Transmigrating as the Third Hokage: Make Konoha Great Again!

"Including my own cowardice."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke calmly, but his eyes seemed to be blazing with anger.

None of the three legendary Sannin had ever seen Hiruzen Sarutobi like this.

Tough, cold, and resolute.

Like a man of steel.

007 Tsunade: "My teacher's heart is as black as my great-grandfather's!"

After listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's self-narration.

The three ninjas fell into a long silence and were deeply shocked.

Why have teachers in the past always emphasized a conservative approach?

Why has the current Naruto style changed so drastically, becoming completely different?

Everything now has an explanation.

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, both able to see the complex emotions in each other's eyes.

They have something in common regarding why they don't want to become Hokage.

It's not just about being busy with government affairs.

On a deeper level, it's also because the previous Hokage was too illustrious...

Hashirama Senju is the god of the ninja world; his fame needs no further explanation.

While the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, did not possess the immense power of Hashirama Senju, his inventions of various ninjutsu and the policies he initiated were a generation ahead of the ninja world.

In a sense, his deterrent power in the eyes of the enemy was only half a level lower than that of Hashirama Senju.

After all, the God of the Ninja World, though powerful, was too fond of peace.

But Tobirama Senju is a ruthless character who can revive his enemies' friends and acquaintances to use as bombs...

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade subconsciously harbored thoughts similar to Hiruzen Sarutobi's...

If they were to become Hokage, could they surpass their predecessors?

Even setting aside Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi in his youth displayed abilities and talents that probably even the two of them couldn't match.

Orochimaru's gaze softened considerably.

Compared to Jiraiya and Tsunade, he didn't feel as much responsibility towards the village.

What he cared about more was his relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.

Especially his mentor and father figure, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The teacher who once taught him everything and valued him highly gradually drifted away from him, and this estrangement became a huge knot in his heart...

But geniuses are always proud.

Orochimaru had no intention of apologizing to Hiruzen Sarutobi, nor did he believe he was wrong...

He needs to achieve something great so that the teacher can see it, and then the right or wrong will become self-evident...

But today, Hiruzen Sarutobi has so frankly opened up about his feelings.

Clearly, he still considers himself a trusted disciple.

In addition, the understatement of the negative information and the show of concern for him in front of others...

Orochimaru felt a pang of sadness.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently observed the reactions of his three disciples.

At this point, there was a relatively reasonable explanation for his sudden change in personality.

If you do something in the future that doesn't fit your previous persona, don't take it to heart.

It's pretty much what he thought...

With the bond between master and disciple as a foundation, even if there were some misunderstandings and estrangements in the past, as long as nothing irreparable happens, they can all be easily resolved.

Unlike in front of everyone else in the village.

In front of the crowd, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not show this side of himself; at most, he could only 'endure' it, because what the ninjas wanted was a reliable leader, not an old man who needed sympathy.

But with his three apprentices, this open and honest 'vulnerability' resonated with them.

They are 'master and apprentice', not simply in a superior-subordinate relationship.

Being too closed off or too perfect will create a sense of distance between them. Having weaknesses makes you more complete and real, which in turn stimulates their 'reciprocation' emotions.

"Teacher, you've worked so hard..."

Tsunade spoke slowly, a hint of tears glistening in her eyes: "You've already tried so hard, don't push yourself to the point of collapse..."

So, was the old man once under so much pressure that he felt death would be a relief?

She, as the apprentice, didn't even notice...

Or perhaps they sensed something amiss but failed to show concern for the teacher in time!

That's just too much...

Jiraiya's gaze was firm as he spoke in a deep voice, "Master, don't underestimate me! Even though I'm your least intelligent disciple, I can still help you out!"

Orochimaru said softly, "Teacher, I will help you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed: "Great... With the three of you saying that, I feel much more at ease."

"Konoha is facing many problems right now."

