Mitokado Homura hesitated.
"Speaking of the Land of Grass, Jiraiya brought me some good news a few days ago."
Hiruzen's face revealed a hint of a comforting smile.
"Good news?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were somewhat puzzled about what good news Hiruzen was referring to.
Hiruzen put down the smoking pipe in his hand and took out a scroll from the drawer, letting the two facing him take a look at its contents.
"This is..."
Upon seeing the contents of the scroll, Homura and Koharu's faces immediately showed signs of delight.
According to the news Jiraiya sent back, four days ago, Konoha Jonin Namikaze Minato single-handedly destroyed Hidden Rock's two supply points in the Land of Grass and annihilated over five hundred Hidden Rock ninjas. From the start to the end of the mission, Jonin Namikaze Minato was unscathed.
The Hidden Rock ninjas fearfully called him the 'Yellow Flash'.
"The younger generation is truly formidable."
Mitokado Homura took a deep breath, his eyes still showing shock.
Destroying Hidden Rock's supply points and single-handedly unscathed annihilating over five hundred Hidden Rock ninjas—no matter how you look at it, this achievement is enough to leave people speechless.
Although a large part of it is due to the mysterious Flying Thunder God Jutsu, being able to perfectly master this extremely difficult S-class space-time ninjutsu also proves Minato's unparalleled talent.
Otherwise, why is it that since their teacher, Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, passed away, no one from Konoha can master this Flying Thunder God Jutsu?
"I didn't expect him to grow so fast. I remember he has a close relationship with the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki."
Utatane Koharu hinted.
"Personal strength does not mean he can be a good Hokage, and he's too young. I'm afraid he lacks experience in dealing with matters. I think Orochimaru is more suitable for the position of Hokage."
Mitokado Homura shook his head, he understood what Utatane Koharu wanted to express.
To make someone barely over twenty the Hokage—even the Konoha White Fang wasn't that extreme back then.
He acknowledges Minato's strength, but being Hokage requires more than just strength—it involves balancing the factions within the village and enabling the village's healthy development. He doesn't believe that a young man barely over twenty can handle the duties of Hokage properly. Another ten years would be about right.
"Let's talk about the Fourth Hokage candidate later, but Minato can be included in the list of candidates."
After careful consideration, Hiruzen decided to include Minato in the list of Fourth Hokage candidates.
With excellent character, outstanding ability, a clear background, firm belief in the Will of Fire, and a good relationship with the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki, along with the several significant achievements during the war, he is worthy of being included in the list of Fourth Hokage candidates.
Homura and Koharu had no objections—just listing him as a candidate for the Fourth Hokage doesn't equate to directly electing him as the Fourth Hokage. There will be many rounds of selection afterward to determine who the true Fourth Hokage will be.
"Since the crisis in the Land of Grass has mostly been alleviated, I suggest transferring Namikaze Minato to the Land of Rain to deal with the Hidden Sand."
Utatane Koharu suggested her opinion.
Hiruzen did not immediately agree but took out the Ninja Realm map and pointed to the Land of Earth.
"The situation in the Land of Grass has indeed regained some advantage, but I'm worried Minato's overly aggressive actions may lead Onoki to assign Hyuga Ayane, who possesses the Byakugan, back to the Land of Grass battlefield."
Hiruzen expressed his concern.
"..."
Silence and repression hovered in the Hokage's office.
"Hiruzen, do you think Minato's strength can handle her?"
Mitokado Homura did not have much confidence.
It is said that if any renegade ninja is renowned in the Ninja Realm, it would surely be Konoha's S-class renegade ninja Hyuga Ayane.
A once covert entity now thriving openly on the battlefields of the Five Great Nations could only refer to this one person.
It's rumored that on the battlefields of Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud, she single-handedly suppressed the Fourth Raikage, who inherited the Third Raikage's Nin-Taijutsu, causing turmoil for Hidden Cloud.
Even the strength of the Konoha Sannin pales by comparison.
"I can't discern. It's up to Minato. With Minato mastering the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, the advantage lies in his ability to attack and retreat at will. In terms of mobility, nobody can compare. Whereas Hyuga Ayane, according to past combat intelligence gathered, specializes more in taijutsu and defense, along with the troublesome Byakugan. Minato has stated that Hyuga Ayane's neural reflexes are slightly inferior to his, but the Byakugan compensates for the gap."
Hiruzen is also uncertain if Minato can handle Hyuga Ayane now.
But to confront a ninja of this caliber, using a ninja of the same level to restrain them is the only way to minimize losses.
Therefore, only restraining a dangerous ninja like Hyuga Ayane and preventing her from running freely, in Hiruzen's eyes, is already a significant achievement.
"It seems we still cannot aid the Land of Rain. The three-month deadline given by the Daimyo is really too tight."
Mitokado Homura sighed.
"I will issue a directive to Orochimaru, urging him to quickly devise a solution on his end. If he fails to neutralize the Hidden Sand threat in the Land of Rain within the next three months, I will have no choice but to personally step forward."
A sharp look flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.
"Hiruzen, are you serious?"
Hearing Hiruzen planning to personally go to the battlefield, Homura and Koharu were taken aback.
The Hokage personally going to the battlefield from the rear means the enemy has reached Konoha's final defensive line.
Hiruzen nodded, saying: "It's not only about the Daimyo, I am also worried that if we continue to delay in the Land of Rain, it might lead to other unforeseen changes. The sooner we end this, the sooner Konoha can escape danger."