Jiraiya was somewhat at a loss, then he smiled wryly and said:
"Old man, you should know, someone as laid-back as me isn't really suitable to be Hokage. If you don't want Konoha to crumble in my hands, you'd better find someone else for the job."
These words were not said in jest.
Jiraiya was well aware that his laid-back nature would bring serious consequences for Konoha if he were to become Hokage.
In a way, the consequences would be even more severe than if Danzo were to ascend to the position of Hokage.
Hiruzen met Jiraiya's gaze. He also knew Jiraiya's personality wasn't suited for being Hokage, but now Konoha had no other choices.
"Tsunade is even more suitable to be Hokage than me. She carries the purest bloodline of Konoha, the medical system she established benefits many in the village, she is strong enough and cautious in everything she does. From any angle, she is the most perfect candidate for the Fifth Hokage."
Jiraiya didn't avert his gaze, speaking earnestly to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen sighed and said, "Tsunade has already left."
"Left?"
Jiraiya was taken aback.
Hiruzen nodded, a deep weariness hidden between his brows.
"After Tsunade returned, I did indeed talk to her about this matter, but she didn't give me a definite answer, only met it with silence. After that, she disappeared from the village."
It's false to say there's no regret.
In Hiruzen's heart, he also believed Tsunade was more suitable than Jiraiya as the choice for Hokage.
However, Tsunade's heart was still avoiding the past; the successive deaths of her relatives and lover left indelible scars on her heart.
"Is that so? Then I'll take on the task of persuading Tsunade."
Jiraiya's expression turned serious.
"You want to persuade Tsunade?"
Hiruzen looked at Jiraiya in surprise.
Jiraiya nodded emphatically.
"It's the only way. Tsunade's heart is still with the village, after all, she carries the bloodline of the First Lord. If I reason with her and appeal to her emotions, she will surely understand the difficulties the village currently faces."
Hiruzen felt the firm conviction in Jiraiya's eyes, but still lacked confidence in whether Jiraiya could persuade Tsunade to become Konoha's Fifth Hokage.
"Even so, persuading Tsunade is no easy task."
Hiruzen was well aware of the conflicts in Tsunade's heart. She undoubtedly loves Konoha and cherishes every inch of its land because it is an important legacy left by her grandfather.
Yet, Tsunade has not made up her mind to become the leader of the village.
Hiruzen knew the decision seemed sudden, but now the international situation was rapidly changing, with the sudden emergence of a military strong country like the Land of Demons in the Western Continent.
In terms of relations, the Land of Demons and the Land of Fire, Konoha, were not on the same path.
At least in the short term, Hiruzen could not see a vision of peace between Konoha and the Land of Demons.
The conflict between the Konoha high command and the higher-ups of the Land of Demons was more than simple hatred and opposition.
"I've already prepared for this. Whether it's one year or two years, or even longer, I'll continue to persuade Tsunade!"
Jiraiya made a firm promise.
"Very well, if possible, persuade Tsunade before I retire. I feel I can only be Hokage for a few more years."
Hiruzen was already over sixty, his physical functions rapidly declining, making it difficult to handle many matters.
He's worried that something akin to the Uchiha Clan incident might occur again, forcing him to balance and compromise once more.
"I'll try to persuade Tsunade, but you should also keep Danzo in check, old man. I wouldn't want Tsunade to become a Hokage in name only."
"Rest assured, though I am old, I still have some power at my disposal, and Danzo's Root has yet to pose a substantial threat."
Hiruzen said this.
Despite the shadowy forces already beginning to counter him, as long as he maintains a strong stance, he can still use his power to suppress Root's growth.
After all, he is the Hokage of Konoha, the village's most prominent leader of authority.
Danzo's attempt to usurp his Hokage powers isn't that simple.
Compared to Danzo, the matter of selecting the next Hokage successor was Hiruzen's true concern.
"That's good, then I'll take my leave. Not just Tsunade, I have matters at Mount Myoboku to attend to as well. Once I have news, I will report back to the village via the Anbu, including matters regarding that organization."
Jiraiya did not hesitate, forming seals with both hands, his body enveloped in white smoke, disappearing from the Hokage Office.
◎
Anbu suffered heavy losses.
Because of the sacrifices of Sarutobi Ryu and Sarutobi Linko on the battlefield in the Land of Wind, killed by the original S-Class Renegade Ninja of Konoha, Chiba Hakushi, resulting in vacancies in the positions of Minister and Deputy Minister within Konoha Anbu.
Though Hiruzen remains the direct superior, given the Third Hokage's current physical state, he is nearly exhausted dealing with the village's various affairs, and having to command Anbu may inevitably diminish Anbu's operational effectiveness.
With the loss of the Uchiha Security Team, if Anbu does not get into action, the village's internal stability cannot be effectively maintained.
Moreover, the backlash was faster than Hiruzen imagined.
Since the Uchiha Security Team vanished, the management system within Konoha also showed obvious cracks.