Konoha: Offer your heart to the Hokage!

Hiruzen looked ashamed: "It's you, Ken'yu. I'm sorry."

Senju Ken'yu placed his hands on his shoulders.

Despite being only nine years old, he exuded a maturity beyond his years. He said earnestly, "It's not your fault, teacher. The villagers have all misunderstood you. I believe it was all Father's intention."

"So please cheer up. Your father in heaven would never want you to be so depressed."

thud

Hiruzen's heart trembled violently.

In an instant, tears welled up in my eyes.

What could heal him more than the forgiveness of the victim's family? The pressure and confusion that had been building up for days seemed to be released with just one sentence from Senju Ken'yu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and hugged Ken'yu Senju tightly, weeping silently like a child who had suffered endless grievances.

Tears soaked through her clothes, but she remained silent.

He treated Senju Ken'yu as Tobirama's substitute meal, and at that moment, the thought of wanting to die in his heart disappeared.

Yes, he can't die.

At least I can't die such a pathetic death at home.

The teacher traded his own life for his, hoping he could live a good life, shine brightly, and continue to protect Konoha. He didn't want him to give up on himself and hastily end his life.

After emerging from the shadows, Hiruzen realized how absurd and ridiculous his earlier thoughts had been.

He was filled with lingering fear and relief; if Xianxiong hadn't arrived in time, he would probably be dead by now...

"Thank you, Kenyu." Hiruzen Sarutobi said earnestly, "Teacher will recover soon."

Senju Ken'yu breathed a sigh of relief as he watched his teacher regain his composure. "How about I go with you to the plaza in front of the Hokage Building tomorrow and explain things to the villagers? We can try to get a vote of confidence for you in your Hokage election."

Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain, and the hat placed on Hiruzen Sarutobi's head is not so easy to remove.

However, the fact that Tobirama's only son personally came forward to testify could somewhat reverse public opinion, at least allowing some villagers to view the truth objectively and slightly alleviate the criticism Hiruzen was facing.

At the same time, it can also encourage some former Jonin who still remember Tobirama's goodwill to cast their votes of trust in Hiruzen Sarutobi under the call of the "young master".

The bond between master and disciple is arguably the strongest bond in Konoha.

Faced with Senju Ken'yu's suggestion, Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent for a moment before shaking his head and refusing, "No need."

He knew very well just how bad his reputation was now; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that everyone wanted to kill him.

At this time, it's hard to say how much positive effect it would have if his disciple, Xianxiong, stepped forward to defend him. In fact, it might even ruin his reputation and earn him the label of "unfilial son" from the villagers.

Once this hat is on, it's hard to take it off, so let him face it alone.

"Get up from where you fall! That's my ninja way, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes hardened, and he patted Ken'yuu's head: "I will prove to the villagers with my actions that they have misjudged and underestimated me, Hiruzen Sarutobi! I am definitely not some cowardly ninja..."

As for the election of the Third Hokage...

He had already decided to give up.

Chapter 175 Waste Utilization: Hiruzen Sarutobi's Fate

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not feel regret and accepted his defeat with equanimity.

Because the Third Generation God Robe never belonged to him in the first place.

If it weren't for Tobirama's dying wish, he would never have intended to compete with Jin for the Hokage position from the very beginning.

After all, that person... was someone he had looked up to since he was in the ninja academy!

In terms of temperament, strength, village prestige, and even appearance and demeanor, he himself admitted that he was far more suitable to become Hokage than himself, not to mention the other villagers of Konoha.

The public opinion that could be heard everywhere already showed that everyone supported Shen Er to become the Third Hokage.

Normally, when villagers choose a village leader, they will prioritize the younger candidate when faced with candidates of similar strength. Even if the candidate is slightly weaker, youth means more vigor and potential, a longer peak period, and the ability to protect the village for a longer time.

However, this unspoken rule doesn't work in Konoha.

The advantage of being a young adult, which should have been a factor, was lost on Hiruzen. Although he was actually eight years younger than Zenji, Zenji's appearance was forever frozen at eighteen, his youthful charm unchanging.

Furthermore, given Hiruzen's advanced age, after all this back and forth, he actually appeared to be the older one.

I failed miserably in terms of appearance.

A complete and thorough crushing victory...

Therefore, becoming Hokage was, for Hiruzen, a challenge against an "enemy" he could never defeat.

Losing to an opponent like this is not shameful at all.

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Ken'yuu Senju's head and said frankly, "In this battle for the Third Hokage, I am no match for Elder Senju. But it doesn't matter. Even if everything is reduced to zero, I will stand up again and make the villagers recognize me."

"I will work hard to become the Fourth Hokage."

The first person in Konoha to prepare for the Fourth Hokage!

Hiruzen is already researching the Fourth Hokage's rivals.

"Can't win at all? I don't understand."

The young Senju Kensuke couldn't fully grasp the complex web of interests behind the Hokage position. He only saw his teacher regain his spirits, and his low spirits vanished.

