Yami wasn't surprised at all when he heard the report from the Root shinobi.
He knew that those two elders, along with Jiraiya, had likely wronged Danzō again, so they came complaining to his grandfather.
The boy waved his hand, "I got it. You go ahead. I'll come over once I'm done dealing with things here."
The Root shinobi bowed his head and left quickly.
Yami could still play the "head-patting game" with the tailed beast, but for ordinary shinobi, just standing still next to it was enough to suffocate them.
He clasped his hands together, and the ground rumbled. A massive Wooden Golem rose from the earth, lifting Yami to a height equal to Five Tails Kokuō.
He had some issues with his cervical spine and didn't like talking while looking up.
"Five Tails… forget it. I'll just call you Kokuō."
"How do you know my name?" Kokuō's dolphin-like head widened its eyes in shock.
"I read it in an ancient shinobi scroll called the Hokage Chronicles, but that's not important."
Yami sat atop the Wooden Golem, propping up his chin as he looked at Kokuō. "What do you think I should do with you?"
Kokuō snorted, "What else can you do? You're probably just going to give me a new Jinchūriki.
Do whatever you want.
I can't resist anyway."
Kokuō sounded completely resigned. There was no anger at being sealed again.
However, Yami shook his head. "With your power, even if I make another Jinchūriki, at best they'd be like Han. That's useless to me." He paused, then said, "But... I think your body shape is just right for a mount."
Among all the tailed beasts, Yami thought Five Tails Kokuō and Two Tails Matatabi looked the best. One Tail Shukaku had that ugly-cute vibe and was pretty adorable when shrunken down.
"What?!" Kokuō erupted in anger. "Human, no matter how strong you are, you can't humiliate me like that!"
Yami looked at him oddly. "Being sealed up as a power bank and having your chakra drained constantly is more humiliating, don't you think?"
Kokuō blinked.
Come to think of it… that was true.
Being sealed was really boring. You couldn't move for decades.
"But being used as a mount is embarrassing. At least when I'm sealed, no one can see me." Kokuō came up with another excuse.
"You're afraid the other tailed beasts will laugh at you?"
Yami immediately saw through Kokuō's concern and chuckled. "Kokuō, I think you're overthinking it.
I just had a sudden idea. I thought it'd be fun to have a mount. Doesn't mean I'll ride you around every day.
Think about it. Of the nine tailed beasts, only you will be able to roam freely. The others are all sealed up. Who do you think should be embarrassed?"
"I won't need you often. As long as you don't leave the area I assign to you, you'll basically be free, right?"
Kokuō mulled it over and found his reasoning convincing.
Imagining himself rolling around on the grass while mocking the others through the tailed beast mental space, he suddenly felt that being a mount wasn't so shameful.
Though the tailed beasts hated humans, they were fairly simple-minded. Plus, they couldn't beat Yami. Even if Kokuō disagreed, Yami could just suppress him with a Wood Golem.
So a few words were all it took to trick him.
Yami signed a Summoning Contract with Kokuō and sent him directly to the dream tapirs' habitat.
Once that was handled, he headed straight for Root.
At the Root base, in Danzō's office.
The grandfather and grandson sat across from each other, sipping tea. Danzō stayed silent for a long time.
Yami wasn't in a rush, slowly sipping his tea.
He was grown now. His preference had shifted from milk to tea—especially the bitter kinds, like oolong or black tea.
Danzō served green tea, lightly fragrant and pleasant.
Finally, after Yami drank so much he needed to use the restroom, Danzō spoke.
"I didn't expect that, after thinking I was so clever my whole life, I'd still fail to see things as clearly as you."
"You were right. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura wanted Jiraiya to be Hokage. Jiraiya considered you after declining, but when he proposed Tsunade, they immediately agreed."
Bang!
Danzō slammed the table hard, shattering the fine walnut wood and knocking things to the ground.
"Do they really hate the idea of a Hokage from the Shimura clan that much?! Is Tsunade's status more noble than the Wood Release you've mastered?!"
Before the Konoha Crush, Yami had told Danzō it was nearly impossible for them to obtain the Hokage seat through normal channels. Danzō didn't believe him then.
Back then, even Namikaze Minato wasn't as powerful as Yami. With the prestige he'd earned, no one in the village had the qualifications to compete with him.
But to those two elders, Yami was still just a backup among backups.
"Old man, you should've accepted reality long ago."
Yami wasn't fazed by Danzō's fury. As he moved, he saved the teapot from falling and continued sipping tea.
"Since the era of the First Hokage, the Hokage succession has always been flawed.
Namikaze Minato was the student of Sarutobi Hiruzen. Tsunade is the granddaughter of the First and student of the Third.
Most of Konoha, especially Utatane and Mitokado, already believe only those from that lineage are fit to be Hokage.
