The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

Chapter 137. I Really Don't Want to Be Hokage!

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Turbulent undercurrents were surging outside.

However—

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo were already prepared. After being "robbed" twice in a row, how could the Light and the Darkness of Konoha not take precautions in advance?

Of course—

This might also be the last thing Hiruzen could do for his best friend.

Hiruzen sighed inwardly, watching Danzo eloquently introduce his disciple, Orochimaru, to the Daimyo.

[As expected! Orochimaru still won't do!]

If Orochimaru became Hokage, Danzo would surely act without restraint. If the two of them conspired together and recklessly spent money, it would be a disaster.

Therefore, he remained firm in his decision!

Anyone too familiar with Danzo was absolutely unacceptable!

Therefore—

He slammed the table hard, interrupting Danzo, took a serious drag of his pipe, and said, "Orochimaru... is not suitable!"

As soon as he spoke—

Everyone was shocked.

After all, Orochimaru was the Third Hokage's disciple!

Yet now, he was actually being rejected by the Third Hokage himself?!

Even Orochimaru looked utterly confused. Who else here had more qualifications than him? And besides, he hadn't done anything questionable lately, had he?

Why was the old man rejecting him?

It couldn't be because he had helped Danzo research barbecue sauce and milk tea, right?!

So—

What was going on?

He furrowed his brows and looked at the old man.

Danzo also snapped out of his shock. He hadn't expected Hiruzen to reject his own disciple for the position.

Why…?

"Hiruzen, you—"

"Orochimaru is indeed unsuitable!" Hiruzen interrupted Danzo again, giving him no chance to speak, and continued seriously, "In my heart, just because he is my disciple does not mean he is qualified to succeed me. As the Third Hokage, I absolutely cannot show any favoritism!"

"You…"

Are you so determined to prevent me from borrowing money?

As his closest friend, Danzo trembled. He immediately saw through Hiruzen's intentions. Of course, he was more saddened in his heart!

The sadness of not being trusted.

They had agreed.

With his wisdom and Hiruzen's reputation, no challenge could stop them. And yet now… they had only lost 80 million, and Hiruzen already didn't trust him anymore.

You know, he also lost more than 80 million!

Danzo took a deep breath, set aside his chaotic thoughts, and coldly looked at Hiruzen. "Then who do you think is suitable? Orochimaru! A hero of the Second Ninja World War! A pure-blooded Konoha ninja! The hero of the Battle of Kikyo Pass in the Third Ninja World War, who has made outstanding contributions to Konoha and earned its recognition—who else is more qualified than him?"

As soon as he said this—

The surrounding officials nodded in agreement.

Indeed, there was no one more suitable than Orochimaru… Oh wait, there was one other candidate—Tsunade-sama… But she had a psychological disorder and wasn't in the village, so for now, no one in Konoha was more suitable for the Fourth Hokage position than Orochimaru.

As for Jiraiya… they were about the same, but his temperament wasn't as fitting as Orochimaru's.

However—

Hiruzen was completely unpanicked. He took a drag of his pipe, speaking with righteous conviction, free from personal bias, "Konoha's Jonin—Namikaze Minato! Jiraiya's disciple, a hero of the Third Ninja World War, whose merits are no less than Orochimaru's! He carries the Will of Fire in his heart and is the most suitable successor to the Hokage title!"

"You—this is nonsense! How does Namikaze Minato compare to Orochimaru?!" Danzo was furious.

"How is this nonsense? He's young!" Hiruzen retorted righteously.

"You just like that he's young, don't you?!"

"What's wrong with liking that he's young?!"

"You're heartless! You're cruel! You're being unreasonable! You're doing this just because of me!"

"How am I heartless? How am I cruel? How am I being unreasonable? How am I doing this just because of you?!"

The two stared fiercely at each other.

For a moment, the Land of Fire Daimyo's officials were bewildered. They had heard rumors that the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo shared a deep bond.

Seeing them today—those rumors were definitely true!

