At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the two old friends seated across from him.
Danzō Shimura was not here.
Hiruzen had only called in Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"Go on," Hiruzen said. "Tell me what you think."
Koharu fell silent, then slightly opened the eyes she usually kept half-lidded.
"Hiruzen… have you really made up your mind?"
Hiruzen looked at her.
"You've both already heard about what happened in the Land of Demons."
He paused.
"Sealing Mōryō, bringing the Land of Demons into our orbit, the strength he displayed… every single thing Kiyohara did exceeded my expectations."
Homura nodded.
"That child… no, Kiyohara, already has Kage-level strength."
"It's not just strength."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Did either of you notice the way he handled the situation?"
"After sealing Mōryō, he didn't rush straight back to claim credit. He first negotiated an alliance with the Daimyo of the Land of Demons, brought the priestess back to Konoha, and had those guards choose to follow of their own will."
"He was thinking about the aftermath. About long-term benefits."
"A lot of jōnin can't even do that."
Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe.
To be honest, the village had always been weak in this area.
What it taught people was mostly how to become tools, not how to lead others.
That was why becoming a jōnin required more than strength and mastery of two chakra natures.
There was another benchmark as well:
The ability to command a team.
"Hiruzen, are you saying Kiyohara thinks like a Kage?"
Hiruzen nodded.
Recently, he had heard about Uchiha Itachi from Uchiha Shisui.
Apparently, even at such a young age, the boy already knew how to look at problems from the village's perspective.
That made Hiruzen feel relieved. Perhaps the Uchiha clan really was beginning to change.
"The Uchiha…"
Homura adjusted his glasses.
"Back then, Tobirama-sensei said the Uchiha were born evil. But Kagami was an exception. Shisui is an exception. Kiyohara is an exception too."
"If we refuse to accept even the exceptions, then the crack between the Uchiha and Konoha will never heal."
Koharu looked at him.
"So you support Kiyohara?"
Homura nodded.
Mainly because Kiyohara's strength was beyond doubt, and because the gatherings held by the Uchiha clan were no secret at all in the eyes of Konoha's leadership.
Kiyohara had never joined the hawkish faction.
Uchiha Setsuna had approached him before, but never succeeded in pulling him into that camp either.
So in Homura's view, giving Kiyohara a chance was not impossible.
"Minato is excellent too," Koharu said.
"He has great war achievements, he's extremely well-liked, and he represents the civilian ninja. If he becomes Hokage, the shinobi from non-clan backgrounds will be very happy."
"And he's older than Kiyohara, more experienced, and steadier."
Hearing that, Hiruzen did not answer at once.
As the three of them discussed it, they kept circling back and forth between Kiyohara and Minato Namikaze.
As for Orochimaru, no one brought him up at all.
After all, Orochimaru had long since openly tied himself to Danzō Shimura.
If Orochimaru really became Hokage, it would practically be the same as Danzō becoming Hokage.
A research-oriented shinobi like Orochimaru would never bother to fight over political power himself.
Danzō, on the other hand, would absolutely take advantage of the situation.
"I need to think."
Hiruzen fell into thought.
If Minato became Hokage, Konoha would transition smoothly. Civilian ninja would gain more opportunities. There would be no major unrest within the village.
But the crack between the Uchiha and the village would still remain. They would still feel excluded. They would still go on building resentment in the shadows until one day, they truly attempted a coup.
If it ever came to that, the village would absolutely be torn apart.
Unless the Uchiha clan produced an insider who could work with Konoha from both inside and out, keeping the clan in check.
But in Hiruzen's eyes, that was almost impossible.
What Uchiha would ever turn their elbow outward like that?
The truth was, the obsessive Uchiha were, in some ways, even more of a "clan of love" than any other ninja clan.
It was just that their love was far too prone to losing control, twisting into hatred, and dragging them into darkness.
That was why the Uchiha, in reality, were more united than most clans.
Kiyohara had indeed become a bridge between the Uchiha clan and the village, but he still wasn't a true-born Uchiha raised inside the clan.
His level of recognition within the Uchiha was limited.
"This historical problem really does need to be addressed," Homura said.
The Uchiha were one of the greatest founding clans of Konoha.
And because of the distinct nature of the Sharingan, they could never simply dissolve into the village the way the Senju clan had.