The son of a Hokage becomes Hokage. The student of a Hokage becomes Hokage. But what about you?
You're the scapegoat of Root. Your grandson should inherit Root, just like you."
"In the end, there's no difference between the Shimura and the Uchiha. At most, we're more patient and wouldn't go as far as to start a coup."
Danzō's face flushed, breathing heavily, chest rising and falling.
The son of a Hokage becomes Hokage. The student of a Hokage becomes Hokage.
That line pierced Danzō's heart. He remembered that when Jiraiya nominated Kakashi, he had no objections. But he objected to Yami…
Sarutobi Hiruzen, your disciple truly inherited your ways!
A fierce glint flashed in Danzō's eyes. Any lingering affection vanished in that moment.
"Yami, what are you going to do?"
"Will you lie low and build more power, or seize the Hokage seat amidst the chaos?"
"Jiraiya is leaving soon to find Tsunade. That will be the best opportunity."
Danzō knew Yami had always followed his own path. He didn't make decisions for him, just offered the two possible routes.
Yami smiled. "Old man, you've been suppressed by Hiruzen for so long that you've grown used to hiding like a turtle."
"This is the perfect time. Hiruzen is dead—and it wasn't by my hand. That means whoever becomes Hokage now will be considered legitimate. If I wait, then it'll be seen as rebellion. That'll make things harder."
Danzō's face turned green in frustration, but Yami continued calmly, "Why would I wait now? Wait for Tsunade to take the seat and die of old age hoping she retires?"
"I can wait if needed, but your body isn't in great shape. Not that it matters, I've already learned Reanimation—"
"Stop, stop! Just tell me your plan!"
Danzō couldn't listen anymore. If Yami kept talking, he'd dig his grave on the spot.
"What plan is there? After the Third's funeral tomorrow, we go confront those two and force them to face reality.
No—first I need to go to the Yamanaka clan."
Yami thought of Ino and sighed inwardly.
He'd sacrificed so much to become Hokage—even had to sell his charm over and over.
Last time it was the Hyūga clan. Now it was the Yamanaka.
But to bind the Ino-Shika-Chō trio to his cause, he had no choice.
Danzō also understood what Yami meant. Winning over the Ino-Shika-Chō was essential.
These three clans had high lower limits and low upper limits. They had no power to contest the Hokage position, making them ideal subordinates.
Especially the Nara clan—their intelligence would ensure smooth village governance in the future.
"Then are you going to wait until Jiraiya leaves before making a move?"
"No. I just want him to bring Tsunade back. It's about time Konoha Hospital got a new director."
The next day.
It had been overcast since morning. As everyone gathered in front of the memorial, the drizzle began.
The funeral was heavily attended. Almost all clan heads, Jōnin and elite Jōnin were present. Many villagers stood far away, quietly offering their condolences.
After all, Hiruzen had ruled Konoha for thirty years.
Many had grown up under his leadership. His image was always gentle, often seen visiting the people, making him well liked.
Many wept during the ceremony.
But that didn't mean he was an outstanding Hokage.
Compared to his predecessors and possible successors, he wasn't even close.
In his time, White Fang committed suicide, the Sannin left the village, and the Uchiha clan was wiped out.
In foreign relations, he signed compromise treaties in the name of peace—even as the victor, he never demanded reparations, just to maintain fragile alliances.
It all showed Hiruzen simply tried to preserve the village. He was willing but lacked the ability.
This is why people respected Hiruzen, but didn't want him to continue as Hokage. The village had weakened under his rule.
Still, with his passing, much of the criticism toward him faded.
Orochimaru's plan had succeeded, and Hiruzen was granted a dignified death.
Yami placed flowers in front of the memorial tablet.
He wasn't there as a Root successor or Hokage hopeful. He was simply offering flowers on behalf of Danzō, as the grandson of an old friend.
After the funeral, Yami followed Ino back to the Yamanaka estate.
Soon after, the estate echoed with Ino's laughter and Yamanaka's angry curses.
That night.
The clan heads of the Hyūga, Ino-Shika-Chō, and Aburame families were invited to Ino's house for dinner with Yami.
When the dinner ended, Hyūga Hiashi wore a satisfied smile, Akimichi patted his belly, and Aburame remained expressionless.
Only Nara looked conflicted.
Looking back at Yami, who was holding the girl's hand, making her blush and smile, Nara wasn't sure if his choice was right.
But Nara Shikaku knew one thing, supporting Yami might not be the most correct path, but not supporting him would be the worst mistake.
To prevent Konoha from falling into civil war and self-destruction.
This Hokage must be Yami.
One day later.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura received an invitation from Danzō.
But this time, the meeting place was not the usual office.
It was the Hokage's office.
When they entered, they saw Yami seated where Sarutobi Hiruzen once sat.
Their expressions immediately turned grim.
(To be continued.)
***
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