Reborn in Konoha as the Anbu Torturer Chapter 498 Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato!
Hatake Sakumo's words made Minato stunned. He stared at Hatake Sakumo with confusion, not knowing why he said such words.
In his knowledge.
Obviously, Hatake Sakumo himself had a high chance of becoming the Fourth Hokage, but now he said he would help him become the Fourth Hokage.
These words filled his mind with confusion.
It was to the point that he was extremely puzzled about many things. It was as if he did not know why Hatake Sakumo had come to say such things to him.
"Sakumo-sama, what do you mean by this?"
Minato did not feel happy because of Hatake Sakumo's words. Instead, he felt that things were abnormal. It was very different from what he had expected, so much so that the moment he heard it, he instinctively felt that Hatake Sakumo was testing him.
After all.
The Third Ninja World War was not over yet.
Minato did not know why Hatake Sakumo would ask such a question at this time.
Right now, he hadn't thought about these questions. His attention was focused on how to win the battle against Kumogakure.
In his opinion...
Konohagakure's crisis had not yet been completely over.
"Hahahaha, I don't mean anything else. I just watched you show your strength and talent. These are all things I can't offer to Konohagakure. I feel from the bottom of my heart that you are the best Fourth Hokage candidate!" Hatake Sakumo said with a smile.
"Sakumo-sama, in my heart, you are the best candidate!" Minato said very modestly. He was like this. If the other side was very tough, then no matter what he did, he would not feel so much pressure. But when the other side was obviously more modest, he would be even more modest.
"You..."
Hatake Sakumo looked at Minato and immediately saw that what this young man said was all superficial words, not true thoughts, or the most real thoughts in his heart.
"I admit it!"
Hatake Sakumo's expression became even more serious. He raised his left hand and patted Minato's shoulder. His eyes looked forward meaningfully, and he looked very deep.
"Actually..."
"Before I met you again, I always thought that I was the best candidate for the Hokage position."
"I'm also wearing a half-sleeve Hokage robe!"
"But..."
"After seeing you, I understand that you are the more suitable choice than me!"
"No matter if it is your talent, your ability, or your talent in planning the battle, you are above me in every aspect!"
''The most important thing is...''
"After the Third Ninja World War, your popularity is at its peak, and your prestige in people's hearts has become unstoppable. You are like...
"The me after the Second Ninja World War!"
Hatake Sakumo said from the bottom of his heart. When he saw Minato, he felt very emotional. He saw many shadows of himself from Minato. Although these scenes were not exactly the same, they gave off a familiar feeling.
At that time, during the Second Ninja World War, he had played a pivotal role in the war. Not only did he destroy Sunagakure's puppet master couple, but he also fought with Kirigakure's ninjas one after another, forcibly creating a reputation like Konoha White Fang.
This kind of reputation was still very useful to him even now!
But...
Here comes the problem!
After the Second Ninja World War, Hatake Sakumo's popularity directly reached its peak. He thought that he would become the Fourth Hokage at that time, but what awaited him was only the half-sleeve Hokage robe.
Gradually.
As time passed.
His voice was no longer as loud as before.
The lives of the people in the village slowly stabilized, and people gradually stopped talking about such things. The Hokage matter was thus delayed.
At that time, Hatake Sakumo did not understand these things.
Later, he slowly understood.
This was because Hiruzen did not want him to become the Hokage, so he used the half-sleeve Hokage robe to recognize his ability and contribution, and also as a reward for his performance in the Second Ninja World War.
As a result.
After obtaining the half-sleeve Hokage robe, he had no way to ask for other rewards. After all, no one would be so shameless to push for more.
Konohagakure's people also accepted such a thing.
Moreover, they took delight in talking about it.
To be able to obtain the half-sleeve Hokage robe was also an affirmation of Hatake Sakumo, but this mere half-sleeve Hokage robe was enough to send Hatake Sakumo away.
"I just don't want you to make the same mistakes I did!"
Hatake Sakumo was moved. He deeply felt that if he did not come forward to help Minato, then after returning to Konohagakure, Minato would have a very high probability of obtaining a half-sleeve Hokage robe.
You have to know...
The Third Ninja World War was already a very big event.
If the achievements achieved in this kind of thing are limited and cannot be promoted to Hokage, then you may not be able to become Hokage no matter what you do.
This half-sleeve Hokage robe...
It was like a measuring stick for an achievement!
It made the outstanding ninja's achievements in the village extremely firm!
If even something like winning a Ninja World War you only get a half-sleeved Hokage robe, then what other events can be enough to get Hokage position?
Hatake Sakumo could not imagine!
