Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 234: Everyone Stands, the Undisputed Hokage!

Time passed slowly, and the meeting was about to begin.

The Third Hokage stepped from behind the curtain to the forefront.

Standing at the front of the conference room, he looked at the familiar decorations around him, as if he had returned to the past.

The two elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, also arrived.

Noticing Danzo's absence, they glanced at Hiruzen and then exchanged looks with each other before quietly sitting down in the elders' seats.

The entire conference room was silent; everyone was waiting quietly for one man to arrive.

Tick, tock, tick, tock—

The clock on the wall slowly ticked forward.

Just as the second hand reached its mark, two kunai landed simultaneously at the front of the room.

Haneda and Kakashi instantly appeared in the conference room.

This scene stunned everyone present.

They knew Kakashi had mastered the Flying Thunder God technique, but no one had expected Haneda to have learned it as well!

Kakashi greeted the Third Hokage and took his seat, while Haneda sat directly in his chair.

Everyone assumed the Third Hokage might reprimand Haneda, but nothing happened.

Kakashi seemed to sense something and smiled faintly at Haneda.

At this moment, the Third Hokage began to speak:

"Today, we are holding a Jonin meeting to discuss the election of the next Hokage—the Fifth Hokage."

"I am old and no longer capable of managing the village's affairs. I officially announce my resignation as Hokage."

"Now, we will move on to the candidate voting process. Those interested in running should come forward and speak."

After speaking, the Third Hokage stepped down from the podium and sat in a nearby chair.

He felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders, though a wave of weariness crept over him.

Yet, no one in the room stood up to take the stage.

All eyes were fixed in one direction—where Uchiha Haneda was seated.

Haneda stood up under everyone's gaze and walked confidently to the front of the room.

"My name is Uchiha Haneda."

"I am here for one purpose: to become Hokage and make Konoha great again!"

With just two short sentences, all the Uchiha Jonin rose to their feet, applauding enthusiastically.

The Shimura clan reacted swiftly—faster than even the Hyuga clan. As the Uchiha stood, their clan head immediately led the Shimura in standing and clapping.

Following this, the Hyuga, Hatake, Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, Sarutobi, and even the civilian Jonin all stood up.

The Third Hokage rubbed his eyes subconsciously at the scene before him.

He had anticipated unprecedented support for Haneda, but he hadn't expected unanimous support.

This was completely beyond the Third Hokage's imagination.

Even Haneda was surprised.

He had expected more than 80% of the Jonin to support him but hadn't anticipated full support.

However, upon reflection, it wasn't entirely unreasonable.

Haneda had accumulated enough achievements and prestige during the Third Shinobi War and had deep ties with the Fourth Hokage.

The Fourth Hokage represented the civilian class, and naturally, all civilian Jonin held a favorable view of Haneda.

As for the clan ninja, their considerations went beyond personal feelings to the survival and prosperity of their clans.

For instance, the Shimura clan, eager to show their loyalty, had rushed to align themselves as the second to stand.

When other clans saw that the second-largest clan in Konoha, the Hyuga, had clearly sided with Haneda, the election's outcome was already sealed.

They naturally followed suit without hesitation.

Once the applause subsided, Haneda swept his gaze across the room and said with a smile:

"It seems I am the undisputed Hokage."

The moment Haneda finished speaking, Asuma immediately chimed in from below:

"Of course!"

"Haneda is the most outstanding ninja in all of Konoha!"

"No one understands the Hokage better than Haneda, and no one is more suited for the position!"

The others in the room gave Asuma a strange look.

But recalling the Third Hokage's attitude toward Haneda, they quickly understood.

It turned out that Haneda and the Third Hokage had already reached a consensus, and this Jonin meeting was merely for show.

The Shimura clan head was the second to voice his support loudly:

"That's right! Only under the leadership of the inherently noble Uchiha can Konoha become great again!"

"Our entire Shimura clan publicly supports Lord Haneda!!"

Haneda glanced at the Shimura clan head with a hint of mockery in his eyes and asked,

"Danzo, the head of Root, is also part of the Shimura clan. Does he support me as well?"

Without hesitation, the Shimura clan head replied:

"The inherently evil Danzo has already been expelled from the Shimura clan!!"

"Danzo escaped from Konoha's prison three years ago. On behalf of the Shimura clan, I plead with Lord Haneda to issue an order for his capture!"

"Very well, the Shimura clan's loyalty to Konoha is evident."

Haneda was amused by the Shimura clan's eagerness to adapt to the situation but wasn't about to let them off easily.

"I heard that much of Root's funding came from the Shimura clan. Now that Danzo's whereabouts are unknown…"

Before Haneda could finish, the Shimura clan head pounded his chest and promised:

"All costs for capturing the fugitive Danzo will be borne by the Shimura clan!!"

"Our clan is willing to give our all for Lord Haneda, no matter the cost!!"

Hearing this, even the Third Hokage was slightly embarrassed by the Shimura clan head's lack of principles.

He coughed a few times and said:

"Elder Danzo fell seriously ill last night and has already requested leave from me."

"His three years of crimes have also been pardoned by me. He is no longer a criminal."

Haneda glanced at the Third Hokage, considering his tact earlier and his relationship with Asuma, and decided not to pursue the matter further.

As for dealing with Danzo, Haneda already had plans.

He never intended to rely on Konoha's resources to capture Danzo.

Haneda said indifferently,

"Third Hokage, since I am the only candidate, and all Jonin have unanimously approved—"

"Let's directly announce the result."

"I, Uchiha Haneda, will succeed as the Fifth Hokage!"

The Third Hokage shook his head.

"According to Lord Hashirama's succession rules, the Hokage election must also gain the villagers' approval and the Daimyo's endorsement."

Haneda didn't mind seeking the villagers' approval.

But the mention of the Daimyo left a sour taste in his mouth.

Suddenly, an idea popped into Haneda's mind, and he smiled.

"Very well, it won't take long."

After the vote, the Third Hokage immediately announced that Uchiha Haneda would succeed as the Fifth Hokage.

Since the war with the Hidden Cloud was not yet fully resolved, the Third Hokage quickly scheduled the villagers' vote to take place in three days.

This period was meant for Haneda to campaign and gain the villagers' approval.

Of course, the Third Hokage had his own ulterior motives.

With Haneda preoccupied during this time, his old friend Danzo could smoothly leave Konoha.

However, what the Third Hokage didn't know was that Danzo was planning something significant.

Danzo had never left Konoha.

…