Hokage Abdicates, Retreating to Advance

Near the gates of Konoha.

A squad of ninjas returning from the battlefield was welcomed by a crowd of citizens lining the streets.

"Are those the heroes who destroyed Kannabi Bridge and forced Iwagakure to retreat?"

"I knew it! With Lord Minato here, the village was bound to be victorious! Now only the Mist Village is still putting up a desperate struggle; the war will be over soon."

"I really wish I had been the one to carry out that mission with Lord Minato."

The civilians had already received the news from the Hokage Building: following the conclusion of the battle against Kumogakure, Namikaze Minato had once again led Konoha to victory.

They were currently buzzing with excitement, discussing the impending peace.

Of course, there were occasionally some strange comments mixed in.

"Lord Minato is so handsome."

"Lord Minato is mine, you stinking woman!"

"Huh? You think you're worthy with that face? Bird's nest hair!"

"I told you not to call me by that nickname!"

Minato walked through the cheering crowd with Rin and Kakashi, wearing a sunny smile.

Upon hearing those strangely directed comments, his smile subtly shifted into a wry one.

Lord Hokage, although this is to boost the village's morale, this level of enthusiasm is quite difficult for me to handle.

Sighing inwardly, Minato did his best to ignore the boiling red chakra coming from a certain direction and straightened his expression, walking toward the end of the road.

There, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched him with a look of gratification.

"Minato, you have done well."

Minato reached back with both hands, pulling his two somber-faced disciples forward. "This is all thanks to Kakashi and the others, and that child Obito..."

Minato stopped there, glancing at the expressions of Kakashi and Rin; the visible sorrow made him sigh.

He patted their little heads comfortingly and said to the Third, "Lord Third, they are already exhausted from the mission. Let them go and rest first."

"That won't do."

Under Minato's puzzled gaze, the Third shook his head with a smile. "Today is an important day for you. As your disciples, I want them to be present."

"Now, hold out your hands."

Minato extended his hands, looking completely bewildered.

Then, under the shocked gaze of him and the surrounding crowd, Sarutobi Hiruzen removed the hat symbolizing the Hokage and placed it into Namikaze Minato's hands.

"I had originally intended to hand Konoha over to you after the war ended, but I believe this moment is even more appropriate."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly, looked at the surrounding citizens of Konoha, and declared, "As the Third Hokage, I nominate and elect Namikaze Minato as the Fourth Hokage!"

"This proposal has already been approved by the Daimyo. All of you standing here now... do you approve?"

The crowd was silent for a few seconds before a cheer that shook the heavens erupted.

"Fourth Hokage!"

"Fourth Hokage!"

"Fourth Hokage!"

Legends regarding Minato had begun to circulate in the village months ago, brought back by ninjas from the Kumogakure front.

He had forced back the newly enthroned Fourth Raikage and was rated by the enemy as a powerful ninja whom one could simply abandon their mission upon encountering.

No one objected; a war-weary Konoha needed a new Hokage.

A powerful, young Hokage!

"Minato, you are the choice of the people."

The Third Hokage smiled gently. "Accept this heavy burden!"

"Lord Third..."

Minato stared at him blankly, listening to the surrounding cheers.

Hokage—was he really going to become the Fourth Hokage?

A sunny smile appeared on Minato's face once again. He placed the hat on his head and said firmly, "In the name of the Hokage, I will bring final victory to Konoha!"

The cheers of Konoha reached their absolute peak at this moment.

Compared to the bustle of the Hokage's succession, the Hyuga Compound was incomparably quiet at this time.

Numerous Hyuga ninjas gathered in an open space, looking at the figure on the high platform, exchanging puzzled glances.

That was not the head of the Hyuga Clan, but the Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Why would he appear here?

Isn't this the place where the new Caged Bird seals are inscribed?

"I know everyone has their doubts; the one standing here is not my true self, but merely a Shadow Clone."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the many Byakugan eyes below the stage and declared in a loud voice, "I am not a competent Hokage!"

"During my tenure, I failed to manage relations with the other five nations properly, causing Konoha to be the target of encirclement time and time again."

"Setting aside foreign affairs, I haven't even managed the relationships between comrades within the village well."

"Apologies are meaningless to you all, but as things have developed to this point, I, as Hokage, bear an inescapable responsibility."

Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed deeply, saying apologetically, "I am sorry."

"Truly, I am sorry!"

The Branch Family ninjas looked at him in confusion; the Hokage personally apologizing to them... a situation never seen before left them at a loss for what to do.

Meanwhile, Hyuga Miyuki stared fixedly at Sarutobi Hiruzen, her heart sinking.

"The new Caged Bird was researched by many ninjas, and ultimately improved by Tsunade and myself."

"I can guarantee that this version of the technique cannot be used to torture the recipient; it will be a technique that truly protects the Byakugan!"

The Branch Family erupted into an instant clamor, and many even broke into smiles.

A mother looked at her child, whom she carried with her because he was still too young, and tiny tears streamed from her eyes, "Yuemo, that's wonderful, that's wonderful..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained bowed, "I, this incompetent Hokage, will also step down today."

"The new Hokage will be Namikaze Minato, Konoha's Yellow Flash!"

"Whether it is the Branch Family or the Main Family, the Hyuga Clan is a member of Konoha. I hope that with his help, you can all truly integrate into the village."

Without giving them time to digest the information, one pie after another fell from the sky, making the Branch Family ninjas feel as if they were in a dream.

Namikaze Minato was no stranger to the Branch Family ninjas.

The initial commander of the Mist Village Battlefield was Namikaze Minato's teacher—Jiraiya.

Furthermore, due to the mobility of the Flying Thunder God technique, Namikaze Minato served as reinforcements during the early stages of the Third Great Ninja War, remaining active on various battlefields.

Some among the Branch Family ninjas had even fought side-by-side with him.

That young man who was like the sun?

If it were him...

A Branch Family Jonin stepped forward and bowed to the Hokage on the high platform, "Lord Hokage, please do not belittle yourself."

"You are the first person to bring change for us; thank you!"

The previous two Hokage had never managed to do that!

"That's right, Lord Hokage, please lift your head. I am willing to accept the Caged Bird improved by Lord Hokage."

"Indeed, Lord Third, please lift your head. We... we will discuss this with the Main Family."

More and more people stepped out, expressing their forgiveness.

Facing this scene, Hyuga Miyuki clenched her fists, feeling a sense of despair.

Why were they forgiving him so easily?

Are you satisfied just because the dog leash has been loosened a little?

Lord Third never said that the ability of the Caged Bird to control our life and death had been removed!

Sharing similar sentiments was a young man—Hyuga Yuki, who had previously killed the Fourth Elder of the Hyuga Main Family.

He watched Lord Third in silence, his eyes devoid of any expectation.

Hane had said that Lord Third was secretly researching a way to break the Caged Bird.

He had once held a glimmer of hope for this, thinking that the Hokage was on their side.

But the Hokage's actions today made him realize that the other party's research into a solution was not for their sake!