"Have you guys really gone insane? Making Natsuki Hokage?" Kurenai's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief as she stared at the Council of Elders.
She knew her brother better than anyone.
He was a lawless, immature and chuuni-minded individual whose every action exasperated or amused the onlookers.
Though she didn't understand how, his strength had recently skyrocketed.
It was as if he could grow stronger even in his sleep.
He's been doing boss battles around the world like in some video game, taken down bosses from Konoha to the Land of Waves, and even thwarted Orochimaru's Konoha Crush plan.
He was hailed as Konoha's little hero, its youngest guardian.
But being a strong fighter was completely different from being a capable leader.
The Hokage, the leader of the foremost ninja village, not only needed exceptional strength but also extraordinary leadership skills to deal with the old geezers from other villages.
Moreover, with Natsuki's immature nature, he would absolutely refuse.
"Mind your words Lady Yuhi." Koharu Utatane said calmly, already expecting the reaction, but not to this extent.
"I apologize for my outburst, I was that much caught off guard. But don't you see that Natsuki is too young?!"
"Indeed, Natsuki is too young to be Hokage.
"But Konoha is currently teetering on the brink of collapse. Our overall combat strength is low, and the other Great Villages are watching us like hawks.
"By the way, as his older sister, do you understand your brother's talents?"
"He possesses various powerful and bizarre abilities. He even taught Lee, who couldn't use Ninjutsu, how to use the Hidden Lotus Palm and helped evolve the ninken of the Inuzuka Clan.
"If he were to share these abilities, Konoha's overall strength would surely rise to a new level," Danzo stepped forward to explain.
Although he desperately craved the Hokage position, he cared more about the power to control the fate of others, just as he had done years ago when he stole Shisui's Kotoamatsukami.
Now, with Konoha weaker than ever, it was better to use this Natsuki to drive away Tsunade, who was about to be recalled.
At the same time, he could force the kid to reveal all the powerful abilities he possessed.
Moreover, he had just received the latest news: the Land of Water had completely fallen into the hands of that arrogant Pinapple.
That guy and his Uchiha clan held a deep-seated grudge against Konoha, especially against himself.
Now, with the support of the Mist ninjas, he would undoubtedly lead them in a comeback.
When that happened, Danzo could hide again and let these hot-blooded youngsters take the brunt of the attack.
Once this kid had outlived his usefulness, he would assassinate him.
The Hokage seat would still be his.
And this time, there would be no smooth-talking Hiruzen to stop him.
Although Homura and Koharu continued to obstruct his ascent to the Hokage position, he had never taken those two old fools seriously.
Without the support of Jiraiya and Tsunade, he could deal with them at any time.
"Natsuki's abilities..." Kurenai hesitated.
'Damn it!'
She had forgotten about this because of that incident a few days ago.
She had originally wanted to ask him how he possessed so many powerful Jutsu's.
But while helping him scrub his back, she accidentally touched Natsuki's excalibur.
It scared her so much.
This kid's strength had surged, but she hadn't expected that to surge as well. It was terrifying.
She had been avoiding him ever since.
Homura, thinking Kurenai was still hesitant about Natsuki becoming Hokage, stepped forward to persuade her:
"Konoha is facing a great crisis. Morale is low, and our overall combat strength has dropped in levels," Homura said with feigned solemnity, striking a righteous pose.
"We need someone with great power and unlimited potential to be Hokage, someone who can deter those with unkind intentions.
"The position of Hokage is the ultimate goal that countless ninjas strive for their entire lives. If Natsuki becomes Hokage, it will surely revive the glory of your Yuhi Clan.
"As for the troublesome political affairs, us old bones can still hold on for a few more years. We are willing to serve the Hokage for a few more years."
The phrase "revive the glory of the Yuhi Clan" struck a chord with Kurenai.
Indeed, with only two siblings left, the clan was in decline.
If Natsuki could become Hokage, the Yuhi Clan would surely rise to prominence again.
Their previous clan head, her father, would be pleased in the afterlife.
Besides, Konoha was their home.
Protecting it was their duty as Konoha ninjas.
However, she couldn't shake the feeling that these old bastards had ulterior motives.
Politicians were all dirty.
Natsuki was so innocent. If he entered this vortex, wouldn't he be sold off without even realizing it?
And what did they mean by helping with political affairs?
Did they intend to make Natsuki a puppet Hokage? They would comfortably control Konoha from behind the scenes.
Although Kurenai was tempted by the idea of Natsuki becoming Hokage, for her brother's safety, she decided to refuse.
"Forget it, Natsuki is still young and not ready to take on such a heavy responsibility. He's still a child himself.
"By the way, Kakashi is exceptionally skilled. He was once a renowned genius in both Konoha and the ninja world.
"Why not let Kakashi be Hokage? Or the Third's son, Asuma?" Kurenai offered alternative candidates while declining.
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances.
Hmph, if we let them become Hokage, how would we maintain control? They needed someone like Natsuki, who was well-known throughout the village, a celebrated hero with great power, yet also innocent, immature, and as easy to control as a child.
He was the perfect candidate for a puppet who could pull all the political and public aggro to himself.
"Haha, you said it yourself, 'he was a genius'. Kakashi has been depressed for too long and has lost the strength and reputation he had as a member of Team Minato.
"As for Asuma, he has been under the Third's protection for many years and is indecisive in nature…"
Before Koharu could finish her explanation, a figure flashed in the doorway of the Hokage's office.
"Reporting to the Elders!
"Konoha is under attack by powerful enemies! Kakashi and Asuma went to intercept them, but they were defeated! One is unconscious, the other severely injured. We need backup!" The ANBU member, wearing an animal mask, spoke urgently.
"What? Kakashi and Asuma were both defeated?
"How many enemies are there?" Homura asked in shock.
Even Kurenai rolled her eyes. This was too coincidental.
They had just been discussing Kakashi and Asuma, and now both of them had been beaten.
It was as if someone wanted to prove that they were indeed unsuitable to become the Hokage.
"There are only two enemies.
"They wear black robes with red clouds.
"One of them is the S-rank missing-nin, Itachi Uchiha!"
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