Chapter 327: Konoha Settled
Yotsuki Dana and Minato Namikaze reappeared in Minato's home in Konoha.
Panting heavily, Minato said, "Your chakra reserves are truly terrifying..."
Dana smiled. "Maybe it's because Mount Myoboku is so far away."
Dana looked around with interest. It was a very homey apartment, about a two-bedroom layout, but cleaned spotlessly and equipped with everything necessary. The decoration style was also warm and cozy.
If no one introduced it, no one would think the owner was a single male; it looked more like the home of a middle-aged woman who loved cleaning.
Minato felt a bit awkward. "So... Inspector-sama, is that all for now? I'll submit a report later?"
Dana didn't leave. Instead, he said, "No rush. I actually came to discuss something with you, which is how I discovered you were tricked into going to Mount Myoboku."
Seeing that the guest had no intention of leaving, Minato could only bite the bullet and ask, "What does Inspector-sama want to discuss?"
Dana looked at the ingredients laid out on the counter. "You're cooking? What are you making?"
"Pan-fried hamburger steak..."
Dana nodded. "Not bad. I like that. You can cook while we talk."
Minato smiled bitterly. "Alright then..."
Dana looked around and sat on the only sofa.
Although it was a two-seater sofa, for Dana, it felt like a single seat.
CRACK!
With a crisp sound, the sofa collapsed.
Dana's expression remained unchanged. "Hmm... my weight is a bit abnormal. I'll expense it to the village later..."
Internally, he thought: This guy doesn't know to buy better quality furniture? Are Konoha Jonin this poor?
Minato helplessly turned back to the stove and started cooking awkwardly.
Dana said, "About half a month ago, Konoha submitted a list regarding the new high command. I rejected it. At that time, I proposed an idea for the new Hokage. Someone should have talked to you about it afterward, but I heard you refused?"
Sizzle.
The meat patty hit the pan.
Minato paused slightly, then said, "Yes. There are more suitable candidates in Konoha than me. I am too young to be Hokage."
Since the sofa was already broken, Dana leaned back unscrupulously. The deceased sofa beneath him groaned under the abuse.
"Actually, there aren't many. Many from Konoha's previous generation may seem to have more prestige and age, but there is one thing they cannot do, which means they cannot be a good Fifth Hokage."
"What is that?"
"Promoting the integration of Konoha and the Cloud."
Minato said, "I'm afraid most Konoha people won't be willing."
"Talking about willingness now is a bit late. The integration of Konoha and the Cloud is the general trend and the best choice for everyone. It has nothing to do with whether an individual is willing. Or rather, precisely because these people can't see this clearly, they cannot be allowed to sit in the Hokage's seat."
Minato couldn't help but look at Dana. "Then why does Inspector-sama think I can see it clearly?"
"Because in their eyes, Konoha is a symbol, and they are only responsible for that symbol. For you, Konoha is an aggregation of Konoha people; you will be responsible for the people. The biggest promise I made to Konoha during the negotiation was regarding the people. In this aspect, we are compatible."
"Similarly, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju can support and even assist me in the integration for the same reason. They are also among the few who care about Konoha people more than the Konoha symbol."
Unknowingly, the meat patty had burned slightly.
Minato sighed. He had to admit Yotsuki Dana seemed right.
Some concepts that were vague in his mind became more concrete after hearing Dana's words.
"Konoha is an aggregation of Konoha people... Although my dream since childhood was to become Hokage, now is really not a good time."
"Precisely because of that, you should step forward, shouldn't you?"
Minato was completely convinced. "Why does it always feel like Inspector-sama is good at everything? Whether it's combat... or village management."
Dana smiled. "Although I'm a little stronger than you, two points taller, three points more muscular, and look four points more handsome, we are actually the same age."
Dana knew he had persuaded Minato.
Minato couldn't help but say, "Yes, yes, yes. And your weight is ten points heavier than mine."
Seeing the desired result, Dana stood up.
"I said I'd mooch a meal off you, but seeing you burned it, I'll find a place myself. Tomorrow, I'll formally call you to the Hokage Building to discuss this. Before the end of the year, these matters need to be settled. The new Hokage will also need to attend the establishment ceremony of the Cloud-Thunder Federation."
Watching Yotsuki Dana bend down to leave, Minato froze for a long time.
"Eh? Burned?! ...Oh my god!!"
