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"Minato, the matter of Kakashi has been taken care of. As long as he doesn't mention it himself, the other Ninja Villages won't know he has become a Chunin."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said to Namikaze Minato. During this period, he almost had the Anbu inform all the Konoha Ninja who knew Kakashi was a Chunin to keep it a secret when outside village ninjas arrive.
It's been nearly four years since Kakashi was promoted to Chunin at the age of six. Under Hatake Sakumo's occasional training, Kakashi is now even qualified to challenge the Special Jonin.
Although he's very young, letting him participate in the Chunin Exam would definitely place him among the top contenders.
If other Ninja Villages find out Kakashi has been a Chunin for over three years, this Chunin Exam would be a joke.
"Thank you very much, Third Lord, I was quite worried about this matter before."
Namikaze Minato said with a smile, "Though those three often bicker, their friendship is strong. Suddenly changing a teammate could surely cause them to fail the Chunin Exam."
"It's just a small matter, no need..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Namikaze Minato before him and suddenly came up with an idea.
He had considered the Fourth Generation Hokage before and thought a lot, but his three disciples and the Hokage didn't match up.
If Tsunade didn't have blood phobia and Orochimaru thought more about the village, instead of just his dreams, and Jiraiya were more serious, any of them would be suitable for Hokage.
But they each fall just a bit short, causing Sarutobi Hiruzen to feel none of the three are fitting for Hokage.
As for Hatake Sakumo, he was a headache for Sarutobi Hiruzen. Someone who perfectly embodies the Will of Fire. If asked to name two faults of Hatake Sakumo, the Konoha Ninja might struggle all day.
But... he gets too close with the Uchiha Race!
And he is very opinionated. If Hatake Sakumo becomes the Fourth Generation Hokage, then Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Third Generation Hokage, could truly retire.
"Minato, do you want to become Hokage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly asked, causing Namikaze Minato to pause, and after a few seconds, Namikaze Minato scratched his head, somewhat embarrassedly saying,
"Of course, I do. It was my goal back in Ninja School. I have been striving towards the Hokage direction ever since."
"I want to protect everyone in the village and receive everyone's recognition!" Finally, I want to protect Kushina and allow her freedom to explore the Ninja World.
This last thought was in Namikaze Minato's mind and was not spoken aloud.
"Well, work hard then. If you need anything, feel free to come to me, Minato. I have high hopes for you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe, then smiled kindly at Namikaze Minato saying, "When Jiraiya initially said you were suitable for Flying Thunder God Jutsu, it was the second time I took notice of you. Back then, I felt you would surely become Hokage."
"Third Lord..."
Namikaze Minato was a bit moved. If the Third Lord hadn't nodded in agreement back then, how could he as a Chunin have reviewed the Sealing Book and obtained the Flying Thunder God Jutsu from the Second Generation Hokage?
"Keep working hard, Minato. In two years, I may step down. By then, I hope you gain the recognition of the entire village."
"Yes, I understand, Third Lord."
Namikaze Minato said excitedly upon hearing this, as it was practically a clear indicator that the Third Lord would support him becoming the Fourth Generation Hokage.
Hokage was his dream and the premise for freeing Kushina from supervision, so hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's recognition and support excited Namikaze Minato.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Namikaze Minato was still a bit excited, but after taking a few more steps, his character led him to calm down.
It was then Namikaze Minato realized that becoming Hokage, despite the support, also came with substantial resistance.
Among his peers, there was Uchiha Yoichi, Lightning Fang from Konoha, and the Uchiha Clan Leader.
And the Sannin, including his mentor Jiraiya and Orochimaru, with richer war merits and task records than his.
The greatest headache for Namikaze Minato was Konoha White Fang. He suddenly felt that Konoha White Fang was actually the most fitting for Hokage, and even though his dream supported him, in front of Hatake Sakumo, there always seemed to be a big gap.
"I'll seek some advice from mentor Jiraiya."
Namikaze Minato originally planned to see Kushina, but now the Hokage matter weighed on his mind, so he wanted to consult mentor Jiraiya.
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With the Chunin Exam approaching, the Security Team's patrols have tightened.
Just after the war ended, hosting a Chunin Exam involving several Country Ninja Villages was a challenging task for the Security Team.
Thus, Uchiha Yoichi even had ninjas from the clan helping out, and some who were not part of the Security Team also patrolled with them.
This provided the Security Team more time to rest.
The Genin participating in the Chunin Exam were also undergoing fierce training; this Chunin Exam is a grand event.
Held jointly by six Ninja Villages, with four Daimyo coming to watch, once news spread, no Genin wanted to lose face this time.
A few days ago, Hatake Kakashi was practicing teamwork with Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin, but in the last few days, he had been training at home, having asked his father Hatake Sakumo to specifically train him in the White Fang Saber Technique.
Sarutobi Asuma also had ninjas from the Sarutobi Race teaching him the Sarutobi Family's Fire Release Ninjutsu.
Hyuga Satomi was practicing Gentle Fist but did not return home; rather, upon obtaining Uchiha Yoichi's permission, trained daily in the forest behind his house.
Uchiha Yoichi guessed a bit about the situation of the Hyuga Clan but did not explicitly say anything.
As for Uchiha Yoichi himself, he casually strolled around several places after absorbing sufficient Star Stone Chakra, no longer training.
The basement at home was also equipped with many experimental devices, and now Uzumaki Minami was conducting cell fusion in the home's basement.
Once the cell fusion is complete, Uzumaki Minami can then fuse Hashirama Cells into Uchiha Yoichi. Her method not only perfectly unleashes the power of Hashirama Cells but also has no side effects.
No white skin or human faces appearing.
Once Hashirama Cells are fused, Uchiha Yoichi will become the strongest ninja in Konoha Village, and he hasn't even learned the Immortal Technique.
Ninjas from other villages were also arriving in Konoha gradually, including Hidden Cloud Ninja.
A total of thirty, aside from the three Jonin, Hidden Cloud Ninja sent nine Genin Squads to participate in Konoha's Chunin Exam.
Although not matching Hidden Rock Ninja's fifteen squads, they had the third highest number among Ninja Villages.
Upon arrival in Konoha, Dodai beckoned Samui into a room inside, addressing him with a solemn expression, "Samui, if you see Yugito this time, relay Lord Raikage's message to her, telling her not to worry too much..."
"Understood, Lord Dodai. Once I see Yugito, I'll speak to her properly."
Samui said expressionlessly, not that she didn't take this task seriously, but simply her expressions were naturally few.
"But Lord Dodai, will Konoha allow us to take Yugito away?"
"They should. We've shown enough sincerity this time. If Konoha still doesn't agree to give Yugito back, then..."
Dodai rubbed between his eyebrows as he said. Having even brought out other Six Paths Ninja Tools, along with the war defeat document, and task commissions from the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Rice Fields.
If, under such conditions, Konoha Village refuses to give Yugito back, then the Third Generation Raikage would genuinely cast aside his pride and seek cooperation with Onoki.
The Two-tailed is too crucial for them, overshadowing any notion of pride.
This time, Hidden Cloud Village participating in the Chunin Exam also aimed at negotiating with Konoha and leveraging the Chunin Exam for engagement with Hidden Rock Ninja.
Samui rubbed her shoulder and suddenly asked, "Yugito is within the Uchiha Clan Land, if she doesn't come out, can I go in?"
Dodai frowned slightly before saying, "Try it. If you can't get in, think of another way..."