"Hokage... huh?"
Chloe scratched her head and grinned sheepishly. "That sounds really difficult…"
"The system detects that most of Konoha's ninjas are present at the moment."
"This is a great opportunity to earn reputation points."
"Would you like to attract attention and earn reputation points in the current situation?"
"Yes / No"
Chloe didn't think much and chose yes!
In the orphanage, the only ones who could be considered ninjas were the director, Nonou, and Kabuto, who knew medical ninjutsu. But Kabuto wasn't officially a ninja yet, so he only counted as half.
Even if she maxed out her favorability with them, the reputation points from just two people were limited. Currently, the only stable way to earn reputation points was daily sign-ins.
Too slow!
"Please shout out the following words in front of all the ninjas."
"..."
Looking at the system's prompt, Chloe didn't hesitate. It didn't matter what she had to shout as long as it earned her reputation points.
Fu——
Little Chloe took a deep breath, then used all her strength to shout loudly.
"I will definitely become Hokage!!"
Since the cheering had been going on for a while, it had started to quiet down. Chloe's words rang clearly in the ears of many present.
Many ninjas turned to look at the gray-green-haired kid who had shouted, then burst into laughter, thinking he was just a naive child.
However, many also praised his courage, especially Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi on the Hokage Tower. These two loved such headstrong kids who aimed straight for the title of Hokage!
Tsunade was a bit taken aback, feeling as if she saw two familiar figures behind the little kid. Hiruzen, on the other hand, stroked his beard, looking at Chloe with great satisfaction.
The Will of Fire burns ever brightly, how wonderful.
Standing in front of Fugaku, Itachi stared dumbfounded at the gray-green-haired boy about his age, who seemed unbothered by the teasing ninjas around him, wearing a serious expression.
Can... can you really do that?
Just then, Kabuto, who was a head taller than Chloe, stepped forward with eyes filled with admiration, facing the ninjas' mocking stares.
"I believe he can definitely become Hokage!"
Warm like the sun, that was Kabuto's impression of Chloe, who was a year younger than him.
Although they had only known each other for less than a month, Chloe's warmth and kindness had illuminated the entire orphanage!
He was always the first to rush forward without fear when any child needed help!
Originally, Kabuto had treated him as a little brother, as his mother Nonou had instructed, but instead, he found himself deeply impressed.
"The kid who wants to be Hokage, tell me your name!"
Tsunade furrowed her brows, staring intently at the slender figure in the crowd.
"Oh no, you should apologize quickly, kid. The Hokage-sama seems angry."
Some kind-hearted ninjas advised. But Chloe, showing no fear, looked up and responded confidently.
"Kougetsu Chloe! That's my name!"
Seeing that the boy showed no fear or hesitation under her five-second gaze, Tsunade nodded internally.
"Listen up, kid! The first step to achieving your dream is to declare it loudly, and you've done that! Next, use your life to make it come true! Don't give up!"
With those words, Tsunade turned and walked away. The ninjas, slower to react, realized this might be the new Hokage acknowledging the kid's dream!
...
After the new Hokage's inauguration ceremony ended, the ninjas quickly dispersed, each busy with their tasks. Konoha was still in a critical period.
Having a new Hokage brought stability, but Konoha's current predicament hadn't improved much.
Following behind Fugaku, Itachi continued to stare at the gray-green-haired boy, finding him incredible. Such bold words were something he couldn't imagine saying himself!
"Father, that child…"
"The Kougetsu clan…"
Fugaku stopped and looked at Chloe, who was chatting with Kabuto in the distance. He remembered hearing about the Kougetsu clan, a prominent farming family in the Land of Fire, being massacred, leaving only a little boy.
"Kougetsu clan?"
"They aren't ninjas but have always supported Konoha. They are a significant clan in the Land of Fire."
Fugaku nodded. In Konoha, there were few ninjas who hadn't eaten the Kougetsu clan's donated food.
Even the Uchiha had received their grain donations!
Knowing what his son was thinking, Fugaku spoke again. "Itachi, if you want to play with that Kougetsu kid, go ahead. But be careful, the village isn't very safe right now. Don't come back too late and worry your mother."
"It's not that I want to play with him…" Itachi's face reddened slightly, turning away to mutter softly. "It's just that…"
Itachi wasn't interested in playing with Chloe. He had a more adorable and invincible little brother at home. He was just a bit curious about the boy!
"Come back early."
Fugaku, a wise father, ruffled Itachi's hair and walked away.
After a moment's hesitation, Itachi turned and followed Kabuto and Chloe.
...
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade, the new Hokage, looked at the tall stacks of documents on the desk with regret, finally understanding that being Hokage wasn't an easy job.