He originally thought that if he could participate in the Third Ninja World War and make a name for himself, he would be able to smoothly become the Hokage. However, at this moment, he realized that his era was already over. This era was no longer the time when his name was comparable to the Konoha Sannin after the Second Ninja World War. Instead, he could not even be compared to the student of one of the Konoha Sannin.
"Make the same mistake?"
Minato frowned slightly. He vaguely felt that there was something wrong with Hatake Sakumo's words, but he was not completely sure of his guess. He just silently raised a question mark in his head.
Then.
He thought of the conversation he had with Aoba on the top of the Hokage Rock.
He felt more and more that the sky above Konohagakure was covered with a layer of dark clouds.
"That's right."
Hatake Sakumo nodded and raised his hand to pull his half-sleeve Hokage robe. A helpless smile appeared on his face as he said, "It's this thing."
"What do you mean?"
Minato was stunned. He vaguely felt that he understood something, but he did not understand it very much. All along, in his eyes, the half-sleeve Hokage robe was a great honor. It could be said the symbol for being a Hokage candidate. Was there anything wrong with this?
Hatake Sakumo saw that Minato was puzzled.
The bitterness on his face became even stronger.
Yes!
Once upon a time, he also thought this way, but now he understood the reasoning behind it.
"Our Sandaime-sama is an old fox who disguises himself very well. Most people in the village cannot see his true face at all!"
Hatake Sakumo sighed with emotion. When he spoke, he deliberately lowered his voice very low. After all, this was already badmouthing their Hokage. He absolutely could not speak too loudly. Otherwise, he might be heard by others.
"If my guess is correct..."
"Sandaime-sama never intended to withdraw from the Hokage position!"
"So anyone who wants to become the Hokage..."
"They will all become enemies in his eyes!"
"Including me..."
"And you too!"
Hatake Sakumo directly pointed out this topic and his words made Minato a little dumbfounded.
"And then?"
Minato was not in a hurry to express his point of view. He was very clear about the importance of being cautious in his words and actions. Now, he would listen more and judge based on what he heard.
Moreover, he was not sure whether what Hatake Sakumo said was true or not, let alone whether this would be the Third Hokage's test.
In short.
He could not reveal his position first.
Minato was very cautious about this. Unless it was a particularly good friend, like Aoba, he would try his best to keep listening.
...
On the other side.
Konohagakure.
In the Hokage's office.
Two people directly entered the Hokage's office and came in front of Hiruzen. One of them had no expression on his face. It was Danzo, who had been controlled by the black stick. The other was the shadow clone of Aoba, who was wearing a mask.
"Danzo, what happened?"
Hiruzen sat on the chair and looked up at Danzo. After that, he frowned slightly and his gaze stopped on Danzo.
The person in front of him was indeed Danzo.
His aura was correct.
His chakra was also correct.
But...
Hiruzen just felt that this Danzo seemed to be a little different.
Even he could not tell what was different, but this was like an old couple who had been together for many years. His wife was secretly taken away from him. Even if they were sleeping in the same bed, he could vaguely feel it but could not tell what it was.
The current Danzo gave Hiruzen this kind of feeling. He did not know what was wrong, but there was just a little something wrong.
"Have you received the information in front?" Danzo asked in a deep voice.
"Are you talking about the information about Minato?" Hiruzen had doubts in his heart, but he did not show it. Instead, he picked up a scroll from the table and said, "Minato really came back at the right time. He directly solved the big problem of the village!"
"What do you think we should do?" Danzo continued to ask.
"What else can we do? Minato helped me a lot. Not only did he beat back Iwagakure's ninja, but he also made Hatake Sakumo unable to accumulate merit. He is simply sent by the heavens to help me!" Hiruzen said with a smile.
"What if Minato wants to be the Hokage?" Danzo continued his question.
"Hokage?"
After Hiruzen heard this, he was stunned for a moment. After that, he smiled again and said, "Impossible. He is too young. If he wants to be the Hokage, he should wait a few more years. The people in the village will not agree."
"But..."
After saying this, the smile on Hiruzen's face disappeared again. He narrowed his eyes slightly and put on a cold attitude.
"Your words have reminded me!"
"Minato's actions have not been completely spread out yet."
"Once people find out..."
"His fame may not be weaker than that of Hatake Sakumo after the Second Ninja World War!"
"So..."
"I should make the first move!"
After being reminded by Danzo at this time, Hiruzen gradually realized the seriousness of the matter. Danzo was like his mirror. He had no way to make decisions about many things, but after Danzo said it, he could make a decision on the spot.
"What are you going to do?" Danzo continued to ask.
"This is much simpler!"
Hiruzen got up from his chair, took out his smoking pipe, and lit it with a match. After that, he took a drag and suddenly felt refreshed.
"Reward Minato with a half-sleeve Hokage robe!"