Orochimaru proposed to Danzo that research on Hashirama Cells be resumed, but surprisingly, Danzo rejected the suggestion.
This greatly shocked Orochimaru.
After the Third Hokage had halted the Hashirama Cell transplantation experiments, Orochimaru continued his secret collaboration with Danzo, conducting the experiments in secrecy.
Danzo provided test subjects for Orochimaru, eventually bringing in sixty infants from nearby villages of Konoha.
Orochimaru extracted genetic material from the corpse of the First Hokage and injected it into the bodies of the sixty infants for human experimentation. However, severe rejection reactions occurred, and they died one after another.
Originally, Orochimaru wanted to continue experimenting, but Danzo ordered him to stop.
Because the infant disappearances in surrounding villages had already raised Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicions.
What Orochimaru didn't know was that among those sixty human test subjects, one had survived. Danzo secretly brought this survivor into the Root Division and trained him to become a ninja known by the codename Kinoto.
This ninja, known as Kinoto, would later become Yamato.
Danzo refused Orochimaru's plan to restart the experiments because he already had a successful test subject.
At this current time, since Orochimaru had not yet become the Hokage, restarting the research and causing more unexplained disappearances in the area would bring unwanted attention, which could lead to problems.
After all, within days, Hiruzen Sarutobi would no longer be the Hokage.
The reason Danzo was able to operate freely within Konoha was because of Hiruzen's tolerance.
But the newly instated Fourth Hokage would not tolerate him.
...
Three days later.
Many people had gathered around the bulletin board at the Hokage Tower in Konoha.
Chinya and Kushina Uzumaki made their way to the scene.
"Chinya, it's so lively over there—looks like the bulletin board! Could it be big news? Let's check it out!" Kushina said excitedly.
Chinya nodded and replied, "Okay, let's see."
Chinya already had a pretty good idea what the announcement might be.
Since Chinya was legendary, people parted as he approached.
It wasn't respect—it was fear.
Chinya and Kushina reached the bulletin board and read the notice displayed there.
[Official Notice: As of today, the current Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has resigned from his post and will be succeeded by Minato Namikaze.]
Kushina blurted out at once, "What?! Why did the Third suddenly resign, and why did he allow that effeminate guy to become the new Hokage?"
Chinya mused inwardly, Just as I suspected.
Chinya took Kushina back home.
Her eyes sparkled with burning curiosity. "Chinya, you must know something behind the scenes! Quickly tell me everything!"
Chinya answered calmly, "Actually, it's quite simple. Firstly, the Third is already very old and no longer suitable to serve as Hokage. Secondly, he decided not to demand significant war reparations—or essentially none at all—from several villages such as Sunagakure, who have previously invaded the Land of Fire. Therefore, to give an account to everyone in Konoha, he chose to step down."
Kushina Uzumaki pouted, "But why Minato Namikaze? Everyone was saying Orochimaru-sama would be the next Hokage. I thought so too."
Chinya repeated to Kushina Uzumaki the analysis he had conducted inside Orochimaru's base.
Kushina listened, feeling dizzy, "Why is it so complicated?"
Chinya summarized directly for her, "Simply put, Minato Namikaze belongs to the Third's faction. After becoming Hokage, he will continue governing Konoha based on the Third's policies. That's why he was chosen. Understand now?"
Kushina suddenly understood, "Oh! Now I get it."
But just as quickly, she looked unhappy again, "Still… I think you, Chinya, would make a better Fourth Hokage!"
Chinya tapped her forehead lightly and chuckled, "You know I could never become Hokage. In fact, I'm not even on the selection list. To them, I'm just a useful tool, not someone who wields tools."
Chinya lowered his voice, "Besides… our time in Konoha has already entered countdown mode. We'll leave here sooner or later. Konoha isn't our home."
Kushina happily wrapped her arm around Chinya's, smiling, "Wherever you go, I'll follow. Wherever you are is my home."
...
The Hokage succession ceremony was held in a rush. The announcement of Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage appeared on the bulletin board in the morning, and the official ceremony took place in the afternoon.
As one of Konoha's key assets, Chinya received an invitation to attend Minato Namikaze's inauguration.
Chinya asked, "Kushina, do you feel like going to take a look?"
Kushina shook her head, "Not really. I'd rather stay home and think about what we're having for dinner. Oh, and invite Kakashi over. I wonder what's wrong with him lately—he doesn't seem to want to come over for meals anymore."
Chinya nodded, "Alright, I'll bring Kakashi back after the ceremony."
Chinya left home and headed toward the Hokage Tower.
The streets outside the Hokage Tower were already packed with people, all gathered to witness Minato Namikaze's inauguration.
Chinya reached the rooftop of the Hokage Tower.
In attendance besides Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Jiraiya were several elite Jonin—core members of Konoha's leadership.
Names like Ino–Shika–Cho, Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and others.
Danzo definitely wouldn't show up—he was probably brooding inside the Root Division right now.
Orochimaru wasn't here either—these ceremonies obviously didn't interest him.
Chinya didn't recognize anyone present, so he stood quietly in the farthest corner, watching silently as Minato Namikaze assumed office.
The ceremony had already begun.
Hiruzen Sarutobi removed the Hokage hat from his head, stepped forward, and handed it to Minato Namikaze.
Minato accepted the hat with both hands and placed it on his head.
Hiruzen looked at Minato with satisfaction, saying, "I entrust it to you, Fourth!"
Minato solemnly swore, "I pledge my life for this village!"
Minato Namikaze strode to the edge of the rooftop, gazing down at Konoha as the crowd cheered for him.
After the inauguration, Chinya was about to walk away when Minato stepped toward him.
Minato sincerely said to Chinya, "Chinya, please take care of me from now on. I hope we can work together and contribute to Konoha."
Chinya said coolly, "No need for that. Now that you're the Fourth Hokage, as a ninja, I only need to follow orders. I have things to do, so I'll go first, Fourth."
Chinya vanished using the [Shifting Body Technique].
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