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The Hokage's office fell into a silence as deep as death.
After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face was etched with a profound sense of loss.
But who among the gathered Jonin hadn't weathered countless battles? Each one was hardened by bloodshed and carried an innate cold-bloodedness. Such a performance couldn't move anyone present.
Hiruzen took another drag of his pipe, bitterness lingering in his throat.
"Shikaku, what you said is correct. I am old, and it truly isn't appropriate for me to remain in this position any longer.
Let's convene the Jonin council—it's time to select the Fifth Hokage."
Seeing Hiruzen concede, those present all breathed sighs of relief, secretly pleased that Hiruzen had so easily stepped down from the coveted position of Hokage.
But Kakashi didn't see it that way. His gaze deepened as he glanced at Hiruzen.
The information Ye Wen had given Kakashi was all-encompassing. Beyond the dirt on Hiruzen, there was also an analysis of the man himself.
In a world where lineage mattered above all else, Hiruzen Sarutobi—a mere ninjutsu specialist—had managed to hold the highest seat of power for years. This alone spoke volumes about his cunning.
Moreover, after the Fourth Hokage's death, instead of electing a successor, Hiruzen had reclaimed the position. This revealed his deep attachment to it. Kakashi didn't believe Hiruzen would give up so easily.
"Retreating to advance, huh?"
Kakashi silently analyzed the situation. But now, having awakened, he was no longer the same person as before.
At this moment, Kakashi firmly believed that in the face of absolute strength, Hiruzen's little schemes were laughable.
The Jonin council wasn't a gathering of all Konoha's jonin.
Only those holding key positions or elite jonin within Konoha were truly qualified to participate.
They were the true pillars supporting the towering tree that was Konoha.
Now, Nara Shikaku, the leader of the jonin squad, stood at the podium.
"Cough, cough. Today's Jonin council will be presided over by me. The agenda is to select the next Fifth Hokage."
Shikaku scanned the gathered Jonin. Seeing no objections, he continued.
"Let us begin by nominating candidates for the next Fifth Hokage."
As slips of paper piled up on the podium, Shikaku began his work.
But in truth, most of those present already knew who the next Hokage would likely be.
Still, as Shikaku sifted through the slips representing powerful ninja, his eyes held a deeper meaning.
Finally, Shikaku wrote the names of the nominees for the next Fifth Hokage on the blackboard behind him:
Tsunade
Jiraiya
Hatake Kakashi
Sarutobi Asuma
Uchiha Fugaku
Hyūga Hiashi
Nara Shikaku
When writing his own name, Shikaku's eye twitched slightly.
But with his intelligence, he naturally realized someone was causing trouble.
After all, though Sarutobi Asuma was considered an elite Jonin, everyone knew how much of his recent work guarding the daimyo was just "playing house."
Yet someone like him had still been nominated, clearly indicating someone was stirring the waters.
However, in the face of the overwhelming tide, Shikaku wasn't worried about Kakashi's eventual victory. After all, Kakashi had already secured the support of Konoha's major clans.
"Now, let's begin the voting process."
The next phase proceeded smoothly, the atmosphere quiet, with no one making a sound.
With fewer than a hundred participants in this Jonin council, the results came quickly.
Compared to the other candidates, who garnered at most ten votes each, Kakashi's staggering 77 votes clearly demonstrated the widespread support for him to become the Fifth Hokage.
"I hereby announce—"
"Wait."
Just as Shikaku was about to declare Kakashi the next Fifth Hokage, a voice interrupted him.
All eyes turned toward the source of the voice.
It was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the man who preached endlessly about the Will of Fire.
Shikaku, ever calm and composed, really didn't want to get entangled in troublesome matters. If conflict arose, injuries or deaths could harm everyone involved.
Suppressing his irritation, Shikaku asked, "Third Hokage, do you have any objections?"
Hiruzen, no longer holding his pipe, stood solemnly in his ceremonial robes, gazing sternly at the gathered crowd.
"I fully support Kakashi becoming the Fifth Hokage if he has the backing of the majority—it aligns perfectly with the Will of Fire.
However, he is currently entangled in an unknown conspiracy. For the sake of the village, we should postpone his succession."
Shikaku frowned upon hearing this. With his intellect, it wasn't hard to connect this to Kakashi's mysterious new abilities.
But his logic was clear: with power capable of overturning all of Konoha, what need was there for conspiracies?
Thus, Shikaku responded indifferently, "Third Hokage, please clarify exactly what issue you have with Kakashi. Otherwise, the jonin present won't accept your reasoning."
At this moment, Hiruzen felt a wave of tension. He hadn't expected Shikaku, who usually obeyed him without question, to be so resolute.
But whether for himself or others, Hiruzen was certain that Kakashi wouldn't become the Fifth Hokage today.
Without further ado, Hiruzen pulled out a scroll and placed it on the table, unfurling it.
This scroll contained yesterday's ANBU report on Kakashi's mission.
"Kakashi, answer me. Who is this mysterious enemy? What did they do to you? Why did you kneel before them?
If you can't explain yourself clearly, you cannot become the Fifth Hokage. Konoha has never had a Hokage who bowed to the enemy. I cannot allow you to lead the village into an unknown danger."
Hiruzen's words were righteous and impassioned, stirring excitement among the uninformed civilian jonin present. After all, they had grown up under Hiruzen's indoctrination.
Meanwhile, the heads of the various ninja clans remained silent. They wanted to see not only Kakashi's strength but also his political acumen.
Kakashi glanced emotionlessly at the scroll on the table.
It was detailed, sure—but ultimately meaningless.
Yesterday, Kakashi hadn't just visited the clans to secure their support; he'd also taken care of a few other things.
Reaching into his pocket, Kakashi pulled out a storage scroll and placed it on the table, unfurling it.
With a series of hand seals, the storage scroll's seal was released, revealing six massive scrolls on the tabletop.
Seeing Kakashi's calm demeanor, the gathered jonin couldn't help but grow curious about the contents of these six enormous scrolls. What could they possibly contain that gave Kakashi such confidence?
But when Hiruzen saw the scrolls, his expression changed drastically.
"Kakashi, how on earth did you get your hands on these scrolls?!"
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