"We should not be rushing now. Everyone is tired. Let's rest right here for three hours; then, we will return to Konoha with renewed spirits. Show them the triumph in your return!"
Minato's voice was strong and determined, and he was ready to contest for the position of Hokage. These ninjas were the foundation of his pursuit of the role.
He wasn't sure how many among them still supported others.
Even so.
He believed he could convert these people into his subordinates using his powerful personal charisma, so he cared for them as if they were his subordinates already.
Minato was aware. He was passionate and kind, like the sun, shining his light on those around him and bringing them warmth. However, he knew the world was more complex than it seemed. Becoming a Hokage was not as straightforward as just talking about it.
Previously, Minato thought the role of Hokage was passed down through generations; that by doing well, one could become the Hokage. However, as he set his goal to become a Hokage and studied the succession of past Hokages, he realized it was more complex. There were factions within the Hokages, and he needed clarification on which faction he should belong.
Because of this, he felt he needed a solid foundation. He had viewed some records of the First Hokage in the Hokage office archives, which he had access to.
About six months ago, he aspired to be the strongest Hokage, aware that the current strongest was Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage!
Minato reviewed records of Hashirama becoming the First Hokage. He understood that Hashirama and Madara founded Konoha together, which could be said to have been established by the Senju and Uchiha clans. These two clans had been at odds for many years, so selecting the First Hokage, whose clan's leader became Hokage, was crucial for their internal development.
There are no detailed records on the archive.
However, Minato discovered that Hashirama initially advocated for Madara to become the Hokage. Yet, he did not know what made Madara leave Konoha and become an enemy, even returning later to duel with Hashirama.
During that duel, Madara died, and soon after, Hashirama also passed away, marking the end of a legendary era.
These revelations made Minato keenly aware that the position of Hokage might be more complex than the records suggested. There seemed to be hidden struggles; otherwise, based on Hashirama's support, Madara should have become Hokage!
This story made Minato realize a phrase—Long nights bring many dreams.
He even put himself in Madara's shoes, thinking about their joint foundation of Konoha and how Hashirama had supported him in becoming the First Hokage. In that situation, he should have become Hokage, and he couldn't figure out why Madara ultimately gave up the position or, rather… was forsaken.
When Minato first learned of these events, he felt something amiss, but he couldn't unravel the mystery, which, perhaps, might never be resolved. However, he could take it as a lesson that the position of Hokage, unless truly attained, could collapse at any moment, like a castle in the sky.
Looking back to the Second Hokage, the position was smoothly passed to Hashirama's brother, Tobirama.
There were nearly no competitors or elections involved; before Hashirama's last days, he had already passed the role to Tobirama, who had essentially been the decision-maker in Konoha, even needing Hashirama's approval for decisions.
This added unprecedented pressure on Minato.
Before he set his own goal, he hadn't considered these issues much, simply accepting the seamless transition from Hashirama to Tobirama as natural.
However, now placing himself in that era, he realized that any ninja aspiring to be Hokage ultimately faced a hopeless end.
No matter their efforts!
No matter their contributions!
No matter how great a ninja they could be!
Konoha's Second Hokage had already been determined after Hashirama's reign!
Simply put...
All their dreams were illusory!
Their dreams couldn't be realized!
In Hokage's position, with the right connections and factions, there was a qualification to dream and significant achievements to be made.
Minato surveyed the entire Konoha. Whether it was the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans, collectively known as the "Ino-Shika-Cho," or the Hyuga and Uchiha clans competing for the top clan status, they seemed powerful. Still, they were far from the center of power in Konoha. Becoming Hokage was almost impossible for them.
Moving to the Third Hokage era.
The current Third Hokage was Tobirama's designated successor before his death, and his appointment did not require a public decision or vote or anyone else's participation. Tobirama alone had settled everything.
Of course, before Hiruzen became a Hokage, this process had some dangers, whether it was his competitors, Kagami or Danzo, who were Tobirama's disciples and equally qualified to be Hokage.
That said...
To this day, Konoha has seen three generations of Hokage, each from the direct line of the Senju clan!
Minato was curious to know if he belonged to this direct line.
If counted by teacher-student succession, then his teacher, Jiraiya, had such qualifications, and being Jiraiya's disciple, although a generation apart, should qualify him too.
