Shikaku could currently be considered a provisional high-ranking official of the Hidden Leaf. Furthermore, as the joint leader of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, he saw the darker, more unsavory aspects of the village with crystal clarity.
He knew exactly what kind of person Elder Danzo was.
From the Nine-Tails' attack twelve years ago to the Uchiha massacre five or six years ago, and now this joint attack by the Sound and Sand... their Elder Danzo had played a less-than-honorable role in all of them.
Shikaku genuinely did not want to see Danzo become the supreme leader of Konoha. That would undoubtedly spell disaster for the village.
Shikaku firmly supported Jiraiya as the representative of the Konoha ninja to become Hokage. He believed that the heads of the various clans in the village would also wish for a similar outcome.
"Good. I knew you would share our view, Danzo. In that case, Shikaku, report this result to the Daimyo. All ceremonies should be kept simple, and we must issue official notifications to the other ninja villages as soon as possible."
Homura Mitokado deliberately pretended not to hear the implication in Danzo's earlier words, acting as though this was a decision reached unanimously by the three elders and advisors.
"Yes, then I will..."
Just as Shikaku nodded and began to speak...
"Wait a moment. I am not the most suitable candidate for Hokage. You should all know that my personality isn't fit for the job at all."
Sitting opposite them, Jiraiya, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
His words caused Danzo's brow to twitch, a faint trace of anger and longing flickering deep within his eyes.
Shikaku was startled upon hearing Jiraiya's refusal.
Lord Jiraiya doesn't want to be Hokage?
How can that be!? Are we really going to let Danzo take the seat? That was a development Shikaku absolutely did not want to see.
Opposite him, Homura furrowed his brow and spoke directly, "Jiraiya, this isn't just about you. This is a critical matter for the entire Hidden Leaf. You must understand that Konoha has reached its most dangerous moment. You have to shoulder your responsibility."
"I know that perfectly well; you don't need to nag. I'm not running from responsibility. It's just that there is someone more suitable than me to be Hokage. Don't you think?"
Jiraiya waved his hand, interrupting Homura. He leaned forward slightly as he spoke.
His words stunned everyone present.
Shikaku was the quickest to react. In less than a second, he realized who Jiraiya was referring to.
'If it's her... indeed, she would be the most suitable, especially given her lineage.'
A thoughtful look appeared in Shikaku's eyes as he mused internally.
"Are you talking about Tsunade? She is indeed a suitable candidate."
Homura and Koharu were old, after all. Unlike Jiraiya, who had occasionally returned over the years, Tsunade hadn't been back to Konoha for over a decade. Naturally, they didn't think of her immediately.
But after a few seconds of delay...
Koharu was the first to catch on.
Hearing the name, Homura slowly nodded as well.
"Mhm. If it's Tsunade, that would work. But Jiraiya, Tsunade isn't in the village right now. You..."
"I'll take responsibility for finding her and bringing her back. That should be fine, right?"
Jiraiya looked up at Homura and spoke in a deep voice.
"That is acceptable, of course. However, I must say this upfront, Jiraiya: if you cannot find Tsunade, or if she refuses to return, you will still have to become the Fifth Hokage. It is not a matter of whether you want to or not; it is a requirement of the entire village. Do you understand?"
After exchanging a glance with Koharu, Homura turned back to look at Jiraiya with a stern expression.
Although Homura and Koharu weren't as resistant to Danzo becoming Hokage as Shikaku was, they genuinely believed that Jiraiya or Tsunade were the most suitable choices.
Strength and identity were one thing.
More importantly, there was the matter of prestige and trust within the village.
Danzo was, after all, the leader of Root. While ordinary ninja might not know about the dark deeds he had overseen in the past, surely the heads of the major clans were aware.
Under normal circumstances, it would be very difficult for those people to accept Danzo as Hokage.
Homura and Koharu saw this point very clearly.
Danzo himself could see this to some extent, which was why he had drifted further and further apart from his old friends over the years. He was a man capable of sending assassins after Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If necessary...
Ruthlessly killing Homura and Koharu wouldn't be difficult for him either.
The current Danzo was completely consumed by his obsession; his mind was fixed solely on the throne of the Hokage.
That obsession had been carved into the depths of his soul.
'Hmph!'
Sitting to the side, Danzo appeared expressionless, but inside, he was filled with rage and resentment.
He just couldn't accept it. Why couldn't he be the Hokage!?
"Don't worry. I will definitely bring Tsunade back, and I will definitely persuade her."
Jiraiya waved his hand, speaking with firm determination.
"I'll send a few ANBU to accompany you when the time comes."
Homura nodded, clearly intending to add an extra layer of insurance.
"No need for the trouble. Besides, if I really wanted to do something, do you think a few ANBU could stop me? Rest assured, things are different now than before. I am well aware of that. I won't forget my identity."
Jiraiya sat up straight and replied solemnly.
Seeing Jiraiya so insistent, Homura and Koharu didn't press the issue. They trusted him. Even if he seemed unreliable in other matters, this involved the survival of the entire Hidden Leaf. Jiraiya would surely think thrice before acting.
"Aside from that, there is the issue of the Sand Village, Orochimaru, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—Menma Uzumaki. This is the most important issue after the selection of the Hokage. Especially the latter. Menma Uzumaki must be captured and brought back in the shortest time possible."
After nodding, Homura spoke again, his expression grim.
The Sand Village betraying the alliance...
Orochimaru attacking Konoha and killing the Hokage...
These were indeed major events that shook the very foundation of Konoha. However, compared to the defection of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, they were secondary.
Tailed Beasts were the critical "weapons" that major ninja villages relied on to deter other nations.
And this was the Nine-Tails, the strongest of them all.
This was currently the highest-priority problem for the Hidden Leaf Village, one that had to be dealt with immediately.