Inside the large conference hall of the Hokage Building—
This was a conference room specifically used for holding jonin meetings.
There weren't many unnecessary decorations inside.
Aside from a high platform engraved with the character "Fire," below it was a broad open space capable of accommodating several hundred people.
And right now, the conference room was already packed with jonin who had come to attend the meeting.
All the jonin currently still in the village were present.
If someone were to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb at the Hokage Building at a time like this...
Of course, it still wouldn't matter, because Aoba would take action.
"A jonin meeting? It really has been a long time," Might Guy's thick-browed, big-eyed face was full of confusion.
It wasn't just him. Aside from those already in the know, quite a few of the jonin who had been summoned were wearing the same expression.
The last time a jonin meeting was held, they only remembered it being when Tsunade had just taken office as Hokage.
After all, gathering this many jonin was no easy task. Jonin were already the village's high-end combat power, and they were usually very busy.
Even though this was a rare rest period during the year, everyone still had their own things to deal with.
'Could it be that today is also about changing Hokage?'
Of course, in many people's eyes, that seemed rather unlikely.
Quite a few jonin didn't even consider that possibility, especially with Hiruzen as a precedent.
And Tsunade's ageless appearance caused many people to overlook her actual age, believing it wouldn't be a problem for her to serve another decade or more.
"..."
Hearing Might Guy's question, Asuma, as one of the informed individuals, could only sigh helplessly in his heart.
The contents discussed at that clan leaders' meeting that day were limited to the heads of the major ninja clans and had not been leaked.
After all, it concerned the election of the village's Hokage.
Aside from subtly hinting to the jonin within their own families, it generally wasn't something spoken about openly.
When he informed the other jonin of the Sarutobi clan about this matter, it had also caused quite a stir.
Many people hoped he would fight for it a bit more, since he was the biological son of the former Hokage.
But he had voluntarily given it up.
Even if he truly had that opportunity, his intentions were never there.
"Still, it really makes you curious," Might Guy muttered again, though he actually didn't care that much about the matter.
His gaze was fixed on Kakashi as he clenched his fists.
"Kakashi, after the meeting, how about a New Year's first youthful showdown with me?"
"I heard Naruto say last night that Sasuke's been challenging him all the time these past few days. The youngsters are so full of youth, we can't fall behind!"
The reason Sasuke kept challenging Naruto was actually to see whether it could stimulate his emotions and awaken his eyes.
But aside from improving his stress tolerance, it didn't seem to have any other effect.
"...", However, Kakashi's exposed eye instantly turned into a dead-fish stare. He really didn't want to spar with Guy anymore.
These past two days, Sasuke hadn't been pestering him to take missions, so he'd finally had some free time.
And yet Guy had been challenging him nonstop. It felt like his vacation had been for nothing.
Besides, on New Year's Day, he still had to go buy the New Year limited edition of Icha Icha Paradise.
Thinking of this, he glanced at Asuma, who was standing there with a complicated, silent expression, and changed the topic.
"I've got other things to do. Asuma, want to go to the bookstore with me later?"
Asuma froze slightly at the question. Already distracted to begin with, he thought for a moment and then nodded, "Sure."
He actually agreed with Kakashi's statement now. Ninjas didn't necessarily need women. Being single wasn't bad either.
Their brief exchange caused Might Guy's eyes to widen, his blood boiling again.
"Asuma, could it be that today you're the one having a youthful showdown with Kakashi?"
Asuma sighed helplessly, "Kakashi and I are going to buy books."
"Buy books with Kakashi?", Ebisu, wearing his sunglasses nearby, immediately caught onto the key point and looked at Asuma in disbelief.
"Asuma, you're not going to buy the same kind of book as Kakashi, are you?"
"Uh…"
Asuma looked awkward. Even though he agreed with Kakashi in principle, he still couldn't do what Kakashi did and read those books openly in public.
Even at home, he could only hide and read them in secret, afraid that kid Konohamaru might discover them. If that happened, his dignity as an uncle would be completely gone.
Seeing his expression, Ebisu's eyes behind the sunglasses immediately lit up with a look of finally finding a comrade.
He couldn't help sighing inwardly.
'As expected of the Third Hokage's son.'
As a seasoned degenerate, and also Konohamaru's teacher, he knew all too well how powerful the Third Hokage's crystal ball had been.
That was the ability he desired the most.
"..."
Asuma suddenly felt speechless. The complicated feelings in his heart were instantly swept away, and he silently retreated to a corner, wanting to hide himself.
Kakashi also realized that he might have accidentally exposed Asuma. Seeing Asuma like this, he gave an awkward chuckle and also turned his gaze toward the platform.
As for today's jonin meeting, he already had some vague guesses.
As Konoha's current number one elite jonin, combined with his extensive connections, he had heard some rumors.
But since those who clearly knew weren't saying anything, he didn't bother bringing it up either.
The jonin below were all chatting at once, discussing the purpose of today's meeting.
Soon, Tsunade strode in with Aoba and stepped onto the high platform at the front.
That immediately drew everyone's attention.
Tsunade swept her gaze across the room, confirming that basically everyone was present.
The few who hadn't come due to urgent matters wouldn't affect the result anyway.
"There's only one reason I called everyone here today."
After confirming this, Tsunade didn't bother with suspense and said directly in a serious tone.
"That is the vote regarding the Sixth Hokage."
BOOM!
The conference room instantly became lively.
Clearly, no one had expected the meeting to be about this. But after seeing Aoba standing right behind Tsunade, many people had already guessed who it would be.
Just as they had thought.
"Before today, I've already discussed this with the heads of the various ninja clans. We unanimously believe that Aoba is the most suitable person to serve as the Sixth Hokage," Tsunade spoke without any nonsense.
The murmuring in the conference room suddenly stopped, followed by a collective sharp intake of breath.
It made the temperature in the entire room rise by several degrees.
"It's Aoba? That really is youthful. But with Aoba being so young, will he be recognized?", Guy's eyes widened.
Kakashi thought for a moment and said, "In terms of strength and capability, he's more than enough."
What a joke. He already found it a bit strenuous to face Naruto and Sasuke individually. He didn't even dare imagine Aoba's strength.
As for qualifications, there was the public display during the Chunin Exams, where Aoba single-handedly and effortlessly subdued the Two-Tails and One-Tails who had tried to cause trouble in Konoha.
Combined with the title of the second "God of Shinobi," most people should be in favor.
It was just that some jonin didn't know Tsunade was actually a slacker, and that many decisions were in fact made by Aoba, with Tsunade merely stamping approval.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be this much discussion.
But soon, the noise was suppressed.
Tsunade ignored the commotion and said directly, "We'll begin the vote now. We'll keep it simple. Those in favor, raise your hand."
After a brief silence, Uchiha Mikoto was the first to raise her hand.
After her, Hyuga Hiashi, Nara Shikaku, and the other clan heads followed one after another.
With the leaders of the various clans in the front taking the lead, it quickly turned into a sea of raised hands.
Seeing this scene, Tsunade's lips curved upward slightly as she nodded in satisfaction.
Because at a glance, every jonin below had raised their right hand.
After all, in a situation like this, the new Hokage might not know who raised their hand, but who didn't raise one was obvious at a glance.
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