A woman who is qualified to become Hokage.
This woman even personally elevated someone close to her, like a half-student, to the position of Hokage.
Would such a woman lose her clarity and recklessly blame someone?
The answer, of course, is no.
Torifu Akimichi snorted coldly and said, "So, from the moment Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage, he was no longer trustworthy. It's not entirely his fault—being Hokage means certain things change—but that doesn't mean I have to accept it."
Becoming Hokage certainly changes you.
But!
Betraying your own people is something Torifu cannot accept.
He understood some of Sarutobi Hiruzen's reasoning.
Konoha didn't need many people from Uzushiogakure.
They only needed one Jinchūriki.
The others were unnecessary and would draw attention from other villages.
So, it was better to steal Uzushiogakure's sealing techniques in secret and just bring back a Jinchūriki.
Leave the rest of the Uzumaki clan behind to distract the other villages.
Uzushiogakure's sealing techniques were renowned across the entire ninja world.
This time, the villages that destroyed Uzushiogakure mostly did so to obtain those sealing techniques.
Konoha had a natural advantage.
Konoha had been allies with Uzushiogakure for years and knew some of its secrets.
Using that knowledge, they could sneak into Uzushiogakure and steal the scrolls.
This seemed like the most logical explanation.
From Sarutobi Hiruzen's perspective, it was the most sensible plan.
The way Sarutobi Hiruzen led a group of ninjas to "rescue" Uzushiogakure, only to return with scrolls and a Jinchūriki, was too rough.
But from Mito Uzumaki's perspective, things were different.
She treated him sincerely, trained him like a disciple for years, and this was how he repaid her?
From today, you are not allowed to step foot in my home.
"So what do we do now?" Nara Shikaku asked helplessly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't just sit outside the door forever.
He's the Hokage!
"How would I know what to do?"
Torifu Akimichi snapped angrily, "Sarutobi Hiruzen just wants to drag me into this, to make me a tool for him. Do you think I'd let him get his way?"
Nara Shikaku furrowed his brow.
Among the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, Torifu Akimichi was undoubtedly the strongest.
His power and influence were unparalleled in all of Konoha. He was the pillar of stability for the Ino-Shika-Chō trio.
But!
He was getting old.
As a man in his sixties, even with the Akimichi clan's secret techniques, his strength as a ninja was starting to decline.
In Shikaku's mind, they could make him Hokage to stabilize Konoha, and after a few years, Kakashi would mature enough to take over as Hokage.
That would be perfect!
Sarutobi Hiruzen would step down and become an advisor.
Torifu would become the Fifth Hokage.
In three to five years, Torifu would retire, and Kakashi would succeed him as the Sixth Hokage.
Shikaku would then continue serving as head of the jonin commanders, advising each generation.
How great would that be?
But!
According to Torifu, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of relinquishing power. For Torifu to take the mantle, it would be a fight to the death.
He might even end up like Danzo, taking the fall for Sarutobi.
This was something Nara Shikaku absolutely could not accept.
Such actions were nothing short of oppressive.
The Ino-Shika-Chō only had one powerhouse like Torifu, and you want to take advantage of him?
Shikaku looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing outside the door, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Recently, he had clashed with Sarutobi several times and no longer held the same respect for the Hokage.
"Figure something out!" Torifu grumbled. "Even if he's a Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen is still the Hokage, even with his disgrace. If he keeps sitting at my doorstep, what does that look like? People in the village will start talking, and that's not good for the Ino-Shika-Chō."
"What can we do?" Shikaku shook his head slowly. "Sarutobi Hiruzen has already bet everything. He doesn't care anymore. As long as he can achieve his goal."
When a man throws away his dignity, he becomes invincible.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had reached that point.
Once he stopped caring about his reputation, no one could do anything about it.
And honestly, Konoha's situation was already so bad—how much worse could it get?
Torifu Akimichi was speechless.
"Well, maybe..." Shikaku whispered something into his ear.
"Will that work?" Torifu looked at him skeptically.
"Do you have a better idea?"
Shikaku spread his hands.
