Kuugetsu and Minato looked at the rewards handed to them by the Third Hokage, their eyes flashing with joy.
These were precisely the things they had most wanted, the rewards they had longed for. Almost at the same time, both of them instinctively turned their gaze toward their teacher, Hoshiyomi.
Seeing their teacher smile and nod at them, the two finally dared to bow respectfully to Hiruzen and accept their rewards.
Kuugetsu remained relatively composed, but Minato—although normally more mature than Kuugetsu—could not quite hide his excitement. He managed to keep basic decorum on the surface, but his eyes kept darting again and again toward the scroll and notebook, only regretting that he didn't have the Byakugan to immediately peer through their contents.
After waiting for so many years, he could finally experience the joy of space-time ninjutsu.
Seeing Minato's rare impatience, Hoshiyomi chuckled and exchanged a glance with Hiruzen. Then he said directly:
"Alright, go home and take your time digesting your rewards. Kuugetsu, your father is probably waiting anxiously outside. As for you, Minato—don't just bury yourself in ninjutsu. Make sure you first go visit Kushina at the Uzumaki compound, otherwise you'll be in for it."
At that, Shinku, Jiraiya, and the others burst into laughter, leaving Minato red–faced. Jiraiya laughed loudest of all, elbowing Hoshiyomi as he teased:
"So, your disciple really does take after you—just like you were as a kid. Even his way of picking up girls is exactly the sa—"
BAM!
The rest never made it out, as Tsunade's punch left Jiraiya gasping on the ground, clutching his shoulder in pain.
Hoshiyomi looked at Jiraiya with a slightly complicated expression. If Jiraiya knew that Minato was originally meant to be his student, what sort of face would he make?
Once Minato and Jiu Yue had left, only the six of them remained in the office with Hiruzen.
The atmosphere grew far more relaxed. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were Hiruzen's personal students, while Hoshiyomi and his companions had all grown up under his watchful eye. With no outsiders present, there was no need for formality.
The Hokage's office quickly filled with warmth and laughter—especially when Hiruzen realized that, among the six, four had already reached the Kage level. His face shone with pride and relief.
(Strictly speaking, Jiraiya hadn't yet mastered Sage Mode—he only reached true Kage–level after the Second Ninja War.)
From the very start, these six had been the children most cherished by Mito and himself, carefully nurtured as future successors. And now, they had not disappointed him in the least.
Out of the six, four were already at the Kage level, and another—delayed by nearly three years in the Land of Rain—would surely catch up soon.
For a single generation to produce five Kage-level shinobi—such a feat was truly unprecedented, never to be matched again.
Just as Hiruzen had once said, with results like these, he could face his teacher Tobirama in the afterlife and say with confidence that he had not betrayed his trust.
But as that thought crossed his mind, Hiruzen's expression grew heavy. For a fleeting moment, his mind turned to someone else. He could not hold back a long, weary sigh.
As Hokage, he could claim a passing grade because of his students' accomplishments. But as a comrade, he knew he had failed.
Orochimaru and the others had already heard on the way about Danzō's rebellion and how Hoshiyomi had killed him. They didn't ask why Hiruzen sighed.
Though their hearts itched to say "well done" to Hoshiyomi, at that moment they all tacitly kept silent.
After a moment lost in grief, Hiruzen shook himself back to the present, realizing everyone was still watching. He quickly forced a smile and said:
"Ha… look at me. This is what happens when you get old—you start drifting off into your own thoughts, leaving everyone else waiting."
Although Hiruzen tried to make his tone sound humorous, the atmosphere never quite returned to what it had been.
Seeing that no one was in the mood for small talk anymore, Hiruzen simply stopped wasting time and spoke directly:
"You children have always been the ones I trusted and valued the most. I've raised you as my successors from the very start. And now, I've sat in this seat for nearly twenty years.
To be frank, I neither possessed the overwhelming might of the First Hokage to bring peace to the world, nor the decisive ruthlessness of my teacher, the Second Hokage, in handling affairs of state. And yet here I am, shamelessly having occupied this position longer than either of them. Truly, my heart is heavy with guilt."
Even though everyone already knew what Hiruzen was leading up to, they still tried to offer a few kind words, giving him at least a little dignity in this moment.
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "You don't need to tread so carefully. As for Danzō—yes, I failed him as a friend, but the truth is his crimes were unforgivable. I can see that clearly now; I don't need your consolation.
These past days I've thought a great deal, and I've come to understand one thing: Danzō's downfall was inseparably linked to the Second Hokage's final decision. Back then, in that situation, Sensei chose me. But putting myself in Danzō's place… if Sensei had chosen him instead, perhaps I too would have harbored the same resentments he carried.
That kind of approach, I now believe, was wrong. Which is why I've decided—the matter of the Fourth Hokage's position will not be mine to dictate. It will be up to you.
If you believe you are fit to serve as the Fourth Hokage, then step forward yourself. If two or more of you do, then I will put the decision to the public. This way, everything is open, fair, and honest. With such transparency, perhaps the same mistakes that tore Danzō and me apart will never be repeated."
Hoshiyomi and the others were moved. Hoshiyomi looked seriously at the Third Hokage and suddenly realized he might have underestimated this old man. Perhaps Hiruzen lacked Tobirama's sharp decisiveness and far-reaching schemes, but he was by no means a fool. In fact, in certain matters of reflection and foresight, Hiruzen might even surpass Tobirama.
Shocked by the Third's decision, everyone now turned inward, focusing on themselves. Do I truly have the qualifications to become Hokage?
All except Hoshiyomi wrestled with the question. In their minds, a figure who had always stood at their forefront since childhood appeared.
Instinctively, all five looked toward Hoshiyomi—only to see him quietly take a step back, gazing softly, encouragingly at Tsunade.
Three others noticed Hoshiyomi's gesture, and they too stepped back with knowing smiles. Tsunade blinked in confusion at first, her eyes flickering with hesitation and uncertainty. But under Hoshiyomi's steady gaze, those emotions faded away, leaving only unshakable resolve.
With Hoshiyomi's encouragement, Tsunade stepped forward and said firmly:
"Old man, I want to become the Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen's face remained expressionless as his eyes swept across the others—Hoshiyomi, Sakumo, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Shinku. At last he asked:
"You truly have no regrets?"
Hoshiyomi shook his head with conviction, and the others followed suit.
Seeing this, Hiruzen finally allowed himself a smile.
"I had worried that the tragedy between Danzō and me might repeat itself among you. But now I can be sure—I was overthinking it."
With that, Hiruzen slowly rose to his feet.
"Konoha's future… from here on, I entrust it to you."