Only I can make Konoha Village great again.

Konoha Jonin Aoki Genji stood up and said, "I'm not good with words, so I won't give reasons. I recommend Lord Orochimaru to be the Fifth Hokage!"

Another Konoha Jonin stood up, smiled, and said, "I also recommend Lord Orochimaru."

"My reason is simple: Lord Orochimaru is incredibly powerful and has served as a frontline commander on numerous occasions, leading us to victory against the enemy."

"In terms of military achievements, Lord Orochimaru is even stronger than the Fourth Hokage, making him the only suitable candidate for the Fifth Hokage!"

His words were echoed by many Konoha Jonin, who chimed in with their own opinions, filling the meeting room with praise for Orochimaru.

Danzo Shimura's lips curled into a smile.

[Keep praising and complimenting him; the more you idolize Orochimaru, the less Hiruzen Sarutobi can accept him rising to power.]

[With Orochimaru rejected, there's no one left to compete with me.]

I, Shimura Danzo, will soon be the Fifth Hokage!

The Konoha Jonin discovered that everyone's opinions were remarkably consistent: they all believed that Orochimaru's achievements and strength justified him becoming the Fifth Hokage.

The so-called Jonin meeting was nothing more than a formality, a way to give Lord Orochimaru a glorious pass.

However, they were soon taken aback.

Koharu Utatane slowly stood up and said coldly, "Orochimaru's achievements are commendable, but the Hokage position cannot be handed over to him!"

Orochimaru is eccentric, ruthless, and does things his own way. He never considers the feelings of others, let alone the opinions of the villagers of Konoha.

"I believe that it is irresponsible of Konoha Village for such a gloomy and uncontrollable ninja to become Hokage!"

Koharu's words were like a cold wind, instantly freezing the lively atmosphere in the meeting room. The Jonin were astonished and fell silent.

Shimizu Tomohiko, a Jonin who had once served Orochimaru, stood up, staring coldly at Utatane Koharu: "Elder Koharu, you can't just say things like that. Do you have any evidence to support your slander against Lord Orochimaru?"

Mitokado Homura stood up and shouted angrily, "Shimizu Jonin, how dare you!"

"Elder Koharu is a high-ranking member of Konoha; how dare you question her so rudely!"

"Orochimaru's personality flaws are common knowledge in Konoha; there's no need for evidence."

"Do you, a Jonin, really have the authority to vouch for Orochimaru, to guarantee that he won't blindly pursue power, won't be blinded by power, and won't do anything to harm Konoha?"

Tomohiko Shimizu was able to stand up because he was thirty-eight years old, had no wife, no children, no parents, and no loans!

He is an invincible man!

He didn't give a damn about these Konoha elders, and retorted with a mocking expression, "Harm Konoha?"

"Lord Orochimaru has risked his life for Konoha and achieved countless feats. How has he harmed Konoha?"

"I remember now. During the Second Shinobi World War, Elder Yan, you commanded the battle in the Land of Rain without informing anyone or arranging a replacement commander. You suddenly returned to Konoha, causing our Konoha ninjas to lose their leader and resulting in the tragic deaths of three thousand ninjas..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly interrupted, "Tomohiko Shimizu."

Shimizu Tomohiko stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen in disbelief: "Third Hokage, you...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "That's all in the past. Don't bring it up again; it will affect the unity of Konoha Village."

Tomohiko Shimizu was dumbfounded, but he was speechless.

Danzo Shimura spoke up, "Everything the elders have done is for the sake of Konoha. You should not have any doubts."

"Elder Koharu wasn't targeting Orochimaru specifically, but rather his personality and way of doing things make him unsuitable to be Hokage."

"The Hokage that Konoha needs should be calm, wise, and optimistic, able to soothe the people's hearts and stabilize the overall situation, just like... the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."

Danzo's mention of the Fourth Hokage pinpointed the Konoha Jonin's thoughts.

They certainly acknowledged Orochimaru's achievements and strength, but they also had to admit that Orochimaru's sinister personality was indeed somewhat inferior to the sunny Minato Namikaze.

But... the fourth generation is already dead!

If Minato Namikaze were still alive, would we still need to hold the Jonin Tournament?

However, the Konoha Jonin also realized that the three elders, no, and even the Third Hokage, were firmly opposed to Orochimaru becoming Hokage.

The meeting thus reached a stalemate.

The Konoha Jonin who supported Orochimaru, though hesitant to speak out due to the authority of the elders, were determined not to support any ninjas proposed by the elders.

After all, Konoha Village had no better candidate for the Fifth Hokage than Orochimaru; even Jiraiya and Tsunade were a step below him.

Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again: "Everyone, listen to what I have to say."

"Orochimaru's achievements are undeniable, and his strength is sufficient to qualify him for the position of Hokage. However, the concerns of Elder Koharu, Elder Yan, and Elder Danzo are also justified."

"I am Orochimaru's teacher, and I am well aware that his personality has shortcomings. It would be risky to rashly appoint him as Hokage."

"In peacetime, a little risk is certainly not a problem."

"But now Konoha is at a critical juncture of life and death, with the Nine-Tails causing chaos, the Cloud Village invading, the Mist Village harassing, and the people's hearts in turmoil."

"We need stability and unity. If Orochimaru becomes Hokage and causes Konoha to split, it will be a more terrible disaster than war."

What should I say about Hiruzen Sarutobi...?

He's right!

The tragedy of the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice, coupled with the heavy pressure of the border war, meant that Konoha Village could not afford internal strife.

Using the crisis to divert everyone's attention, Hiruzen Sarutobi used the gentlest tone and his status as a teacher to "convict" Orochimaru.

Then, citing the implication that Orochimaru would become Hokage again after peace was restored, the author denies the legitimacy of Orochimaru becoming Hokage.

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt more confident and continued, "Given the current situation, I propose..."

Danzo Shimura stood tall and proud, his single eye gleaming with smug satisfaction. He silently recited his inaugural speech, which he had prepared for ten years, and kept refining the angle and frequency of his waving...

"I will temporarily return to the position of Hokage to lead the Konoha ninja in protecting Konoha Village and the Land of Fire!"

Shimura Danzo: "!!"

Konoha Jonin: "?"

"...Once the war ends, the Land of Fire is safe, and the people of Konoha are at peace, we will reconvene the Jonin Tournament and elect the best ninja to serve as the Fifth Hokage."

"Whether it's Orochimaru or any other capable Konoha ninja, everyone can compete fairly!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's suggestion stunned the Konoha Jonin present.

Restoration!

The Third Hokage, who had already stepped down, actually proposed to return to the Hokage position!

This is just too...shameless!

You can pick up what you eat and then excrete, and eat it again!

Is Naruto made of enoki mushrooms?