New Hokage Candidate (Second Update)

Previously, Nagato had been unable to use the Rinnegan well enough to revive Madara with the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu. Now, Nagato could do it, but Obito felt that rather than reviving Madara, it would be better to continue having Nagato lead the Akatsuki in collecting the tailed beasts.

Once he became the Ten-Tails’ Jinchuriki himself and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, that would be enough. Why revive Madara at all?

What if Madara had not been telling the truth? With Madara’s immense strength, Obito would have no way to control him after his revival.

He was no longer the easily deceived boy he had once been. Rather than placing his fate in someone else’s hands, he would rather hold it in his own. As long as the Moon Eye Plan ultimately succeeded, Madara’s wish would be fulfilled anyway.

"Zetsu!"

At Deva Path Pain’s call, the pitcher plant-like Zetsu immediately emerged from the ground.

"Leader, what are your orders?"

"Go monitor the area around Konoha. I want records of every ninja entering and leaving Konoha during this period."

Deva Path Pain gave the order.

Zetsu nodded and sank beneath the tower.

"Go notify the other members. Put down all current missions and return to the base first."

Deva Path Pain turned to Obito, who activated Kamui and vanished from the spot.

In a room beneath the tower, Konan looked at Nagato, who was thin as a skeleton with black rods embedded all over his back. She frowned and said worriedly:

"I always feel that this Uchiha Madara has ulterior motives. We should be more careful around him."

"Whether he is truly Uchiha Madara remains to be seen. He still has some use for now. Once the tailed beasts have been collected, if he dares make any unusual move, kill him immediately!"

Nagato coughed twice, and a flash of cold light passed through his eyes.

He had never fully trusted the man claiming to be Uchiha Madara from beginning to end.

"His intangibility can only last five minutes at most. If he dares betray you, I’ll help you kill him."

Konan gently smoothed Nagato’s hair.

"Hiruzen, why am I not on the list of candidates for Fifth Hokage?"

Inside Konoha’s Hokage Building, Danzo looked at the list of Fifth Hokage candidates in his hand and demanded angrily.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, Hyuga Hiashi, and Shikaku Nara—Third had selected five Hokage candidates, yet Danzo, who had made countless contributions to Konoha and wanted to become Hokage more than anyone, was the only one excluded.

"Shimura, don’t be angry. I know you want to contribute to the village, but you are about the same age as me. Even if you did become Hokage, how many more years could you serve?

Why not give the opportunity to the younger generation?

Besides, Root still needs you to oversee it. If you became Hokage, would Root have to merge with the Anbu?"

Third advised him with a kind expression.

Beside him, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura nodded and joined Third in persuading him.

They could not allow Danzo to become Hokage. Not only was Danzo a hawk whose ideals differed from theirs, but if Danzo became Hokage, both Konoha’s Anbu and Root would fall under his command.

Konoha would then essentially become Danzo’s personal domain, and the two of them would not have an easy time either.

What they needed was for Danzo and Third, Konoha’s two greatest powers, to keep each other in check, allowing them to gain power from between them.

Just like now, whenever Konoha had an important decision to make and Danzo and Third disagreed, both had to try to win the two advisers over to their side before a decision could be reached.

Danzo immediately understood. This list had actually been discussed and decided upon in advance by Third and the two advisers, with him deliberately left out.

He knew Third did not want him to succeed as Hokage, but he had not expected him to go this far, refusing even to put him on the candidate list. This was meant to completely destroy his hope.

It seems I can only cooperate with that prince.

Danzo gritted his teeth, having already made his decision.

Over the past few days, he had been thinking about Li Chuan’s words. He had always felt that things could not be so simple, but the intelligence from his investigation seemed to make some sense.

He simply did not believe that someone could spend a little over a year going from knowing no ninjutsu to becoming a powerful fighter with Li Chuan’s current strength. This was not a matter of talent or lack thereof—it was impossible.

So, based on his reasoning, Li Chuan was indeed a genius, but he must have come into contact with ninjutsu at a very young age.

He had merely kept pretending that he knew no ninjutsu and was in poor health, remaining in his Prince’s Mansion year after year. His purpose was probably simple: to deceive everyone and lower the guard of the daimyo and all the others.

If he was not after power, not after the daimyo’s position, then there would have been no reason to keep up the disguise for so many years.

Since he had no chance at all under the current circumstances, he might as well bring Li Chuan, who harbored hidden schemes, into the mess. In any case, the outcome could not get any worse.

"You are right. I am indeed getting too old and am not well suited to succeeding as Hokage. And Root truly does need me to manage it."

Danzo’s furious expression vanished, and his attitude suddenly became much better.

His change also brought looks of surprise to Third and the two advisers.

They had thought that, given Danzo’s personality, he would certainly make a scene for quite some time. To placate him, Third had even planned to surrender more authority, such as approving Danzo’s long-standing proposal to increase Root’s personnel.

When it came to selecting the Hokage, he did indeed hold the greatest decision-making power. But if things became too ugly, it would not be good for Konoha as a whole.

As a leader, he understood very well that he could not simply do whatever he wanted in every matter.

"However, I have a proposal: add another Hokage candidate."

Danzo tapped his cane.

Only then did Third understand. So Danzo still had another scheme in mind. That was more like Danzo’s style.

"Of course. Shimura, who do you think would be suitable? I’ll add them to the list immediately."

As long as it was not Danzo himself, Third did not care which Root ninja Danzo recommended.

Third understood clearly that Danzo himself met the qualifications to run for Hokage based on his seniority. Danzo had made no small contribution to Konoha, and there were quite a few supporters and clans in the village who agreed with his ideals.

But any Root ninja he recommended, no matter who it was, would not have the slightest chance.

Many of Root’s missions were highly secretive, classified operations that were never made public. They had always silently devoted themselves to the village from the shadows.

Thus, many of their contributions could not be discussed openly, and naturally they would not receive recognition from the village’s ordinary ninja and residents.

And how could a ninja who lacked public recognition possibly become Hokage? Even if Third did not interfere in the end, the result would not change.

Hearing Third’s words, Danzo narrowed his eyes before saying calmly:

"I recommend your fourth disciple, Hiruzen—our esteemed Your Highness the Prince, Yuan Chuan. I believe that in every respect, he meets the requirements to be a Hokage candidate!"