After Matsuri and Yukata settled down in Konoha, life for Mirai gained a bit more joy.
Every time he looked at those young, budding flowers growing up before his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of satisfaction.
And so, day by day, the peaceful days continued. Under Mirai's guidance, Matsuri and Yukata's strength had skyrocketed across the board.
Sometimes, even Temari found herself shocked by their performance. Deep down, she couldn't help but feel competitive, secretly pushing herself to develop new techniques.
As for research into the Ōtsutsuki clan's sacred tools, there had been no real progress.
It seemed the Shinobi World simply didn't have the materials needed to craft such items, which left Uchiha Mirai feeling a bit disappointed.
...
Konoha.
Mirai arrived at the Hokage's office and was surprised to find Minato Namikaze buried in paperwork.
"Minato, you actually have times when you're this busy?"
Minato gave a helpless smile.
"Can't help it. Lately I've been feeling more and more drained, and the work just keeps piling up…"
"Looks like it's about time I retire."
Only then did Mirai notice the fine wrinkles forming around Minato's eyes.
Now that he thought about it, Minato had to be over fifty by now.
In a profession like being a ninja, where youth was your currency, fifty was already considered old.
"Minato, you and Kushina really don't want to consider immortality?"
In Mirai's memory, both before and after his transmigration, Minato Namikaze had always been full of energy—no matter the task, he could handle it with astonishing efficiency.
But now, the hero was aging.
The once "Yellow Flash" was beginning to show signs of wear.
"Mirai, Kushina and I thought long and hard about it, but in the end, we decided it's best to grow old like ordinary people."
"We're not like you. Even if we're gone, the Shinobi World won't fall into chaos."
"Besides… it's hard to accept watching your juniors grow older than you."
Uchiha Mirai fell silent at Minato's words.
That was also the reason he hadn't chosen to have children yet.
To pursue immortality meant letting go of many emotional ties.
Once or twice was manageable, but if it happened too many times, he feared he'd eventually turn into a heartless monster.
"Mirai, let's not talk about that anymore."
"Have you thought about who the next Hokage should be?"
Minato smiled and smoothly shifted the topic.
Though he felt a tinge of regret, seeing that Minato had already made up his mind, Mirai didn't say much. After steadying his emotions, he replied,
"I have some candidates in mind, but I'm still a bit torn."
Minato raised a brow. "Mind sharing?"
Mirai said slowly, "Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, Yakumo, Ino, Neji, Shikamaru…"
After listening to the list, Minato commented,
"Let's take Naruto off the table. He's too careless and a bit too simple-minded. He tends to act impulsively…"
He paused when he caught Mirai's amused expression and quickly added,
"Of course, I'm not saying this to be biased. I'm just giving my opinion as the previous Hokage."
Uchiha Mirai nodded.
Without the tempering of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto Uzumaki did indeed lack the qualities to command broad respect.
If he were made Hokage, there'd probably be chaos on a regular basis.
"Minato, who do you think is suitable then?"
Minato thought for a moment, then said cautiously,
"Sasuke's not quite right either. That kid is too headstrong—he acts purely on impulse, and a Hokage can't make decisions based on whims."
"By comparison, his older brother, Uchiha Itachi, would make an excellent candidate…"
Uchiha Mirai waved his hand to cut him off.
"Itachi's not an option. He can't be Hokage."
Even though Uchiha Itachi was now under his control through Kotoamatsukami and was absolutely loyal, Mirai couldn't shake the unease in his heart when he remembered the choices Itachi made in the original timeline.
So from the beginning, he had no intention of letting Uchiha Itachi take the Hokage's seat.
Minato didn't question it. Instead, he continued his analysis.
"If Itachi's out, then I think Neji and Shikamaru are both great options."
"Neji is calm, level-headed, and as head of the Hyūga clan, he's got plenty of experience handling political affairs. Making him Hokage shouldn't pose any problems."
"As for Shikamaru…" Minato chuckled. "That kid's a genius, but he really lacks motivation."
"Either one would be a solid choice."
After hearing Minato's evaluation, Mirai had to agree.
"Then it's settled—Neji."
"It's time the Hyūga clan had a Hokage too."
Between Neji and Shikamaru, Mirai leaned more toward Hyūga Neji.
After all, both Hinata and Hanabi were his women. Giving the Hyūga clan the Hokage title was more than reasonable.
"Then that's decided."
Minato had no objections to Mirai's choice.
Now that the entire Shinobi World was under Mirai's rule, even the position of Hokage—though important—was something he could decide with just a word.
As the two continued their discussion, the door to the office was knocked from the outside.
"Come in."
A woman with a thick yellow ponytail stepped inside.
Seeing Mirai present, she quickly bowed. "Emperor-sama, Hokage-sama!"
Minato waved a hand and said, "Moegi, your jōnin promotion has been approved. Here's your gear."
"And…" Minato handed her a scroll. "There have been several serious attacks lately. I want you to investigate them. Consider this your first mission as a jōnin."
Kazamatsuri Moegi nodded seriously. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
Uchiha Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Minato, what kind of attacks are we talking about?"
Although mission details were typically confidential, there was no reason to hide anything from Uchiha Mirai, the Emperor himself.
So Minato answered directly, "There have been multiple suicide bombing incidents across the Divine Nation. No casualties so far, but the impact is quite severe."
"Based on the investigation, the mastermind appears to be operating out of the Land of Hot Water."
Mirai's eyes lit up slightly and he chuckled. "Perfect. I'm free anyway—I'll go with her and take a look."
Moegi's eyes went wide as she pointed to herself in disbelief.
Wait a second…
She was going on a mission… with the Emperor himself?!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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