"For all these years, I've believed that I've done a decent job governing the village, and that I've lived up to the expectations you had of me back then."
Then Torifu laughed heartily. "But, as you all know, I'm the sort of person who likes to slack off. And that habit has only gotten more pronounced with age."
At Torifu's words, the villagers' somewhat sentimental mood immediately turned cheerful.
Many of them couldn't help laughing.
"Konoha has been developing quite well, and talented people are emerging one after another. I think it's time for me to let go."
"The successor I've trained is ready to shoulder the burden and protect the entire Land of Fire, Konoha, and even the whole Shinobi World."
Torifu removed the Hokage Hat from his head, turned around, and solemnly handed it to Minato.
"From today onward, Minato Namikaze is the Fourth Hokage of Konoha!"
The moment he finished speaking, thunderous cheers erupted! Nearly a hundred thousand villagers across Konoha's streets cheered and shouted!
Looking at the dashing Fourth Hokage on the Crystal Screen, some people couldn't help shedding tears.
After taking the hat, Minato held it stylishly in his hand and raised it high above his head.
"From today onward, I'll be the one governing Konoha!"
His declaration wasn't particularly grand, nor did he make any grand promises. That made it feel all the more genuine to the villagers.
The cheers grew even louder, with no sign of stopping.
Countless flowers, streamers, and firecrackers filled the sky. Abai seemed to be in high spirits too. He flew out from the Yunzhong Clan Grounds and circled above Konoha!
That only made the atmosphere more jubilant.
And with that, the succession ceremony came to an end. Torifu was no longer Konoha's Hokage. He had finally retired.
Minato