This Naruto is a player

After a while.

The elders and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took their seats at the head of the table.

The bustling council chamber fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept across the entire area with an imposing air, his voice deep and resonant:

"Everyone should know the purpose of today's gathering."

He got straight to the point: "Let's elect the Fifth Hokage! Now, please nominate your candidates!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a wave of voices immediately rose from the crowd:

"Third Hokage! Why did you decide not to continue serving as Hokage?!" This question echoed the sentiments of many present.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment: "I bear an inescapable responsibility for Orochimaru's matter. As for continuing to serve as Hokage, let's not discuss it anymore. Today's task is to elect a new Hokage. Nominate him!"

The position of Hokage requires both fame and prestige as well as physical strength, and there are very few people who meet these requirements.

"I nominate Jiraiya-sama to be the Fifth Hokage!" A loud voice suddenly rang out in the council hall!

As soon as those words were spoken, whoosh!

Instantly, almost everyone's gaze fell upon the white-haired man in the corner, who was as strong as a bear.

"Agreed!" A Jonin immediately responded excitedly, "Lord Jiraiya is one of the Legendary Sannin, and he was renowned throughout the ninja world during the Second Shinobi World War! His strength and prestige are well-deserved!"

"I also support Jiraiya-senpai!"

"Lord Jiraiya! We support Lord Jiraiya!"

"Cough cough... cough cough!"

Jiraiya, at the center of the storm, coughed heavily a few times, rubbed his temples as if he had a headache, and looked helpless and resistant.

He stood up, his booming voice carrying his usual wildness, yet also tinged with a hint of annoyance at being forced into this situation:

"Everyone, I'm not here today for the Hokage position! I'm here to recommend a candidate!"

"My recommendation is—Naruto Uzumaki! Let him be the Hokage!"

boom--

These words were like a bombshell dropped into the council chamber!

On the stage, the two advisor elders, Mitomon En and Utatane Koharu, had their brows furrowed into a deep frown, while Utatane Koharu's lips were tightly pressed together and her face was so gloomy it could drip water!

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat calmly in the center, his expression undisturbed, his deep, murky eyes revealing a cryptic expression on his mind.

The Jonin group below erupted in chaos! A buzzing of discussion filled the air.

Asuma, Kurenai, and Might Guy all stared at Kakashi, their jaws nearly dropping in shock!

Is this guy's disciple about to become Hokage?

One ninja looked completely bewildered: "Naruto Uzumaki? Is that the kid we see every day in the Ninja World Daily?"

“That’s right,” the person next to him nodded, “They say he’s only twelve years old! And he’s Jiraiya-sama’s disciple.”

"What?! Became Hokage at the age of twelve?!" An incredulous exclamation immediately rang out from the corner.

"You definitely weren't in the village that day!"

A ninja who had experienced the collapse plan excitedly interjected, his voice rising, "He defeated the First and Second Hokage all by himself! He even learned the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique! He also saved more than a hundred comrades from the Sand and Sound Ninjas that day! Didn't you read today's newspaper?" he added with exasperation.

The questioner looked shocked: "I just got back from a top-secret mission and haven't even had a chance to read the newspaper yet."

Amidst the buzzing noise, someone suddenly raised their hand!

"I recommend Naruto Uzumaki as Hokage!" His voice was loud and firm; he was a Jonin who had been saved by Naruto.

One stone caused a thousand waves!

A chorus of support rang out: "I also support Naruto-sama!"

"Me too!"

More and more people are stepping forward.

At this moment, he possesses three buffs: being a disciple of Jiraiya, being a "Yellow Flash" similar to the Fourth Hokage, and receiving overwhelming publicity from the Ninja World Daily.

Many of them may not have been close to Naruto, but his heroic act of turning the tide that day has already become a legend. Coupled with the overwhelming coverage in the Ninja World Daily, the image of a sun hero who embodies all the virtues of the world—powerful, respectful to the elderly and kind to the young, diligent and frugal, dedicated to his work, and protecting the village—has gradually taken root in people's hearts!

