Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Resolving Trouble, Promotion? Hokage or…?
When Natsuro returned home, he had no idea that the future Fifth Kazekage had just cemented his memory of him. Sitting at home, he reviewed everything he'd done and nodded to himself in satisfaction.
Both the visual impact and the shock factor of his recent mission should have been more than sufficient. His task to showcase Konoha's strength was complete with resounding success.
If he had arrived at the start, he could have simply used Flying Thunder God and saved a lot of trouble. But due to the delay in Mount Myoboku, Natsuro had to go to greater lengths to make an impression.
The Toad Oil Flame Bullet was manageable, the biggest drain was summoning Gamabunta. The Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, on the other hand, was a serious chakra drain. But that was in the past; now, he had to address the growing buzz around him in the Leaf Village.
Natsuro held his head, feeling the beginnings of a headache. If news of his achievements with Sound Ninja spread back to the village, the calls for him to be the Fifth Hokage would only grow louder… Which would certainly lead to complications.
Tsunade was supposed to return and assume the role of Hokage. If she arrived only to find that the people overwhelmingly supported him instead, it would be awkward. Even if Tsunade wasn't particularly attached to the Hokage position, she wouldn't be thrilled.
But how could he handle this?
Danzo's move was incredibly challenging to counter. Without his instigation, public opinion might not have erupted to this degree. But now that the flame had been ignited, even those who hadn't initially been vocal about him becoming Hokage were being swayed.
The worst part? Natsuro couldn't even blame them, they were supporting him for the Hokage position!
Natsuro let out a sigh. If his strength was up to par, he would have considered taking on the role regardless of his age. But his strength was still limited.
At the very least, he was certainly Jonin level, but there was a large gap to Kage-level prowess. Natsuro knew he still needed considerable time to train and grow his power.
The Hokage's duties would involve a mountain of work, draining much of the time he needed for training. So, for now, he had no desire for the position. He could reconsider once his training had plateaued. And even then, Natsuro had his own ideas about the role of Hokage…
After a while, he made his way to see the Third Hokage, Hiruzen. He had devised a strategy to counter Danzo's scheme but needed the Third's cooperation to make it work.
....
"Geez, why do we have to come to Konoha again?" Kankuro complained, looking at the village scenery. He was starting to feel like he was spending more time in Konoha than in the Sand Village.
"Who knows why Konoha suddenly decided to celebrate our combined forces' victory? But they specifically requested us," Temari responded, sighing as she recalled the village's recent requests.
"Enough complaints. This celebration could help reduce the tension between the Sand and the Leaf," Gaara unexpectedly chimed in.
"!!"
Kankuro and Temari turned to him in surprise, exchanging glances before smiling at their younger brother. Despite all the recent hardships, at least one positive outcome had come from it... Gaara was indeed changing.
The celebration was, of course, Natsuro's idea. On the surface, it seemed like a bit of a frivolous move by inviting the Sand to celebrate their victory. Yet the Third Hokage had approved it, partly due to feeling he owed Natsuro for his recent troubles with Danzo.
To ensure high participation from the Leaf's citizens, Natsuro had even approached the ANBU captain to help publicize the event. As part of the narrative, they framed it as the successful eradication of Orochimaru's Sound Village base, with Orochimaru himself fleeing in fear.
This, unsurprisingly, hit a sensitive point for the Sand Village, which needed such a victory for its reputation. Thus, they quickly agreed, sending Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari as their representatives.
The awards ceremony was lively, and even the Third, freshly discharged from the hospital, came to attend.
After recognizing Gaara and his team, Hiruzen spoke of Natsuro's accomplishments, narrating his journey from his days as "Ink" to his promotion as a Special Jonin and his recent victories with the Sand.
The Leaf citizens listened in awe at Natsuro's story, gasping and murmuring in admiration. Many of them were learning these details for the first time, and they found the truth to be every bit as impressive as the rumors. The calls for Natsuro to become the Fifth Hokage grew louder, with some sensing that something big was about to happen.
After all, why would the Third go to such lengths to recount Natsuro's achievements in this way unless he intended to name him as the next Hokage?
Danzo watched the scene with a dark smile. He'd already come to terms with the fact that he'd never be Hokage. But if he couldn't have it, then he'd make sure others didn't get it easily, either.
Whether Tsunade or Natsuro took the title made little difference to him. If it were Tsunade, he doubted she could ignore the outpouring of public support for Natsuro. And if he took the role, Danzo knew Tsunade's return would only further complicate things.
