Naruto: Modern Science in Naruto

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"Minato-sensei has been officially confirmed as the candidate for the Fourth Hokage."

Haori's voice sounded a little strange when he said this.

Because of what happened to Obito and Rin, he was still staying in Konoha Village. And his appearance clearly showed that he was a little down. It was obvious that the impact of this event wouldn't fade away anytime soon.

In Kushina's house, he was sitting on the floor with his legs stretched out. His arms hung limply, and his body leaned forward. He rested his cheek on the table, looking out the window.

This wasn't exactly a ninja's posture, but considering Kakashi's current state, Kushina thought that Haori was doing much better. And… ultimately, Haori's current appearance was just an unconscious imitation of Kushina's earlier behavior. Even as his teacher, she wasn't in a position to criticize him.

After suddenly hearing a clatter of porcelain shattering, Haori forced himself to turn his gaze. He switched sides and continued to rest his cheek on the table.

That way, he could see what was happening on the other side… He must have broken another plate.

Why did he say "another"? In any case, Haori had basically surrendered to this kind of thing.

After all, Kushina's face didn't change at all. She was completely calm and used to it. Her cooking skills hadn't improved either, and after trying hard for a while, she had completely given up on fixing them.

Some things really require talent… Like being a ninja. Being a ninja really requires talent.

"The whole village knew about this this morning. If it weren't for what happened to Rin and Obito, Minato would probably be even happier."

When Kushina said this, her long red hair fell over her forehead. Haori could only see strands of hair and Kushina's chin and mouth, but he couldn't see what her eyes looked like.

It was probably the kind of look Haori never wanted to see on Kushina's face.

If it hadn't been for this time period, Kushina would have been even happier.

The matter of the Fourth Hokage was something to be happy about for Minato. As for her childhood goal of becoming Hokage, it was probably something she blurted out under pressure. She didn't have that strong of an obsession with "Hokage." And after she really met Minato, she probably gave up on that idea long ago.

Becoming Hokage was no longer part of her happiness.

The announcement of Minato's matter in Konoha now wasn't simply about him becoming the candidate for the Fourth Hokage. More importantly, he was the only candidate.

What this meant was obvious.

In fact, Minato Namikaze wasn't a Hokage candidate at this time. He had already become the Hokage's successor. The Third Hokage would probably gradually transfer his authority to him in the future.

There was a good reason why the confirmation of the Fourth Hokage candidate was arranged after the Kannabi Bridge Battle. At this point, Iwagakure's defeat was almost a certainty. More importantly, the news that Konoha had formally signed a peace treaty with the Hidden Mist had also been sent back. Minato's matter was good news on top of good news.

Because of the long-term influence, the name "Yellow Flash" was known by everyone in Konoha. Plus, Minato's own affability and the natural sense of closeness that came from being born a commoner meant that the Third Hokage's decision basically didn't face any opposition in Konoha. And the lower-level civilians and ordinary ninjas tended to be even more supportive.

Of course, that was just basically.

"Did this happen without any problems?" Haori asked quickly, to prevent both of them from dwelling on those painful emotions.

Kushina paused for a moment, then said hesitantly, "There weren't any major problems."

No major problems meant that there were a lot of minor problems. And from Kushina's hesitant expression, Haori could imagine that those minor problems probably weren't that minor.

Kushina probably didn't want Haori to get too involved in certain things at this time. It was a way of protecting him in some ways.

How could there not be any problems? Having such a young person become Hokage would definitely be met with opposition from some of the old-school upper echelons… In fact, even if Jiraiya had become the Fourth Hokage, they would still have questioned it. They would just be questioning a different aspect of him, his character instead of his age.

The struggle for control of the village's power was very intense, especially during this period when all the major ninja villages were changing generations. The Hidden Mist was like this, and so was Konoha.

The Fourth Raikage, the Fourth Mizukage, the Fourth Hokage. They all faced the issue of wanting to ascend to power. Fortunately, Konoha had the Third Hokage's suppression, so there wouldn't be any large-scale bloodshed.

In reality, after hearing about Minato's appointment, Haori's new mission was clear – for a long time to come, he would exist as Minato's bodyguard. Basically, wherever Minato went, he would go. Unless there were special circumstances, he wouldn't take on any other missions.

And in line with this special period of time, where the Hokage was about to change, the people who were bodyguards, including Haori, were given a privilege. It wasn't just that the enemies could attack freely. Even ninjas from the same village, if they showed any intention of attacking Minato, the measure was… to kill them without hesitation.

It didn't even matter if they accidentally killed one or two ninjas. The bodyguard's protection didn't just include attacks from enemies. It also included attacks from within Konoha.

This mission order was written by the Third Hokage himself. This instruction exposed the dark side of the village, and it showed that the Third Hokage also had a cruel side.

Haori's first reaction to this mission was to refuse. It wasn't because he thought a ninja like Minato didn't need a bodyguard. It was because…

Uncertainty brings anxiety. Half-knowledge brings fear. He actually wanted to resign from all his positions and stay in Konoha, to ensure that he could stay by Kushina's side if any changes occurred.

Although he was very tempted, he ultimately gave up on this idea. First, he knew it was too early. Even if Obito could really survive this time, judging from the situation Haori had seen with his own eyes on the battlefield, it wouldn't be easy for him to recover.

So, even if the few things Haori knew would still happen as planned, it wouldn't be now. He wanted to wait and see. He was telling himself not to panic.

He was also developing new jutsu. Everything needed time.

Looking at Kushina, who seemed to be busy with something, Haori knew that it wasn't time for him to stay in Konoha forever.

The village wouldn't allow a fighting force like him to be idle without a reason, especially now that the war was reaching its crucial end.

And staying by Minato's side would also allow him to gradually influence him and be more vigilant about future events.

"Haori? What are you staring at me for? Are you spacing out?"

Kushina asked, because she hadn't heard Haori respond, and she sensed his unfocused gaze.

"Uh, nothing."

It was really nothing. Kushina just needed to stay like this.

Haori continued, "Speaking of which, how's Kakashi doing?"

He deliberately avoided talking about this topic, but he still ended up circling back to it.

"Kakashi… he's not doing well. He's been greatly impacted. After all, what happened to Obito and Rin happened right in front of him."

"Minato's squad doesn't exist anymore. According to Minato, he seems to want Kakashi to join ANBU…"

Having Kakashi join ANBU at this time? Minato might have his own reasons, but was it really a good idea? Was he trying to make Kakashi's heart even darker?

Was this a case of fighting fire with fire?

"Is that a good idea? Maybe he should stay with Gai."

Because of their different personalities and experiences, there wasn't really a question of whether Kakashi or Might Gai was mentally stronger. Besides, what happened to Dai was different from what happened to Rin. Might Dai's death could be considered a case of getting what he wanted. But Rin's death was only painful and regrettable.

Kushina shook her head. "Maybe Minato has a deeper reason."

In reality, Haori was just throwing out ideas. He was trying to have the more positive Gai influence Kakashi. But someone who shuts themselves off can't be influenced by anyone.

Kakashi now seemed to want to die in silence. Although the reason was understandable, honestly, Haori didn't want to deal with him.

What happened was reality. Whether you accepted it, ignored it, or disregarded it, it was a fixed fact that couldn't be changed. Everyone's attitude towards these things was different. As for Haori, he wouldn't linger.

He would soon return to the battlefield.

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