That evening, many heroic deeds of Jiraiya were enthusiastically discussed by the Villagers.
Jiraiya had served as a frontline commander for a long time during the war, possessing great strength and an approachable personality. He was extremely popular among Ninja, especially civilian Ninja, with many feeling that Jiraiya becoming Hokage was a great event that met everyone's expectations.
Although the Clan leaders of the Ninja Clans remained silent, some collateral branches of the Ninja Clans spoke up. The branch family of the Hyuga Clan believed that only Jiraiya could become Hokage and save Konoha Village.
Danzo was furious.
He was very familiar with this tactic. Back then, Third Hokage had used such propaganda to make Minato Namikaze suppress Orochimaru in terms of personal image, prestige, and achievements, ultimately securing his appointment as Fourth Hokage.
He also realized his weakness at this moment; he was not even as good as Orochimaru. Orochimaru had at least fought on the front lines for many years and had many subordinates. As for himself? He had always hidden in the shadows. He claimed to have achieved many great deeds, but who knew?
Danzo could only prove through action that he was the only candidate suitable for Hokage.
If he had no achievements, then he would simply create one.
Upon returning to Root, he began to summon people!
Ninja under his Root, some civilian Ninja secretly cultivated, and Ninja Clans subordinate to him, including the Yamanaka Clan and the Aburame Clan, were all within his scope of conscription.
Third Hokage, didn't you say that to become Hokage one must achieve merits? Alright, you wait. Once I exterminate Otogakure, and then, with the might of a great victory, force back Sunagakure, what more will you have to say!
The title of acting Hokage was not yet prestigious enough. At this time, mobilizing Ninja Clans would likely be difficult, and after much prevarication, his authority would be damaged. Therefore, he only conscripted his own subordinates.
He would make a swift decision, exterminate Hidden Sound Village, and then distribute a portion of the benefits to the Ninja Clans to gain their support, thus solidifying his position as Hokage.
He was, after all, a seventy-year-old man; he still possessed this level of political acumen.
The Root Ninja were dispatched en masse.
The Yamanaka Clan sent 150 Ninja, all led by Fu Yamanaka.
Inoichi and Ino did not come. Danzo knew about their idea of diversified investment; the Ino–Shika–Choji was powerful, and at this time, he could only win them over, never suppress them.
The Aburame Clan sent far fewer. The Clan leader personally led the team, and it was Shino's father, Shibi Aburame.
He was also an veteran Jonin, a teammate who had carried out missions with Minato Namikaze and Choza Akimichi in his youth.
Shibi Aburame wore sunglasses and carried a large jar on his back. Like his son Shino, he had a low presence and was usually taciturn.
Inoichi had the right to resist conscription, but he did not. The acting Hokage's order had to be obeyed; if he didn't come, Shino would have to.
Some Ninja from smaller Ninja Clans also arrived successively. After the number of Ninja present exceeded 800, Danzo, Fu Yamanaka, and Aburame Torune made their appearance.
"Target: Hidden Sound Village in the Land of Rice Fields. Depart."
Danzo wanted to wear the Hokage hat, but the three Advisors in the Village currently opposed it, so he did not insist on that point.
The group left the Village. The gatekeepers were still Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane. Danzo's side had no intention of going through the exit procedures, and the two of them acted as if they didn't see anything, allowing the large contingent to leave the Village.
"Cough, cough." Third Hokage, in a wheelchair pushed by an ANBU Ninja, stopped Danzo at the intersection.
Then he lowered his voice and said, "Danzo, dispatching troops at this time will definitely cause a chain reaction and disrupt the balance between the various forces. Have you considered this problem?"
Danzo sneered, "Hiruzen, put away your hypocritical face. What does the Ninja World need? You've been Hokage for forty years and still haven't figured it out. The Ninja World needs iron blood, it needs power! Relying on negotiations will never achieve peace."
"Danzo, you will regret this."
"Heh heh, Hiruzen, I am the Hokage!"
After the classic dialogue, the 4.5th Hokage, old Mr. Danzo Shimura, waved his hand, and the large force quickly left Konoha Village.
After tricking Danzo and his confidants away, Third Hokage immediately began to work. Messengers constantly traveled back and forth between the Village and the border. As representatives of the Ino–Shika–Choji, who were friendly with Gaara, Shikaku personally went twice.
The last time, Jiraiya personally took action, leveling half a mountain, before reaching an agreement with Ebizo. The two Ninja Villages reaffirmed their unbreakable alliance, and then Sunagakure retreated.
Sunagakure went back to lick its wounds, and the selection of the Fifth Hokage in Konoha had reached its most critical moment.
Third Hokage tossed aside the Daimyo's order. While he usually cared about such things, he was on his deathbed now, and the Village was certainly more important. Some formal matters could be made up by future generations. Political figures are never afraid of personal grudges.
Third Hokage had followed rules his entire life, but before his death, he broke them once. Danzo had been unruly his entire life, but at this critical moment, he wanted to follow rules, only to be outmaneuvered by Third Hokage.
Taking advantage of Danzo's absence from the Village, Third Hokage sacrificed his last bit of dignity to secure the firm support of Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, and also made exchanges of interests with various Ninja Clans to gain their approval for the new Hokage.
He used the argument that Danzo's ascension would bring disaster to Konoha Village and the entire Ninja World, ultimately convincing Jiraiya.
Forced into the position, Jiraiya couldn't quite describe his feelings. He mechanically accepted the hat representing the Hokage, becoming the Fifth Hokage of the Village.
His teacher was the Third Hokage, and his disciple was the Fourth Hokage. Now, having come full circle, he was back to being the Fifth Hokage. For a moment, he felt the capriciousness of fate. Could someone like him truly be Hokage?
Ino–Shika–Choji, Kakashi, and Asuma said he could.
Tsunade said he definitely could.
Naruto even cheered him on loudly.
Jiraiya's feelings were complex.
On the afternoon he took over as Hokage, Third Hokage told Jiraiya many of the Village's secrets.
No one knew what they specifically discussed, only that during those two hours, Jiraiya's angry curses never stopped. He cursed the Third Hokage and he cursed Danzo.
Third Hokage died in the old Sarutobi Clan residence on the evening of the second day after Jiraiya assumed the position of Hokage.
Ino said one month, but she had overestimated.
In reality, an elder of that age, especially a Ninja, was riddled with injuries. Normally, with Chakra, it wasn't apparent, but now with more than half of his soul gone, most organs failing, and his body unable to extract Chakra, without Chakra, the accumulated injuries and illnesses instantly flared up.
Third Hokage felt that by taking Orochimaru with him in his final moments and entrusting the Hokage position to Jiraiya, his wishes were fulfilled.
He actually wanted to take Danzo with him, but his body simply couldn't hold on anymore.
Jiraiya appeared foolish but was actually profoundly wise. Third Hokage believed that Jiraiya was fully capable of dealing with his old friend.
The breath he had been holding finally released, and he passed away.
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