"Tsunade, before handling those, approve this first."
Sitting in the Hokage's chair, Tsunade saw her teacher handing her the "Root Gardener Application Form" and twitched an eyebrow.
Her teacher was the real troublemaker, applying for a position as a gardener in Root.
What was he planning? Spreading the Will of Fire among Danzo's loyal Root ninjas? Did he believe Danzo wouldn't go crazy?
After a moment's thought, Tsunade stamped it with the Hokage's seal.
"Danzo must be very lonely. As his old friend, since you've retired as Hokage, you should keep him company."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a smile but had decided to tell the young Root ninjas stories about the First and Second Hokage, instilling the Will of Fire in them daily.
Though he had purged some, many Root ninjas remained, having spent years underground without any education on the Will of Fire.
His old bones still had this one use. Besides him, who else in Konoha could teach the Will of Fire so well?
Danzo, don't be afraid, I'm coming!
Seeing her teacher happily counting the candies in his pocket, Tsunade mentally noted that he was indeed a troublemaker. Danzo would be driven mad by him every day.
...
Freed from house arrest, Danzo cursed his old comrade's ruthless behavior.
Years of effort destroyed, his Root weakened, and he was forced to agree to various humiliating conditions.
If he didn't agree, Hiruzen would drag him down too!
Old scoundrel! Old bastard! Old Hiruzen! Damn!
Grumbling internally, Danzo arrived at Root, only to see Hiruzen happily handing out candies to young Root ninjas.
"How old are you? Is training tough? Got a girlfriend? Want to hear a story? Let me tell you about the First and Second Hokage…"
Danzo felt a rush of frustration. Hiruzen was here to spread the Will of Fire among his meticulously trained emotionless Root ninjas!
You've gone too far, Hiruzen!
...
Looking at the "Root Gardener Application Form" stamped with approval, Danzo felt utterly defeated. Hiruzen had left him no way out!
No wonder he had insisted on having a Hokage-appointed position in Root to let it continue to exist. One person was enough!
Thinking he could assign a trivial job, Danzo had reluctantly agreed, only to see Hiruzen's true intentions. What a crafty move!
"Hiruzen! You've crossed the line!"
Hiruzen responded, feigning innocence. "Don't say that, Danzo. I'm retired, my kids have grown up, and I have no one to talk to. You must feel the same. I can't do heavy work, but I can tend to flowers. This way, we can chat often. Isn't it great?"
Great, my foot!
Danzo felt stifled. You're here to water flowers? You're clearly here to indoctrinate my Root ninjas with your so-called Will of Fire!
This is unfair, Hiruzen!
"By the way, someone left this at the gate for me. It's similar to the last assassination request, but the amount has increased to 100,100 ryo, and 'Right eye suspected to be a Sharingan' changed to 'Corn suspected on right foot.' Be careful, Danzo. We're getting old…"
Looking at the commission letter similar to the last one, but with minor changes, Danzo was furious.
Who was sabotaging him? Claiming he had a corn on his foot and only increasing the bounty by 100 ryo? Was he that cheap?
Knock knock!
Crumpling the commission letter in anger, Danzo opened the door.
"Danzo-sama, Orochimaru asked me to inform you that our cooperation is over…"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Seeing Tenzo kneeling at the door, Danzo quickly signaled him to be quiet, glancing at Hiruzen.
Wait, what? Orochimaru said what? Cooperation over? What does that mean?
In an instant, Danzo thought of a terrifying possibility!
Someone sent his prized pupil to infiltrate Root, pretending to turn a blind eye, then, at the right moment, had the pupil help take him down!
Well played! Very well played!
He didn't see this coming. A masterful plan!
Was Orochimaru also planted by you? Your man from the start? Gaining my trust, creating a rift between us, all part of your scheme?
All this time, you both played me?
What defection? It's fake, isn't it?
You even leaked that I had a Sharingan in my right eye, didn't you?
Well done! Impressive! I'm convinced!
"Your name is Tenzo, right? Just returned from a mission? You've worked hard."
Feigning ignorance, Hiruzen approached, kindly asking Tenzo about his well-being.
"Sandaime-sama…" Tenzo nodded.
"Alright, go train now."
"Wait, Danzo. This child just returned from a mission and needs rest. He's not a puppet."
Hearing this, Tenzo blinked in confusion. What did he mean by puppet? What's the difference from normal people? What am I really…
"This is my Root!"
Danzo slammed his cane on the ground in anger, internally confirming that his old comrade had set him up from the start!
"I never said it wasn't. I just think this child needs rest. Here, have some candy and listen to grandpa's stories later, okay?"
As Tsunade guessed, Danzo was on the verge of collapse in just a short while!