[T/N:
Today's Public Release Schedule - Ch 53 - Ch 57 (5 Chapters)
Latest Chapter translated in patreon - Chapter 131 i.e. Vol 2 Chapter 73
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"Father, Mother," Sarutobi Ryo greeted his parents in the courtyard that evening.
Asuma was missing, likely facing some kind of punishment. He could have graduated with Kakashi, such was his talent. However, Asuma had been captivated by beauty at a young age, wanting to graduate alongside Yuhi Kurenai, so he'd remained in the Ninja Academy.
"Hmm, Shinnosuke, have you eaten?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked politely, his hands clasped behind his back. He was pleased with his eldest son.
Judging by his victory over the Guardian Ninja and Kurosuki Raiga, his skills were certainly not a problem. What mattered now was to understand how well he grasped the Will of Fire.
During their last conversation near the Anbu office, his eldest son had suggested that while public opinion was important, it wasn't always right. Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to explore his son's thoughts further.
"Regarding what you said last time, I've been thinking about it a lot..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen led his son into the house with a smile. Sarutobi Ryo invited his parents to sit and poured each of them a cup of warm tea.
After a brief pause, Sarutobi Ryo thought, _"Shinnosuke" was his childhood name. How embarrassing! _He had even requested to change it.
"Father, please just call me Ryo," he said casually.
"Alright, Ryo, who do you think is best suited to become the next Hokage?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, taking his tea. He didn't seem to care about the name. He smiled as he waited for the answer.
Since his eldest son was so confident about his understanding of the Will of Fire, it was a good time to test him.
Sarutobi Ryo answered without hesitation, "Father, from what most people think, the likely candidates for Fourth Hokage are Konoha's White Fang and the Sannin."
"..."
Biwako nodded in agreement. Her eldest son's judgment was still sharp.
"And among them, who do you think would be the best choice?" Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
Before coming here, we met with Jiraiya, who had returned to the village. After being away for years, Jiraiya had changed slightly but was still the same at heart.
Sarutobi Ryo certainly had his own ambitions to become Hokage.
But he wasn't old enough.
Before the Third Shinobi World War arrived, he was still just a young man. Even Namikaze Minato wouldn't be able to sway public opinion at this age.
No one would ever consider someone in their teens for the Hokage position. In this era, everyone was focused on Hatake Sakumo and the Sannin.
"In terms of fighting ability, the Sannin are not as strong as the White Fang..." Sarutobi Ryo pointed out the difference in power.
The Sannin were in one league, and Hatake Sakumo was in another, higher league.
Of course, being Hokage wasn't all about fighting.
And considering Tsunade's fear of blood and her later departure, her chances of becoming Hokage were zero.
As for Jiraiya, he had made it clear that he wasn't interested in the position, so he could be ruled out as well.
That left Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo.
"Hmm, so… Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo, which one is the better choice?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, taking a sip of his tea. His expression remained unreadable. I already know the answer.
To outsiders, Orochimaru was the Hokage's favorite student, with an impressive war record.
He was also considered the strongest of the Sannin.
He was the only one who might be able to rival Hatake Sakumo in the future. Orochimaru was still young and had much room to grow.
More importantly, Sarutobi Hiruzen had seen the darkness in Orochimaru's eyes.
Just look at what the official data book said about Sarutobi Hiruzen's skills. It stated that even Orochimaru couldn't fully inherit Sarutobi Hiruzen's abilities, which Sarutobi Hiruzen greatly regretted. His skills would be lost after his death.
This showed that Orochimaru had limitations when it came to following the righteous path. That was why he chose the path of human experimentation and forbidden techniques - a "crooked path."
Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Orochimaru's limits and the darkness in his eyes.
But most people didn't know this or couldn't see it.
Even if people couldn't see these things, they subconsciously sensed Orochimaru's coldness and kept their distance from him.
As a result, Orochimaru wasn't as popular as the others.
This was a major problem in the Hokage election.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't worried that Orochimaru would be elected. I already have the answer in my heart.
The Fourth Hokage would be Hatake Sakumo.
"Orochimaru is not suitable."
"!"
Sarutobi Ryo's words surprised Sarutobi Hiruzen.
I know my eldest son has an unusual personality and speaks plainly. But being direct has nothing to do with having sharp insight.
Why?
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Biwako exchanged a questioning look.
"To be Hokage, one must seek the good of the village. In Orochimaru's eyes, I only see selfishness… he doesn't have the Will of Fire…" Sarutobi Ryo explained.
No matter how talented Orochimaru was, he was twisted at his core.
If Orochimaru became Hokage, he would turn Konoha into a desolate place like Otogakure, a playground for his experiments.
Konoha could even become a second Blood Mist Village.
How could anyone hope for such a future?
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing," as the saying goes, and Orochimaru was a perfect example.
"..."
Sarutobi Ryo's bluntness slightly shocked Sarutobi Hiruzen.
After a moment, he nodded and sighed softly.
"Sarutobi Ryo, your vision is sharper than I thought..."
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was certain that his eldest son possessed the Will of Fire and the ability to see through people.
Having an unusual personality didn't matter as much as having the Will of Fire and caring for the well-being of the village. Those were the qualities of a Konoha ninja who could be Hokage.
"Very good… very good…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was very pleased.
The test was over.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, ready to share some of his knowledge.
After their conversation, he was sure that his eldest son would continue to walk the path of the Will of Fire.
Of course, he's still young. It's too early to talk about the Fifth Generation Hokage.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that one day, his eldest son might be considered for the position.
"Next, I will teach you some skills. How much you learn depends on you… First is the Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen went to the courtyard, raised his arms, and, with the Hand Seals, his face showed great determination.
"..."
Sarutobi Ryo's eyes lit up.
The official data book states that the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet is a powerful Fire Release ninjutsu known only to the Third Hokage.
The Boruto TV show created a version where Jiraiya also knew it, but TV shows are just for fun. They're not always part of the real story.
"Ryo, even Jiraiya and the others haven't learned this technique. You must study and master it well…"
The Fire Release lit up the night sky, illuminating Biwako's face.
Her words confirmed Sarutobi Ryo's guess.
"I understand, Mother."
Sarutobi Ryo nodded and began to memorize the details of the technique.
This was also a test of his skills.
If he could master the Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, it would prove that his talent was even greater than that of the Sannin…
The night passed, and the darkness deepened…