The Hokage's office was so quiet, a pin drop could be heard.
The three of them held their breath, straining their ears to hear the verdict from Senju Tobirama.
"I hereby announce that the three-year assessment has come to an end—Danzo, you've passed the evaluation."
Shimura Danzo's pupils constricted sharply. His knuckles turned white from the force of his clenched fists, and a faint grin involuntarily tugged at the corners of his mouth—only for him to suppress it again. His entire body trembled with excitement.
He passed the test! He was about to become Hokage, just as he had always dreamed!
The dream he had clung to for years was finally about to come true. The scenes he had seen in genjutsu through his Sharingan were about to become reality...
Decades of ambition and effort were about to pay off. If not for Tobirama-sensei standing right here, he might have burst out laughing toward the ceiling.
Standing beside him, Hiruzen's faint smile froze. His eyes lowered slightly, Adam's apple shifting silently.
He didn't say anything, just stood quietly. Although he had long been mentally prepared for the possibility of not being chosen, hearing the result firsthand still filled him with disappointment and sorrow.
It seemed the position of Hokage was never meant to be his.
"Danzo, congratulations!" Hiruzen forced out a strained smile. "I believe you'll become an excellent Hokage."
Even though he didn't get what he wanted, he still sincerely offered his friend his blessing.
They'd been close comrades for years—this shouldn't come between their friendship.
"Mm, I'll take your kind words," Danzo replied, nodding excitedly.
He had no intention of mocking Hiruzen. He was about to become Hokage—naturally, he couldn't lower himself to such pettiness.
Whether Hiruzen's congratulations were genuine or not, he gladly accepted them!
If he wanted to become an outstanding Hokage, a broad mind was essential. Only someone like that could lead the village to prosperity.
Renya, sitting in his chair, let his gaze shift between the two before finally landing on the satisfied expression on Senju Tobirama's face.
The old man only said Danzo had passed the assessment—he didn't say whether Hiruzen had passed or not.
After all, passing the evaluation and becoming Hokage were two different matters. The old man never said that passing automatically meant you'd get the title.
Tsk. As expected of the cunning Tobirama.
The silence lasted several seconds before Senju Tobirama spoke again.
"Hiruzen, you've also passed the evaluation."
Renya sighed with a knowing expression. Of course. Things were never that simple. That old man sure knew how to mess with people's emotions!
Good thing Danzo wasn't a Uchiha, or he'd probably awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan right about now.
Danzo's smile froze on his face.
W-What kind of joke was this?!
In contrast, Hiruzen broke into a radiant grin.
Hahaha! So he'd passed too! He had thought all hope was lost.
"Sorry, Danzo," Hiruzen said, smiling faintly. "Looks like I passed Sensei's test as well."
"Heh... congrats to you," Danzo muttered, his expression darker than a storm cloud.
He had thought he was about to become Hokage right away, but clearly, Tobirama still had more in store.
Senju Tobirama observed both of their reactions without a word.
"Old man, they both passed your test—so who's going to be Hokage?" Renya asked, voicing the question on both their minds.
"Are you that eager for me to retire?" Tobirama shot him a glare.
"You work day and night handling paperwork. Your body's going to give out sooner or later," Renya said with a shrug. "Might as well retire early and let the younger generation handle the village's affairs."
The old man was already in his fifties—his body wasn't what it used to be.
...
Young people were at their physical peak—perfect for doing all the hard labor.
Tobirama didn't argue. He knew Renya was genuinely concerned about his health.
But he still couldn't make up his mind about a successor. If he chose the wrong person and the village suffered because of it, how could he bear that responsibility?
Right now, things were stable. But in a few decades, he wouldn't be able to manage the village for his elder brother anymore.
As a shinobi, he had gone through countless battles and suffered many injuries. Some of them hadn't been an issue when he was young, but as he aged, the aftereffects began to flare up one after another.
The shinobi profession thrived on youth—once old, all you could do was retire. But most never lived that long to begin with.
At fifty, he was already among the longest-lived of his kind.
In recent years, Tobirama could clearly feel his body deteriorating—and the decline was only accelerating.
Choosing the right Hokage was now more important than ever.
For three years, he had wanted to appoint one of them, but every time he hesitated.
Humans were complicated creatures. As they aged, their mentality changed—they became cautious and hesitant.
Even Senju Tobirama was no exception.
Ten years ago, he would have made the decision without hesitation. But now... he found himself wavering.
"Old man, stop hesitating," Renya said softly. "Just pick one to be Hokage. You can retire in peace after that."
No matter who became Hokage, Konoha wasn't going to collapse overnight.
That old man might as well retire and enjoy his later years—if he kept working like this, he'd die from overwork sooner or later.
Hiruzen and Danzo: "???"
What the hell are you even saying?!
[Just pick one to be Hokage???]
Damn it, don't be so casual about it!
You may not want to be Hokage, but we do!
To their shock, Senju Tobirama didn't refute Renya. His gaze turned to the two tense men in front of him, as though weighing his final choice.
Seeing that, Hiruzen and Danzo both felt their hearts drop into their stomachs.
Tobirama-sensei actually seemed to be considering Renya's ridiculous suggestion.
This was even more nerve-racking than the assessment results! Whether they'd become Hokage or not now hung on the old man's next words...
"Kid, you're right," Tobirama said finally, turning to Renya. "I've lost the decisiveness I once had. It's true—I should retire."
Some things just couldn't be overthought. The more you worried, the worse the result.
"Hiruzen, you performed well," Tobirama continued, then his tone shifted. "But I favor Danzo more—he possesses the decisiveness and resolve that I've started to lose..."
Indeed, his hesitation came from lacking that very resolve and boldness.
So, it was only fitting that someone who had those qualities would become Hokage.
Compared to Hiruzen, Danzo clearly fit that description better.
"Danzo, from this day forward—you are the Hokage's assistant!" Tobirama declared, looking at him.
"Stay by my side and learn how to govern the village."
"Yes, Sensei!" Danzo's face flushed red with excitement. What a rollercoaster of emotions this day had been!
"Hiruzen, you come too," Tobirama said, glancing at the crestfallen Hiruzen. "In the future, you'll assist Danzo in managing the village."
"Remember—only those with true ability deserve the seat of Hokage!"