In the days that followed, Namikaze Minato left Konoha and set out for the Fire Daimyō's estate.
It was a necessary step in the succession process—no Hokage could officially assume the position without the Fire Daimyō's recognition.
Of course, it was nothing more than procedure.
The daimyo would never reject it. As long as he wasn't a fool, he would understand this was simply Minato asking for legitimacy—an official name to attach to the authority he already possessed.
The forces the daimyo could muster weren't remotely comparable to a great hidden village like Konoha. If he tried to refuse, it wasn't impossible that the seat of "daimyo" itself would be replaced.
Minato wouldn't do something like that.
But that didn't mean the daimyo wouldn't consider the possibility.
Gen Takuya knew Minato's itinerary as well, and he could only shake his head.
You could say it was precisely this "mandatory procedure" that truly strangled Shimura Danzō's Hokage ambitions in the original timeline.
If becoming Hokage were as simple as the current Hokage declaring a successor and handing over the hat, then Danzō would've long since used Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan—Kotoamatsukami—to control the Third Hokage and force him to pass the position to him.
But because of this process, the handover period was stretched out.
And Danzō's Kotoamatsukami wasn't that all-powerful.
Yes, it could be cast without eye contact. Yes, it could slip past ordinary vigilance.
But it could be detected by the Byakugan.
And more importantly—even if it wasn't discovered—the duration simply wasn't long enough.
If Danzō used Kotoamatsukami to make the Third Hokage hand him the title, he wouldn't even make it to the daimyo's estate before the technique wore off.
And then what would the Third Hokage think?
Heh.
Not only would the succession process be interrupted on the spot—
Danzō's theft of Shisui's eye would also be exposed in the most public way possible.
Maybe their relationship would keep Danzō alive.
But would the Third Hokage ever allow Shisui's eye to remain in Danzō's hand after that?
Even if he were an idiot, he'd know how to choose.
That procedure was practically Danzō's lifelong nemesis.
Gen Takuya almost felt like it had been designed specifically to screw him over.
…
Time passed quickly, and the day Minato formally assumed the role of Fourth Hokage arrived.
The Flying Thunder God really was convenient.
Going there, without a marker, meant traveling on foot. Coming back, Minato simply used Hiraishin and saved an absurd amount of time.
He'd already received the official appointment from the daimyo.
Now the Third Hokage stood atop the Hokage Building, looking down at the shinobi and civilians gathered below—faces he'd known for years.
Then he began his speech.
He spoke first of his own inadequacy, of the war's massive toll on Konoha, of how he had failed the village and fallen short of the title of Hokage. His words were heavy with emotion, dredging up old memories and old grief.
And naturally, no one would dare truly blame him.
Not here. Not today.
Many people listened, eyes reddening, tears spilling as the Third Hokage spoke.
Gen Takuya watched from below and couldn't help admiring the man's affinity with people.
Among all the Hokage, the Third wasn't particularly overwhelming—his reputation carried plenty of dark stains as well.
But after he inherited the position from the Second Hokage in crisis, he really had carried Konoha through that era. He trained the Legendary Sannin. He nurtured the Golden Generation.
Gen Takuya didn't bear him any particular dislike.
The old man was generous with mission rewards, for one.
And his lack of energy made Gen Takuya's own secrets easier to conceal. In short—the Third being in power was absolutely beneficial to him.
Conspiracy theories from his previous life had once influenced him.
But in this life?
He didn't care.
As long as the Third Hokage's existence benefited him, that was enough. Whether those old rumors were true or false meant nothing.
"Third-sama… you've already given everything for the village," Minato said quietly, unable to hold back.
The Third Hokage chuckled, not answering directly. Instead, he smoothly shifted the topic and began listing Minato's achievements on the battlefield.
Below, the shinobi immediately straightened.
And when the Third Hokage reached the point everyone loved most—the shared understanding among the Four Great Nations…
If you encountered Namikaze Minato, you were permitted to abandon your mission and flee—
The crowd erupted.
Cheers roared through the village as people swelled with pride that Konoha had produced a shinobi like him.
Finally, the Third Hokage's voice rang out over the square.
"From today onward, Namikaze Minato will succeed me… as Konoha's Fourth Hokage!"
The cheers exploded again, louder than before—so loud they seemed to shake the entire village.
Minato looked down at the sea of faces, at the joy and expectation in their eyes, and in that moment he felt the weight settle onto his shoulders.
He stepped forward.
"I will inherit the Third Hokage's Will of Fire," Minato vowed, voice clear and steady, "and lead Konoha into a brighter, more glorious future!"
The crowd surged into a frenzy.
Gen Takuya clapped as well. He didn't particularly care whether Minato became Hokage or not.
But others did.
In a shadowed corner, Orochimaru leaned against the wall—upper body swallowed by darkness. He watched the celebration, listened to the announcement, and though he had already known the result…
His gaze still grew colder.
The Hokage's seat was no longer possible for him.
Then it was time to focus even more completely on his research.
He stared up at Minato.
Life was short.
Perhaps he would live long enough to witness Minato's death.
To do that, he needed a method of longevity. He needed to learn every jutsu in this world—grasp the truth behind all things.
With a soft, mocking laugh, Orochimaru turned away, his figure melting into the shadows.
Elsewhere, Shimura Danzō watched the scene.
The hand gripping his cane tightened until it looked like it might snap the wood in half.
His stare locked on Minato like a blade.
If it had been the Third Hokage, exhausted day and night, perhaps even letting him continue wouldn't have lasted long.
But Minato?
He was only in his twenties.
How long could he remain Hokage?
Even with Hashirama's cells propping him up, Danzō doubted he could outlive Minato.
He had done so much for that seat—colluding with Hanzō, spreading rumors about Orochimaru's experiments, building his own influence in the shadows.
And yet Sarutobi Hiruzen had stepped right over him. Over Orochimaru.
He'd handed the hat to Jiraiya's student.
A blond brat.
Danzō's teeth clenched.
In the end, he snorted and turned away.
Neither man's departure stirred the crowd. The village remained a sea of voices, and most shopping streets even lowered prices to celebrate Minato's succession.
That day, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped down.
And Namikaze Minato became the Fourth Hokage.
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