After breakfast, Tejima Shinichi left his house and headed straight for the Hokage Building.
As the familiar structure of the building came into view, the guards stationed out front spotted his approach and quickly pushed the main gates open.
"Lord Shinichi," they greeted. "The Hokage is in his office."
Shinichi nodded, stepping into the lobby and making his way up the stairs.
At the far end of the corridor, two Anbu stood guard outside the Hokage's wooden door. Their masks hid their expressions, but their taut posture made it clear they were on high alert. Seeing Shinichi approach, one Anbu shifted aside while the other raised a hand to knock.
Shinichi lifted his right hand, signaling that it wasn't necessary. He had barely stopped in front of the door when a loud, heated argument bled through the wood.
"…I disagree!" It was Jiraiya's voice, higher than usual and edged with sharp frustration. "Old man, you're talking about stepping down now? Recommending me or Tsunade?! What kind of joke is that?!"
He paused to catch his breath before continuing, "Shinichi is obviously the best choice. He might only be twelve, but his strength and prestige are more than enough. You just need to hold on for a few more years. Why make Tsunade or me Hokage?!"
At the same time another voice cut in—Utatane Koharu.
"Jiraiya's right, Hiruzen. Abdicating now will thrust Shinichi straight into the eye of the storm. We haven't finished dealing with Sunagakure, also both Iwagakure and Kumogakure are already reinforcing their borders. Changing the Hokage at a time like this is far too risky."
Homura Mitokado quickly backed her up. "And… Hiruzen, when you took Shinichi as your student, you promised to back him fully for the Hokage seat. Only four months have passed. Four months, and now you want to abdicate and recommend someone else? What will Shinichi think? What will the rest of the village think? They'll believe you've changed your mind, that Shinichi isn't qualified yet. It will shake both his political position and his confidence."
Homura's voice dropped, growing deadlier. "More importantly—have you forgotten Orochimaru?! Back then, you said you'd groom him for the title, yet in the end, the Fourth was Minato! That is exactly why Orochimaru turned to extremes. Now you're doing the exact same thing to Shinichi. Have you considered the consequences?!"
His well-founded argument resonated deeply with the others.
"Even if Shinichi isn't Orochimaru!" Koharu agreed, adding to her partner's point. "Human hearts are unpredictable. Hiruzen, what you're doing plants a thorn of resentment. He might not care now, but what about later? When he faces setbacks, or when someone whispers poison in his ear… do you want to create another Orochimaru?!"
A heavy silence hung over the office for several seconds.
Outside the door, Tejima Shinichi stood perfectly still. His face was turned toward the wood, his expression hidden in the shadows of the corridor—then, the line of his mouth curved upward.
Jiraiya's support was expected. But he hadn't anticipated Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado too… the two advisors were actually arguing so fiercely on his behalf.
'Not bad… no wonder they manage to survive all the way into the Boruto era! Truly shrewd…'
Inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi regarded the three agitated faces with a calm smile.
"I understand your concerns," the Third Hokage said softly. "I'm indeed old and tired. This incident showed me that this seat needs greater vigor and… the sharpness to face the future. As for Shinichi—"
Before he could finish his sentence—
Creak.
The sound of the wooden door swinging open cut him off. All four people inside snapped their heads toward the entrance.
"I already know about my teacher's abdication," Shinichi said, his calm voice cutting through the tension before he even stepped fully into the room.
The revelation left Jiraiya and the advisors stunned.
"You… know?" Jiraiya was the first to speak, his eyes wide.
"Mm." Shinichi looked at the Sannin. "And I was the one who first suggested it to my teacher."
A pin-drop quiet filled the office. Koharu and Homura exchanged shocked glances.
"So that's how it is…" Koharu murmured, a hand over her chest. "We worried for nothing."
Homura was silent for a few seconds before slowly nodding.
"Hahaha!" Jiraiya suddenly burst into booming laughter. "So it was you two plotting together! And here we were burning with anxiety!"
Still chuckling, he walked up to Shinichi, slung a heavy arm around the boy's shoulder, and leaned in. "Then tell us, kid—now that you've asked the old man to step down, who do you have in mind to succeed him?"
He lowered his voice and threw Shinichi an exaggerated wink. "Let me state up front—I'm not doing it! Being Hokage is a pain, stuck in an office all day. My free-spirited soul can't take it!"
Shinichi let the arm stay there and turned his gaze to Hiruzen. The old Hokage met his eyes and gave a slight nod, signaling him to continue.
"To succeed my teacher, I recommend Sister Tsunade."
Silence fell once again. Jiraiya's arm stiffened around Shinichi's shoulder.
"Tsunade? Will… she agree?"
"A month ago, when I went to find Sister Tsunade, I explained the situation to her." Shinichi paused, letting the words sink in, then added...
"She agreed."
"…"
Even Hiruzen was caught off guard. "You… spoke with her a month ago?"
"Yes," Shinichi nodded. "After I got back, we were busy deploying for the Konoha Crush Plan, so I never found the time to bring it up."
He turned to address Koharu and Homura directly. "Once Tsunade returns, Konoha's medical system can be completely rebuilt. Her experience and prestige from the Third Great Ninja War will also deter the forces stirring on our borders."
Koharu opened her mouth, but in the end, she only managed a breathless, "…You've thought of everything."
Homura slowly nodded, genuine relief showing on his stern face for the first time. "If it's Tsunade… she truly is the most suitable candidate."
"Hahaha!" Jiraiya slapped his thigh, laughing heartily. "Well done, kid! If you've already won Tsunade over, no wonder you dared suggest the old man abdicate!"
He turned back to Hiruzen, a wide grin on his face. "Old man, you can relax now, right? With Tsunade back and Shinichi supporting her, the baton's passed safely!"
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and exhaled a long, heavy breath. He looked at Shinichi for a long while.
Then, he smiled.
"If that's the case…" Hiruzen said slowly, a lightness in his voice they hadn't heard in years. "Then… everyone comes out of this happy.""
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