MTLNOVEL Chapter 441: The Fourth Hokage
Ten days later, the area in front of the Hokage Building was packed with people—both shinobi and civilians—all of them brimming with joy.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Becoming Hokage sure made you a star, Minato."
"No kidding. The Yellow Flash of Konoha is now the Fourth Lord Hokage. Tsk, tsk. Minato, don't forget your old buddies now that you've made it big."
On either side of Minato Namikaze stood Kazuyama Gekkō and Fugaku Uchiha—his best friends, rivals, and currently, his relentless teasers.
Behind them, three women were chatting and laughing, occasionally casting glances at the trio.
"Come on, cut it out, you two!"
"Kazuyama, your accomplishments are greater than mine, and Fugaku, you're the head of the Uchiha Clan. Either of you could have been Hokage."
Minato meant what he said, though there was one thing he didn't mention—he had always wanted to be Hokage. Back when he first entered the Ninja Academy, this blond kid had already declared that dream.
"Get real. Compared to you, I'm just a ghost and you're a flash of light. When has a ghost ever become Hokage?"
"Huh?"
After roasting himself, Kazuyama Gekkō turned to Fugaku Uchiha and shifted the target.
Feeling his gaze, Fugaku tensed. He knew this bastard was about to say something irritating.
"Now look at Fugaku. Uchiha Clan Head—what an impressive title."
"But ever since he had a son, he's totally turned into a doting dad. Either working to make money for his kid or standing around with a dumb grin watching him."
"If I had to sum it up, it's this—ever since he became a father, the guy's completely useless!"
Fugaku's face darkened, an aura of unease radiating off him.
Kazuyama Gekkō burst out laughing, raising his hands quickly. "What? It's Minato's big day today. Don't start anything."
Fugaku snorted coldly, forcing down the urge to throw a punch. Kazuyama was right—today was the Hokage inauguration, not a time for brawling.
Still, if he couldn't throw hands, he wasn't going to hold back his mouth.
"Damn you, Kazuyama. Don't think I don't know you're always messing with me. Just wait till Itachi grows up—I'll chase you with a sword!"
"And when I do, my son will chase you with a sword too!"
"For Minato's sake, I'll let it slide today."
Minato smiled and patted both of them on the shoulders. Time to play the peacemaker.
"Alright, alright. We're all friends here. Don't start fighting the moment you meet."
The three of them stayed tangled in playful banter—well, the only one actually having fun was Kazuyama Gekkō.
At that moment, a voice rang out from the Hokage Tower. "Minato, it's time for the ceremony."
Minato answered, then his expression shifted from playful to solemn.
Kazuyama fell silent too, giving him a thumbs-up in encouragement.
Fugaku crossed his arms, his expression stern, and gave Minato a small nod.
Feeling their different ways of support, Minato smiled faintly and vanished on the spot with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Ah, let's hurry and find a good spot to watch."
"Fugaku, coming with me? I'll take you to the best view."
Kazuyama slung an arm around Fugaku's neck without a care in the world, despite his threats, and threw out the offer.
Fugaku was about to dismiss him, but a glance at his wife and son behind him changed his mind. He didn't need to watch, but Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Itachi definitely should. This kind of event didn't happen often in Konohagakure.
"Fine. Let's go. Bring Mikoto and Itachi."
Kazuyama gave him a sideways glance—he wasn't wrong. Ever since this guy settled down, he'd really turned into a good man.
Now, his world revolved entirely around his wife and child.
"Tch, yeah, yeah, we get it. You're just a man whose whole world revolves around his wife and kid."
"Alright, everyone, let me take you to the best spot to watch from."
Kazuyama stepped to the side, brought his hands together, then slammed them onto the ground.
"Crystal Release: Floating Pavilion!"
The pose looked exactly like one of those "clap your hands and make it happen" moves—gave off serious Hashirama Senju vibes.
Under everyone's gaze, transparent crystals rapidly began to form.
With a series of sharp cracks, a massive platform took shape before them. Don't ask how something see-through was still so visible.
Maybe it was because chakra has color.
Beyond the platform itself, the crystals also morphed into two massive dragons, which rose up and hoisted the entire structure into the air.
Kazuyama brushed the dirt off his hands with a satisfied grin.
"Please, everyone—this platform might be transparent, but trust me, it's solid."
With that, he stepped on first. And honestly, he had done an impressive job—the platform even had five seats.
A flicker of admiration crossed Fugaku's eyes. Word had already spread throughout Konohagakure that Kazuyama had developed a second Kekkei Genkai.
That news alone had taken people's opinion of him to a whole new level.
Creating a Kekkei Genkai on your own—now that was terrifying talent.
"Kazuyama, your Crystal Release is nice and all, but why's the crystal transparent?"
"Couldn't you have made it pink or red or something?"
Kushina stepped onto the platform, gave it a few experimental taps with her foot, and raised the question.
Kazuyama didn't bother replying. His Crystal Release was transparent—so what?
Didn't she know that the harder something is to see, the better it works?
As the crystal dragons lifted the platform, the five adults and one child gently rose into the air above the Hokage Building.
Their sudden appearance caused a wave of surprised cries from the crowd below—both civilians and shinobi alike.
"Whoa! Look up there! Someone's flying!"
"Flying? That's Kazuyama! I heard he created a brand new Kekkei Genkai—this must be Crystal Release!"
"Yeah! That's the ability he used to go toe-to-toe with Hanzō of the Salamander!"
Gasps and chatter spread as more and more people looked up. Even many of the village's elite ninja couldn't help but glance skyward.
"This kid really doesn't know how to sit still."
"Haha, ain't that the truth."
Atop the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two advisors also looked up at Kazuyama and the others, but said nothing.
The Hokage succession ceremony was about to begin.
Minato was already standing before them.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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