For the Mokgetsu who is favored by all, let him persist in his lone course once more.
"Hiruzen, is something the matter..."
"I want to resign from the position of Hokage and initiate the election for the Fourth Hokage," Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted directly.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were stunned. Is this what he had been pondering all night?
"Hiruzen, this is a significant matter..."
Mitokado Homura tried to persuade but was again interrupted by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Address by titles during work," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, tapping the desk with his fingers.
Mitokado Homura was somewhat helpless, but this was in line with the rules, leaving him with nothing to say but to rephrase:
"Third Hokage, the war has just ended. Konoha needs you to maintain stability. In four years, I fully support the election of a new Hokage."
Utatane Koharu also advised, but Sarutobi Hiruzen remained unmoved.
"I am the Hokage!" Sarutobi Hiruzen asserted firmly.
Mitokado Homura fell silent, realizing Sarutobi Hiruzen's determination.
"Have you forgotten the consequences of obstinacy? You will regret this."
Utatane Koharu made a final effort.
"I may be obstinate, but Mokgetsu is the people's choice," Sarutobi Hiruzen said meaningfully.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura fell into silence.
"In six years, I will ensure that your positions remain unaffected."
Six years later, they'll be sixty, which is considered old age in the ninja profession; they should then retire and give newcomers a chance.
"Let's discuss the matter of the election," Mitokado Homura suggested.
The three discussed until noon, and then Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed the Anbu to notify Mokgetsu to attend a meeting in the conference room.
He had originally intended to talk to Mokgetsu about Sosuke at noon, but the high-level meeting was more crucial at the moment, so Sarutobi Hiruzen planned to discuss it afterward.
Inside the conference room.
When all four top officials were present, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke:
"The main agenda of this meeting is to determine the election of the Fourth Hokage."
As he said this, Sarutobi Hiruzen especially glanced at Mokgetsu.
"To hold the election for the Fourth Hokage now?" Mokgetsu was somewhat surprised.
It's not that Mokgetsu is narcissistic, but holding the election at this time could only mean that Sarutobi Hiruzen intended for him to become Hokage.
Upon reflection, Mokgetsu found it reasonable.
Due to his restraint, Konoha didn't suffer any losses this time, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's mistakes were not significant enough to warrant resignation.
However, considering that he performed exceptionally well and that Sarutobi Hiruzen had great trust in him, it was normal for Sarutobi Hiruzen to have the intention of letting him succeed earlier.
"I nearly made a huge mistake, so I'm no longer suitable to continue as Hokage," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed slightly.
Since this was a high-level meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't elaborate much, providing only a brief explanation for the motives behind the Hokage re-election.
"Regarding the nominees for the Fourth Hokage, do you have any opinions?" Sarutobi Hiruzen scanned the room and asked.
He intended to transfer the position to Mokgetsu, but the process couldn't just be a direct order; it had to proceed through an election.
Senju Tobirama was able to pass the position directly to him because it was during a critical war period, warranting special procedures.
During peacetime, directly handing over the position would go against tradition. The first Hokage of Konoha, after all, was the result of a vote from all Konoha residents.
"I believe that with Mokgetsu's assistance, he is qualified and capable enough to be nominated as one of the candidates for the Fourth Hokage," Mitokado Homura said.
He preferred that Sarutobi Hiruzen continue, but if there had to be an election, they should choose the best.
"With Mokgetsu's repeated feats on the battlefield, I agree," Utatane Koharu nodded in approval.
Mokgetsu sat quietly without speaking. In truth, he wanted to say that he disagreed, but since it was about his own nomination, he couldn't express his opinion.
"Let's confirm the first nomination as such. Are there any others?" Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and continued to ask.
Being an election, naturally there couldn't be just one candidate, or there would be no need to vote.
"I think Orochimaru also possesses the capability to become Hokage and could be considered as a candidate for the Fourth," Utatane Koharu suggested.
There were only a few qualified for the Hokage candidacy in Konoha. Tsunade and Jiraiya did not want the position, so hard nominations wouldn't look good; that left Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru has long fought for Konoha on the battlefield and has earned his merit; I agree," Mitokado Homura concurred.
"With Orochimaru's qualifications and strength, he certainly is capable of being the Fourth; I agree," Mokgetsu also nodded.
After all, it was his partner, so granting some face was appropriate.
"Then the second nomination is confirmed as Orochimaru," Sarutobi Hiruzen decided.
"I believe Minato should also be nominated. He is excellent and has contributed a lot to the village," Mokgetsu thought for a moment and said.
Mokgetsu had no designs on being Hokage, but under these circumstances, even if he didn't want the position, many sought him for it. Even if he wanted to give it up to Namikaze Minato, it might not work, and forcing it on Minato wasn't feasible either.
His nomination of Namikaze Minato was to provide further opportunities for him, not to make him Hokage.
If Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others did not oppose Minato's nomination, then Minato would have once been an actual Hokage candidate, significantly altering his status.
If Sarutobi Hiruzen and his cohort opposed, Mokgetsu promoting Namikaze Minato to a higher position would make it hard for them to refuse again.
"Minato is indeed outstanding, but his nomination is somewhat inappropriate; compared to you, Mokgetsu, he still lacks," after exchanging glances, Mitokado Homura said along with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hokage nominations aren't explicitly limited to just two people; Mokgetsu proposing another is no problem, but it cannot be Namikaze Minato.
It wasn't that they had any issue with Namikaze Minato, but his credentials were slightly lacking.
Although Mokgetsu was as young as Namikaze Minato, his achievements were remarkable, having repeatedly turned the tide of battles and capturing thousands of Hidden Mist Ninja alone.
Namikaze Minato's excellence didn't sufficiently compensate for his lack of credentials; nominating him would certainly draw dissatisfaction from veteran Jonin with notable battlefield achievements.
Despite not performing as well as Namikaze Minato during the Third Ninja World War, they had their merits in the Second Ninja World War; overall, there wasn't much difference. Why should Namikaze Minato get nominated?
Even if not chosen, this counts as having almost become the Fourth Hokage once; for many Konoha ninjas, it's an honor and recognition.
"Minato still needs more honing; the Hokage position is too early for him," Utatane Koharu also stated.
"Then let's proceed with Mokgetsu and Orochimaru. Are there any other nominations? If not, the nominees will be finalized," Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura shook their heads.
The three had previously agreed to nominate Mokgetsu and Orochimaru, with Orochimaru as a runner-up, and not to nominate anyone else.
"I have no objections," Mokgetsu replied.
His objective had been achieved.
"Since there is consensus, a Jonin meeting will be convened in a week for the formal election voting for the Fourth Hokage."
The voting comprises two rounds, the first being a Jonin vote, which, though fewer in number, carries significant weight, contributing about forty percent overall, with the frontrunner essentially securing the Hokage position.
The second round involves a combined vote from Chunin, Genin, and regular citizens, each holding thirty percent.
After the voting concludes, it isn't complete; a meeting with the Daimyo and high-ranking officials from the Land of Fire must take place.
Only with the Daimyo's personal approval can the Hokage's appointment be confirmed, followed by the official Hokage succession ceremony to finalize the handover.
Of course, this is mostly procedural; the Daimyo wouldn't reject the candidate presented by Konoha.
On the surface, Konoha is merely the military power of the Land of Fire, but practically, it's a nation within a nation, beyond the reach of the Daimyo.
PS: In the original story, the presence of the Daimyo was quite subtle, sometimes seemingly significant, but not really so.
Danzo even dared to openly make threats during meetings.