Natsume left the room.
Only Shizune was in the living room.
He paused and asked, "Where's sis?"
Shizune looked up and replied, "An ANBU just came by—said Lord Jiraiya has returned, and the Hokage summoned her for a meeting."
Back already?
So they're deciding the Fifth Hokage today.
Natsume's expression shifted slightly.
He'd been so busy last night he forgot to visit the Fire Daimyo.
But there was still time.
"Shizune-nee, I'm off to train."
Natsume ran to the door and changed his shoes.
"Eh? Not eating breakfast?"
Shizune hurriedly called out, "I made it today!"
"Next time for sure."
Natsume opened the door and left.
He used the Flying Thunder God Technique and appeared at the daimyo's manor.
A special residence had been built in Konoha just for the daimyo—also called the Daimyo's Manor—for his rest.
Sure enough, Daimyo Ikkyū Madoka hadn't left.
Seeing the middle-aged man eating breakfast, Natsume breathed a sigh of relief.
In the original, the Fire Daimyo didn't actually like Shimura Danzō.
But you never know.
Danzō wasn't a traditional shinobi. To become Hokage, it wasn't impossible that he'd try to control the Fire Daimyo.
After a moment's thought, Natsume decided to use Kotoamatsukami's alternate, Yomi-no-Izumi. He chose that instead of Kotoamatsukami.
Because he worried Hyūga clan members might be present; if Kotoamatsukami were detected, that would be bad.
But this other technique wasn't genjutsu and created no abnormal chakra fluctuations.
Even the Byakugan might not notice it.
Natsume activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and flicked Yomi-no-Izumi at the Fire Daimyo.
It made him forget his agreement with Shimura Danzō for one week.
But he would remember that a new Fifth Hokage was being selected today.
Tsunade, honored as the Princess of Konoha, had close ties with the Fire Country.
Without outside coercion, the choice was obvious.
Ikkyū Madoka felt nothing unusual. After finishing breakfast, he changed, and under guard headed to the Hokage building.
At that moment in the Hokage's office, everyone had arrived.
Except Orochimaru.
"We went to Lord Orochimaru's residence, but no one was there."
An ANBU knelt on one knee.
Danzō frowned.
What's going on?
This wasn't what they agreed on.
He didn't know that, in Orochimaru's mind, he was far less important than Uchiha Shin.
Since Jiraiya's student Minato became Hokage, Orochimaru had lost interest in the position.
All told, Orochimaru had forgotten about this.
"You may go."
Hiruzen waved a hand. "He's not here. It doesn't matter."
"I think we should keep looking," Danzō said in a low voice, raising his head. "Orochimaru is one of the Sannin. The new Hokage should have his approval."
"What 'approval'?"
Jiraiya glanced at Tsunade and asked, "If Tsunade becomes Hokage, you think Orochimaru would object?"
"No one has been decided as Hokage," Danzō snapped, suddenly raising his voice. "She's not the only candidate!"
Jiraiya curled his lip.
At your age, and you still want to be Hokage?
Time to retire.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly.
Danzō was acting very strange today.
He usually wasn't that close to Orochimaru.
With his cold personality, how could he say something so warm?
Unless the two had colluded.
Hiruzen's fist clenched unconsciously.
Far too abnormal.
From the Uchiha massacre onward, it was as if some invisible force had been pushing events.
Danzō, I hope you haven't done anything unforgivable.
Otherwise, I—your old friend—will be the one to send you off.
"The Daimyo has arrived!"
A booming voice sounded outside the door.
Hiruzen immediately stood to greet.
Ikkyū Madoka nodded and naturally took the high seat—the Hokage's seat.
"Let's begin. Everyone vote so we can settle the Fifth Hokage soon."
"I nominate myself," Danzō blurted out, impatient.
He couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore.
Even without Orochimaru, he still had the advantage.
Tsunade wouldn't vote, leaving Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Koharu, and Homura—two versus two.
The deciding vote would be Ikkyū Madoka's.
And Danzō had already made a deal with him.
Victory was assured!
Hokage, at last, belongs to me, Shimura Danzō!
He could barely contain his glee.
Don't blame him for the lack of self-control.
He was already sixty-two.
Who ever heard of a Hokage candidate at sixty?
"I vote for Tsunade," Jiraiya said without hesitation.
The three Sannin grew up together; no need to elaborate.
Besides, he disliked Danzō.
Too dark and ruthless.
If he became Hokage, Konoha would never know peace.
"I vote for Danzō."
Koharu and Homura exchanged a look and spoke in unison.
Hiruzen tugged at the corner of his mouth.
As expected—they'd coordinated.
Fortunately, Orochimaru was away.
"I vote for Tsunade," Hiruzen said, then looked at Ikkyū Madoka and prompted, "Please make the final decision, Lord Daimyo."
"Both sides are evenly matched. Interesting."
Ikkyū Madoka glanced over Tsunade and Danzō.
He paused slightly on the latter with a flash of confusion.
Why did Danzō's gaze feel so scorching—and so unsettling?
"I believe Tsunade is more suited to be Hokage," Ikkyū Madoka declared at last.
"What did you say?!"
A terrifying aura burst from Danzō. "Say that again?!"
"Danzō!"
Hiruzen's face changed drastically. "Are you mad?"
The Fire Daimyo might not have real authority over Konoha, but he was the big financier.
Ikkyū Madoka fell to the floor in fright.
He was an ordinary man; how could he withstand a powerhouse's killing intent?
"Bastard! You dare deceive me?!"
Danzō ignored Hiruzen. Staring at the daimyo, he had lost all reason.
Hiruzen's face went ashen.
Just as he thought.
Danzō had arranged the daimyo's visit.
Now that the daimyo had turned on him, he'd enraged Danzō.
"Enough!"
Hiruzen roared, unleashing his full aura; his ceremonial robes flared. "Danzō, do you want me to arrest you right now? Must we go this far and make it so humiliating for you to give up?"
Danzō's body jolted; clarity returned.
If this continued, he might never recover.
And he couldn't win this fight.
Not just Hiruzen, but Jiraiya and Tsunade were here.
As for Koharu and Homura, they would contribute every kind of support—except actually taking action.
"I lost my composure," Danzō said, suddenly hunching over, leaning on his cane as he turned to leave.
Hiruzen snorted but didn't act.
Root had been disbanded; Danzō could no longer meddle in Konoha's affairs.
"Apologies for the trouble," Hiruzen said, turning to help Ikkyū Madoka up.
"As Hokage, you can't even keep your own people in line. You really should retire!"
Ikkyū Madoka snapped, "Hold the handover ceremony tomorrow. I don't want to stay in this village another moment!"
Hiruzen's face froze, but he didn't dare retort.
Today's situation was indeed Danzō's fault.