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"..."
Sarutobi Ryo watched as Danzo left the room.
Beware of enemies pretending to be helpful.
Even someone not very smart could see through Danzo's plan.
These people acted so sure of themselves.
The choices for Hokage would be one of three: him, Namikaze Minato, or Orochimaru.
But what about Hatake Sakumo?
Did he deserve to be pushed into a corner?
The next Hokage didn't have to be Hatake Sakumo, especially since Sakumo just wanted a peaceful life.
But they could have just said that.
Why did they need to create so many schemes to hurt him?
Was the old saying true: "Once the hunt is over, the dog is no longer needed"?
Ringo Ameyuri's situation and the trouble Hatake Sakumo was about to face made Sarutobi Ryo feel angry.
What did the Will of Fire really mean?
What was the Will of Fire?!
"Sarutobi Ryo, do you have something to say?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked closely at his son. He seemed to notice Ryo's anger.
"Nothing, Father. Maybe my training has just hit a hard spot," Sarutobi Ryo said, making up an excuse.
"I see..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment, deciding to check on his son that night.
He realized that he hadn't been much of a father to him while he was growing up.
Now, the boy had become strong on his own.
It was time to teach him some of the Sarutobi clan's special skills.
Sarutobi Hiruzen made his plans, which was exactly what Sarutobi Ryo wanted.
There were things that Sarutobi Ryo really needed to talk about with his Father.
"For now, Sarutobi Ryo, you should rest and heal your injuries," Biwako said, clearly happy with her eldest Son's performance.
"Yes, Mother."
Sarutobi Ryo nodded and turned to leave the Hokage Office.
"Young Master Ryo." Outside the door, Namikaze Minato nodded to Sarutobi Ryo.
Sarutobi Ryo nodded back.
After Sarutobi Ryo left, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura also came out of the office.
"Hmph, that Sarutobi Ryo... he's been acting more and more arrogant lately," Utatane Koharu said, annoyed.
He used to be quiet and didn't say much.
What made him change so much?
"Maybe... Danzo has influenced him," Mitokado Homura guessed.
Namikaze Minato, who was behind them, heard everything they said.
When he heard that Sarutobi Ryo had killed the Twelve Guardian Ninja and Kurosuki Raiga, he was very surprised.
"So, Young Master Ryo is that strong, huh?"
Namikaze Minato had known Sarutobi Ryo since they were kids, but he suddenly realized that he couldn't understand the Young Master Ryo who didn't smile much anymore.
After entering their office and closing the door, Utatane Koharu said to Namikaze Minato, "You must become the Fourth Hokage and not waste the path we've made for you..."
"Yes."
Namikaze Minato answered quickly.
There were several steps to becoming Hokage.
First is getting approval from the Land of Fire Daimyo. Second is getting approval from the important people in Konoha. and Third is getting votes from the Jonin.
The Second Hokage chose the Third Hokage, which made many people unhappy when he came back to the village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was too young at the time.
So, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo worked hard to calm everyone down.
They convinced the different clans to agree.
This turned the Konoha Higher-Ups into a group of "four people."
Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo had a lot of power because they helped Sarutobi Hiruzen become Hokage.
They represented the interests of many clans in Konoha.
But as time went on, things changed in Konoha.
When Konoha was first created, it was mostly made up of Clan Ninjas.
Now, there were more Commoner Ninjas than Clan Ninjas, and they had a big impact on the village.
These people didn't have clans or family history.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura couldn't bribe them like they did the Clan Ninjas.
So, they made a plan to trick Hatake Sakumo and ruin his reputation with the Commoners.
Then, Hatake Sakumo wouldn't have enough support to become the next Hokage.
The Commoner Ninjas who supported Hatake Sakumo would start supporting someone else.
That person was Namikaze Minato.
This was Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo's whole plan.
Of course, Danzo didn't support Namikaze Minato like the Two Advisors did.
But they all agreed on ruining Hatake Sakumo's reputation.
"But... I really thought Senior Sakumo would become the Fourth Hokage..."
Namikaze Minato said, confused.
He might be able to become the Fifth Generation Hokage.
But he couldn't compete with Hatake Sakumo for the Fourth Hokage position.
They were from different generations, so there was a big difference in their experience and reputation.
He was still playing around when Sakumo Sensei became famous.
"Heh..."
Utatane Koharu laughed, with a knowing smile.
"You'll understand soon enough..."
Just as Namikaze Minato was about to say something, Mitokado Homura waved his hand, "Minato, work hard... the Fourth Hokage's seat will be yours..."
Even though it was daytime, Namikaze Minato felt cold.
The Two Advisors were standing with their backs to the window, and the sunlight made their faces look even more evil.
"I understand..." Namikaze Minato said softly, bowing and leaving.
"A younger Hokage is easier to control than the Konoha White Fang."
After Namikaze Minato left, Utatane Koharu spoke again.
Namikaze Minato's youth was his biggest advantage.
The Konoha White Fang was too experienced, strong, and independent, so he was hard to control. That made him unsuitable to be Hokage.
But Hatake Sakumo had a Son... Hatake Kakashi.
With a weakness, he could be easily manipulated.
...
"What are the Two Higher-Ups planning..."
Namikaze Minato wondered to himself as he walked out of the Hokage Building.
He didn't understand why the Two Higher-Ups were so sure that he would be the Fourth Hokage.
"Could it be..."
A thought crossed Namikaze Minato's mind, and he stopped walking.
He remembered Young Master Sarutobi Ryo teaching Kakashi.
And Young Master Ryo's meaningful look at the end.
Namikaze Minato's eyes slowly widened.
Someone he hadn't seen in years stood in front of him, blocking the sun.
"Yo... Minato, long time no see..."
Namikaze Minato: "Jiraiya... Teacher?!"