In the world of the shinobi, within the village of Konohagakure, five years have passed...
Sarutobi Hiruzen who happens to be sixty-nine years old this year, still holds the title of Hokage. Part of the reason is that Konohagakure is in a transitional phase, with few young successors ready to take on such a heavy responsibility.
Of course, another reason might be that after serving as Hokage for so long, Sarutobi Hiruzen is somewhat reluctant to step down from his position.
Over the years, Sarutobi has had to admit that the actions of the Whitebeard Pirates have indeed promoted peace in the shinobi world, bringing five years of tranquility and harmony—something unthinkable in the past.
Even during the era of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who suppressed the entire shinobi world, there were still frequent frictions between villages.
Back then, while large-scale wars were avoided, small-scale conflicts were incessant.
But ever since the Whitebeard Pirates suppressed the entire shinobi world, even those small-scale frictions have ceased.
The approach of the Whitebeard Pirates... differs from that of the First Hokage-sama, who was known for his gentleness.
Despite having the power to suppress the shinobi world, he could kneel before other shinobi villages, a level of magnanimity that's hard to imagine.
But the Whitebeard Pirates are a group of pirates; how could they resurect the First Hokage?
Any village daring to break the peace treaty signed back then would only invite a devastating retaliation from the Whitebeard Pirates!
Under such circumstances, every village is on edge.
Even if there are conflicts with other villages, they choose peaceful resolutions.
"A distorted peace..."
After criticizing it, Sarutobi Hiruzen had to admit... this somewhat distorted peace has indeed given the entire shinobi world a much-needed respite.
Many villages that suffered heavy losses in the last great shinobi war, or those that were "visited" by the Whitebeard Pirates, have recuperated and regained much of their vitality over these five years.
Konohagakure is no exception; it's now a picture of peace and prosperity.
Without war, the funds provided by the Daimyo can be used more for the welfare of the people.
But thinking of Konohagakure's current talent drain gives Sarutobi Hiruzen a headache...
Nearly half of Konohagakure's talents have been poached by the Whitebeard Pirates.
Very few have been left behind.
Among those who remained, although there are a few outstanding ones...
To have them succeed as Hokage...
That's still not quite right! "Cough cough..." Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed a few times, standing by the window looking at the village outside, he sighed with a bit of pretense: "Alas, it seems I must continue to shoulder this burden and lead Konohagakure forward."
"Third Hokage, there's no need to tire yourself like this, at your age, why are you still sitting in this position?" A sudden voice made Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils constrict.
The door to the Hokage's office was pushed open from the outside.
The visitor entered without knocking, showing a lack of respect for Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned and turned around, he was momentarily stunned: "You are..."
The name Minato... almost slipped from Sarutobi Hiruzen's lips.
"Wait, are you Naruto?" He recognized the twelve-year-old Naruto. "You... You're only about twelve or thirteen this year, right? How come you look almost sixteen..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed that Naruto had grown taller than him.
Facing the old man who hadn't made his childhood very pleasant, Naruto didn't show any warmth.
He simply replied calmly, "Pops' world is a good place for nurturing talent. I just ate a bit more than my peers and trained in Taijutsu a bit harder, and somehow I ended up this tall."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.
Thankfully, Naruto quickly added, "Hokage! I've said more than once that I will become the Hokage of Konohagakure, and not just any Hokage—I'll be the best there ever was."
"Third Hokage, you've been in office for so long, isn't it time to retire?"
Naruto spoke deliberately, "I want to be the Hokage!"
His expression was dead serious, no hint of jest.
This declaration froze Sarutobi Hiruzen's face.
Who would have thought that someone would dare to ask him, the Third Hokage, to step down so bluntly? Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was off, his wrinkled face forced a strained smile, "Naruto, being Hokage isn't as simple as you think, it's not a child's play of ninjas."
"Strength, experience, age, wisdom, and contributions to the village... all of these are essential..."
Naruto found him tiresome and cut him off before he could finish, "Just tell me if you're stepping down or not!"
The commotion in the Hokage's office wasn't loud, but since the door was open, it caught the attention of many.
Some Konohagakure ninjas came over out of curiosity.
To their shock, they found that the two Anbu guards at the door had been knocked out at some point.
Before they could grasp what had happened, the voice of the Third Hokage came from the office.
"Naruto, the village is not a toy."
Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to control his emotions, speaking earnestly, "You're too young, any wrong decision you make could affect the tens of thousands of villagers..."
Yet again, he was interrupted by Naruto before he could finish, "It seems you're unwilling, but that's expected."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was nearly fuming.
Had Naruto been with Whitebeard so long that he'd forgotten how to write the word 'manners'?
How was he speaking to his elder?
With such an attitude and tone?
Seeing Naruto's relentless approach, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a bit helpless.
Mainly because of the Whitebeard Pirates backing Naruto, which he greatly feared.
And he couldn't be sure whether Naruto's behavior was influenced by Whitebeard. Sarutobi Hiruzen changed his tune, "It seems you really do want to be Hokage..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen feigned relief, "Minato had a good child."
"Alright then!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen squinted his eyes, like a thousand-year-old fox tricking a lamb fresh to the world: "If you want me to step down, then beat me!"
"Naruto, the prerequisite to becoming Hokage is having enough strength, and this is especially important. You must at least be able to defeat me to take over the position of Hokage..."
As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils shrank.
He broke out in a cold sweat.
Because he saw Naruto had quickly formed a Rasengan.
Without any warning, he attacked him.
It was as if he had been waiting for those words!...
...
(End of Chapter)