Ch 168 : New Hokage?

The night after the rain was a bit cold, and the wind was howling through the courtyard.

Senju Hashirama, being led by someone, walked into the Hyuga clan's territory and noticed that many places had changed.

Walking along the pavilion corridor, he caught sight of the brightly lit reception hall, where countless figures were moving about.

Since the Hokage building had been destroyed, there was no longer a place for handling village affairs.

Hyuga Makoto had turned his own house into a temporary office.

He had come here tonight because a meeting had been called for all Chunin and higher-ranked ninjas in the village.

"Lord First Hokage is here!"

As soon as Hashirama arrived at the door, someone shouted loudly, and the noisy room instantly fell silent.

All eyes turned toward him, their gazes a mixture of shock, admiration, excitement, and confusion.

Hashirama scanned the room, offering a gentle smile, "Hello, everyone."

With those words, everyone bowed to him, shouting, "Lord First Hokage!"

How could these people not be shocked or excited to see a legendary figure they had heard of since childhood standing before them?

Hashirama walked slowly to Makoto's side, and Makoto also bowed to him.

"Lord First Hokage, I'm truly sorry for disturbing you so late."

Hashirama smiled lightly, "It's fine, I don't need sleep anyway."

The Edo Tensei jutsu allowed him to remain in this world, but he was no different from a living corpse—he didn't need rest, nor did he need food.

Makoto then turned to address everyone present, "I'm sure you've all heard about today's events."

His words caused everyone to focus and listen intently.

"Now, I ask everyone to come forward, as we are here to fully reveal the truth and discuss the future path of the village."

A sudden prison riot, with someone deliberately plotting behind the scenes, had unearthed a series of scandals and secrets buried deep in the mud.

This news was truly shocking.

During the day, everyone had been busy quelling the riot and protecting the village, but when the news of the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage's deaths spread, most people couldn't believe it at first.

Makoto then told everyone what had happened today, recounting the events that needed to be shared.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, remained a shining figure who, in his final moments, eliminated the threat of Orochimaru and perished with him.

Some ninjas who had long followed the Third Hokage wept, covering their faces as they quietly sobbed.

Makoto then revealed that the mastermind behind the prison riot was Nara Shikaku and Namikaze Minato, which many found hard to believe.

In their hearts, Minato was someone who could never possibly commit such a thing.

However, after Makoto mentioned that Namikaze Minato had confessed to his crimes, no one dared to question it further.

The heads of various clans, meanwhile, were thinking even more deeply.

They were considering who would lead Konoha in the future, and who the next Hokage would be.

Makoto then asked Hashirama to speak.

After a brief pause, Hashirama began, expressing his deep sorrow for the events that had transpired in Konoha.

However, he emphasized that more important matters were at hand.

The prison riot had caused significant damage to Konoha, mainly due to the Raikage's interference, and everyone should work together to overcome this crisis.

A voice suddenly rose from the crowd: "Lord First Hokage, who do you think should be the Fifth Hokage?"

Once this question was asked, it immediately led to a flurry of similar inquiries.

The selection of the next Hokage was seen as the most important matter by everyone.

At this moment, some suggested that the two former Hokage could temporarily take charge of Konoha.

However, as they were reanimated bodies, it was impossible for them to remain in the world of the living for long.

Hashirama knew in his heart that this was no longer his era.

These people were not the same followers he once had.

Their respect for him was based on hearing stories about him since childhood, but respect was something that came without cost.

Once he touched their interests, that respect would immediately collapse.

If the Third Hokage were standing here, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to regain power, as he had his own supporters.

Hashirama shook his head and said, "I am ultimately a dead man. All I can do is help protect Konoha, but the village still needs a new Hokage to lead everyone."

A voice rose from the crowd, asking loudly, "Lord First Hokage, who do you think is suitable to become the Hokage?"

Hashirama showed a thoughtful expression.

To be Hokage, the basic requirements were just two points: prestige and strength.

The villagers' recognition, the approval of the major clans, and very importantly, the approval of the Daimyo.

When selecting a Hokage, there would generally be a few candidates recommended by Konoha's higher-ups to the Daimyo.

After discussions, the Daimyo would personally appoint the next Hokage.

This was the proper procedure.

Of course, the complexities, the power struggles, and the factions involved didn't need to be detailed.

From the First Hokage to the Fourth Hokage, the position had always been passed down through the generations.

Except for Orochimaru, there had been little difficulty or competition in the succession of the Hokage position between the Second and Third Hokage.

For many people, the future Hokage was not something they could decide.

What they could do was support whichever Hokage candidate appeared.

That's how it was with Minato; after all, the situation at the time was such that the Third Hokage was almost openly declaring Minato as the next Hokage.

No one expected that, in the end, Orochimaru would be the one to take advantage of the situation.

If not for this incident, perhaps when Orochimaru stepped down from his position, the next Hokage would still have been Minato, continuing the Hokage lineage.

Was Hyuga Makoto the Hokage lineage person?

No, he could only be considered one of Orochimaru's followers.

There were still potential candidates from the Hokage lineage—two of the remaining Sannin.

But the key point was that all the vital forces of the village were under the control of the Hyuga clan leader!

Without Orochimaru, it was as if this individual had been completely freed.

So, the new Hokage—would it be Tsunade or Jiraiya, the two who belonged to the Hokage lineage?

Or would it be the Hyuga clan leader?

If Hyuga Makoto became the Hokage, did that mean that all the other prestigious clans had this opportunity too?

Everyone in the room had their own thoughts, and Hashirama could clearly see that they all had their own agendas.

He said, "This matter concerns the entire village, and it is not something I can decide alone."

Another voice from the crowd called out, "You are the First Hokage. If you don't decide, then who will?"

This was clearly a trap. Hashirama glanced at the person and immediately replied, "The position of Hokage is of great importance. How can we only listen to the opinion of one person?"

At this point, Makoto spoke up as well, "What the First Hokage says is absolutely right. The role of the Hokage is to protect, lead, and govern Konoha. In addition to having sufficient ability, they should also be the one whom the people support."

"Why not have all the villagers of Konoha come together and elect the new Hokage?"

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