"It should be Kiyohara, then," Hiruzen finally said.
"Then let's go with that," Homura said with a nod.
In Homura's view, whether Minato or Kiyohara became Hokage made little difference.
As long as they, the Hokage advisors, remained there to restrain the Hokage's authority, then no Hokage could simply do whatever he pleased.
"I agree too," Koharu said after a moment's hesitation.
"Then it's settled."
Hiruzen nodded.
At the same time, he prepared to have Anbu notify the jōnin that there would be a meeting at the Hokage Building tomorrow.
…
The next day, at the Hokage Building.
The conference room was already packed.
Nara Shikaku leaned back in his chair.
Akimichi Chōza sat beside him, his broad frame completely filling his seat.
He scratched his head, leaned closer to Shikaku, and asked in a low voice,
"Shikaku, who do you think it'll be?"
Shikaku lowered his voice as well.
"I'm guessing it was decided behind closed doors a long time ago."
Chōza froze.
"If it's already decided, then why even hold a meeting?"
"Just going through the motions."
Shikaku shook his head.
"The fact that the higher-ups agonized over it for this long already says all of them are outstanding."
Yamanaka Inoichi, seated on Chōza's other side, leaned over as well.
"Then who do you think it is?"
Shikaku was silent for a moment.
"Probably Minato Namikaze."
He paused, then added,
"He has more seniority, better popularity, and…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But Chōza and Inoichi both understood.
And on top of that, Minato represented the civilian side.
Letting a shinobi from a non-clan background become Hokage would be a tremendous encouragement to those who came from no notable clan at all.
That would help Konoha remain stable.
Right then, a rough female voice came from the side.
"I think it'll be Minato Namikaze too."
The three of them turned at the same time.
Inuzuka Tsume sat not far away, arms crossed.
"These ears of mine heard your little whispering."
She grinned, baring two sharp canine teeth.
"But I think so too. That guy Minato really does have unbelievably good people skills."
Chōza nodded and scratched his head again.
"But Kiyohara's pretty amazing too. His battle record is dazzling, and he even sealed Mōryō…"
"That's different."
Shikaku shook his head.
"Battle achievements are only one part of it. What Hokage needs is balance."
While they were still talking, Kiyohara finally arrived as well.
"There are even more people here than last time."
Tsunade looked at the sea of jōnin filling the room.
"There are."
Kiyohara nodded.
A lot of ninja had already come back from the frontlines, so naturally the number of people present had gone up.
The moment Kiyohara entered, many eyes turned toward him.
Hyūga Hiashi was the first to walk over and greet him.
"Kiyohara."
"Lord Hiashi."
Kiyohara looked at him.
"I'm very optimistic about you this time."
Hiashi actually squeezed a smile onto his normally stern face and patted Kiyohara on the shoulder.
After seeing Kiyohara arrive, Uchiha Fugaku also brought several clan members over.
"So today they're finally going to choose the Hokage," Uchiha Shisui said.
He had grown noticeably taller than before and now looked properly like a young man.
"I hope you'll be the first Hokage the Uchiha ever produce," Uchiha Tekka said.
After years of struggle and experience, Tekka had finally become a jōnin too.
"I'll take that blessing."
Kiyohara casually dealt with all the people coming over to him.
Even farther away, more people who favored Kiyohara started walking over.
After all, among the three Hokage candidates, it really was a three-way split.
Each candidate had their own camp gathering around them.
Not long after that, the conference room doors were pushed open again.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked in.
Behind him came Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and several officials from the Land of Fire in formal robes.
All eyes immediately gathered on them.
Hiruzen walked to the main position, but did not sit down right away.
He stood there and slowly swept his gaze across everyone present.
The room fell silent at once.
"Today, we will choose the Fourth Hokage."
The moment those words fell, the atmosphere in the room tightened sharply.
Hiruzen's gaze paused in turn on Minato Namikaze, Kiyohara, and Orochimaru. Then he gave a slight turn of his head toward Homura.
Homura understood and stepped forward.
"Now, please have the Hokage candidates give their speeches in order."
His eyes fell on Minato Namikaze.
"Minato, you first."
Minato stood up.
He walked to the front of the room, turned around, and faced everyone.
"Good morning, everyone."
His voice was gentle, but every person in the room could hear it clearly.
