socalfunplaces Chapter 249: Does Manji Want to Be Hokage?
Chapter 249: Does Manji Want to Be Hokage?
After the war
"The auspicious hour has arrived—please welcome the two newlywed couples to the stage!"
The emcee's clear voice rang out.
Amidst a flurry of pink and white petals, two couples walked side by side down the red carpet.
The two couples are:
Manji and Tsunade.
Sakumo Hatake and a female medical ninja.
Wearing a black suit, Wanci still had a gentle smile on his face as he steadily took the hand of the person next to him.
Tsunade took off her usual clothes.
She looked radiant in a white wedding dress, her long golden hair styled into an elegant updo, adorned with a pure white camellia.
Following closely behind were Sakumo Hatake and his bride.
Sakumo was dressed in Konoha's traditional wedding attire, with the understated Hatake clan emblem embroidered on his black haori. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, and a rare gentle expression appeared on his usually cold face.
The female ninja beside him was wearing a white furisode kimono embroidered with pale wisteria flowers, and her long black hair was styled into an elegant updo.
One is a vibrant and bright modern romance.
One pair embodies a gentle, understated, and traditional elegance.
Amidst a shower of cherry blossoms and the applause of guests, they slowly walked towards the stage.
The wedding was a grand and lively affair, with almost every well-known ninja from Konoha in attendance.
Minato Namikaze, Kushina, and Shinnosuke squeezed into the front row.
The three young people, their eyes sparkling, waved excitedly and shouted, "Congratulations, teacher! Hello, teacher's wife!"
Even Jiraiya, who was far away in Amegakure, was teaching Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.
Upon receiving the news, he immediately sent a handwritten letter via the fastest mail carrier to express his blessings.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Even after the smoke of World War II had cleared and the wounds of Konoha had not yet fully healed, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already quietly conceived the idea of abdicating and handing over the reins to a more capable leader.
In fact, he had been pondering this idea for a long time.
Looking across the entire Hidden Leaf Village, there is only one successor who can catch his eye.
That is: 10,000 times.
He wanted to make an unprecedentedly bold entrustment, handing over this land, protected by the blood of countless ninjas, to this young man.
Sakumo Hatake is too sharp; he is the sharpest blade in Konoha and cannot become Hokage.
Orochimaru is exceptionally talented, but he has recently been associating closely with Danzo, making his intentions difficult to fathom. He still needs to be observed for a long time.
As for Jiraiya and Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even consider them.
Tsunade is too casual; she's not suitable for the role.
Jiraiya was carefree and still outside.
Neither of them possessed the composure and responsibility expected of someone holding the position of Hokage.
Only 10,000 times is the undisputed optimal solution at present.
He was incredibly powerful and made many outstanding contributions during World War II, earning him widespread fame.
He is gentle and humble, acts with propriety, and possesses a convincing personal charm.
He also married the granddaughter of the Second Hokage, Hashirama Senju, thus connecting with the most orthodox bloodline of Konoha.
What moved the elderly who had followed the first generation the most was that Manji's eyes and brows bore an astonishing resemblance to the first generation, bringing tears to their eyes and making them feel like they were hallucinating.
This layered buff is enough to give Manji a significant lead in the race for the Hokage position.
On this day, Manji was urgently summoned to the Hokage's office.
The Fifth Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, a pipe between his fingers, wisps of smoke curling around him, a gentle smile on his face.
"The Godaime."
Manji nodded slightly, his expression calm, wondering why Hiruzen Sarutobi had bothered him for no reason.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand: "Manji, I'm getting old. The future of Konoha ultimately belongs to you young people. I want to ask you, in your heart, what exactly is the Hokage?"
Wanci calmly sat down as instructed, his eyes flickering slightly upon hearing this.
The two then had a deep conversation about this.
The more they talked, the more shocked Hiruzen Sarutobi became.
He discovered that Manji's understanding of the Hokage and his plans for the village's future were far more profound and visionary than his own, the Hokage who had served for many years.
The young man before them didn't seem like a novice newcomer at all; rather, he seemed like a seasoned leader who had already taken charge of Konoha and weathered many storms.
After the conversation came to an end.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag of his pipe, exhaled a smoke ring, and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously:
"Manji, you wouldn't actually have been Hokage, would you? People in the village have been saying for a long time that you're the reincarnation of the First Hokage. Judging from this, it's probably true."
Manji feigned surprise and nervousness: "You jest. How dare my shallow knowledge compare to the First Hokage? The First Hokage was a being comparable to the Sage of Six Paths."
"So...would you like to become Hokage?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked gently.
Wanci almost lost his composure this time.
To become Hokage?
I've only been retired for a short time, and they want me to be Hokage?
The first generation leader had been doing this for so many years, he was already tired of it.
"I don't want to be Hokage."
He refused very decisively, even after ten thousand times.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked surprised; the Hokage position was something everyone dreamed of.
He refused so casually, however, ten thousand times.
Danzo next door was practically begging to kneel down and give up the Hokage position to him.
But you don't want it even after ten thousand times?
Is he genuinely unwilling to take the position, or is he just pretending?
Another reason he passed it on ten thousand times was because of his own son.
His own son is Wanci's apprentice.
If he becomes Hokage ten thousand times, his son might also become Hokage later on.
If I were to pass it on directly to my son, I would definitely face criticism.
Unexpectedly, he refused to accept the position ten thousand times.
Hiruzen Sarutobi suppressed his shock and asked, "Why?"
Wan shook his head: "I'm too young."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag of his cigarette and could only shake his head: "Alright, but you'll have to think about this!"
Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was determined to promote him to a higher position, Manji could only nod and then leave.
After leaving ten thousand times, Danzo couldn't wait to come out.
"Manji is indeed not suitable to be Hokage. The Hokage of Konoha should be given to a mature and prudent person, preferably a disciple of the Third Hokage."
Danzo Shimura immediately stepped forward and spoke.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly speechless, then said, "Wouldn't it be best if he still had the surname Shimura? Wouldn't it be best if he still had spiky hair? Wouldn't it be best if his name ended with the character 'Zang'?"
Danzo Shimura paused for a moment, then nodded: "Right! Next time, just give me your ninja number!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.
I originally thought Danzo was indeed quite suitable to be the Hokage.
But what happened later proved that I was just overthinking it.
If Danzo becomes Hokage, Konoha will follow in Madara's footsteps.
Danzo is currently on very good terms with the Uchiha clan.
The Uchiha clan, in particular, followed Danzo's every command.
Hiruzen Sarutobi recruited the Senju, Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, and other clans.
Danzo, on the other hand, won over the Uchiha clan.
Furthermore, I've heard that Danzo was also involved in the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, and that he took away many sealing techniques.
He did not pursue the matter further, but instead chose to remain silent.
Back home
"What does the old man want with you?"
Tsunade asked listlessly as she lay on the bed.
Wanci replied directly, "He actually wants me to be Hokage."