In the Hokage Building's conference room, the Konoha Higher-Ups were discussing whether to make Uchiha Hikaji, the head of the Uchiha Clan, the Assistant Hokage to alleviate Danzo Shimura's pressure.
The war had ended, but as Konoha Higher-Ups, they still had a mountain of tasks to complete.
"Hiruzen, isn't this too risky?"
Danzo Shimura urgently wanted someone to share his workload, but choosing the head of the Uchiha Clan as Assistant Hokage was something even Lord Tobirama wouldn't do.
"During the war, the Uchiha Clan's contributions to Konoha were evident to all. We cannot continue to ignore the Uchiha's contributions to Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also conflicted about this. Whether to continue Lord Tobirama's policy or make a change, his final decision was not to follow Lord Tobirama's policy any longer.
"But we have always continued Lord Tobirama's policy."
Homura Mitokado was concerned about making Uchiha Hikaji the Assistant Hokage.
"Lord Tobirama's policy was only suitable for the circumstances at that time. Things are different now, so how can we blindly continue to implement it? If Lord Tobirama were still alive, he would certainly formulate new policies. Policies cannot remain unchanged."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said earnestly, reaching for his pipe but then placing it back on the table.
"Hiruzen, since you've made your decision, you must be prepared to bear the consequences."
Utatane Koharu was opposed to it, but seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's seriousness, she wanted to trust his judgment.
"If my decision brings loss to Konoha, I am willing to relinquish the Hokage position!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave, as if making this decision was extremely difficult.
You just don't want to be Hokage anymore, do you?!
Danzo Shimura, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with suspicious eyes. They had reason to suspect that he suggested Uchiha Hikaji as Assistant Hokage precisely because he no longer wanted to be Hokage.
"Hiruzen, before proposing Uchiha Hikaji as Assistant Hokage, the research materials on the Sharingan left by Lord Tobirama need to be destroyed as soon as possible."
Danzo Shimura stood up and walked out; he was going to destroy those materials.
Are you kidding? What if Hiruzen Sarutobi just throws up his hands and quits if he continues to oppose him? What if Uchiha Hikaji becomes Assistant Hokage? It's not like he'll be blamed if something goes wrong.
Besides, the new generation of Uchiha are all interested in making movies and commercials, so it's not an exaggeration to call them a disappointing generation. Could they really cause trouble for Konoha? It would be better to clean up the intelligence Ninja embedded in Konoha by various Various Ninja Villages.
Are you really that afraid of me not being Hokage?! Where is your Will of Fire?
Hiruzen Sarutobi had intended to use this opportunity to propose selecting a new Hokage; he also wanted to live the kind of life Akimichi Torifu had, with a wife, children, and a warm home.
No, that guy's grandson is already 9 years old.
How enviable!
From their reactions, his proposal would most likely be rejected.
Well, I'll be Hokage for a few more years… Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of his disciples who had no interest in the Hokage position. Besides them, the most suitable candidates for Hokage were Sakumo Hatake, whose name as Konoha White Fang shook the Ninja World during the war, and Ninja who had made great achievements in various Ninja Clans.
Among them, Sakumo Hatake had an open mind and cared for his comrades, making him very suitable to be the Fourth Hokage, but his methods of engaging enemies were too singular, making him clearly unqualified as a Hokage.
In Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, the most suitable candidate for the Fourth Hokage was Orochimaru. She had previously teamed up with Tsunade to repel the Third Raikage, who led an assault squad to attack Konoha.
In terms of achievements and contributions to Konoha, no one in Konoha could surpass Orohimaru, not even those sitting in the conference room. Without the rebirth pill, Konoha's casualties would have conservatively been at least 50% higher!
At the same time, Orochimaru, sitting at her desk, sneezed.
"Do I smell strange?"
Ichikishimahime had just sat on Orochimaru's lap when she saw her sneeze. She thought she might have a strange smell, sniffed her sleeve, then raised her arm to sniff her armpit.
"What are you thinking?"
Orochimaru wrapped her arm around Ichikishimahime's slender waist and guessed, "Someone must be talking about me, right? I have a feeling it's nothing good."
"I can't believe so many things happened after I returned to Ryūchi Cave."
Ichikishimahime's small body leaned against Orochimaru's embrace, her head resting on her soft chest, looking up at her chin.
"No one can foresee everything."
Orochimaru crumpled a design drawing into a ball and threw it into the trash can.
"Did I disturb you?"
Ichikishimahime blinked her deep blue eyes.
"No."
Orochimaru shook her head slightly, put down her pen, and looked at Ichikishimahime's slightly crooked twin pigtails. She couldn't help but untie her hair ties and re-comb her hair.
"Your hair-combing skills are as bad as ever. I really wonder if Tagorihime and Tagitsuhime used to help you."
"That's too much! Before I was with you, I always combed my own hair, you know!"
Ichikishimahime's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction, but a happy smile appeared on her face as she narrowed her eyes, enjoying Orochimaru combing her hair.
"It seems you really like bun hairstyles."
Orochimaru thought of Ichikishimahime's hairstyle, which hadn't changed for countless years.
"Not at all. It's just that bun hairstyles are more convenient."
Ichikishimahime didn't want to be misunderstood.
"There, all done."
Orochimaru stroked Ichikishimahime's head and gently patted her.
"Orochimaru, when did you start wearing stockings?"
Ichikishimahime's leg touched Orochimaru's leg, and the silky smooth sensation gave her a very novel feeling.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"