"The first major problem is the proliferation of factions, with a lack of trust and cooperation between the various ninja clans towards the village leadership. This is true for the Hyuga clan, and even more so for the Uchiha clan, which harbors antagonistic sentiments."

"Even the ninja clans like Inuzuka, Aburame, and Kurama, while willing to cooperate with the village, don't have an ideal level of cooperation."

"Why?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"Because they don't have the Will of Fire?" Jiraiya asked tentatively after pondering for a while.

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed: "Good disciple, I didn't expect Mount Myōboku to teach you an S-rank forbidden technique. This is a kind of labeling technique that even I, as the Hokage, don't use lightly..."

"You're quite the natural-born one!"

Remove you from the list of those who are imprisoned!

"The Toad Spirit of Mount Myōboku, the Immortal Sovereign, is truly awe-inspiring. Is he really going to expel someone from Konoha?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.

"If you were to become Hokage, Konoha would probably lose a third of its population..."

Tsunade couldn't hold back any longer: "Jiraiya, I think you're the one with the least Will of Fire. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade and waved his hand dismissively: "You're a true patron, whatever you say is right... You stinky snake, that's not what I meant, I just don't understand..."

"So what do you think?"

"Perhaps there's no future in it?" Orochimaru said quietly.

"The village can be considered high-ranking, except for the four teachers and at most one Jonin class leader, Nara Shikayama, who has little presence."

"The first generation passed it on to the second generation, and the second generation passed it on to his apprentice and teacher. The other three disciples shared the same position."

"The Nara clan is the teacher's core group; where is there room for anyone else?"

"If you were a Jonin, seeing this situation, not to mention whether you would feel dissatisfied, with your path to advancement blocked, it's inevitable that other emotions would arise in your heart."

Jiraiya opened his mouth.

"It's your personal freedom to not want to become Hokage, you disciple of the Hokage. I won't make any further judgments."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes: "But do you know that this identity of yours is something that countless ninja clans would sell their pots and pans for?"

Tsunade unconsciously started fidgeting with her fingers.

Although her grandfather, great-grandfather, and teacher had already done all her work in this life when they were Hokage.

But hearing those words left me with a strange feeling...

"Good lad, no wonder you can gather a bunch of people to support you!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and scolded Orochimaru, then nodded: "Orochimaru is basically right."

"The village's path to advancement is too monotonous. We need to mobilize the enthusiasm of all the major ninja clans and ordinary ninjas to show them our sincerity."

Jiraiya nodded, his mind relatively simple, and he immediately felt a strong liking for this policy: "Is this going to allow other ninja clans to enter the upper echelons? I support it!"

Tsunade frowned slightly: "Should we accept the Uchiha clan? And the Hyuga clan? What if they take power but still act as they please?"

"It might even fuel their ambitions."

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade in surprise. He had thought that this woman usually just studied medicine, gambled, and drank. He was surprised that she was so intelligent.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed like a snake's: "This is a serious matter. If we wait for them to enter the upper echelons and oppose us, even if we kill them, it will severely damage the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru with satisfaction.

Knowledgeable in scientific research, highly capable, and able to follow one's line of thought...

What a useful assistant.

What Orochimaru wants, at present, are the two areas of 'scientific research support' and 'crown prince'.

This does not conflict with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

That's true, at least for now.

"We need to create a hierarchical system, not only for the four decision-makers, but also to establish new promotion channels among the Jonin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "Among the hundred or so Jonin, we will establish a new tier, with about twenty members."

"These twenty ninjas should be treated better than ordinary Jonin. Those with administrative abilities should be placed in management positions, and given the power to participate in and propose village affairs."

"Those who are unwilling to participate in political affairs, such as those who are good at frontal combat, will be given subsidies for combat resources."

"In this way, we have solved most of the problems related to the pathways to becoming a Jonin."

"As for the purity of the members..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "The list of candidates was selected by me, the Hokage, and I will not allow any problems to arise in this process."