Today is the day Orochimaru takes over.
All the villagers of Konoha gathered at the Hokage Building, ready to welcome this sacred and great moment. Everyone, whether they had something to do or not, came together today.
The Clan Head arrived early. The elders of Konoha were also dressed in their finest attire. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Minato were also present.
On the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in front of Orochimaru, the two facing each other.
"Orochimaru, from today onwards, the heavy responsibility of Hokage is entrusted to you. I hope you can carry on the Will of Fire and make it flourish, and not let down the villagers' expectations of you."
After saying this, Sarutobi Hiruzen solemnly placed the Hokage hat on Orochimaru's head, which meant that Sarutobi Hiruzen's political career had officially ended, and Konoha would begin to rule Orochimaru.
"I will definitely lead Konoha to a new level."
Seeing that Orochimaru did not answer his question directly, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only sigh inwardly. His student had ultimately chosen a different path from his own.
Looking at the hopeful expressions on everyone's faces, Orochimaru felt a surge of emotion—an emotion he had never encountered before. His subordinates usually displayed either profound respect or fear towards him. At this moment, Orochimaru felt a newfound sense of responsibility.
"From this day forward, I, Orochimaru, will succeed as the Fourth Hokage. I will protect the peace of Konoha."
"Oh."
Cheers and shouts erupted from the villagers. Villagers are easily satisfied; give them a little something to look forward to, and they can unleash boundless passion. Orochimaru did just that.
Looking at Orochimaru's succession, Fugaku Uchiha felt extremely heavy-hearted. The Uchiha Clan's supported Minato Namikaze had failed to be elected, and now that Orochimaru had taken over, would the Uchiha erupt in rebellion? All these questions were giving Fugaku a major headache. He didn't know if the Uchiha Clan could withstand Orochimaru's counterattack. He wasn't the only Uchiha with these thoughts; other Clan Head shared similar concerns.
"Why isn't it Minato?!"
Nara Shikaku remarked with emotion that he and Minato were very close, and with the Third Hokage's encouragement, they had rallied the Sanchū and Akimichi Clan to bet on Minato. However, Orochimaru ultimately prevailed by taking a shortcut and winning the final victory. Without the merit of supporting the young leader, would the Ino-Shika-Cho trio withdraw from the center of power? This was Shikaku's biggest concern.
"Yeah, Minato is so good, how could he lose?"
Choza Akimichi said that he and Minato were close friends, even sworn brothers. To outsiders, Minato was the ruthless Yellow Flash, while to the villagers, Minato was a warm little sun. But no one expected that he would still be defeated by Orochimaru.
"Are 'warm men' no longer in fashion? People are starting to prefer cold, career-oriented men."
Choza Akimichi thought to himself.
"What a pity for Minato. He ran into Lord Orochimaru."
Finally, Inoichi from the third class gave a summary. The other two nodded.
Minato watched Orochimaru succeed to the Hokage Position in the center of thousands of people. It would be a lie to say he wasn't sad. He knew very well how much Orochimaru had sacrificed for the Hokage Position, but in the end, he still failed.
Jiraiya noticed his beloved student's sadness and patted him on the shoulder. He knew that no amount of advice from others could help; the only way was for him to figure things out and move on. Jiraiya simply wanted to express that he would always be there for him.
Kushina gripped Minato's hand tightly. Although Minato hadn't been elected this time, she was content as long as he was safe and Minato; she didn't ask for much.
"Orochimaru is very suitable for that position, at least more so than I am."
Hatake Sakumo, standing beside Karot, spoke up. After being framed, Hatake Sakumo clearly realized that he was not suitable for that position. To sit in that position, one needs unwavering conviction, decisiveness, and composure, and most importantly, a ruthless heart. Hatake Sakumo believed he could not do that.
"Isn't this the life my father has always dreamed of? Now that he's stepped down from his post, I feel he's even happier than before."
"Yes, an ordinary and mundane life is something I never dared to dream of before."
"Our life as ninjas is the life that ordinary people dream of, and isn't a happy and ordinary life what we strive for?"
After the Ninja World War ended, Hatake Sakumo officially retired, which was also Sarutobi Hiruzen's last order as Hokage.
The news that Orochimaru Cold Lord- Orochimaru Lord, had succeeded as the Fourth Hokage spread rapidly throughout the Ninja World.
The older generation of ninjas gradually faded from the stage of history, and the new generation began to take over the power from their elders.
Shortly after Orochimaru took over, A from Cloud Village also became the Fourth Raikage. The Kazekage of Sand Village was also replaced, leaving only the Mist and Tsuchikage unchanged.
The new Hokage signifies a new beginning, and the village is moving in a positive direction. Orochimaru appointed Shisui as the head of the Police Force just one month after taking office, while Fugaku honorably retired. A Propaganda Department was added to the police Police Force to promote positive messages about the Police Force. The Uchiha Clan are meticulous police officers; their pride forbids them from breaking the law, making them the best law enforcement personnel.
They were disliked by everyone in the village, partly because Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen sabotaged them, and partly because they were inhumane in upholding the law.
After the propaganda department began operating, the villagers' resentment towards the Uchiha Clan began to decrease. They were no longer swayed by lawbreakers and gained a better understanding of the Police Force's work.
Now, when the Uchiha Clan enforces the law, they no longer face criticism from the villagers; instead, they receive their help, something they never expected. This has filled the Uchiha Clan with gratitude towards Hokage Orochimaru.
Tsunade arranged for Orochimaru to become the director of the hospital. Orochimaru wouldn't let such a good Medical Ninja go to waste, so he offered Tsunade a deal she couldn't refuse. Tsunade happily went to Jonin.
Jiraiya's arrangements gave Orochimaru a headache. His old friend had perfectly inherited Sarutobi Hiruzen's lecherousness, and he was afraid that if Jiraiya stayed, the bathhouse would become unsafe, since this single old dog was capable of very low-level acts.
Orochimaru didn't assign him any tasks, Jiraiya came to Orochimaru on his own initiative. He talked to Orochimaru about their childhood friendship and fighting side by side as adults. When he got emotional, he even squeezed out a tear. In the end Jiraiya left the Hokage's office happily.