"Just go ahead and hand over the Hokage title to that brat, Hiruzen," he sneered inwardly. "We'll see if he's truly worthy of it."
"Hey, that guy's not actually about to become the Fifth Hokage, is he?" Kankuro whispered, hearing the cheers around them.
"Could be," Temari replied uncertainly.
Gaara observed the scene, listening to the crowd's excitement. He remembered people cheering for him before. Even if they weren't from his village, he had to admit it was a good feeling. If Natsuro's achievements earned him this level of admiration, then perhaps… if Gaara became Kazekage, he could one day earn the same response from the people of the Sand.
At that moment, his eyes glimmered with a newfound hope.
After recounting Natsuro's deeds, Hiruzen looked over the crowd, sensing their fervor. Inwardly, he marveled at Natsuro's popularity. His years as "Ink" had solidified his standing among Konoha's shinobi, while his role in the Leaf Destruction plan had made him a hero among the civilians.
The victory with the Sand Village had now brought his popularity to new heights. If Hiruzen were to announce Natsuro as the Fifth Hokage, there would be no opposition, only a resounding roar of approval.
Part of Hiruzen felt the temptation, but he knew that Natsuro hadn't orchestrated this plan to become Hokage.
Amidst the buzzing anticipation, with everyone eagerly awaiting Hiruzen's declaration of Natsuro as the next Hokage, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Following their plan, he announced Natsuro's official promotion:
From Special Jonin to Jonin, not Hokage.
The crowd, which had been bubbling with excitement, froze in stunned disbelief, staring up at Hiruzen.
The mood had been so perfectly set, and now…?
Had they not respected the Third, some might have even started booing.
Finally, Natsuro stepped forward to make his announcement.
He walked to the center of the stage, facing the vast crowd. Listening to the continuous calls for him to become the Fifth Hokage, Natsuro began to speak.
First, he expressed his gratitude to the Third Hokage for the promotion. Then, he addressed his supporters, explaining that not taking on the role of Hokage was his own decision. He acknowledged that he was only 13 years old and that Konoha did not need a boy of his age to bear the village's weight.
Natsuro then proposed two suitable candidates for the Fifth Hokage position, two of the legendary Sannin: Jiraiya and Tsunade. He specifically praised Tsunade's exceptional skills, both in strength and medical ninjutsu, as well as her lineage as the granddaughter of the First Hokage. He assured everyone that Tsunade's appointment as Hokage would significantly benefit Konoha's medical advancements, making her the ideal candidate.
He also made it clear that if a Sixth Hokage were to be chosen later and people still wanted him to lead, he would consider it.
Finally, Natsuro thanked his supporters, apologizing for not accepting the position at this time and affirming that he neither desired it nor felt suitable for it at present.
His words reminded everyone that Natsuro was only 13 years old. At 12, he was already a Special Jonin, and now, at 13, a full Jonin. That in itself was an incredible achievement.
Previously, some had pointed out his young age as a concern for the Hokage role, but their arguments were often dismissed in the heated fervor of his support. But now, hearing it directly from Natsuro, they were forced to consider if entrusting the village's future to a 13-year-old was truly wise.
With clear minds, they recognized that Konoha had no shortage of talent so pressing as to require a child to take on such a weighty role.
Moreover, Natsuro had already stated his openness to becoming the Sixth Hokage when the time came, reassuring them that his opportunity to lead would still come. As for his phrase, "If I still have supporters then," they dismissed it believing that when the time arrived, Natsuro would surely stand unmatched.
The prospect of Tsunade becoming Hokage was also encouraging to many older villagers who knew her by reputation. Although she had been absent from Konoha for a long time, her legacy was well known.
Envisioning Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage, with Natsuro as the Sixth, they even imagined the emergence of a worthy Seventh Hokage in time, creating a promising path forward for Konoha.
Not everyone agreed with the idea, of course, particularly a few Root members planted within the crowd. However, their voices were quickly subdued.
The Yamanaka clan, discreetly prepared, had been watching them closely. Using Mind-Body Switch, they targeted those attempting to stir dissent, quietly immobilizing them with high precision in the crowd. The Yamanaka members, upon inspection, identified each as carrying the mark of the Root.
After all, any disgruntled villagers would grumble privately but wouldn't dare cause trouble in such a public forum, only Root would risk such a reckless move.
Once incapacitated, these individuals were escorted by Yamanaka-controlled bodies to secluded areas, where ANBU agents awaited to secure them.
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