Chapter 338: Boruto? Hokage?
"What?! More money again?!" In the makeshift conference room, a Fire Country official glared with eyes wide, his mustache bristling. "Didn't the Daimyō just fund us a few days ago?"
"The shinobi world may appear peaceful on the surface, but it's rife with hidden turmoil. Every time the enemy attacks Konoha, it only proves how wary they are of us. If Konoha were to falter, their actions would become even more brazen."
Shikamaru addressed the Fire Country official across from him. His message was crystal clear—if Konoha were compromised, the Fire Country itself would face direct threat. Even the Daimyō's continued rule could be called into question.
Still, such words couldn't be said aloud. Otherwise, it would sound like Konoha was threatening the Daimyō, and Shikamaru was far too sharp to make such a misstep.
"Hmm..." The Fire Country official, no fool himself, immediately grasped Shikamaru's implication. "I'll need to consult the Daimyō."
With the development of scientific ninja tools, computers and cell phones had gradually become widespread across the shinobi world.
"Daimyō-sama, it's me... Yes, Konoha has been attacked again. We need more funds for rebuilding... Mm, I understand. Yes, please rest assured, Daimyō-sama..." After hanging up the phone, the official took a deep breath, then turned to Naruto and Shikamaru. "The Daimyō has agreed. He'll provide the funds free of charge."
"That's great news!"
Naruto and Shikamaru exchanged a look and smiled.
"However, the Daimyō has one condition." The official turned his gaze to Naruto. "His condition is that the Seventh Hokage steps down, and Uzumaki Boruto takes over as the Eighth Hokage."
"The Daimyō has never appointed a village's Kage before..."
Shikamaru furrowed his brow.
"Under the Shinobi Statutes, the Daimyō does have the authority to interfere in the Hokage selection process."
Shikamaru slowly relaxed his brows. This move seemed more like a test by the Daimyō—to see whether Konoha would abide by the Shinobi Statutes.
Naruto stepping down and his own son becoming Hokage wouldn't really impact Naruto's actual power. He would lose only the title of Hokage.
"I'll need to discuss this with Lord Hokage."
"Of course."
The official nodded and left the temporary conference room.
"What do you think, Shikamaru?"
Naruto looked to Shikamaru for his opinion. As his right-hand man, Shikamaru had made numerous brilliant calls over the years.
"Honestly, Naruto, this is clearly a test from the Daimyō to see whether we'll respect the law. Choosing Boruto is intentional—because even if he becomes the Eighth Hokage, your influence remains untouched. In that case, I think it's acceptable."
"Hmm..." Naruto folded his arms and fell into deep thought. "Alright then. As long as it benefits the village, I don't mind stepping down..."
With the financial support from the Daimyō, Konoha's reconstruction kicked off at full speed.
Soon, the Hokage Tower was fully rebuilt.
Naruto, Shikamaru, Boruto, Kakashi, Tsunade, and a group of jōnin gathered in the Hokage's office.
"In the span of just a few days, Konoha has been destroyed repeatedly. As Hokage, I must take responsibility for failing to protect the village. Therefore, I have decided to step down, and Uzumaki Boruto will take over as the Eighth Hokage."
Since this had already been partially disclosed in advance, no one present looked particularly surprised. In fact, everyone understood that while Naruto would no longer hold the title of Hokage, he would still be the de facto leader of Konoha.
At least, until Boruto was ready to stand on his own.
News of Naruto stepping down and Boruto becoming the Eighth Hokage quickly spread through the entire village.
"Huh? What's this about?"
Standing still as the elderly sculptor studied his face intently, Boruto glanced toward Naruto, who stood nearby.
"It's prep work for your Hokage Rock carving," Naruto said with a smile. "Just endure it. I had to go through the same hassle when I became Hokage..."
"Don't call it a hassle!" the old sculptor snapped in protest. "The Hokage Rock has special significance for Konoha. It's a different way of expressing the Will of Fire—it's a symbol of the village!"
"Sorry, sorry."
Seeing how the old man just wouldn't stop talking, Naruto quickly apologized.
"Hmph. I'm done with the measurements."
"Old man, make sure you carve me looking cool!"
Boruto called out to the sculptor.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you look very cool."
As the old man walked off, Boruto stood up from his chair and stretched lazily. "Finally done..."
"We're not done yet, Boruto. Next is the old lady who handles the Hokage robes—she'll be taking your measurements."
"Huh?"
Because the old seamstress was so short, she had to stand on a stool to take Boruto's measurements.
"Stand up straight!"
Smack! She tapped Boruto's slouched back with a ruler.
"It's just a robe... No need to be this strict."
"Wrong! The Hokage robe and hat are symbols of Konoha's Hokage! If they don't fit properly, other villages will laugh at us—and that would bring shame to the entire village!"
…
"Hey, Boruto, tomorrow's your inauguration. Don't sleep in like your father."
That night, Shikamaru teased Boruto.
"I'm not a doofus like him."
"Still, I have to say, you've picked things up surprisingly fast. Naruto really struggled with those required readings for new Hokage."
"I'm nothing like that dumb old man..."
Maybe it was the rush of preparations over the past few days, but Boruto looked pretty worn out.
"Well, that's it for today. See you, Boruto."
"Yeah. See you, Uncle Shikamaru. I'll still be relying on you for advice after I become Hokage."
Once Shikamaru's figure completely disappeared, a masked Dark Shunhi appeared beside him.
"Congratulations, Boruto. You're Hokage now."
"...I want to know why the Daimyō insisted I become Hokage."
"It was just to test whether Konoha would follow the Shinobi Statutes. Choosing you specifically? That's because you're Naruto's son. Making you Hokage doesn't reduce Naruto's influence at all."
"..."
Though Boruto nodded, distrust toward Dark Shunhi had already taken root in his heart. The timing of everything was just too convenient.
"Oh right—almost forgot something..."
Even if it was a minor detail, Shikamaru figured he should still inform Boruto about the formalities of tomorrow's inauguration.
Returning halfway through for that reason, Shikamaru happened to catch sight of Boruto speaking with Dark Shunhi.
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