However, only the Third Hokage followed the teacher-student succession path; the first two were by family lineage, making this a rare case with little reference value.
Minato knew if the Third Hokage chose to continue with family succession, the successor would be from the Sarutobi clan, which was his current worry.
As for Sakumo...
From the beginning, Minato knew he was a competitor on the path to becoming Hokage.
Yet, he did not believe Sakumo could ultimately take the position of Hokage, even without his presence...
Because he had discovered that the position of Hokage was not something that just anyone or any clan member could easily occupy!
This had to involve complex relationships, and these relationships ultimately boiled down to one thing—interests.
It had to be related to interests!
Minato's study of the Hokage succession was quite thorough. Naturally intelligent and very smart, he easily grasped the essence of things, especially since he diligently studied them.
The First Hokage would only emerge between two people, Hashirama and Madara, because these two represented the Senju and Uchiha clans, the largest forces in Konoha. Thus, the voice of Konoha had to be in the hands of these two clans, absolutely not anyone else, not just because of their formidable strength but because they represented the interests of their clans.
As for the Second Hokage, Tobirama, the Senju clan needed a new Hokage to maintain their status in Konoha, which concerned the entire Senju clan's interests. Unfortunately, the Senju clan did not have someone to continue this lineage, and after the Third Hokage's succession, they disappeared into Konoha history.
The Senju clan was gone, and their interests no longer mattered. In a critical moment, Tobirama chose Hiruzen, whom he was relatively optimistic about. This had nothing to do with the Senju clan's interests but related to Konoha's interests. However, in the face of such interests, Tobirama is still willing to believe in the people he wants to believe rather than those who are more capable.
Thus...
Minato had become acutely aware.
The Third Hokage already represented the interests of the Sarutobi clan!
As long as the Third Hokage remained, so did the interests of the Sarutobi clan, and the chosen successor would likely be from the Sarutobi clan.
This posed some restrictions on Minato becoming Hokage!
Minato deeply understood this, so his expression wasn't as relaxed as it might seem to others. He already had the qualifications to become Hokage, but that was merely superficial. If these superficial aspects were considered, Sakumo was also qualified to become Hokage because he owned a half-sleeve Hokage robe.
And from the lesson from the past!
Although Minato didn't fully trust Sakumo's words, he knew they were a lesson he could refer to, especially after listening to Sakumo narrate some stories. He faintly believed that his accumulated accomplishments would turn into a half-sleeve Hokage robe if he did nothing upon returning.
If so.
Then, he would lose the possibility of becoming Hokage.
To think that his action to win the Third Great Ninja War, if even that wasn't enough to become Hokage, he couldn't imagine what greater merits there could be! After this battle, all ninja villages would recuperate, with no major wars likely for at least ten years, only minor skirmishes. The ninja world's structure would return to a relatively stable state.
In that case...
Minato felt that if he couldn't seize this opportunity to become Hokage now, he wouldn't be able to accumulate such merits in the future.
In the end, the position of Hokage will be passed from the Third Hokage to the Fourth Hokage of the Sarutobi clan, just as it was from the First Hokage to the Second Hokage.
Minato didn't speculate about the Third Hokage with the worst intentions; his heart tended more towards respecting the Third Hokage, but that didn't mean he was naive. He was still defensive, knowing very well that if he wanted to become Hokage, now might be his only chance. If missed, he would be forever unqualified.
"Understood!"
The ninjas nodded one after another, relieved to catch their breath.
After all.
Their nerves had been tense from the start of the war until now!
Even though they knew standing behind Minato meant no further danger!
Yet, this sense of crisis lingered in their minds and wasn't easily dispelled!
At this moment, they could rest for a while, which suddenly caused them to feel an overwhelming sense of fatigue, making everyone feel sleepy.
Each person's eyelids grew heavy.
Even wanting to sleep for a while.
After all, they had heard Minato's order; they were to return to Konoha with a full spirit, presenting themselves as returning victoriously from the war.
By now.
Minato had yet to mention the matter of the Hokage's position to them.
But each one of them was clear: Minato wanted to become the Fourth Hokage, and even if it was unsaid, they felt it!