Master, Please Become a Hokage

#42 - Section 42

“Ah Hui, Ruri, let’s go…”

Sarutobi Ryo ignored Kushina and walked straight towards the entrance of the Hokage Building.

“Sarutobi Ryo~! I want to fight you one-on-one~ ~!” Kushina shouted from behind, and Minato Namikaze tried his best to dissuade her, which finally stopped a disturbance.

...

When Sarutobi Ryo entered the Hokage's office, several high-level officials were already waiting.

Having heard of Sarutobi Ryo's ANBU resume, they naturally wanted to inquire about it.

“Sarutobi Ryo……”

Sarutobi Hiruzen just opened his mouth.

Homura Mitokado on the side suddenly started to interrupt: “Minato, you’re here.”

Minato Namikaze entered the office right after.

“Minato’s recent performance has been very impressive…” Koharu Utatane turned her head and looked at Homura Mitokado.

“Yes.”

Homura Mitokado nodded.

“While leading the team, other tasks are completed perfectly… Oh… There is even an S-rank mission among them.”

“……”

Seeing the two people's harmonious remarks, a strange light flashed in Sarutobi Ryo's eyes.

What is this?

Paving the way for Minato Namikaze in advance?

Recalling Ryuma Aburame's personal experience and Nonou's sudden departure without saying goodbye.

Combined with the current scene.

Probably, the conspiracy against Sakumo Hatake has begun.

In order to pave the way for Minato Namikaze, the higher-ups began a series of actions.

This included plotting against Sakumo Hatake and advertising in front of others, starting to promote Minato Namikaze.

Is this your Will of Fire?

How can the Will of Fire be done well with this group of worms?

Sarutobi Ryo let whatever the Konoha high-level officials said go in one ear and out the other.

After they finished praising Minato Namikaze and talking a lot of nonsense, the two advisors looked at Sarutobi Ryo.

“Sarutobi Ryo, what do you think?”

“Huh?”

Sarutobi Ryo turned his head.

“What did the two high-level officials just say? I didn’t hear clearly.”

Koharu Utatane: “……”

Homura Mitokado: “……”

“Sarutobi Ryo, how is your injury?” Biwako, who was sitting on the side, kept her eyes on her son.

Having reviewed Nonou’s mission report, she was very concerned about Raiga Kurosuki's dying counterattack using the Lightning Blade.

“Mother, I’m almost recovered now, and I should be completely fine in a few days.”

Sarutobi Ryo nodded, looking radiant.

Soon, the door of the Hokage’s office closed. The shadows in the room became long.

“Sarutobi Ryo, we all know about your mission experience, and there is a point of doubt…”

Danzō, sitting in the shadows, slowly opened his mouth.

“How did you bribe Ringo Yurui?”

At this time, the people being questioned were Sarutobi Ryo, Yamanaka Hui, and Hyuga Ruri.

The three had acted together before, so Hyuga Ruri was also in the ranks of being questioned.

In Nonou's report, there was no process of how Sarutobi Ryo bribed Ringo Yurui, which was a limitation of Nonou's perspective.

The specific answer must naturally be asked by the Konoha high-level officials themselves.

“Your report said earlier… the Guardian Shinobi Twelve betrayed the enemy, so your plan was to lure out the contact person… that is, Ringo Yurui…” Koharu Utatane took over the conversation with a solemn expression. “But why did you suddenly change your mind later?”

“The Lightning Blade Fang was not on Ringo Yurui's back at the time, and according to Kirigakure's common sense, the knife is with the person… I guessed that Kirigakure wanted to use that transaction to get rid of Ringo Yurui… plus her complexion was abnormal, like a patient with a serious illness…”

Sarutobi Ryo began to explain, his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and he quickly explained the whole story.

“Killing Ringo Yurui is just a normal replacement for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. But saving Ringo Yurui and letting her live can cause great trouble and trouble for Kirigakure… Besides…”

Sarutobi Ryo's expression changed, and his eyes were like knives.

