Kiyosuke opened his eyes but remained silent. Koharu Utatane was quiet for a moment and then said, "Well, Kiyosuke's strength and reputation are indeed sufficient."
Homura Mitokado nodded. "Yes, and he's also Orochimaru's disciple."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Kiyosuke, are you willing to become the Fifth Hokage?"
Danzo, sitting on the side, turned dark - faced and stood up. "I disagree. Kiyosuke Asakawa is too young and lacks experience. He can't shoulder such a great responsibility! I personally recommend his teacher, Orochimaru!"
"Orochimaru's character is not suitable to be the Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, rejecting Danzo's proposal.
He looked at Kiyosuke and said, "Kiyosuke, the village is in a critical moment and needs your help."
Kiyosuke smiled, shook his head, and said, "I won't become the Hokage. I told you this from the beginning. Besides, aren't you still here, Third Hokage? There's no problem with you continuing to serve as the Hokage."
Then, he turned to Danzo and said, "I'm not like some people who are constantly eyeing that position all day long. It's just a title. What does it matter? It's the same whoever takes charge of Konoha, as long as Konoha doesn't get into trouble. It doesn't matter who is the Hokage. Also, if you miss the chance once, you'll miss it forever. Since you were a step slower, you'll always be a step slower."
Danzo's face turned livid with anger. "What did you say? I'm doing this for the sake of the village!"
He had suffered from being slow back then. If he had spoken one second earlier, the position of the Third Hokage would be his now, and Konoha wouldn't have so many troubles. It was all because of Hiruzen's indecision. Konoha couldn't be in his hands any longer!
Kiyosuke propped his elbow on his thigh and rested his chin in his hand, smiling. "Really? Not for your own self - interest? If you were really thinking about Konoha, where were you last night?!!!"
"I..."
"Shut up!" Kiyosuke shouted, then stood up and pointed at Danzo's nose, scolding, "You cowardly old fool! You've been using underhanded methods since you were young. No wonder the Second Hokage looked down on you. You keep saying it's to protect Konoha, but when something happens to Konoha, you hide. You're just hoping the Hokage will die so you can find a way to take the position. You look so full of yourself sitting there. It's embarrassing!"
Danzo's old face turned completely livid with anger. He slapped the table. "Bastard! Don't think that just because you protected Konoha, you can do whatever you want and disrespect your elders! Who gave you the guts to act like this here?!"
"Bullshit! You call yourself an elder? You were just born earlier. If you were of the same generation as me, I'd beat you to death!" Kiyosuke showed no respect to the old man at all. Now that he had enough strength and reputation, even Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't dare to offend him too much. What could Danzo do... Hmph!
"Danzo! Kiyosuke! Stop arguing, you two!"
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi intervened, telling them to stop. "Since Kiyosuke recommended this old man, I'll take over temporarily. When a suitable candidate appears, I'll step down."
Homura Mitokado smiled. "If it's you, then there's no problem."
Koharu Utatane also nodded. "Indeed, you're capable."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kiyosuke and said, "I know you had a good relationship with the Fourth Hokage, but Danzo is also preserving his strength for the village. He's an elder of Konoha. How can you not respect him?"
Kiyosuke raised an eyebrow and just stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi without speaking. The atmosphere became awkward. At this time, Shikaku Nara stepped in to smooth things over. "Mr. Kiyosuke, please take your seat. This isn't the right occasion."
"Arrogant brat!" A murderous intent flashed in Danzo's only eye. Everyone present, all top - notch ninjas, felt it.
The temperature in the conference room suddenly rose. Choji Akimichi, with his large build, fanned himself with his hand as big as a palm - leaf fan and said, "It's so hot. I really want some cold drinks."
Except for him, no one made a sound. Danzo looked at Kiyosuke and said, "What do you want? Don't forget where you are!"
"Hmph!"
The atmosphere was tense. Koharu Utatane coughed and said, "Next, let's talk about the Jinchuriki issue."
Danzo said coldly, "The Jinchuriki is an important strategic resource of the village. It's more appropriate to hand it over to the village. I don't trust leaving it to a young brat."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Before their deaths, Minato and Kushina entrusted Naruto to Kiyosuke. I think we should respect their wishes."
"Hi - Hiruzen, you should know what the Jinchuriki means to the village. He's still young and has no ability to distinguish right from wrong. If he's induced by someone with ulterior motives, it will definitely be a disaster for the village. Do you understand? The Jinchuriki must be raised by the village. The Jinchuriki..."
Bang!
Everyone heard the sound of the wall being broken. Kiyosuke was standing on Danzo's seat, withdrawing one foot. "You're so noisy. Now that the Third Hokage has resumed power, is it your place to call him by his name? You should call him Hokage - sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed. This made it a bit difficult to deal with the situation. After all, Kiyosuke was acting under his name to confront Danzo.
But he still had to maintain order. "Kiyosuke, you're in the wrong here. Danzo and I are comrades. Even your teacher, Orochimaru, would call me 'uncle.' We've been calling each other like this for so long, and it's no big deal."
"Bastard! I'll kill you for sure!"
Danzo suffered a minor injury. Just now, this kid attacked from his blind spot, and he didn't see it coming at all. Being sneak - attacked by this kid made him extremely annoyed.
"Kill me?" Kiyosuke picked his ear casually. "If you think you have the ability, give it a try. Right? There are so many people who want to kill me, lining up from the Land of Fire to the Land of Water. You're just one of them."
"To be honest, if the tailed beast goes on a rampage, who here can suppress it?"
"Ah..." Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado didn't know what to say. They had witnessed Kiyosuke suppressing the Nine - Tails last night. In terms of combat power, few in Konoha could match Kiyosuke now.
"I can control the Nine - Tails as quickly as possible. I can even kill it if necessary. But who among you can do that?" Kiyosuke sneered disdainfully at Danzo, who was getting up.
"Considering various factors and the Fourth Hokage's last wish, Kiyosuke, we'll entrust Naruto to you to raise. Remember to send him to the Ninja Academy in the future," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Naturally."
"Then, what about the child's surname..."
"The child should take his father's surname, of course."
If he took the Uzumaki surname, he would be seen as the Jinchuriki, the village's weapon. But taking the Namikaze surname, he would be the son of the Fourth Hokage, the child of a hero.
Although it would also be good for Naruto to have the Uzumaki surname, considering various aspects, Kiyosuke decided to let Naruto take Minato's surname, so that he could live as the son of a hero, not as the despised "demon fox."