"Nothing much," Shimura Danzō said, eting Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze directly without the slightest sign of backing down. "I'm simply wondering whether Namikaze Minato is still suitable to beco the Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen did not hesitate in the slightest.
"There is no doubt about it. Namikaze Minato is absolutely the most suitable candidate to beco the Fourth Hokage."
Danzō snorted.
"Hiruzen, it seems you've truly grown senile. You can no longer make the right judgnts."
Hiruzen did not get angry. Instead, he simply frowned slightly.
"Danzō, if you have sothing to say, say it directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
Beside them, Utatane Koharu also asked,
"Danzō, did you discover sothing?"
Long ago, the four of them had already reached a consensus regarding Minato becoming the Fourth Hokage.
At the ti, although Danzō had not explicitly expressed support, he had not voiced any opposition either. That had essentially been his tacit approval.
But now that he was saying such things, it was obvious he had developed new thoughts on the matter.
Danzō spoke.
"First, you all seem to have overlooked sothing—Namikaze Minato once had a very good relationship with the Uchiha clan…"
"Wait!"
Before Danzō could finish, Hiruzen interrupted him.
"Danzō, let correct you here. Namikaze Minato didn't just have a good relationship with the Uchiha clan—he has good relationships with everyone in the village."
"That's simply Minato's personality. He treats everyone equally, like a small sun warming those around him."
"And that is the perfect embodint of the Will of Fire, as well as a quality every capable leader should possess."
"Even I cannot match him in that regard."
"So if you're trying to use this point to attack Minato and claim he isn't suitable to beco the Fourth Hokage, you should give up."
"I believe that even after becoming Hokage, Minato will never give the Uchiha clan any special treatnt."
Up until now, Hiruzen had remained extrely satisfied with Minato as his successor. To cut off any sches Danzō might be harboring, he deliberately made his stance clear.
Mitokado Homura also nodded in agreent.
"Hiruzen is right. When it cos to dealing with people, Minato truly does an excellent job. I doubt there's anyone in the village who dislikes him."
Danzō snorted again.
"In your eyes, am I really such a shortsighted man?"
"Back when Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku were clearly growing closer, I never voiced any opposition."
"That's not what I'm trying to say."
"Then it seems I misunderstood," Hiruzen said, gesturing for him to continue. "Go on."
Danzō resud speaking.
"A few days ago, when the various clans of the village visited Minato's ho, Minato clearly expressed his intention to intervene in internal clan affairs."
"He even used the Uchiha clan and the Hyūga clan as examples…"
Hiruzen frowned and interrupted again.
"Danzō, I admit Minato's handling of that matter was sowhat inappropriate. But his intentions were good—everything he did was for the sake of the village."
"His ideas are simply a bit immature."
"I don't believe there's any real problem with Minato's stance. With proper guidance in the future, that will be enough."
Danzō laughed coldly.
"Indeed, if you look at these two matters separately, Minato hasn't done anything wrong."
"But if you put these matters together—and add today's incident—then the problem becos serious."
Hiruzen and the other two were montarily stunned, falling into deep thought.
Danzō continued.
"From Minato's behavior, it's clear that he treats everyone in the village equally. In other words, his ideology aims to give everyone in the village equal treatnt."
"Even if such an idea touches the taboos of many clans and offends them, he doesn't care."
"You can see that from the fact that he openly pointed out the problems within both the Uchiha and Hyūga clans."
"And don't forget—this ti the Uchiha want to reform the Konoha Military Police Force and revise the village laws."
"In so ways, that actually aligns with Minato's ideals."
"And Minato already has a good relationship with the Uchiha."
"If he truly becos the Fourth Hokage, would he support them?"
"Don't tell you'll simply stand by and prevent such a thing from happening."
"You should know that Minato has ideas of his own. While he respects you greatly, if your ideology conflicts with his, he may not necessarily stand on your side."
Koharu and Homura both fell into deep thought.
After a mont of contemplation, a sharp glint flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.
Looking at Danzō, he spoke firmly.
"Danzō, you're exaggerating the danger."
"Precisely because Minato is selfless and devoted to the village, he would never allow the Uchiha clan to revise the village's laws alone."
"Don't forget—Minato even wanted the Uchiha to hand over the authority of the Konoha Military Police Force."
"So the situation you described will never happen."
Danzō snorted.
"Will it really never happen?"
"Minato's political skills right now are practically those of a novice. And that Uchiha Ren is certainly not a simple character."
"What if Minato ends up being misled by him?"
Hiruzen laughed coldly.
"That possibility does exist—but with the four of us here, the chance of it happening is less than one percent."
"Danzō, stop going in circles. Just say what you really want."
At this point, Koharu and Homura finally understood what was going on. They looked at Danzō with strange expressions.
They had nearly been led into Danzō's trap.
Even though his sche had been exposed, Danzō's expression didn't change in the slightest.
"Even if the possibility is extrely low, it's still a hidden risk."
"So, to ensure absolute safety, I propose choosing a more suitable candidate to beco the Fourth Hokage."
Koharu frowned.
"Is there really anyone more suitable than Namikaze Minato right now?"
But Hiruzen had already sensed sothing. His voice turned cold.
"Danzō… the 'more suitable candidate' you're referring to—"
"—wouldn't happen to be yourself, would it?"
"Exactly."
Danzō straightened his back and declared confidently,
"In terms of experience, seniority, and ability—what part of , Shimura Danzō, is unqualified to beco Hokage?"
"The four of us grew up together. We know each other inside and out. We stand together."
"If I beco Hokage, there will be no hidden dangers."
"And recently I've visited many of the clans in the village. They've all expressed their willingness to support taking the position."
After a pause, Danzō looked directly at Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen… do you support becoming Hokage?"
Hiruzen's gaze turned sharp.
After a long silence, he finally spoke slowly.
"With so many clans supporting you…"
"You don't need my support."
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