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If it weren't for Tobirama-sensei, I'd probably still be Danzo's puppet, wholeheartedly serving him, counting the money even after being sold out.

Now it's all good. Although I was reprimanded by Tobirama-sensei, it seems like nothing serious has happened. The culprit, Danzo, will undoubtedly be severely punished, so I should only get a light punishment. At most, I'll be charged with lax discipline, which won't bother me at all!

The more Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it, the more he realized it made sense. The reason Tobirama-sensei was showing such anger was just for show; he wouldn't actually do anything to him.

Seeing Tobirama Senju close his eyes and remain silent for a long time only deepened Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself: It seems that my master needs me! Indeed, the meteor crisis is escalating and it looks like it will fall into the world soon.

Compared to all those past grievances and old, trivial matters, the current meteorite fall is far more important.

To control the current situation, Tobirama-sensei will need the help of the Konoha leadership.

Although his teacher Tobirama Senju was great in his lifetime, as the saying goes, "a new emperor brings a new court," and after several decades, it is unknown how much prestige Tobirama still retains.

Whether the people of Konoha Village can obey the arrangements of a dead person is still unknown.

And who am I? I am the former Third Hokage, the Hokage who ruled Konoha for the longest period of time.

Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi was incompetent and his abilities mediocre, when it came to prestige in the village, who could possibly have higher prestige than him? With him around, was there any fear of not being able to control the situation in Konoha?

Before the meteorite crisis, was there anyone in the village who posed a threat to his position as Hokage?

No! Absolutely not!! At least during Hiruzen Sarutobi's reign, there was never such a person.

Even his old buddy Danzo, before the meteorite crisis, wasn't he firmly suppressed by him?

Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that with his former Hokage's assistance, his teacher would have no trouble controlling Konoha.

Ultimately, Tobirama-sensei is a dead man, and he still needs the help of the living to bring the situation under control. He will inevitably rely on the help of us.

If Danzo's crimes were exposed, Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that the villagers would definitely not recognize Danzo as the Fifth Hokage, and he would definitely lose his position as Hokage.

With him stepping down, the position of Hokage is now vacant.

At this time, the village does not have a suitable candidate to succeed the Hokage.

There are only a handful of people who can succeed to the Hokage position.

First, let's talk about his disciple, Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha. He left Konoha for Amegakure and has not returned since. He said he went to Konoha to investigate whether the Akatsuki could solve the meteorite fall problem.

Judging by the timeline, Jiraiya should have returned long ago. But he hasn't come back yet, and who knows when he'll be back.

With the meteorite crisis looming, who has the time to wait for him to return!

Let's talk about his other student, Tsunade. Her status and prestige are certainly sufficient. She is the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju and one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha. However, she suffers from hemophobia, which makes her somewhat unsuitable for the position of Hokage.

Kakashi Hatake, from the village, is indeed young and promising. However, he is too young, lacks experience, and is not yet respected enough.

As for the two elder advisors, Mitokado En and Takumi Koharu, they are even less of a concern.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his two companions' personalities well. They were fine as elders and advisors, giving orders and such, but if they suddenly decided to become Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only say that they should go somewhere cool and stay put.

The above candidates went through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind. To this, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only say that they couldn't control the position of Hokage, so he had to take it himself.

I have the experience! I have the prestige! I am more than capable of being the Hokage!!

Looking around, are there any other more suitable candidates for the Hokage position besides myself?

No, absolutely not!!

If Tobirama Senju were to want me to step forward and stabilize the situation in Konoha, my current position as an elder advisor wouldn't be enough!

When the people of Konoha saw that he had stepped forward to stabilize the situation using his title as an elder and advisor, they realized that...

This is illegitimate, absolutely not!

Hiruzen Sarutobi firmly believed that, for the sake of the bigger picture, Tobirama-sensei would surely reinstate him to his original position and let him take over the Hokage role again.

If I can successfully help Tobirama stabilize the situation after I return to the position of Hokage, then I will have redeemed myself through meritorious service.

With Tobirama-sensei leading the planning, I can just do my job behind the scenes. Once the Five Kage Summit is held and the entire ninja world is united, we won't have to worry about finding a solution to the meteorite crisis.

In that case, once the meteorite crisis is over, even if I committed a grave sin, Tobirama-sensei would likely forgive me out of consideration for my redemption.

As he thought about it, Hiruzen Sarutobi even felt that Orochimaru, that traitorous disciple, wasn't so annoying after all. After all, if Orochimaru hadn't resurrected his teacher Tobirama Senju, he wouldn't have escaped Danzo's control!

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi felt safe and was planning how he and his teacher should face the upcoming meteor crisis after he became Hokage again,

But then, Tobirama Senju walked straight up to him and said, "Monkey, I have some questions for you. You must tell me the truth."

"Yes, yes, teacher! Your disciple will answer all your questions without reservation. Please ask!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, believing that Tobirama Senju had spared him, readily agreed.

Little did he know, Tobirama Senju had no intention of letting Hiruzen Sarutobi go.