Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to let Minato succeed him as Hokage, and Minato accepted this responsibility from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard with satisfaction: "Very good. I had intended to hold the succession ceremony in a better environment, but the road ahead of you is still very difficult. Minato, the war must end, and your pressure will be immense from now on."
Minato said solemnly: "I am mentally prepared."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with conviction: "I believe that you, Minato, will be an outstanding Hokage. Next, I have a few things to entrust to you—matters that must be prioritized after you become Hokage.
The first matter concerns the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. The relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan has always been tense, which has caused me endless headaches. However, there is no doubt that the Uchiha Clan has always held deep feelings for Konoha and has made tremendous contributions to the Village during this war.
Therefore, after you succeed as Hokage, you must set about improving the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan. Everyone is a companion in the same Village; there shouldn't be such deep-seated resentment.
The current head of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Fugaku, is broad-minded and calm. He has high prestige within the Uchiha Clan and is respected and loved by the clan members. He is a Ninja who desires peace for the Village. To improve the relationship with the Uchiha Clan, you must build a good relationship with Fugaku, Minato."
Minato listened earnestly to Hiruzen Sarutobi's instructions: "I understand."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued: "The second matter is the Root. I think you know, Minato, that although the Root serves as an Anbu training department, it is an independent organization under Danzo. Even I do not have direct command over the Root.
This is my fault. As Hokage, there are some things I cannot handle directly. The Root is hidden even deeper than the Anbu, and the things it does are even more unspeakable. It has become Konoha's most direct and effective sword for rooting out all threats inside and outside the Village, which is why I tacitly allowed its long-term existence.
And Danzo is a person who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. Because the Second Hokage passed the position of Hokage to me instead of him, he has always held a grudge against me. He has always longed to become Hokage, but Danzo is too extreme and ruthless. If he were to become Hokage, Konoha would certainly become extreme and enter into Danzo's dictatorship.
And I have always been soft-hearted and tolerant toward Danzo, which has caused him to become increasingly unscrupulous. This has led to the increasingly cruel and uncontrollable conduct of Danzo and the Root. This is a problem I have left behind, and I am sorry to leave this trouble to you, Minato."
Minato shook his head: "There is no need to apologize, Sandaime. Since I will be the Hokage later, I will find a way to solve this problem."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly: "Minato, the Root must be reorganized. After you become Hokage, you must be firm with the Root and solve it once and for all; otherwise, Danzo is very likely to cause trouble for you.
The last matter concerns Orochimaru. I promised Orochimaru that I would establish a scientific department."
Hiruzen Sarutobi explained to Minato what Orochimaru's scientific department had already been researching.
"Originally, this should have been done by me, but now that you are about to succeed as Hokage, this task can only be left to you. These are the three things I wanted to tell you."
Minato nodded and agreed: "I understand. After I succeed, I will find a way to resolve these matters one by one."
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a long breath: "After being Hokage for so many years, I can finally rest a bit. Do well, Minato. We will all support you, so feel free to act boldly."
Minato's eyes were filled with determination: "Yes! I will certainly live up to expectations!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly asked with a gossipy smile: "Minato, you and Kushina are already living together, so good news is probably near, right?"
Minato's face flushed, and he said shyly: "Um, I was planning to marry Kushina after the war ended."
Hiruzen Sarutobi congratulated him: "That is truly a cause for congratulations. However, Minato, because Kushina is a Jinchuriki, and we have always kept her identity as a Jinchuriki hidden—very few people in Konoha know about this—you will be under the scrutiny of many people after becoming Hokage. Therefore, it is best not to hold a grand wedding; keep it low-key to protect Kushina."
Minato replied: "Kushina and I have already discussed this. Kushina doesn't have many friends, so we plan to invite just a few close friends and family to witness the wedding."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the buds on the branches outside the window and sighed: "Konoha is about to enter a new chapter."
...
Minato returned home.
Kamishiro was lying on the sofa watching TV, while Kushina and Pakura were preparing ingredients for dinner.
Seeing Minato, Kamishiro said resentfully: "Yo, Minato-sama, you finally decided to come back. I thought you had gone missing."
Minato looked at Kushina with some confusion, as if asking, 'What is wrong with this kid again?'
Kushina spread her hands: "Kamishiro said you promised him that you'd take him to Ichiraku Ramen once you got back to the Village, the kind where he can eat until he's full. He's been waiting until now and is angry."
Minato scratched his head; he had truly forgotten about this: "Then... shall I take you now?"
Kushina wiped her hands with a towel and said expressionlessly: "Pakura and I have almost finished making dinner. If you take Kamishiro to eat Ichiraku Ramen now, Kamishiro might be happy, but Pakura and I might not be."
Minato shivered: "Then let's do it tomorrow. Kamishiro, I'll take you tomorrow. Let's just have dinner at home today."
Kamishiro had a lot of complaints now, but he dared not defy Kushina and Pakura, so he could only "huff."
Kushina asked curiously: "How come you stayed so long just to turn in a mission? Did the mission not go well, and did the Hokage criticize you?"
Minato shook his head: "No, it's not that."
"Then what is it?"
"Well, the Hokage asked me to be the Fourth Hokage."
Kamishiro and Pakura looked at Minato in surprise.
Kushina didn't react for a moment; she held the spatula and said to herself: "Is that so? This Hokage thing is no big deal... Eh?"
Realizing what he said, Kushina hurriedly confirmed: "What did you just say!"
Minato said again with a serious face: "I have been ordered to succeed as the Fourth Hokage!"
Kushina hugged Minato in surprise: "That's amazing, Minato!"
Pakura also offered her congratulations to Minato.
Kamishiro was also extremely happy inside; from now on, his connections in Konoha would be rock solid.
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