When Danzo returned to Konoha with a large entourage, he naturally received a warm welcome.
After all, he had not only dispelled the misunderstandings with the Daimyo and restored their support for Konoha, but also tripled the military funding.
Such an impressive achievement was beyond reproach, even by the two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who had to reluctantly express their admiration for Danzo.
After all, the tripled military funding did not all go into Root's pockets; everyone benefited.
Of course, since Danzo had secured this funding, he naturally had greater say in its allocation.
Combined with his title of General of the Land of Fire, these developments were enough to keep the villagers of Konoha talking for several weeks.
At this moment, Danzo and Minato, who had not only completed their mission but exceeded expectations, returned to the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two advisors were already waiting there.
The former was holding the appointment document that Minato had handed over, a hint of loneliness flashing in his eyes.
His decades-long tenure as Hokage was finally coming to an end.
Fortunately, Hiruzen had a good grasp of social niceties, and soon a look of relief appeared on his face.
He extended his rough, bark-like palm and gently removed the Hokage hat from his head.
"Since that's the case, let's hold the Hokage succession ceremony tomorrow," Hiruzen said softly, placing the hat representing the Hokage on the table.
Since the outcome was already decided, it was better to properly organize the succession ceremony and ensure a smooth transition for Konoha to the next era.
Hiruzen had the foresight for this.
Minato Namikaze immediately spoke up:
"Lord Hokage, isn't this a bit too hasty?"
To be honest, although becoming Hokage had always been Minato's dream, he hadn't expected to achieve it so quickly.
Before Hiruzen and Minato could engage in the customary three declines and three offers, Danzo spoke up:
"Let's do it tomorrow."
"Minato has already learned quite a bit on the way. It should be enough to handle a simple inauguration ceremony," Danzo's voice was hoarse but firm.
Hearing this from the respected senior, Minato couldn't continue to be modest; otherwise, it would seem affected.
"Then I'll have to ask the elders for their support," Minato bowed to the group, his tone sincere.
Clearly, his words were not mere politeness but genuine.
Seeing Minato's sincere demeanor, Hiruzen nodded approvingly.
To have such a young man was truly a blessing for Konoha!
The other two elders also wore amiable expressions.
Although they had many complaints about Danzo, they were quite satisfied with the well-mannered young man, Minato.
Only Danzo sat there expressionless.
"Let's get down to business and prepare for the inauguration ceremony properly.
"If there's a problem at this point, it would be a great embarrassment," Danzo quickly got up and headed straight to Root.
Watching Danzo's retreating figure, the faces of the two elders became somewhat unnatural.
Minato's ascension meant that they would soon have to hand over the various departments they held.
Unfortunately, neither Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, nor Hiruzen Sarutobi thought Danzo would make any concessions on this matter.
Not becoming Hokage was already his last line of defense.
Danzo would never let go of the power in the Finance, Education, Commerce, and Foreign Affairs departments.
Regardless of their thoughts, Danzo had already come to Root on his own.
"Lord Danzo, the people you brought have all been settled," Pakura, quickly stepped forward and reported on her task.
After returning to Konoha, Danzo had handed over all the researchers and construction personnel to Pakura to take charge of.
At this moment, they were being arranged by Pakura to rest in the research institute dormitories of Root, waiting for Danzo's further arrangements.
Danzo nodded.
"After Minato takes office tomorrow, many things can be officially started."
The funds that Konoha had been lacking were now in place.
Once Minato took office and Danzo took over those departments, he could begin to make significant changes.
Speaking of which, Pakura reported another piece of good news.
"Lord Danzo, with the assistance of Hanzo, the output value of the newly improved seeds for the first quarter has already come out. Here is the report."
Danzo took the report from Pakura's hand and, with just a glance, a smile appeared on his face.
The report highly praised the new seeds improved by Hiruko using the Chimera Technique.
Not only was the yield astonishing, but they also had strong lodging and pest resistance.
They could definitely be promoted as the main food crops.
Similarly, the report also included a mature ear of wheat.
Looking at the plump ear of wheat before him, Danzo let out a soft laugh.
It seemed that his decision to keep Hiruko at the time was correct.
Although that guy had ulterior motives, he indeed had some unique insights and achievements in biological research.
Especially his self-created Chimera Technique was like a sharp blade for gene editing, capable of easily combining the characteristics of two organisms and combining them in unexpected ways.
"That will be a gift for Minato's inauguration."
As soon as the news of Minato's inauguration was disclosed, it caused a stir among the villagers.
They couldn't wait to welcome Minato, the new Hokage who was like the sun.
No one doubted the ability and character of the "Yellow Flash."
They all believed that under Minato's leadership, Konoha would definitely become younger and greater.
At this moment, in an ordinary apartment.
Kushina rarely showed a gentle expression.
Because she was carefully dressing her husband in the custom-made Hokage's ceremonial robe.
Since it was exclusive to the Hokage and tailor-made.
This ceremonial robe not only fit Minato's figure perfectly, but the material was also sewn with special materials and techniques.
It could quickly transmit the chakra inside the user's body and had very high toughness. Ordinary swords and knives could not even scratch it.
"I didn't expect that you would become the Hokage," Kushina looked at her husband in the mirror, especially the words "Fourth Hokage" on his back, and said with emotion.
Minato also looked at himself in the mirror in a daze and said:
"Yeah, I didn't expect my dream to come true so quickly."
After speaking, Minato suddenly turned around and gently hugged his wife.
"What for?"
Kushina gave Minato a shy glare.
Minato smiled and said:
"No reason, just felt a bit embarrassed for taking someone's dream."
Hearing this, Kushina rolled her eyes without hesitation, reached out, carefully bypassed the ceremonial robe, and then twisted Minato's waist hard.
"Although I didn't become the first female Hokage, at least I became the wife of the Hokage, which also completed half of my dream," Kushina clapped her hands and said with a bad tone.
Facing his wife who forcibly became the Hokage's wife, Minato smiled faintly.
He rubbed Kushina's head affectionately and said:
"Don't worry, I am your husband first, and then the Hokage."
Hearing this, Kushina's face turned red for a moment and she snorted:
"I don't care if you are my husband!"
After speaking, she turned around and left.
People have different joys and sorrows.
In this great joy belonging to Minato Namikaze.
In the dark of Konoha, on a spacious rooftop.
Orochimaru, with long hair, looked at the cheering crowd below, his face calm.
"There you are, Orochimaru!"
Hearing this voice, Orochimaru's eyelids twitched.
With years of experience, he could tell who it was without turning his head.
"Even after all these years, your presence is still so annoying."
Orochimaru said coldly.
The only person in Konoha who could be described like this was none other than his fellow member of the Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya the Gallant!
Facing Orochimaru's sarcasm, Jiraiya didn't mind and laughed heartily.
"Orochimaru, I didn't expect that in the end, my disciple would still be a bit better," he said, pulling out two bottles of sake from somewhere and offering one to Orochimaru.
"How about a drink?"
Orochimaru glanced at it and sneered coldly.
"I don't need something like this to numb myself."
His golden slit-like eyes silently gazed at the crowd below, never once looking at Jiraiya.
"Leaving."
With these brief words, Orochimaru instantly disappeared from the spot.
Only Jiraiya was left there, seemingly lost in thought.
_
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