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There is an old saying in politics: minor issues call for big meetings, major issues call for small meetings, and truly critical issues call for no meeting at all.
For the Sandaime to summon the handful of them to Naruto's home for such a secret talk, the weight of the topic was obvious. The air in the small apartment, usually filled with Naruto's cheerful energy, now felt heavy with the scent of sake and woodsmoke.
Has the Sandaime… finally resolved to make a real change?
Beside him, Akimichi Choza took one look at the tangled situation, decisively abandoned thinking, and left the headache of weighing pros and cons to his old friend Nara Shikaku. Choza would simply supply the muscle when needed.
After a brief silence to digest the atmosphere, Nara Shikaku lifted his head, fixed the Third Hokage with a sharp gaze, and asked in a low voice, "So, Lord Third, what exactly do you mean?"
The Third Hokage drew a deep breath and slowly voiced his plan: "I intend… in a while, to bring that brat Jiraiya back and have him succeed as the Fifth Hokage."
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the elite of Konoha. "Once he takes office, we tell Naruto the whole truth about his parentage and all the grievances he's endured these years. Let Jiraiya, as the Fifth, officially clear Naruto's name."
A flash of struggle appeared in Hiruzen's eyes before hardening into resolve. "As for the reason behind the tragedy… lay every ounce of blame on—on Shimura Danzo!"
A man lives for his reputation. In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen still could not bear to let the title of "Hokage" be stained; he could not openly shoulder the greatest blot of the last decade himself. He had already cleaned up after Danzo countless times; what was wrong with letting the man finally admit to his "contributions" to Naruto's misery?
"After I formally abdicate… I'll 'take' Danzo, along with Homura and Koharu, with me," he whispered. "We obstinate old relics should step off the stage; we mustn't remain fetters in the path of the young."
The Third recalled Naruto's tearful face earlier, begging to learn Sealing Arts to keep the fox contained for the village's sake. Naruto truly is a good child, he thought. A Jinchuriki Hokage... he would surely find a successor and reseal the Nine-Tails before his own death.
"All right, let's eat and drink!" The Third suddenly rallied. But after two bites, he looked up. "On second thought... Jiraiya is a bit unstable. In your view… Jiraiya or Tsunade—who would make the better Hokage?"
The four men froze. They exchanged glances, and three pairs of eyes landed on Shikaku.
Shikaku cleared his throat. "Both lords have equal merit and fame... As to who's more suitable, their teacher—you—would know better than we."
In truth, Shikaku had his reservations. Jiraiya peeps at women's baths and writes smut; Tsunade loses every bet, drinks like a fish, and currently suffers from a paralyzing fear of blood. Neither seemed like a "perfect" candidate. If the former took office, Hokage dignity might hit rock bottom; if the latter took over, the whole Village could end up pawned to a casino.
The Third read their expressions and gave a wry smile. "That brat Jiraiya... he claims he must find the 'Child of Prophecy' and refuses the post. And Tsunade won't even return to the Village."
The Third's gaze drifted out the window. "Looking back, if Sakumo Hatake had succeeded as the Fourth, then Minato Namikaze the Fifth—what a perfect line of succession… what a pity."
He tossed back his wine. "After Sakumo took his own life, Minato stepped in early. He could have led for decades… who could have foreseen the Nine-Tails calamity?"
"Konoha nowadays…" The Third's long sigh carried the entire Village's weight. "The old generation is too old, the young haven't matured. We're caught in the middle."
Suddenly, Shikaku and Inoichi turned to look at Hiashi. Choza, stealthily stuffing a taro dumpling into his mouth, sensed the gaze and also turned, forgetting to chew. Even the Sandaime's aged eyes settled on the Hyuga patriarch.
Hiashi sat ramrod-straight. Why are they all looking at me?
If one sought the finest of the Fourth's generation after Minato, it would be Hiashi—surpassing the Ino–Shika–Chō trio in both strength and prestige.
The Third sighed internally. Hiashi won't do—he's too soft. He remembered the incident with the Land of Lightning. Even when the village stood behind him, the Hyuga had delivered Hizashi's corpse to appease the enemy. Konoha cannot fall into Hiashi's hands—far too soft.
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