"I've got nothing. Let's try it. If it doesn't work, we'll just fight!"
Torifu glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, a mischievous smile forming on his face.
Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for the coming battle.
"Eeek!"
The door creaked open.
Sarutobi Hiruzen perked up, seeing the massive figure emerge. He excitedly asked, "Torifu, have you agreed?"
"Sigh!"
Torifu sighed and said, "Hiruzen, you could easily continue being Hokage. Why are you in such a hurry to step down?"
Hiruzen was stunned, blinking in confusion.
What does he mean?
What does he mean by saying I shouldn't step down yet?
Whether I retire or not is none of his business—I wanted him to help me, not become Hokage...
Wait!
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly froze.
Could it be that Torifu wants to be Hokage?
How could that be possible?
Sarutobi's lips trembled.
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Why couldn't Torifu Akimichi become Hokage?
This guy was a disciple of the Second Hokage.
His strength had long been at Hokage level.
And beyond that...
He came from the Ino-Shika-Chō, which meant he naturally had a large following of ninjas behind him.
With the Ino-Shika-Chō and his close relationship with Nara Shikaku, he had a strong support network.
Could he actually become Hokage?
It was very possible!
He had the strength!
He had the influence!
He had the prestige!
What's left?
The only thing left is whether Sarutobi Hiruzen agrees or not.
Sarutobi, having publicly announced his intention to retire multiple times, was now without an ideal successor.
And now Torifu Akimichi had stepped forward, seemingly solving all of Sarutobi's problems.
You've been saying how tough it's been, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and how there's no suitable replacement.
Well, here's one now—so will you step down?
If not...
Do you dare refuse?
Sarutobi's face turned bright red.
He had been cornered!
He'd been outmaneuvered by Torifu Akimichi of all people.
Damn it!
Especially after spending so much time outside the Akimichi Clan's gates, many people probably already believed he was here asking Torifu to become Hokage.
If he left now...
And if Torifu spread the word, then...
It wouldn't just be a matter of losing face.
He might very well become the first Hokage to be overthrown!
Publicly!
Executed!
Realizing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a chill down his spine.
"Torifu, you..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at Sarutobi Hiruzen. "You, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, even you would plot against me like this?"
However, Torifu Akimichi appeared calm.
"You planned against me, and I turned it around. Isn't that normal? You're not superior to others. If you can plot against me, why can't I retaliate?"
"Hiruzen, what's wrong?" Torifu Akimichi asked 'concernedly.' "I know you've been staying here for too long. Sigh, go back. I promised you, I'll go to the Hokage office tomorrow. Is that fine?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
Tomorrow?
So eager to take the position?
But I'm not ready yet.
If you take the position, what about me?
What about the Sarutobi clan?
What about Danzo?
Danzo's already upset. If I hand over the position to you, wouldn't he point his finger at me and curse all my ancestors?
"Hiruzen, go home. Tomorrow, bright and early, I'll head to the Hokage office!" Torifu Akimichi said calmly. "Of course, if something unexpected happens, fine, I'll stay retired. I originally planned to retire until I died of old age. It doesn't matter to me!"
After speaking, Torifu Akimichi turned and returned to his home.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood frozen in place for a long time before he finally rose. It felt like his body had lost its weight, and he floated back to the Hokage office.
At this moment, the Hokage office building was a temporary structure.
The last one had been destroyed by Itsuki.
Looking at the temporary building, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
His time as Hokage had truly been a failure.
During his term, the Nine-Tails was lost.
A third of the village had been destroyed.
More than one-fifth of the ninja had died.
The civilian casualties were not small either.
Without a doubt, he was Konoha's sinner.
But!
This sinner didn't want to relinquish his power.
Power was too tempting, and too important.
Now, losing that power, he didn't know what the result would be.
At least give him some time to prepare.
But Torifu Akimichi wouldn't!
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow, he would take over the Hokage office. If you don't agree, everything will fall apart.
Unconsciously, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at Danzo's office.
The darkness of the ninja world was indeed here.