"It's okay if you don't understand. You'll understand when you grow up."

"Alright, stay at my house for dinner tonight. Let me see if you've neglected your cultivation lately."

"Yes, teacher!"

Sarutobi and his apprentice began sparring in the backyard.

The former's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to that afternoon 15 years ago, when young Hiruzen and young Danzo were receiving Tobirama's discipline in the Senju clan's territory. The inheritance between master and disciple, and between blood ties, was embodied at that moment.

After their exchange, Hiruzen looked at Ken'yuu with amazement in his eyes.

The latter was only nine years old and nearing graduation, but his strength had already far surpassed that of ordinary genin.

He is highly skilled in both Water Release and Earth Release ninjutsu.

Especially his Water Release, which perfectly inherited his father's unconventional Water Release techniques. In terms of chakra "quality" alone, it even surpasses that of Hiruzen, a veteran Jonin. Apart from a slight deficiency in quantity, there is nothing wrong with it.

The strength of Earth Release is also astonishingly high, far surpassing that of ordinary ninjas.

Like a sponge, Senju Kenyu continuously absorbs the secrets of ninjutsu from Hiruzen, who is known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu." His future is limitless; given time, he will surely become one of the pillars of Konoha's future.

After dinner, Kenjiro Senju politely took his leave.

Only Hiruzen and his wife remained in the house. Hiruzen confessed to Biwa that he had accepted his defeat in the election. To his surprise, his wife did not complain about his incompetence; instead, she seemed relieved as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.

"Giving up the competition is the right thing to do."

“That position shouldn’t have been yours to begin with. With Elder Shen’er’s prestige, the third generation could only be him.”

Biwako had always harbored resentment towards Tobirama Senju, feeling that he had forced Hiruzen into the limelight, causing him immense suffering. Now that her husband had finally seen reality and resolved his inner conflict about being Hokage, it was naturally a good thing for her.

Hiruzen was somewhat annoyed...

Even though he had come to terms with it, he was still quite shocked that even his wife didn't think highly of him.

He added, "I will not withdraw from the election; I will still participate in the vote of confidence. This is my teacher's wish, and I don't want to let him down. I will take a few years to reflect and then try again for the position of Fourth Hokage."

Having endured so many days of bullying, Hiruzen's temperament has also calmed down.

Knowing full well that a vote of confidence would be humiliating, they still chose to stand on the stage and serve as a stepping stone for the great Elder Shen.

"what ever."

Pipaqin did not object to her husband's decision, and took the opportunity to ask him about his future plans.

“Go and serve as the Jonin instructor for the graduating Ninja Academy class.” Hiruzen stroked his goatee, then thought for a moment and added, “If my reputation will drag down my students… then I’ll apply to the village to be transferred to the Anbu for a few years of training.”

Time will make the villagers forget everything.

Hiruzen Sarutobi possesses the rare ability to wield all five elemental chakra natures, allowing him to tailor his teaching to each disciple's unique traits and impart ninjutsu suited to their individual needs. However, his reputation within the village is currently quite poor, and any disciple willing to follow him must possess exceptional mental fortitude.

Otherwise, if you walk down the street, people will call you a disciple of the Samurai Ninja, and within a few days you'll get the Jade Disease.

Besides, the Dark Division is his alternative destination. He wears a mask throughout missions, addresses his comrades only by code names, and villagers can't insult him even if they want to, nor does he have to worry about workplace bullying.

Pipaqin nodded and then asked, "Do Danzo and En know about your plans to become the fourth Hokage?"

"Ah..." Hiruzen slapped his forehead: "They don't know yet."

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi gave up becoming the Third Hokage, his two old friends naturally could not become his assistants and elders.

Danzo, in particular, had been running around trying to get votes for him a few days ago, and was even imprisoned for it.

Hiruzen could sense that Danzo wanted him to become Hokage even more than he did.

His decision was tantamount to betraying his old friend. While his subjects were still fighting to the death, he, the "emperor," had already surrendered. Thinking of this, Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"I'll talk to Yan about it tomorrow."

"As for Danzo... let's talk about him after he gets out of prison. I'm afraid he might do something drastic again."

...

The following day is the weekend.

Zenji held Tsunade, who was loyal to him, in his left hand, and embraced Uchiha Chiri, who revered him, in his right.

They walked down the street, looking quite imposing.

The villagers were also fortunate to witness Shen'er's brilliance once again.

Unaware that she was being used, Tsunade happily browsed the streets for novelties.

In the past two years, the ninja world has been engulfed in constant warfare, which has led to an explosive development in technology.

Various consumer entertainment appliances were launched one after another and displayed in shop windows. Shen Er was already used to these things, but everyone else living in this era found them extremely strange.

The television set inside the shop window was playing a black and white video.

Even Uchiha Chiri was captivated, tentatively asking, "This... could it be a genjutsu?"

"This is a product of technology."

Shen Er corrected.