The meeting concluded.
Items obtained this time: None.
The next Hokage meeting will be convened in three months. Before the meeting, the group owner can immediately invite one Konoha Hokage to join the group chat.
The more members in the chat group, the longer the meeting duration.
Aoki looked at the settlement interface of the chat group, his heart completely calm. What concerned him most at the moment was successfully inviting another Konoha Hokage into the group three months later.
Once the group had gathered five Hokages, other functions would be unlocked.
"In three months, the World Ranking List function will be unlocked."
Aoki gazed at the still-locked World Ranking List, then at the system prompt "Items obtained this time: None," feeling that these words were particularly glaring.
He imagined that the World Ranking List function would surely bring benefits to all group members, and by then, he would do everything possible to secure a top position.
Lost in these thoughts, Aoki fell into deep contemplation.
"Lord Fourth Hokage."
Just as Aoki was deep in thought, a tall and straight figure instantly appeared at the office door. Hearing the voice, Aoki immediately snapped out of his reverie.
"Come in."
Soon, the person outside pushed the door open and entered. Seeing who it was, Aoki smiled.
The visitor was none other than Minato Namikaze, who should have become the Fourth Hokage but was now his deputy. Aoki naturally welcomed Minato as an excellent right-hand man.
Since Minato's youth, Aoki had taken every opportunity to guide him, even assisting in rescuing Uzumaki Kushina when she was kidnapped by Kumogakure ninja.
Fortunately, Minato eventually succeeded in becoming Jiraiya's disciple, and his strength was no different from the original story.
"Sir, all the evidence of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans embezzling resources over the years has been compiled!"
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Aoki raised an eyebrow. This matter was crucial, enough to change the future of many clans in Konoha.
Ever since he successfully ousted the Third Hokage and removed him from the position, he had been gathering dirt on Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura.
This evidence alone was enough to ensure that Sarutobi Hiruzen could never securely hold the Hokage position again.
Now, Minato had gathered new leverage, sufficient to completely bring down these two men. It was time to close the net.
"Let's go, Minato. Let's see what kind of dealings the so-called strongest Hokage in Konoha's history has been up to over these forty years."
Soon, the two set off for the clan territories of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.
As for whether Minato would go easy on Sarutobi Hiruzen, Aoki had no worries. After all, he had instructed Minato to gather this dirt piece by piece. Originally, Minato had been nurtured by Sarutobi Hiruzen, who believed Minato was far easier to control than Aoki.
But when Aoki suddenly struck, Sarutobi Hiruzen fell instantly. Devastated by this blow, Minato, as his direct successor, naturally lost any chance of becoming the Fourth Hokage. And it was precisely because of this that Aoki smoothly ascended to the position of Fourth Hokage.
Afterwards, Aoki sent Minato to investigate the dark dealings between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura. As the investigation deepened, Minato's shock grew stronger, and his admiration for Aoki deepened. If it were him, he would never have had the courage to take such actions and would most likely have been used as a puppet by Sarutobi Hiruzen, pushed into the position of the Fourth Hokage.
Following behind Aoki, Minato Namikaze's thoughts churned. Originally a clear-minded civilian ninja, he had long since seen through the darkness within Konoha.
But he had already made up his mind—to assist Aoki in securing the position of Hokage, even at the cost of his life.
A short while later, the two arrived at the clan grounds of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.
Ironically, it was these two clans that had joined forces to drive the Senju Clan to the brink of extinction. Now, only the wife of the First Hokage, Uzumaki Mito, remained, frail and nearing the end of her life.
The vast clan grounds of the Senju Clan had also been divided and occupied by these two clans, who colluded to squeeze more benefits from Konoha's foundations.
At this moment, the area outside the gates of the two clans was crowded with people, the streets packed to the brim. People stood on walls, glaring angrily at the gates. Inside the gates, large numbers of clan members gathered, their faces filled with arrogance, completely disregarding the crowd outside.
Seeing Aoki and Minato Namikaze hurrying over, the ninjas gathered outside the two clans' gates instantly showed joy on their faces.
"It's the Fourth Hokage!"
"The Fourth Hokage is here!"
"Great!"
"Look at these people, how arrogant they are!"
For a moment, the scene erupted into excitement. It was worth noting that since Aoki arrived in this world, he had appointed people based on merit, never lacking capable managers under his command. He protected civilian ninja comrades and showed kindness to ordinary citizens, earning him extremely high support rates in Konoha.
The arrival of the two immediately changed the atmosphere of the scene. Soon, a silver-haired figure quickly approached Aoki.
"Fourth Hokage."
Recognizing the newcomer, Aoki nodded slightly.
"Well done."
Upon hearing this, Sakumo Hatake silently stood behind Aoki. He was Kakashi's father and the renowned Konoha White Fang.
It was under Aoki's planning that Sakumo Hatake had escaped the frame-up by Konoha's higher-ups and saved his life. Aoki had timely found evidence of the rumors being spread and testimonies from the comrades Sakumo had saved, barely preventing the Konoha White Fang from taking his own life in despair. Now, Sakumo Hatake had become the sharpest blade behind Aoki.
As for the position of Hokage, Sakumo Hatake had long since set aside any thoughts. He was a pure warrior, and the deceit and intrigue of the political arena were never something he could understand.
Aoki walked to the gates of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. Seeing Aoki personally arrive, the clan members inside the gates panicked.
"What do we do? Why is the Fourth Hokage here?"
"Quickly inform the clan leader!"
"Only the clan leader can handle this now!"
For a moment, the clan members guarding the gates were thrown into chaos.
Fortunately, a few leaders suppressed the panic and forced everyone to calm down. Watching Aoki approach step by step, they slowly asked, "Fourth Hokage, what brings you here today? If you have any requests, just give the order. Why mobilize so many ninjas to surround us?"