As time passed, all of Konoha's jonin began gathering below Hokage Rock, apart from those who had already departed for the Land of Water.
Everyone wore a faint smile at this Hokage Election.
It wasn't that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was truly so unpopular. Compared with an old man, everyone simply preferred having Tsunade as their Hokage. At least that would give them something to brag about when they went out.
What would they brag about? Never you mind!
"After the Fourth Hokage died in battle, Konoha should have chosen a Fifth Hokage."
"But at the time, Orochimaru of the Sannin had defected, Tsunade had left the village, and Jiraiya was pursuing the rogue ninja Orochimaru. With no suitable candidate for Hokage in all of Konoha, I had no choice but to swallow my shame and continue handling affairs as Hokage."
"Now that Tsunade has come into her own, it is time for me to lay down this burden!"
On the platform erected below Hokage Rock, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the smiles on the faces of the jonin below, and even those of the villagers farther away. An inexplicable sadness rose in his heart. Had I truly been such a failure as Hokage?
"Bring forth the Daimyo's letter of appointment!"
The jonin vote proceeded without a hitch. Everyone could see that even Sarutobi Hiruzen himself had given up on fighting to retain the position of Hokage, making this vote almost unbelievably smooth.
As Mitokado Homura brought the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's letter appointing the Hokage onto the platform, the ninja and even the civilians below began to cheer.
Yet after accepting the letter of appointment, Tsunade's expression was surprisingly calm.
"The Hokage, huh..."
Looking at the cheering crowd below, Tsunade merely sighed inwardly.
While Konoha was holding