Days later, the nomination of Minato Namikaze as the Fifth Hokage caused an uproar in Konoha. If successful, he would become the youngest Kage in Konoha's history.
Although people in the ninja world matured early—many were considered adults at 14 or 15 and even married—Minato was only 18. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who took command in a crisis, was 25 when he became Hokage.
Despite the special period, the Hokage's ascension still required a Jonin vote of confidence. Under Dana's manipulation, Minato passed this hurdle with relatively good results.
Among them, the Hyuga and Uchiha clans followed Dana's instructions. Both clans had many Jonin, constituting two large voting blocs. Additionally, Minato himself was well-liked over the years and was Sakumo Hatake's disciple, so he had a considerable base of support.
Although it was anonymous, Dana could guess who the dissenters were—some older Konoha folks who already had complaints about the young age of the two Elders. Minato was even younger than Fugaku Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga.
But this was the effect Dana wanted. This design was for multiple layers of checks and balances.
Young high command versus older opposition was just one link in the chain of balances.
This was a plan even Tobirama Senju praised.
With the confirmation of the Hokage position, Dana's last arrangement in Konoha was complete.
Soon, Dana would leave Konoha to prepare for the formal establishment ceremony of the Cloud-Thunder Federation.
Simultaneously, a successor from the Cloud would take over Dana's role, becoming the second "Inspector" of Konoha.
Inside the Inspectorate, Dana rested his long legs on the desk.
"Tobirama-senpai, have you decided? Will you stay in the living world? I said before, if you stay, you must leave Konoha and come with me to the Cloud."
Tobirama looked out the window at the rejuvenated Konoha Village and the rainbow lights occasionally falling from the sky.
The sacrifices inside the Edo Tensei body had reached their limit; it was indeed time to decide whether to stay or go.
Whether it was the rules of this world or some other reason, no matter how strong the emotions or unwillingness in life, once brought back to the living world as an Edo Tensei, desires and thoughts were greatly diminished.
They even just wanted to return to the Pure Land as soon as possible to enjoy the peace of the dead.
This instinct-like thought seemed attached deep within the soul, as if something in the Pure Land was constantly calling for their return.
But as a legendary figure like Tobirama Senju, he could resist this instinct.
Tobirama hesitated for a long time before saying, "Then, I will go with you to see... what the future you speak of looks like."
As a ninja, one or two sacrifices weren't enough to shake his resolve. He truly wanted to see the correct path for the ninja world that Yotsuki Dana believed in.
Dana couldn't help but switch his crossed legs, clapping his hands. "Very good. Let's wait and see then."
CRACK!
In the next moment, the desk supporting his legs collapsed.
Dana's smile froze on his face.
"Speaking of which, you Cloud people seem to have a grudge against desks? When I went to the Cloud for negotiations back then, we talked for three days, and the Cloud smashed seven desks in front of me."
Dana said awkwardly, "Hahaha, Tobirama-senpai, that's an exaggeration. I feel you are geographically discriminating."
Tobirama: "Five of them were smashed by the Third Raikage when he was still a Raikage Guard."
Dana: "Ha..... fair enough..."
Just then, there was a knock on the office door.
"Enter!"
Three young figures walked in.
Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Obito Uchiha.
The three scrutinized the broken desk, wondering if the Second Hokage and Yotsuki Dana had gotten into a fight.
Dana pretended to ignore the three pairs of curious eyes, steepling his fingers as if an air desk were in front of him.
"Finally here. So, Team Kakashi, report your status."
Kakashi instinctively entered ninja mode, reporting solemnly, "This squad's former captain was Minato Namikaze. Current captain position vacant. Three members: one Tokubetsu Jonin, two Chunin. Specialized in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu! All three are in good condition and ready for orders."
Dana said, "Very good. Now I have a difficult task for you."
All three became serious. Guy stood straight as a rod, and Obito gulped.
"You will transfer from a general ninja squad to become Consul Guard Squad Two. In the future, you will be solely responsible for protecting the safety of the Consul and obeying the Consul's direct orders. This is not a mission, but an appointment. Understood?"
The three froze.
An appointment meant assigning a position rather than a task, like Anbu status. Unless a new appointment came down, the duration was indefinite.
Obito scratched his head and raised his hand. "Um... what is a Consul? It sounds impressive, but there doesn't seem to be such a person in the village..."
Dana flashed his white teeth and pointed at himself.
"That's me!"