"It's an honor to stand here."
Minato paused, and his expression grew even more sincere.
"When I was little, I had a dream. To become Hokage, and to protect Konoha."
"All these years, I've been working toward that dream. On the battlefield, I gave everything I had to protect each and every comrade. In peacetime, I've never once let myself slack off, always ready to give everything I have for the village."
His gaze swept across Rin and Kakashi in the crowd, and the smile at the corner of his lips deepened.
"I've been fortunate enough to meet wonderful students and wonderful friends. They taught me that Hokage is not a position for one person, but a trust carried by many."
"If I become Hokage, I will continue to protect that trust. I will make sure every child in Konoha can grow up in peace."
He gave a slight bow.
"I hope for everyone's guidance."
The moment he finished, warm applause filled the room.
There was genuine approval in that applause, real admiration from the heart.
Akimichi Chōza clapped hard, smiling broadly.
Yamanaka Inoichi nodded, his eyes full of praise.
Inuzuka Tsume kept her arms folded, but the corner of her mouth lifted as she nodded lightly.
Kiyohara looked at Minato Namikaze and immediately saw that his base of support was strong.
His speaking skills were nothing extraordinary, but that warm, handsome, dependable image of his really did make him seem sincere and deeply reassuring.
Once the applause slowly died down, Homura spoke again.
"Second candidate, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru stood.
Today, he was wearing his green ninja flak jacket, with that purple rope tied around his waist, his pale face expressionless.
He walked to the front, and his golden slit pupils swept over everyone present.
"Everyone… have you ever thought about this?"
He paused slightly, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death—these are the fate of mortals."
The moment those words came out, low murmurs spread across the room.
Orochimaru ignored them and continued.
"From the moment we are born, we begin walking toward death. No matter how strong, how intelligent, or how wealthy you are, you cannot escape that end."
"The First died. The Second died. The Third will die too."
His gaze stopped on Hiruzen Sarutobi for a moment, then moved away again.
"That is the fate of all shinobi."
"But what if I told you… I can break that fate?"
Orochimaru spread his arms, and the green flak jacket shifted slightly with the movement.
There was almost fanatic fervor on his face.
"I have already surpassed the limits of mortals. I have found a path to immortality!"
"If you support me and let me become Hokage, I will not hesitate to share that method with everyone!"
"I will let every person who supports me realize the dream of eternal life!"
The entire room exploded into uproar.
The discussion rose louder and louder.
In everyone's eyes, this was supposed to be the moment the candidates spoke about their Will of Fire, or about what contributions they would make to the village.
And yet Orochimaru was standing there talking about immortality.
"Immortality?"
"What is he even saying?"
"Has Orochimaru gone crazy?"
Jiraiya sat among the crowd, staring at Orochimaru with his eyes wide.
He looked as though he were staring at a stranger.
"This guy…"
he muttered, utterly unable to believe it.
"What is he talking about? Immortality? Has he lost his mind?"
Jiraiya knew Orochimaru had spent years buried in all kinds of research, but he had never imagined Orochimaru had gone this far.
Immortality?
Was that even something a human should touch?
Tsunade frowned too. In her eyes, Orochimaru had clearly strayed down the wrong path.
Danzō Shimura sat in one corner, and his already gloomy face had become even uglier.
This idiot—had he really lost his mind?
Things like that were meant to be said in private, not brought out in front of everyone.
Still, Danzō had to admit that he was deeply interested in the so-called "path to immortality" Orochimaru spoke of.
It just wasn't the right time for it now.
Hiruzen's brows knitted tightly together.
"That's enough."
His voice cut straight through Orochimaru's speech.
Orochimaru stopped and turned to look at him.
Hiruzen looked back and said slowly,
"Orochimaru. Step down."
"…Yes, Hiruzen-sensei."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, and listening to the discussion all around him, Orochimaru's face gradually darkened.
A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Even if he became Hokage of this village, it would still be nothing but stagnant water.
Those people simply could not understand how lofty his ambitions really were.
Immortality?
They took it as insanity.
But Orochimaru knew it was real.
He had sacrificed so much and researched for so long just to reach the edge of that door.
Living Corpse Reincarnation.
That was the greatest result of his research so far.
He could make the wind turn a windmill.
But those people didn't even know what a windmill was.
