At that point, not only would he have no reason to resign and take responsibility, but public opinion would overwhelmingly support him continuing to lead Konoha.
After all, by then the third Hokage would only be fifty-five or fifty-six years old; for a political leader, that was the prime of life.
He would have every reason, and every capability, to continue leading Konoha for another ten years, or even longer.
Even if he appreciated Shinichi's merits and abilities and genuinely intended to pass the position to him in the future, at a minimum, he would likely wait until Shinichi reached twenty years old, the age considered adulthood in this world.
Or perhaps twenty-five or older, an age considered sufficiently mature.
After all, throughout the history of the Shinobi World, there had never been a Kage under twenty-five years old.
In the original timeline, Gaara becoming Kazekage while still a minor was itself the product of extremely special circumstances.
Minato Namikaze becoming the Fourth Hokage at twenty-four was likewise the result of multiple special conditions overlapping.
The third Hokage needed to resign and take responsibility. The Sannin either left the village or refused the position. Meanwhile, Minato himself had achieved incomparable feats during the war, elevating his prestige to unparalleled heights, and Jiraiya's strong support and the approval of the higher-ups also contributed.
Among all those factors, the most critical prerequisite was precisely that the third Hokage needed to resign, thereby leaving the position vacant.
But in Shinichi's timeline, this most critical prerequisite would very likely no longer exist.
Especially when the time came, if the third Hokage looked at Onoki of the Village Hidden in the Stones, who was even older than him yet still vigorous and firmly seated in the Tsuchikage position, would he think: That old man, Onoki, still hasn't retired, so why should I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, retire? I'm still in my prime. I can still fight for Konoha for another decade or more! Shinichi is still young. Let him temper himself for a few more years before taking over...
This was a result Shinichi absolutely could not accept.
For him, the earlier he ascended to the position of Hokage and obtained supreme authority and resources, the sooner and more effectively he could mobilize the power of the entire village and the Land of Fire to provide an unparalleled platform and acceleration for acquiring new talents and upgrading his existing ones.
He could not accept wasting several years, or even more than a decade, simply because of so-called age.
An earlier year would give him greater advantages, even creating a snowball effect.
"Ten thousand years is too long, seize the day, seize the hour!"
Shinichi silently recited inwardly.
We'll see when the time comes. If… if I temporarily can't become Hokage, then I'll go become the Kazekage!
At that thought, Shinichi's eyes sharpened, but he soon shook his head slightly again.
This was ultimately the worst possible option, the final path of retreat only if absolutely necessary.
No rush. First, observe how the war develops. After the war, see the third Hokage's attitude and whether there are smoother alternatives.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
The third Hokage naturally had no idea that the inheritor of the Will of Fire upon whom he had placed such great expectations was already calmly planning how to accelerate his abdication after the war, even preparing a backup plan of jumping ship to become Kazekage.
He had just contentedly put down the comprehensive report and plans Shinichi had submitted regarding the medical scroll project.
"Heaven truly blesses Konoha."
The third Hokage sighed emotionally, revealing a gratified smile. With Shinichi here, the village's future seemed filled with unprecedented brightness and possibility.
He now looked forward immensely to what further surprises this young creator of miracles would bring in the future.
As for stepping down?
Although Shinichi was now one of the future successors in his heart, even the foremost among them, what the third Hokage was thinking at this moment was how to better nurture, protect, and support Shinichi's growth, so that one day he could smoothly inherit that even heavier burden.
As for exactly how many years away that one day was, he had not thought deeply about it. He only felt that Shinichi was still extremely young, and there was still plenty of time. Things should proceed slowly.
At present, the third Hokage's mood had become considerably more relaxed, especially after hearing the news that the Village Hidden in the Stones and the Village Hidden in the Cloud had gone to war.
"Hmm..."
The third Hokage took out another document, thought for a moment, wrote a few words, and said: "Notify the mission department to officially assign this mission to Team 10, with Tsunade leading the team."
"Yes!"
An Anbu accepted the document and disappeared instantly.
From the very beginning, the third Hokage had arranged for Shinichi to enter Team 10 precisely because he hoped Shinichi would establish deep bonds with peers of his own age.
But after the war broke out, Shinichi charged directly into the front lines with astonishing momentum and achieved tremendous military success.
The distance between him and those of the same generation had only continued to widen, which was not what the third Hokage wanted.
Now that the war situation had eased slightly and Team 10 had regrouped, it was time for them to carry out some simpler missions together as a complete squad once more, continuing to hone their skills and accumulate bonds unique to their team.
...
Meanwhile, in the Land of Takumi, Takumi Village.
This was a small country, similar to the former Hidden Eddy Village in the Land of Whirlpools, that implemented a nation-village unity system.
The nation was the ninja village, and the ninja village was the nation.
Takumi Village was renowned throughout the Shinobi World for its exquisite tool-making techniques. It served as an important supplier and custom workshop for tools to the Five Great Shinobi Countries and many smaller ninja villages, constantly undertaking orders from all sides for weapons, armor, and even large-scale machinery.
At this moment, within a plainly styled residence at the center of the village, the currently acknowledged chief craftsman and genius Jonin of Takumi Village, Seimei, sat alone on a tatami mat in a quiet room.
He appeared to be around thirty years old, with a fairly handsome face. Spread before him was the latest intelligence report on the Shinobi World situation, clearly displaying the news that the Village Hidden in the Stones had declared war on the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
But his gaze did not seem focused on the words.
As a once-in-a-century genius of Takumi Village, not only had he reached the pinnacle of the village's traditional forging arts, but he had also achieved breakthroughs in functional innovation that even generations of predecessors could scarcely attain.
He was the pride of the village and the future leader upon whom great hopes were placed.
However, this glory and expectation had gradually fermented within Seimei into humiliation and unwillingness.
What was Takumi Village, really?
Nothing more than a somewhat useful workshop tool in the games played by the great nations!
Forever living at the mercy of others, surviving by taking other people's orders and forging weapons for other people's wars.
The Five Great Shinobi Countries stood high above all, casually declaring war and stirring up the world, while the Land of Takumi and the Takumi Village could only carefully maneuver between them, terrified of choosing the wrong side and bringing disaster upon themselves.
He had had enough of this fate!
He longed for change. He longed for the Takumi Village and the Land of Takumi to break free from this miserable position of being mere subordinate tools.
He longed to obtain true power, power great enough that even the Five Great Shinobi Countries would have to take notice and speak to them as equals.