“I have removed the parasites [Guardian Shinobi] for the Land of Fire, and also killed the next heir designated by the Kirigakure high-level officials… Raiga Kurosuki, isn’t that enough?”

Now Sarutobi Ryo has brilliant achievements.

As soon as he became a Jonin and joined the ANBU, he made a series of precise kills.

He solved the Guardian Shinobi Twelve and killed the newly promoted Seven Ninja Swordsmen...

In any case, it fully demonstrates his strong personal strength and talent.

Now that he can kill Raiga Kurosuki, he can kill other people later.

Logically and emotionally, he is a ninja worthy of key training.

“Sarutobi Ryo has outstanding personal strength and excellent leadership skills. All my subordinates praise him… With Sarutobi Ryo’s talent, he is fully capable of serving as the 「ANBU Squad Leader」… How about giving him a promotion directly?”

Danzō, who spoke before Koharu Utatane, directly praised Sarutobi Ryo.

Obviously, Danzō and Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado have differences in the recommendation of the next Hokage.

Danzō doesn't think the Fourth Hokage should be Minato Namikaze.

He… has other ideas.

“That’s not good… Danzō.” Homura Mitokado frowned immediately upon hearing this.

Just joining the ANBU and being promoted directly to squad leader?

There has never been such a thing.

“Are you senile? What will others say about Sarutobi Ryo if this gets out?”

Koharu Utatane immediately retorted.

“Others will say… Sarutobi Ryo was promoted so quickly because of his father!”

“It doesn’t matter. Sarutobi Ryo’s talent has exceeded everyone’s expectations. He should be in a suitable position, and the words of doubt will disappear as his talent is confirmed…”

Danzō shook his head, his tone calm.

“Also… Koharu, I am the 「ANBU Commander」.”

Danzō said that he has the final say in ANBU.

“With my many years of experience in leading the ANBU, Sarutobi Ryo’s talent is equivalent to burying his talent in the position of ordinary ANBU personnel… Rules are dead, people are alive. Making the best use of people is what a qualified leader should do…”

Danzō, who was impervious to persuasion, did not listen to Homura Mitokado and Koharu’s opposition at all.

“Hahaha…”

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s hearty laughter sounded.

He felt very happy about Danzō’s high evaluation of his son.

“Danzō, I am really happy that you can say that, but you should also take into account Koharu and Homura’s thoughts…”

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that the promotion was indeed a bit too hasty.

“Then wait a few days.”

Danzō nodded.

“In 「one week」, Sarutobi Ryo will be promoted to ANBU Squad Leader, how about that?”

Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado: “……”

Isn’t that the same as being promoted now?

According to tradition, it will take at least half a year, or even more than a year!

“Biwako, what do you think?” Danzō looked at Sarutobi Ryo’s mother, intending to win over assistance from here.

Biwako is the first generation of ANBU ninja. She has the oldest qualifications in ANBU, and she has more say.

“Um…”

Biwako frowned slightly, as if thinking.

“In ANBU history, there has never been such a fast promotion, but… indeed no one can do Sarutobi Ryo’s level…”

I dare not say that there will be no one in the future.

But it is definitely unprecedented.

Since the establishment of the village, I have never heard of anyone who has continuously killed two long-established strong men as soon as they joined the ANBU.

So...

“Danzō, I agree with your suggestion.” Biwako nodded slightly, and finally said her opinion cautiously.

“Then that’s it…”

Danzō’s mouth curled up, revealing a森 cold smile.

“Sarutobi Ryo, go to the 「ANBU Base」 when you have time, maybe there is something you are interested in…”

After saying that, Danzō got up and left the Hokage’s office.

The goal has been achieved, and there is naturally no need to stay here.

Koharu, Homura, you two want to support Minato Namikaze.

But I… bet on both sides.

Orochimaru and Sarutobi Ryo’s intervention will muddy the situation.

I won’t let you two have your way completely… Hmph!

Chapter 48. The Conspiracy of the High-Level Officials