As Mito Menma's words fell, every gaze in the hall turned toward two men.
Jiraiya.
Orochimaru.
Being nominated was one thing.
Accepting was another.
Personal will mattered.
Jiraiya scratched his head and grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry, everyone. You all know what I'm like. The Hokage's seat… really isn't for me."
"I can follow a Hokage's orders just fine. But becoming Hokage and ordering others around? I don't have that kind of ability."
His answer surprised no one.
Plenty supported him—but everyone also knew he would never chase that position.
The room accepted it.
Then all eyes shifted to Orochimaru.
Unlike Jiraiya, Orochimaru stood calm and composed.
Measured.
Cold.
A natural leader in presence alone.
Back in the early days of the Third Great War, rumors had circulated that Orochimaru would become Fourth Hokage. Hiruzen himself had once placed him as a successor candidate—and Orochimaru had not refused.
It was public knowledge.
If not for the meteoric rise of the "Yellow Flash," Orochimaru's succession might already have been settled.
Even after Minato's rise, most believed the Fourth Hokage would emerge from the two of them.
Orochimaru had never lost eligibility.
Never withdrawn.
Until now.
Under the weight of the hall's expectations, Orochimaru smiled faintly.
A smile edged in something darker.
"Forgive me."
"Though it may sound unpleasant… the truth is this."
"I have already found a pursuit greater than the Hokage."
"I will not participate."
The hall exploded.
"What does that mean?!"
"Greater than the Hokage?!"
"How can he say that?!"
"To treat the Hokage like that—"
"...But somehow, that makes him even more impressive…"
For most Leaf shinobi, Hokage was the ultimate aspiration. Sacred. Untouchable.
Orochimaru's detached tone felt like blasphemy.
Yet to some—
His bluntness radiated charisma.
"Silence!"
Mito Menma struck the table sharply.
When the noise settled, his gaze fixed on Orochimaru.
"Watch your words. The Hokage's dignity is not to be insulted."
Orochimaru's expression remained unruffled.
"I meant no insult. Only honesty."
"Hey, don't say it like that!" Jiraiya hissed, grabbing his sleeve. "Tone it down!"
Orochimaru paused, then adjusted.
"Perhaps I phrased it poorly."
"I do not demean the Hokage."
"I merely mean that each person's aspiration differs. Not everyone must place the Hokage at the pinnacle of their desires."
"For example…"
He tilted his head slightly toward Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya seeks the Child of Prophecy. That is his higher pursuit."
"To him, that ideal surpasses the Hokage."
Jiraiya froze.
"…?!"
Every head turned toward him.
He laughed awkwardly.
Stared at the ceiling.
Whistled.
Inside, he had already punched Orochimaru ten thousand times.
There would be a reckoning later.
"That's enough!" Mito Menma snapped.
"If neither of you will run, we will not force you. Konoha does not beg for a Hokage."
"Next nominee."
"I nominate Namikaze Minato!"
Jiraiya spoke immediately, voice firm.
"His achievements and ability speak for themselves. He is more than qualified to become the Fourth Hokage."
Then he shut his mouth and sank back.
His mission was complete.
Better for a teacher to recommend his own student.
After Orochimaru's little stunt, Jiraiya preferred to fade into the background.
Fortunately, Minato did not lack support.
Voices rose quickly.
"I agree!"
"I owe my life to Minato!"
"The Yellow Flash's name echoes across the shinobi world!"
"He should be Hokage!"
Mito Menma nodded.
"Minato. Your response?"
Minato stood and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your trust."
"Becoming Hokage has always been my dream."
"I will not disappoint you."
"Very good."
Menma surveyed the hall.
"No objections?"
None came.
"Then Namikaze Minato is confirmed as a candidate for Fourth Hokage."
Silence returned.
Menma continued.
"One candidate confirmed. Are there others?"
The room hesitated.
There weren't many options left.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru declined.
Tsunade had long left the village.
Minato was nominated.
The field was thin.
And then—
Uchiha Jin felt it.
A cold gaze.
He turned slightly.
Shimura Danzō.
Watching him.
Expectant.
Calculating.
Jin offered him a subtle look of reassurance.
Then he rose.
"I nominate Shimura Danzō as a candidate for Fourth Hokage."
"He once said he would lead us all the way to the moon."
The hall froze.
The curtain had officially risen.
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