A faint curve rose at his lips—a smile that was almost mocking.
The noise in the room gradually settled down, but Orochimaru's words had still shaken everyone's worldview.
Kurenai Yuhi, now already a jōnin herself, was sitting there too.
She had absolutely no interest in what Orochimaru had said. All of her attention was fixed on Kiyohara.
She was just waiting for Kiyohara's turn.
Very soon, Homura cleared his throat.
"Third candidate, Kiyohara."
Kiyohara stood.
Step by step, he walked to the front of the room.
"Everyone, it's an honor to stand here."
"These past years, I've worked hard to train, hard to fight, and hard to protect every person around me."
"You all saw what happened on the battlefield. I contributed to Konoha. I bled for Konoha."
"If I become Hokage, I will reform the economy. I will make Konoha stop relying solely on mission commissions. Tourism, trade, technology—anything that can make this village prosper, I will pursue."
"I will make sure the shinobi who died receive the respect they deserve. I will make sure the shinobi still living no longer have to worry about how they'll survive. I will make sure the children can grow up in peace."
Kiyohara's speech was far more practical.
He started selling them a vision through the lens of economics.
Strong shinobi might not lack money, but the truth was that most ninja were only genin—just the lowest rung.
Even a Root finance officer named Kido, in Sakura Hiden, had once remembered how expensive medical care in Konoha was.
His father simply couldn't afford treatment, and so had no choice but to keep going out on missions while sick.
He had even chosen to stop taking medicine entirely just to scrape together enough money for Kido to attend the Ninja Academy.
The reason was simple: Konoha's existing system of resource distribution was not reasonable.
Medical costs, for example, were to a great extent controlled by the Nara and Akimichi clans.
Nara Shikaku frowned slightly, suddenly very curious how Kiyohara intended to reform the economy.
Among ninja, this sort of thing was truly unheard of.
Rin, sitting near Kurenai, clasped her hands against her chest.
Kiyohara-kun… is amazing.
Even Minato Namikaze, standing at the front, was clapping.
Once the applause subsided, Kiyohara returned to his seat.
Hiruzen stood.
"You've all now heard the speeches of the three candidates."
His eyes swept slowly over everyone present.
"Now, please wait a moment."
He led Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the Land of Fire officials into a room behind the conference chamber.
The door shut.
A brief silence settled over the room.
Then the murmuring began.
"Who do you think it'll be?"
"Hard to say…"
"Minato Namikaze is good, but Kiyohara is good too…"
"Orochimaru… what exactly did he mean by all that?"
"Who knows."
Akimichi Chōza leaned closer to Shikaku.
"Shikaku, what do you think?"
Shikaku shook his head.
"Just wait."
His eyes were fixed on the closed door.
"We'll know soon enough."
Time passed second by second.
The murmuring in the room gradually faded away.
Everyone was waiting.
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi came back out, followed by Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the Land of Fire officials.
There was no expression on his face, and nothing could be read from it.
Hiruzen slowly swept his gaze over everyone present.
Then he spoke.
"After deliberation, the Fourth Hokage will be… Kiyohara."
Hiruzen announced the result that had already been decided.
At once, voices began congratulating Kiyohara from every side.
Uchiha Fugaku stood and began clapping slowly.
He was witnessing history—the first Uchiha Hokage.
Danzō Shimura sat in the corner, and the moment Hiruzen declared the result, his face turned a sickly blue with rage.
No wonder the leadership had excluded him from so many matters these past few days.
They had never intended to choose Orochimaru at all!
Kiyohara accepted the congratulations flowing at him from all directions.
"Congratulations, Kiyohara-kun."
"Congratulations, Lord Kiyohara!"
"Fourth!"
The voices came from everywhere, each carrying its own shade of emotion.
Kiyohara gave a slight nod to each one and acknowledged them in turn.
Even he hadn't expected to actually become Hokage.
It could only be said that his achievements truly had been dazzling enough to overshadow even Minato Namikaze.
Kiyohara guessed that the fact he had chosen his side early had mattered too.
He had been Tsunade's disciple from the beginning, already firmly bound to the Hokage line.
At that moment, a thought flashed through his mind.
The Warring States Sealing History.
Now he finally had a proper reason to obtain it.
As Hokage, if he wanted to look through the village's stock of sealing techniques, no one would stop him.