu in high regard.
Sarutobi Biwako believed that someone gaining recognition from so many people couldn't be bad.
"Mm," Sarutobi Hiruzen understood Sarutobi Biwako's view on Mokgetsu.
Though not explicitly complimented, for someone of Sarutobi Biwako's character, this was high praise.
PS:
This was yesterday's update, there is more today.
Perhaps due to recent poor sleep, yesterday writing was absurdly tiring, heading to bed straight away.
Upon waking, I was dissatisfied with the content written in a daze, revising and deleting up to two thousand words until now.
Sorry everyone.
[A little apology from Ju]