It's just that… something about it felt a little… off.

After a while—

Danzo also realized the situation was getting weird. This wasn't the time to bicker with Hiruzen.

He took another deep breath. "Hiruzen! You're being foolish!"

"How am I being foolish?"

"Do you remember Uchiha Obito?!"

"…"

"You're going to make Konoha a laughingstock!"

"…Uchiha Obito… he's fine! He's great…! A kind-hearted Konoha youth, always helping old ladies cross the street, and… and also a hero of Konoha! He's… great!"

"He lacks the ninja way!"

"He lacks the ninja way! But that's not Minato's fault!"

"Namikaze Minato was his teacher!"

"So what if he was his teacher?! Namikaze Minato is handsome and young, kind-hearted, and an outstanding Konoha ninja!"

"I doubt—"

"You doubt? Doubt what? Are you suggesting that such a sunny, handsome young man might read inappropriate books?"

"I believe—"

"Stop with your beliefs! Every time you believe something, I get nervous. What now? Do you think this sunny, handsome, and married young man goes around collecting 'materials'?"

"..."

Everyone watched as the two men started arguing about Namikaze Minato. One believed that Minato's student lacked ninja ethics, always targeting weak spots, which meant he probably wasn't a good person either.

The other argued that a student's mistakes shouldn't be blamed on the teacher. If a certain teacher had a student who liked peeping into bathhouses, did that mean the teacher was also a pervert?

Impossible!

Then—

Everyone instinctively shifted their gaze to Minato.

"..."

Minato snapped out of his initial shock, the corner of his mouth twitching as he forced a smile while looking at the two Konoha big shots.

Hokage-sama… can you please stop?

Honestly, he wanted to say—I really don't want to be Hokage.

He had thought about it before.

But now…

Sorry! I'm not interested anymore!

Also, if possible, can I just go back to the village?

I suddenly remembered that I didn't lock the door when I went out!

"Hokage-sama, I—"

"Minato! Just listen!" Hiruzen declared righteously, staring down Danzo. "You're definitely going to be the Fourth Hokage today!"

"I don't—"

"This isn't up to you! This is between me and Danzo!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Danzo's face turned cold again. "Do you really insist on this?"

"He's the most suitable choice!"

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

"I am still the Hokage, Danzo!" Hiruzen shot back without backing down, looking Danzo in the eyes with a serious expression. "Give it up, Danzo! If you don't believe me, ask everyone here—who is more suitable?"

"Hmph! Fine! Ask them!"

Instantly—

Everyone looked up at the ceiling.

Yeah… best not to get involved in this.

"Cough cough." Mitokado Homura, feeling the pressure of three pairs of eyes on him, cleared his throat and nervously wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Namikaze Minato is indeed an excellent Konoha ninja. He's young, handsome, and has made great contributions—"

Before he could finish—

Danzo sneered, "That painting—"

"Of course, Orochimaru is also great! He's just as good-looking as Minato, he's even his senior, and he's stronger. So, both are outstanding ninjas! They are invaluable to Konoha."

In a flash—

Homura quickly wrapped up his statement and sighed in regret. "If I had to choose, I'd find it difficult. They're both fine, good men!"

"..."

Then why even say anything?!

At that moment—

One of the guards whispered something into the Daimyo's ear. The previously troubled Daimyo paused, then suddenly snapped open his folding fan.

"Kukuku~"

He let out a strange laugh before saying, "Since Konoha has two exceptional heroes, Namikaze Minato and Orochimaru, and even the ninjas can't decide, why don't we ask someone else?"

With that—

Everyone looked confused.

Suddenly—

Creak—

The large doors swung open.

A figure stepped in—bathed in golden sunlight, instantly illuminating the entire conference room. His strikingly handsome face shone so brightly that everyone instinctively squinted their eyes.

Then—

With a gentle smile, he casually greeted them,

"Hey! Everyone's here!"

Silence.

Everyone was stunned.

How the hell did this guy get in here?!

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