Ever since being scolded by the Second Hokage, Danzo had spent most of his time silently working in his office.
This was also a form of defiance, though many viewed it as a childish tantrum.
"What are you doing here?" Danzo asked, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi with confusion.
"I..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth. What could he say?
Could he tell Danzo, "You're not going to be Hokage again. That fat Torifu Akimichi will be!"
Wouldn't that be too cruel to Danzo?
At the very least...
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't bring himself to say it.
Danzo had been eagerly waiting for half a lifetime, almost becoming Hokage several times, yet never really getting there.
Who would be okay with that?
"I... I have something to discuss with you..." Hiruzen Sarutobi stammered.
"Discuss?" Danzo suddenly perked up. "The Hokage, right? Hiruzen, you're going to let me become Hokage, right?"
Not long ago, Tobirama Senju had appeared, and Danzo hadn't dared to ask.
He figured he didn't have a chance.
Now that Tobirama had been sealed again, didn't that mean his opportunity had arrived?
His biggest obstacle was gone!
As long as the monkey supported him...
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth again. Looking at the eager Danzo, he hesitated for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and saying, "It is about the Hokage position, but..."
"But what?" Danzo said, excitedly stepping in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi weakly replied, "But it won't be the Fifth Hokage!"
"Huh?"
Danzo's brows furrowed tightly.
In other words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's successor wasn't him?
Danzo immediately felt a surge of anger inside.
However...
Considering that Hiruzen had just mentioned making him Hokage, he managed to hold back some of his rage despite his frustration.
"Then which Hokage?" Danzo asked angrily, his face darkening. "I'm not getting any younger. Do you think I can keep waiting? The Sixth Hokage? Let me tell you, the Fifth Hokage can only be a temporary position. Two years, tops!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment, then whispered so softly it was barely audible, "How about the Seventh?"
Danzo: "..."
"Are you messing with me?!"
A loud roar echoed through the office building.
"Calm down!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said miserably. "Danzo, I don't have a choice either. Torifu Akimichi, that old fat guy, I need his strength. He insisted on the Hokage position, so the Fifth Hokage has to be him."
Danzo's eyes looked like they were about to shoot flames as he glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, not saying a word.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued in a low voice, "Torifu Akimichi will only serve for three to five years at most, but by then, Kakashi should have grown enough to become Hokage. Given his age..."
Danzo nearly blacked out.
Kakashi was only in his twenties. He could easily serve as Hokage for at least fifteen years, maybe thirty.
That added up to thirty or forty years.
Danzo was only a little younger than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Thirty or forty years? By then, his ashes would be scattered! And yet they would still recognize him as the Seventh Hokage?
Screw that.
And by then, would Hiruzen Sarutobi even be in charge?
What a joke!
Danzo pointed at the door and, with a smile, said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Get out!"
"Wait!" Hiruzen Sarutobi pleaded, "Danzo, just curse me out or hit me if you need to..."
"Wait!" Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly saw Danzo pull out a kunai, his mouth channeling wind chakra.
The blade gleamed coldly as Danzo stared at him.
...You're actually going to hit me?
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and ran.
Danzo dropped his fake smile, his face dark and gloomy.
This was too much!
You won't give me the Hokage position? Fine!
I'll take it myself!
I refuse to believe that this position, which fools and even the dead have held, can't be taken by me, Danzo of the one-eyed!
At that moment, a member of the Root division appeared in Danzo's office, receiving orders and then leaving.
"Sigh, difficult," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed heavily as he returned to his office.
He had already made up his mind. Torifu Akimichi, if you've got the skill, then come and take it!
The position of Hokage is right here.
Let's see if you can claim it.
And!
We'll settle this battle later!
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew very well that once Torifu Akimichi became Hokage, Konoha's political landscape would change dramatically.
As the Hokage who had served the longest in Konoha's history, a confrontation with Torifu Akimichi was almost inevitable.
Now, it was just a matter of whether the west wind would overpower the east wind.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the Hokage office chair, closed his eyes, and quietly waited.
(End of chapter)