That's not all:

Some people recognized the drawbacks of the Third Hokage and wanted a younger Hokage;

Some people who have read "Romance of the Five Kingdoms" support the idea that the Third Hokage should become Uchiha Mengde later on;

Some of them are fans of the Fourth Generation and have received care from the Yellow Flash;

Others were due to Jiraiya's guarantee, as well as Kakashi and others.

however--

Just as Naruto's momentum was rising, another group shouted out a powerful name:

"Since Jiraiya-sama has no interest in the Hokage position!" a Jonin shouted, "I nominate Tsunade-sama!"

This person is just as famous as Jiraiya, and is even more respected by many people because of his identity as a medical ninja.

"Support Tsunade!"

"Lady Tsunade is a medical genius, with outstanding military achievements and unparalleled prestige!"

The voices supporting Tsunade instantly formed a powerful wave.

For a moment, Tsunade and Naruto's votes were neck and neck.

The scene shifts to the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held the thin report in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the vote count.

How can there be any question of them being evenly matched?

The Jonin aren't stupid; Naruto, at twelve years old, was still a huge obstacle for them.

Despite the high level of support, the actual number of votes received was not high.

"Lord Danzo! Please wait! The Hokage is..."

bang——

The door was kicked open with a bang!

Danzo Shimura strode in, his barely suppressed rage palpable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm and composed, simply raising his hand to give a simple "step back" gesture to the ANBU guarding the door.

"The council chamber is quite lively today."

Danzo's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, his sharp single eye fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, as if trying to find some clues beneath that calm mask.

However, to his disappointment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were cloudy but very honest.

"I heard that Naruto Uzumaki, that twelve-year-old blond kid, has actually gained quite a few supporters?"

He took a sudden step forward, letting out a suppressed growl: "Hiruzen! You wouldn't actually be thinking of putting the Hokage hat on his head, would you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer.

During this time, after experiencing the Orochimaru incident, he was examining his own life, one thing at a time.

Many of them bear the mark of this old friend.

However, most of them are not very bright shadows.

He could tell that his old friend was still thinking about the spot beneath him.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

Seeing that he remained silent, Danzo's rage finally exploded: "Are you trying to emulate Uchiha Mengde? Playing the 'holding the emperor hostage to command the princes' game? Making that kid who hasn't even grown up yet your puppet Hokage, while you hide behind the scenes as the 'retired emperor' who holds the power of life and death?!"

His one eye was bloodshot, and his hair stood on end in fury: "Don't even think about it!"

To hold the emperor hostage and use him to command the feudal lords?

Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled that political intrigue novel, which he had read when he was bored.

Danzo has a point, but Naruto's vote count is unlikely to be the highest to begin with.

And

He took one last deep look at his old friend, his gaze piercing through the dust of time, returning to the moment he made up his mind to use the forbidden technique, Corpse Demon Sealing.

At that time, two things weighed heavily on his mind like a thousand-pound burden:

First: Will that brilliant yet immature blond boy be able to grow up smoothly?

Secondly, there is this old friend who has already trekked too far in the dark swamp—Shimura Danzo!

Danzo's roots were the product of his compromises when faced with a complex situation, a hidden wound that had become part of Konoha's very fabric.

Now that I have chosen to step down, I will personally heal the "hidden wounds" that have accompanied me for half my life!

"Danzo, you've really given me a wake-up call."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was unusually calm as he decided to give his old friend a little something to eat first: "You're right, Naruto is indeed not suitable."

Danzo Shimura's pent-up rage suddenly froze: "Really?"

"certainly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly uttered those two words, then suddenly delivered an invisible heavy blow: "However, you should disband Root when you get back."

He added gently, "Wouldn't it be better to put down your burdens and enjoy retirement?"

Danzo was stunned, as if struck by lightning: "You want to disband Root?"

Seeing that Hiruzen's expression didn't seem fake, Danzo suddenly flew into a rage.

Root was the culmination of his hard work and cultivation. Even when the Uchiha clan was wiped out, they only relinquished his position as Hokage's assistant and did not touch his Root.

But now.

Danzo had no time to figure out why. He roared, "Without roots! How can Konoha stand! Hiruzen! You will regret this!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was calm as ice, yet it carried a resolute determination that could sever all entanglements!