"Chizan, are you serious?"
"Maybe we should still—"
Standing beside him, Minato glanced at his friend, but the latter simply shook his head.
"Don't worry. I'll take this mission."
"If that damn Salamander keeps running his mouth every day, I'll make sure he shuts up before I return."
Leaving behind those bold words, Gekko Chizan leaned back in his chair again and said nothing more.
His sudden request for battle left everyone stirred—not because of the words themselves, but because of who he was.
He was known as the Twin Star of Konoha, the Ghost of Konoha. He had the ability to back up his claim.
"Alright, that settles the matter of Amegakure."
"Chizan, come see me after the meeting."
Once that was dealt with, Sarutobi Hiruzen began speaking about the second issue.
"In this war, though our village lost many comrades, new talents have begun to rise."
"And as for me—my years have caught up with me. I intend to choose a successor… the Fourth Hokage."
The room fell into an uproar. Even Danzō was taken aback.
No one had expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to make such an announcement at this moment.
"Hokage-sama, this…"
Nara Shikaku was just about to speak when Sarutobi raised his hand to stop him.
"This is my decision. I am no longer young, and the village needs a more capable leader."
"The village needs new blood. The new Hokage will lead us further into the future."
As his voice fell, several Anbu appeared instantly in the conference room, placing a blackboard behind Sarutobi.
"Now, everyone may put forward your candidates. I hope you all consider carefully."
"Of course, once the list is complete, it will be sent to the Daimyō's office for confirmation. The Fourth Hokage will be chosen then."
The choice of Hokage was usually decided by the current Hokage.
Just as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had been directly appointed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama—without even needing the Daimyō's approval.
That had been during a time when the Senju clan still dominated Konoha. But as the years passed, the Senju clan dwindled, and other great clans gradually became the village's main pillars.
With the Fire Daimyō's increasing involvement, now a new Hokage couldn't be chosen without the Daimyō's approval.
When Sarutobi finished speaking, the room fell silent. Everyone was still processing what they'd just heard.
Only Danzō's eyes gleamed with ambition. He saw this as his opportunity.
Sarutobi stepping down, and him stepping up—what better chance could there be?
"In that case, I'll gladly take on the responsibility."
"Hmph, Hiruzen, you think you've grown old—but I don't feel old at all. The village can go further under my leadership."
It was the first time Danzō had spoken during the meeting—and it was to nominate himself as Hokage.
"Danzō as Hokage, huh…"
"That might not be such a bad idea. Hiruzen, perhaps we should take a more aggressive stance."
"I support Danzō."
Koharu clearly hadn't been pleased with Hiruzen's reluctance to go on the offensive in the war, and now she immediately took Danzō's side.
"Pfft…"
Suddenly, a small laugh broke the tension, drawing everyone's attention toward its source.
The one who had laughed was Gekko Chizan.
He looked a bit awkward now—because he hadn't meant to laugh aloud.
He just couldn't help himself.
"Gekko Chizan, what are you laughing at?"
"Hm?"
Danzō glared at the young man in front of him—though, no, he wasn't a kid anymore.
"I said I couldn't hold it in. Do you believe me?"
Chizan stifled his laughter, though his face clearly showed he was still trying not to grin.
"Hmph! What do you mean by that?"
"Or are you saying you have something against me becoming Hokage?"
Danzō's tone grew darker, the irritation evident in every word.
"Well, how should I put this…"
"Danzō-sama, if I'm not mistaken, you're about the same age as Hokage-sama, aren't you?"
"Hokage-sama is stepping down because he's getting old—yet you still want to take the position?Are you planning to work yourself to death?"
"You truly embody the spirit of the working man—working till the bitter end, even in the afterlife!"
Chizan showed not the slightest concern for provoking Danzō. He wanted to provoke him.
If not for Danzō, would Orochimaru have left the village so soon?
Would Chizan himself have been targeted for months?
All because of this bastard who had betrayed Orochimaru.
"Since we're nominating candidates, I have someone to recommend."
"Namikaze Minato."
Minato's eyes widened, his expression one of shock as he turned toward his friend. He had never expected Chizan to just… nominate him outright.
"Namikaze Minato—the Yellow Flash of Konoha. Young, intelligent, powerful, blond, and married."
"If such a talent doesn't become Hokage, it's a waste."
"If not him, what about Uchiha Fugaku? He's older, sure, but also capable, sharp-minded, dark-haired, and married—oh, and he's a father now too."
When Gekko Chizan spoke, he spoke boldly—nominating not one but two people at once.
And before anyone could refute him, the two names he had chosen were… the Yellow Flash, a living nightmare on the battlefield, and the current head of the Uchiha clan.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his disciple and smiled faintly. He truly did like this young man, Gekko Chizan.
He understood Chizan's intentions perfectly. He didn't want Danzō to take the seat either—and truth be told, Hiruzen's own preferred successor was Namikaze Minato.
After all, Minato was his disciple. He knew him better than anyone.
Danzō, on the other hand, looked as if he'd swallowed coal. His face was pitch-black with fury.
But before he could speak, Chizan spoke again.
"If that doesn't work, I think Shikaku would make a fine choice too. Anyone here think they're smarter than Shikaku?"
"Hm?"
"I'll just recommend these three. That's it."
He sat back down, grinning as he stared at Danzō.
The two locked eyes, neither willing to back down.
"Chizan, stop fooling around. I'm not becoming Hokage. If we're talking about recommendations, it should be Tsunade-sama or Jiraiya-sama. Everyone knows their strength and character."
Shikaku quickly waved his hands, trying to refuse the nomination—and in doing so, he brought up two more possible candidates.
Two of the Three Legendary Sannin. That was a sound choice—after all, Orochimaru had once been considered the best candidate for Hokage himself.
"Good. That makes six candidates now. Does anyone else have any recommendations?"
"If not, we'll send the list to the Daimyō's office and let him make the final decision."
Silence filled the room. No one else spoke.
At last, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly stood, walked to the blackboard behind him, and looked over the six names written there.
Then he turned and said:
"Alright. In that case, these six will be our provisional candidates."