As Tsunade's words fell, everyone looked at one another.
'Speak freely?'
'Is this really something one can speak freely about?'
Some of the sharper minds, the moment they heard Tsunade say she was choosing the next Hokage, already had Aoba's young face appear in their heads.
After all, anyone who frequently visited the Hokage Building could tell that Aoba often sat in the Hokage's seat, helping Tsunade handle affairs.
Although there was also a position like Hokage secretary, a Hokage disciple was completely different from a Hokage secretary.
"Regarding the candidate for the next Hokage, do none of you have any thoughts?", Seeing everyone still looking at each other, unwilling to speak, Tsunade casually asked again.
Her words sounded offhand, but they once again plunged everyone into silence.
The Hokage was an extremely important position. More importantly, everyone knew very well that this position had never been chosen based on their opinions.
So quite a few small-clan heads were quietly watching the expressions of the major clan heads, as well as the Hokage herself.
But to be honest, among them, there were indeed people who wanted to become Hokage.
They just knew it was basically impossible, and if they really brought it up, it might even cause trouble.
For example, Sarutobi Asuma. But he himself was not particularly interested in becoming Hokage.
However, the Sarutobi clan behind him had always hoped he could become Hokage like Sarutobi Hiruzen back then.
After all, he did have the identity of a Hokage guard, and the Sarutobi clan carried considerable weight in Konoha.
But he also understood that his strength was not enough. At his current level, he was only about evenly matched with Kakashi. If someone with that level of strength were to become Hokage, even if he really got chosen, he would not have the face to step onto the stage.
He understood very clearly why Konoha had become so prosperous, to the point that its status in the ninja world had even surpassed the early days when Konoha was first founded.
All of this was because Konoha had Aoba, the man hailed as the second "God of Shinobi."
But then he thought of the relationship between Aoba and Kurenai, and in the end chose to remain silent.
Seeing the scene fall back into dead silence, Tsunade was about to put forward her own idea.
But Hyuga Hiashi spoke first, saying directly, "I choose Shirakumo Aoba as Hokage."
No matter what, Aoba was his Hyuga clan's son-in-law. If he did not support him, who else would he support?
Moreover, he also hoped that Aoba could become Hokage as soon as possible.
After all, the Caged Bird Seal on Hyuga Hinata's forehead had already disappeared. For the entire Hyuga clan, this was basically a ticking time bomb.
If one day her forehead protector accidentally fell off, even he, as the head of the main family, might not be able to protect her.
He might even be impeached by those old fossils because of it.
If Aoba became Hokage, with him backing things up, these issues would no longer be such a big deal.
"Very good. Does anyone else have other thoughts? You can all speak up," A satisfied smile immediately appeared on Tsunade's face, and at the same time she gave Hyuga Hiashi a look that said he was teachable.
With Hyuga Hiashi taking a stance, things would be much smoother afterward.
However, the people present still showed different expressions after hearing this.
Although most of them had already anticipated this result.
Still, people like Inuzuka Tsume, the heads of smaller ninja clans, could not help but show slight looks of shock.
Aoba was really too young. He was a ninja who had graduated in the same class as their own children.
"Aoba-kun truly has everyone's support."
Seeing someone take the lead, Nara Shikaku also expressed his view, "Whether it's work capability or personal strength, Aoba already has the qualifications to serve as Hokage."
The Nara clan had always been the brains of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, so his words represented the stance of Ino–Shika–Cho.
Given Aoba's relationship with Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji, Ino–Shika–Cho would also benefit from this.
"I agree as well."
Seeing so many people supporting her man, Uchiha Mikoto's face also revealed a heartfelt smile.
She had originally wanted to be the first to support Aoba as Hokage, but after thinking about how, aside from being Aoba's lover, she was also the head of the Uchiha clan, the situation of the Uchiha clan was still somewhat special. Although they had successfully integrated into Konoha, it was better not to take the lead in matters like this.
And as Mikoto Uchiha spoke up, the other ninja clans naturally had no other thoughts.
Although the Uchiha clan's strength was no longer what it once was, and most of the clan members had become much more well-behaved in recent years, that did not mean the Uchiha clan had lost its original status.
Across all of Konoha, their overall strength still ranked among the top ninja clans.
Now, with the support of the Hyuga clan, the Uchiha clan, and the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, plus Tsunade's obvious favoritism, if anyone else still dared to have ideas, they would truly be eating too many red beans.
Heartsick with longing.
Even Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura obediently expressed their agreement.
As for Shimura Danzo, Kotoamatsukami was still doing its work. Whatever the Uchiha clan did, as long as it did not harm the village, he would help support it.
Tsunade was very satisfied with the outcome of today's meeting, and her tone even became a bit more courteous.
"Aoba-kun is still young. If there are places where he doesn't do well in the future, I'll have to trouble everyone to be more understanding."
"Hokage-sama is too modest. Aoba-kun's abilities are something we've all seen."
Nara Shikaku said seriously, "He truly is someone worthy of being Hokage."
Another round of approving nods followed below.
Tsunade was also very pleased with this, nodded, and said, "In that case, let's do it the same way as when I took office back then. Since everyone is here, once the New Year passes, we'll convene the Jonin meeting."
———
Outside the window, snowflakes drifted down, and there were few pedestrians.
Inside the room, the stove burned brightly, and voices filled the air.
"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we all ate barbecue together."
Inuzuka Kiba stuffed his face while sighing with emotion, "After all, we're all mature ninja now. We always have endless missions to do."
Shikamaru followed up while eating barbecue.
Hearing this, Aoba seemed to think of something and said, "Speaking of which, looking at this year's mission records, Naruto, your team completed the most missions."
Naruto swallowed a piece of grilled meat and scratched his head, "I'm not too sure either, but Sasuke kept dragging Kakashi-sensei out on missions. We barely had a few days of rest."
Sai, who was quietly eating barbecue beside them, nodded in strong agreement.
That poker face of his even showed a rare trace of resentment.
Even though, because of Naruto and Sasuke's strength, he and Kakashi often slacked off, wasn't the number of missions a bit too much?
Sasuke, meanwhile, snorted and looked straight at Aoba, "It won't be long before I become a jonin too!"
Aoba froze for a moment, but soon showed an expression like an elder encouraging a child, nodded, and said, "Mm, I believe you can definitely do it!"
"You!", Sasuke immediately ground his teeth.
Others might think Aoba was simply encouraging him, but only Sasuke, who knew the inside story, understood that Aoba was clearly doing this on purpose to tease him.
'Damn it!'
And it just happened to be the truth. He had absolutely no way to refute it.
In terms of seniority, he really was a generation younger than Aoba now.
"Jonin?"
Naruto watched Aoba encourage Sasuke, then stood up confidently as well, "Aoba-kun, I'll become a jonin very soon too!"
"Uh… Naruto, I also believe you can definitely do it!"
Seeing the expectant look on Naruto's face, Aoba felt something was a bit off.
"Mm!"
After hearing his words, a happy smile immediately appeared on Naruto's face.
Aoba felt even more strange.
He really had just wanted to rely on his relationship with Mikoto to tease Sasuke a little, but Naruto's reaction felt somewhat odd.
'Could it be that Naruto is thinking about…'
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