Naruto: From Capturing the Main Clan to Becoming the Mastermind

Chapter 12 Hokage's Resignation: A Strategic Retreat

Near the gate of Konoha Village.

A ninja squad that had retreated from the battlefield was greeted by a large crowd of people lining the streets.

"Were those the heroes who destroyed the Bridge of Mubi and forced Iwagakure to retreat?"

"I knew it! With Lord Minato here, the village will surely win! Now only Kirigakure is putting up a last-ditch resistance, and the war will be over soon."

"I really wish I were the one doing this mission with Lord Minato."

The common people had already learned the news from the Hokage Building: after ending the battle with the Hidden Lightning Village, Minato Namikaze once again led Konoha to victory.

They were very excited when they talked about the approaching peace.

Of course, there were occasionally some strange comments.

"Minato-sama is so handsome."

"Minato-sama is mine, you filthy woman!"

"Huh? You think you're worthy? Your hair's a mess!"

"I told you not to call me that nickname!"

Minato led Rin and Kakashi through the cheering crowd, a sunny smile on his face.

Hearing those strange comments, his smile turned into a wry one.

Hokage-sama, although it's to boost the village's morale, I'm having a hard time dealing with this enthusiasm.

With a sigh, Minato tried his best to ignore the boiling red chakra in a certain direction, straightened his expression, and walked towards the end of the road.

There, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him with a gratified expression.

"Minato, you did a great job."

Minato reached behind him and pulled the two sullen-looking disciples in front of him. "This is all thanks to Kakashi and the others, and also to that kid Obito..."

At this point, Minato stopped, looked at Kakashi and Rin's expressions, and sighed at the visible sadness in them.

He patted their little heads reassuringly and said to the Third Hokage, "Third Hokage, they are very tired from their mission. Let them go and rest."

"That won't do."

Under Minato's puzzled gaze, the Third Hokage smiled and shook his head. "Today is an important day for you, and as your disciple, I hope they are here."

"Now, extend your hands."

Minato stretched out his hand with a bewildered expression.

Then, under the shocked gazes of him and the surrounding crowd, Hiruzen Sarutobi removed the straw hat symbolizing the Hokage and placed it in Minato Namikaze's hand.

"I originally intended to hand over Konoha to you after the war, but I think now is a more suitable time."

Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured a sigh, then looked around at the Konoha citizens and said, "In my capacity as the Third Hokage, I nominate Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage!"

"This proposal has been approved by the Daimyo. Now, those of you standing here, do you... approve of it?"

The crowd was silent for a few seconds, then erupted in thunderous cheers.

"The Fourth Hokage!"

"The Fourth Hokage!"

"The Fourth Hokage!"

The legend of Minato began circulating several months ago when the ninja from the Raikage battlefield returned to the village.

He forced the newly appointed Fourth Raikage to retreat and was regarded by his enemies as a powerful ninja who they could abandon their missions upon encountering.

No one objected; the long-suffering Konoha needed a new Hokage.

A powerful, young Hokage!

"Minato, you are the one everyone has been waiting for."

The Third Hokage smiled gently and said, "Take on this heavy responsibility!"

"Sandaime-sama..."

Minato stared blankly at him, listening to the shouts around him.

Hokage, am I going to become the Fourth Hokage?

A sunny smile returned to Minato's face. He put his straw hat on his head and declared firmly, "I will bring Konoha final victory in the name of Hokage!"

The cheers from Konoha reached their peak at this moment.

……

Compared to the excitement surrounding the Hokage's succession, the Hyuga clan's territory was unusually quiet at this time.

A large group of Hyuga ninjas gathered in an open space, looking at the figure on the high platform with puzzled expressions.

That wasn't the head of the Hyuga clan, but the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Why is he here?

Isn't this the place where the new caged bird is depicted?

"I know you're all confused. The one standing here isn't the real body, but just a shadow clone."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing the many disapproving looks from the audience, shouted, "I am not a qualified Hokage!"

"During my tenure, I failed to manage relations with the other five nations properly, which resulted in Konoha being the target of attacks every time."

"Not to mention overseas, I haven't even managed to handle the relationships between my fellow villagers."

"An apology is meaningless to you, but as the Hokage, I bear an unshirkable responsibility for how things have turned out this way."

Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed deeply and said apologetically, "I'm sorry."

"I'm really sorry!"

The branch family ninjas looked at him in confusion, and the Hokage personally apologized to them... This unprecedented situation left them at a loss for what to do.

Hyuga Miyuki stared intently at Sarutobi Hiruzen, her heart sinking.

"The new Caged Bird was researched by many ninjas, and Tsunade and I were the ones who made the improvements."

"I can guarantee that this technique will not be used to torture the recipient; it will be a true technique to protect the Byakugan!"

The moment the family split up, there was a great commotion, and many people even smiled.

A mother looked at her tiny child, whom she was constantly caring for, and small tears welled up in her eyes. "The end of the month, that's wonderful, wonderful..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained bowed, saying, "I, this incompetent Hokage, will also abdicate today."

"The new Hokage will be Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash of Konoha!"

"Whether it's the branch family or the main family, the Hyuga clan is a member of Konoha. I hope that with his help, you can all truly integrate into the village."

Before they could process the information, one pie after another was thrown at them, leaving the branch family ninjas feeling like they were in a dream.

Minato Namikaze is no stranger to the branch family ninjas.

The original commander of the Hidden Mist battlefield was Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze's teacher.

Furthermore, due to the mobility of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato Namikaze served as reinforcements in the early stages of the Third Shinobi World War, and was active on various battlefields.

Some of the branch family ninjas had fought alongside him.

That young man who was like the sun?

If it were him...

A Jonin from the branch family stepped forward and bowed to the Hokage high above, saying, "Hokage-sama, please do not belittle yourself."

"You are the first person to bring about change for us, thank you!"

Neither of the previous two Hokage could do that!

"Yes, Lord Hokage, please raise your head. I am willing to accept the Caged Bird Seal, which you have improved."

"That's right, Third Hokage, please raise your head. We... will discuss this with the main family."

More and more people came out and expressed their understanding.

Faced with this scene, Hyuga Miyuki clenched her fists, feeling somewhat desperate.

Why did you forgive so easily?

Are you satisfied with just loosening the leash a little?

The Third Hokage never said that the Caged Bird Seal no longer had the ability to control our lives and deaths!

A boy shared similar feelings with her—Hyuga Yuuki, who had previously killed the fourth elder of the Hyuga main family.

He looked at the Third Hokage in silence, his eyes devoid of any expectation.

As Senior Yu said, the Third Hokage was secretly researching ways to break the Caged Bird Seal.

He had even held a sliver of hope that the Hokage was on their side.

But the Hokage's actions today made him realize that the other party's research into a solution was not for their benefit!

(End of this chapter)