Naruto: Promotion is my Ninja Way

A New Day in Konoha

Konoha Village entered a new day with refreshing weather. The pain brought by the war wouldn't fade easily, but survivors had to continue living, and the village gradually began returning to its former tranquility.

Behind the scenes, however, many things started to become complicated.

Shihouin Naraku quickly processed the growing stack of documents at the ANBU headquarters before stretching his tired muscles.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

"Come in!"

Yamanaka Yue walked in respectfully and reported, "Sir, Danzo's body has been found by others. What should we do next?"

"It's fine. Let it be," Naraku replied.

Shihouin Naraku smiled. Though the war had ended, everyone's attention initially focused on the shocking news of Sarutobi Hiruzen's death in battle. No one had noticed that Danzo had died quietly.

The discovery only happened today—it was already too late to hide it completely.

Yamanaka Yue hesitated before finally speaking up. "Sir, following your orders, we placed several Sand and Sound ninja bodies around Danzo, but this deception likely won't hold up to scrutiny."

Yamanaka Yue's meaning was simple. If Shihouin Naraku truly wanted to conceal that he had killed Danzo, he could have done things more thoroughly. ANBU had the expertise to make sure others would never find any evidence.

But merely dumping a few enemy ninja bodies near the scene wouldn't fool anyone. The signs of battle at the Root organization's headquarters were too numerous and obvious. Any experienced shinobi could easily piece together what had really happened.

"Oh, I know," Shihouin Naraku said, noticing Yamanaka Yue's concern. "I did it that way on purpose."

"If the village can't find anything connecting me to this, things will become more complicated."

"Huh?" Yamanaka Yue looked puzzled. "If you wanted others to know, why did you send me to dispose of the bodies that way?"

"Hahaha... alright, alright. Go back to your duties."

"Yes, sir!"

Though confused, Yamanaka Yue was an ANBU operative. He knew better than to question his superior further unless invited to do so.

"Why?" Naraku murmured to himself after Yue left. "Because I did it on purpose! I did it on purpose!"

Shihouin Naraku certainly knew how to eliminate all traces of battle so that others couldn't find evidence. After all, the corpse disposal team was under his jurisdiction. He understood the process perfectly.

Besides, he didn't actually need to hide anything.

All he had to do was produce the mission scroll that Sarutobi Hiruzen had given him, which clearly stated that executing Danzo was an order from the Third Hokage himself.

Unlike in the original timeline, this time Sarutobi Hiruzen had known many things in advance and made corresponding arrangements. Eliminating Danzo was one of them.

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew well that while he lived, he could easily keep Shimura Danzō suppressed. Danzo wouldn't be able to cause any significant trouble.

But if he died in battle, Danzo would become a nearly insurmountable problem!

No matter who became the new Hokage, elder politicians like Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura would certainly support Shimura Danzō's return to power. These old officials would form an alliance to oppose the new Hokage's authority.

This opposition wouldn't be outright rebellion, but they would obstruct the new Hokage's initiatives to maintain their own influence.

Shimura Danzō controlling the Root Organization represented military power. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had deep connections throughout Konoha's power structure—representing money and political influence.

Combined with other elders, their collective power was terrifyingly significant.

No matter who became the Fifth Hokage, they would find it nearly impossible to govern effectively with such opposition!

But Sarutobi Hiruzen knew this couldn't be allowed to happen. If he died in battle, the new Hokage would have too much to handle without also dealing with political power struggles.

So Shimura Danzō had to die!

With Danzo gone, even though the elders retained their wealth and connections, as long as the ANBU and medical corps controlled by Shihouin Naraku, along with the Jōnin ranks led by Nara Shikaku and Hatake Kakashi, stood by the new Hokage, everything would work out.

A Hokage with control of military force could overturn the table of politics if necessary!

Old politicians like Mitokado Homura wanted to preserve their power, but if the Hokage decided to reset the game, they would have to accept it or face worse consequences. This would give the new Hokage room to maneuver and govern properly!

So again, Shimura Danzō had to die!

Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen had taken responsibility himself by leaving the mission scroll, ensuring that if Shihouin Naraku became the new Hokage, his reputation wouldn't be stained.

From this perspective, Shimura Danzō was truly unsuitable to be Hokage!

He had too many dark spots on his record that couldn't be washed away no matter how hard anyone tried.

Shihouin Naraku held the mission scroll in his hand, his face showing no emotion, appearing very calm. "The old man did me a favor before his death, giving me this gift!"

"It seems that after all his considerations, he still chose me as the Fifth Hokage!"

This made sense given the war's aftermath. A powerful Fifth Hokage would make many people feel secure!

"What a pity!"

"Too bad I don't plan on becoming Hokage, at least not now!"

"The shinobi world is too dangerous. My strength isn't enough yet. I need to continue growing stronger!"

"So, let's have Tsunade-sensei do it."

Shihouin Naraku stood up, straightened his clothes, and left the ANBU headquarters.

There was an important meeting today that he couldn't miss!

...

In the capital of the Fire Country, inside a solemn meeting room of a luxurious building, Shihouin Naraku, Nara Shikaku, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura sat across from each other.

Several Fire Country nobles sat nearby, while the Fire Daimyo himself presided at the head of the table.

This was a meeting of great importance to both the Fire Country and Konohagakure!

They were gathered to recommend the Fifth Hokage!

Actually, another person should have been present—Jiraiya!

However, knowing Jiraiya's personality, he had obviously realized a meeting to select a new Hokage would be held soon, so he had disappeared early. No one knew where he'd gone.

"Oh my... why is everyone so silent?" The Fire Country Daimyo opened his folding fan, covered his mouth, and spoke softly. "Konoha Village needs a Fifth Hokage. There's no time to delay this matter any longer."

"Ahem..." Nara Shikaku, who was managing the meeting, spoke first. "According to recommendations from the village Jōnin, there are four candidates for you to choose from."

Glancing at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, Nara Shikaku continued:

"First, one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya!"

"Second, the Legendary Medical Ninja, Tsunade!"

"Third, Konohagakure ANBU Captain and Head of the Medical Department, Shihouin Naraku!"

"And fourth, Vice-leader of Konohagakure's Jōnin Council and instructor of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Hatake Kakashi!"

After reading their names and brief titles, Nara Shikaku picked up documents from the table and began detailing each candidate's specific background, qualifications, and other information—including missions they had completed and contributions they had made to Konoha Village.

Although everyone present was familiar with the four candidates, these formalities were necessary procedures that couldn't be skipped.

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