Chapter 438: Succession
"Ahem," Jiraiya cleared his throat, pulling his thoughts back to the main topic. "Anyway, what I wanted to say isn't about right or wrong regarding resurrection itself. That's your choice. I respect it and trust you have proper judgment."
His tone shifted.
"You know, don't you? Minato... refused my proposal."
A trace of regret entered Jiraiya's tone. "I originally hoped he could resume the Fourth Hokage position."
Jiraiya sighed, eyes complex as he looked at Naruto.
"I understand him. After all... he owes you far too much." Naruto listened quietly, his gaze softening slightly.
"So..." Jiraiya suddenly stood, walked around the desk, and from an already-prepared exquisite box retrieved a neatly folded set of clothing.
It was a finely-made, well-tailored formal jonin outfit—dark high-collared jacket, matching trousers, and coordinating tactical vest.
"Come, Naruto." Jiraiya presented the outfit before Naruto. "You were promoted to jonin several years ago but kept wearing old clothes—the sizes probably don't fit well anymore, right? I had someone specially prepare a new set for you. See if it fits."
Naruto paused, somewhat bewildered as he accepted the clothes. He hadn't expected Jiraiya to solemnly summon him to the Hokage office specifically to... give him new clothes?
Though somewhat surprised, he still nodded. "Oh... I understand. Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei."
He lowered his head, looking at the clothing in his hands, preparing to put it away and try it on later at home.
However, Jiraiya's next action left him completely frozen.
Jiraiya carefully retrieved from the wooden box's very bottom an extremely neatly folded long robe.
The robe was entirely plain white with flame-like patterns at the hem, appearing both solemn and flowing. Written on the back in large characters: "Sixth Hokage."
A Hokage haori.
Moreover, official Hokage-style haori!
Jiraiya held the white Hokage haori with both hands, in the authoritative posture of Konohagakure's Fifth Hokage, gaze blazing as he stared at the golden-haired young man before him who hadn't quite processed this yet.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Jiraiya's voice resonated throughout the spacious Hokage office, carrying undeniable formality.
"I, Jiraiya, in the name of Konohagakure's Fifth Hokage, hereby formally announce—"
He paused slightly, extending the white Hokage haori forward, suspended before Naruto.
"—I now appoint you, Uzumaki Naruto, as the sole designated successor to Konohagakure's Sixth Hokage position!"
"When the time is right and procedures complete, you will formally assume the Hokage position, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting Konoha and leading the ninja village forward!"
"...Can I refuse?"
The instant those words fell—
"Why?!"
The previously dignified and solemn Fifth Hokage Jiraiya instantly broke character!
All formality and authority vanished with a "poof" into thin air.
His expression transformed from solemnity into a mix of disbelief, breakdown, and deep incomprehension bordering on hysteria. His eyes widened enormously, staring fixedly at Naruto.
"Naruto! My good disciple! Konoha's hope! Look at me!"
Jiraiya's voice rose sharply, carrying accusatory grief.
"The entire Konoha Village! Top to bottom! Old and young! Besides you, who else could possibly be this Hokage?! Huh?!"
"Strength? You're currently strong as a monster! Reputation? You're the hero who saved the village! Lineage? The Fourth's son! Mentorship? My personal disciple as Fifth Hokage! You tell me—who's more suitable than you?!!"
Naruto was somewhat stunned by his master's sudden "face-change" and rapid-fire questioning. He attempted to propose a "reasonable" alternative candidate.
"Uh... isn't there Kakashi-sensei? He's been continuously training the Sharingan for a year now—his strength should have reached Kage level, right? Plus he's experienced, level-headed..."
"Kakashi?"
Jiraiya curled his lip, expression slightly restraining but still dismissive.
"Kakashi... he's alright. Strength adequate, brain works well, reliable person."
He paused, gaze refocusing on Naruto, tone becoming earnest and sincere.
"But you're right here!"
He emphasized again.
"If I pass the Hokage position to Kakashi, I guarantee the entire village will be dissatisfied! Not that they have issues with Kakashi—everyone's already decided in their hearts that position will eventually be yours!"
"Making Kakashi take it—how much pressure would he face? Would people below accept it? Then all kinds of gossip and comparisons—wouldn't that just make his life miserable?!"
The more Jiraiya spoke, the more agitated he became. Years of accumulated exhaustion and "resentment" found an outlet.
"Moreover... moreover..."
His voice lowered, face showing genuine weariness and weathering about to overflow.
These years as Hokage had been absolute hellish torture for Jiraiya—accustomed to freedom and wandering, traveling the world, pursuing "art" and "material."
Without exaggeration, these were the most difficult years of Jiraiya's life.
Couldn't freely leave the village, daily like a prisoner nailed to a chair, trapped in the Hokage office's cramped space, facing mountainous piles of eternally unfinishable boring documents.
Couldn't sleep in, even all-nighters became routine, strong tea became life-sustaining miracle medicine.
Couldn't freely drink whenever he wanted, couldn't indulge in hot spring... ahem, "research" at will. Even his Icha Icha series had been discontinued for ages due to governmental affairs keeping him busy and inspiration running dry!
So exhausting!
This physical and mental exhaustion had even branded itself into his temperament. This once high-spirited "Toad Sage" now constantly carried inerasable fatigue between his brows, faint dark circles beneath his eyes from chronic sleep deprivation barely visible.
He looked at Naruto, eyes full of earnest hope and disbelief at "you actually want to run?"
"..."
Naruto looked at his master's "miserable state," listened to his heartfelt persuasion, and fell silent.
The next moment—
Swoosh!
A subtle golden flash suddenly blazed within the office!
Naruto's figure instantly vanished from its spot! Only a small area of slightly distorted air ripples remained before the desk.
Flying Thunder God Technique. Naruto had directly fled.
"Naru... Naruto?! ...Sigh."
Jiraiya's outstretched hand still holding the white Hokage haori froze in midair. He stared at the now-empty space before him, expression transforming from hope to astonishment, ultimately becoming a deeply weary sigh.
He slowly lowered his hand, refolding the Hokage haori and returning it to the wooden box, movements somewhat sluggish.
The office returned to silence, only the unchanging wind outside the window and faintly audible village clamor in the distance.
Jiraiya slumped back into the large Hokage chair, supporting his forehead with one hand, looking at the mountain of pending documents on the desk, feeling the future utterly bleak.
His own days of endless darkness, losing freedom and "art"... when would they ever end...
****
80+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces