Master, Please Become a Hokage

Thanks to Ryō Sarutobi's Magnet Release, empowered by his plundered Earth Release, he could fight for three days and three nights, slaughtering countless enemy ninja.

When it came to mowing down enemies, even Kage-level powerhouses had their own tricks.

However, in battles between powerhouses...

...talent was the ultimate deciding factor.

Sakumo Hatake severed A's arm with a single strike.

Minato Namikaze, on the other hand, couldn't manage that even after multiple encounters.

He was still young.

This was both an advantage and a disadvantage.

The age gap meant he lost to Sakumo Hatake despite his potential.

There was no shame in that.

After all, Minato Namikaze's ideal stage for competition was for the title of Fifth Hokage.

So Ryō Sarutobi believed.

Chapter 110: Can Naruto Still Be Born?

"Lord Fourth, congratulations..."

Inoichi Yamanaka was also happy for Sakumo Hatake.

Now things were stable, and there was no need to worry about being plotted against by Konoha's higher-ups.

After all, no matter how difficult Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were, they couldn't possibly plot against the Hokage.

Their upbringing had instilled in them a certain set of values that prevented it.

Sakumo Hatake, as the Hokage, held a unique position, making him Konoha's representative.

At the highest position, he would carry out his duties and command the people.

Even the elders would have to discuss matters with him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, still in his prime, had a look of gratification in his eyes.

In a few more years, his strength would begin to decline.

Passing on the Hokage's seat at this critical juncture was naturally the best choice.

"From now on, I entrust the village to you... Fourth Hokage..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi solemnly handed over the reins to Sakumo Hatake.

Of course, the official Hokage inauguration still required a series of preparations.

It would take at least a few days, or even a week.

Only then would the official handover begin.

"Lord Hokage... You're still in your prime, and the village will still need your help in many areas in the future..."

Sakumo Hatake nodded solemnly, hoping that Hiruzen Sarutobi would continue to help watch over the village.

Wanting to enjoy a peaceful retirement depended on the timing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally understood that the current situation in the ninja world required everyone to work together.

Perhaps... the coming years would not be idle.

"Father, congratulations."

Kakashi was the last to come and congratulate his old father.

Sakumo Hatake felt that...

...his disciple was better suited to teaching Kakashi than he, his own father, was.

"No problem..." Ryō Sarutobi nodded.

The eye transplant for Kakashi was also being prepared by Rin Nohara.

Many of the deceased had donated their unused eyeballs, which could be transplanted into Kakashi to restore sight to his blind and injured eye.

The mastery of Lightning Release Chakra Mode also benefited Kakashi.

He began to practice the secret techniques of the Raikage clan.

With the optimization of reflexes provided by the Lightning Release Armor, Kakashi could do the same things as A.

As long as he entered this mode, all his attributes would increase dramatically.

Of course, the hardships involved would not be few.

The most important thing was the tempering of his taijutsu.

This wasn't a big problem.

Ryō Sarutobi specifically arranged for Guy to train with Kakashi.

Faced with Guy's youthful and passionate encouragement, Kakashi would definitely train for at least ten hours a day, right?

Well, he wouldn't dare not to.

Everything was arranged properly.

The Hokage election ceremony officially ended.

......

Afternoon... dusk.

Minato Namikaze sat alone in an izakaya, drinking in silence.

The bitter liquid burned his throat, causing him to cough.

He didn't know how his teacher Jiraiya and the others could drink such a spicy thing.

Whether or not he would compete for the Fifth Hokage was no longer the main point.

The main point was... Naruto's timely birth.

In this world...

Lady Mito was still alive.

Kushina was not as empty, lonely, and cold as she was in his first-life memories.

With someone caring for her, facing a stern but caring elder... she naturally had someone to rely on every day.

Therefore...

...he had to strengthen his offensive in his interactions with Kushina.

He drank a cup of sake.

Minato Namikaze suddenly had an inspiration.

He was thinking...

...whether he should do "that" kind of thing with Kushina in advance, to force the issue.

As long as he did "that" thing...

...Naruto could be born prematurely.

The already established situation would also lead the higher-ups to decide to betroth Kushina to him... no, to allow him to be adopted into her clan.

After all, the Uzumaki clan was famous.

Even though their country was destroyed...

...the Uzumaki mark was engraved on the clothes of every Konoha ninja.

This was the symbol of their great reputation.

"Heh heh, Minato... you're actually here drinking alone in silence..."

At this time, the curtain was lifted, and Orochimaru walked in.

Unlike the Orochimaru in Minato Namikaze's memories, who should have already started to become crazed...

...the Orochimaru in this timeline had a calm expression, seemingly unaffected by his failure to win the Hokage election.

Was it because... he was completely convinced by Lord Sakumo?

Minato Namikaze thought to himself, feeling even more uncomfortable.

It wasn't until this moment that Minato Namikaze learned that...

...Jiraiya-sensei and Tsunade-sama had dragged Lord Sakumo to the izakaya for a celebratory dinner.

Orochimaru had just happened to pass by and came to take a look.

"Heh heh... Minato, actually, I think you don't need to be so depressed just because you lost the election. It seems like there's something else bothering you..."

Orochimaru keenly saw that Minato Namikaze had extra worries in his heart.

"Lord Sakumo is already the Fourth Hokage. What you can do is to seek the position of Fifth Hokage... However, young master Ryō also has a great competitive advantage..."

Orochimaru euphemistically said... that it was not certain who the Fifth Hokage would be, and constantly watched Minato Namikaze's expression.

Minato Namikaze only felt an indescribable absurdity at this moment.

Orochimaru-sensei... actually came to comfort him...

This was completely unimaginable.

According to this situation, how much more unpredictable would the future become?

Minato Namikaze... didn't know.

He just kept recalling the knowledge that the future version of himself had transmitted back.

Among them... some taboos.

Could it be that he had to embark on the path represented by that knowledge?

Minato Namikaze couldn't help but feel anxious.

Especially when he thought of Kushina... and the child who should have been born, Naruto Uzumaki.

"Heh heh..."

Orochimaru observed this excellent junior, watching him worry.

Then he got up, feeling that he should leave this matter to Jiraiya to handle.

It seemed that no matter how excellent a person was, they could not escape the thinking destiny of ordinary people.

Eternal life...

Orochimaru, who failed to compete for Hokage, decided to completely focus his attention on the research of eternal life.

Only by obtaining infinite life would everything begin.

......

Evening.

Minato Namikaze went to Kushina's residence.

Small bridges and flowing water, a scene of a paradise.

"Lady Mito..."

Minato Namikaze greeted Mito Uzumaki.

The beautiful Mito Uzumaki in front of him was dressed in white, and had already heard about the Hokage election.

"Mm..."