As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen withdrew a scroll from his robes. A palace attendant stepped forward and respectfully delivered the resignation document to the Fire Daimyō.
The Daimyō accepted it, glancing over the seal before letting out a faint sigh.
"Although the appointment and dismissal of a Hokage must be approved by the Daimyō of the Land of Fire to take effect… this is the first time I've ever received a Hokage's resignation."
"The previous two both died in office."
He looked at Hiruzen with an almost reflective smile.
"You, Sarutobi-dono, are the first to step down alive. How unpredictable the world can be."
Hiruzen paused.
Was that sarcasm?
Or simple observation?
The Daimyō's tone held no obvious mockery, yet the implication lingered awkwardly in the air.
Before Hiruzen could decipher it, the Daimyō waved casually.
"Very well. If you wish to retire, I'll accept it."
He set the scroll aside.
"So then—have you selected a suitable candidate for the Fourth Hokage?"
Hiruzen straightened slightly.
"Your Excellency, the front-line forces are still returning. The formal election will begin in several days."
"However, support within the village strongly favors Namikaze Minato. He is very likely to become the Fourth."
"Minato…" The Daimyō rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I've heard of him. The one they call the 'Yellow Flash,' yes?"
Hiruzen nodded.
"He mastered the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique. His speed is like lightning—combined with his golden hair, the title followed naturally."
"He played a decisive role in this war. Without him, Konoha might not have prevailed."
"Furthermore, he is the direct disciple of Jiraiya."
"In status, ability, and merit—he is well suited for the office."
Hiruzen's phrasing was deliberate.
He never explicitly declared Minato as the Fourth Hokage—yet he ensured the Daimyō would unconsciously accept that conclusion.
The Daimyō laughed heartily.
"He sounds promising."
"I'll leave village politics to the village. Once you've decided, have Minato come to report to me."
"It won't take long," Hiruzen assured him. "Within half a month, at most."
After a stretch of polite exchanges and mutual flattery, Hiruzen judged the timing right.
It was time for the second purpose of his visit.
Funding.
The Daimyō, however, spoke first.
"You needn't be too harsh on yourself, Sarutobi-dono. Your village fought four great nations in succession. Victory alone is remarkable. A few flawed decisions during wartime are inevitable."
Hiruzen's expression turned solemn.
"It would be irresponsible to dismiss them as minor."
"My misjudgments prolonged the war. More shinobi fell. More families lost their support."
He lowered his voice slightly.
"To be candid… the village treasury is nearly empty."
"We can barely pay the pensions of the fallen or provide stipends for the wounded."
"Let alone reward those who distinguished themselves."
The Daimyō's smile faded somewhat.
"Shisui mentioned this to me."
He glanced briefly behind him.
Uchiha Shisui stood silently at his post.
"He also said your leadership considered having the Uchiha clan voluntarily forgo their pensions and subsidies. Is that correct?"
Hiruzen's heart skipped.
He shot Shisui a quick glance, unease flickering across his mind.
Before he could respond, the Daimyō continued.
"Frankly, Sarutobi-dono, that was poorly handled."
"These people bled for the Land of Fire. Fought for Konoha. If their families cannot even maintain a basic standard of living after their deaths… who will fight for you next time?"
Hiruzen bowed his head slightly.
"You are correct. That decision lacked foresight."
The Daimyō nodded.
"Moreover, as the victor, Konoha should not be facing such financial strain. A victorious nation can demand reparations."
"To be blunt—you were too lenient."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered, though his posture remained humble.
"At the time, Your Excellency, the war had not fully ended. If we prolonged it further, we risked a coalition assault."
"Concluding it swiftly was the priority."
"And besides…" he added carefully, "apart from the Land of Fire, the other great nations are comparatively barren."
"The Land of Lightning and Land of Earth are rocky and mineral-rich, yes—but little else."
"As for the Land of Wind…" He allowed a faint, knowing smile. "They have sand. Mostly sand. Even their Kazekage must personally search for gold dust to sustain his village."
"They lack the resources to provide enormous compensation."
It was a subtle deflection—truth laced with exaggeration.
The Daimyō, however, seemed delighted.
"Hahaha! That's quite true. Compared to them, the Land of Fire is blessed indeed!"
He waved dismissively.
"Enough of that."
"But the treatment of Konoha's shinobi must be ensured."
He leaned forward.
"If you're short on money, you should have told me."
"Why squeeze your own people?"
"Konoha's shinobi protect the interests of the Land of Fire. Covering their pensions and injury stipends is only proper."
His tone carried mild reproach—
Yet to Hiruzen, it sounded like divine music.
Relief surged through him.
The funding request—
Was secured.
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