Land of Fire, Konoha.
Because the village's core buildings had suffered devastating damage from Hokage Rock, they had no choice but to hold the high-level meeting in the central tower of Training Ground 44.
In the conference room on the tower's top floor, the Third Hokage sat at the head of the table, one arm suspended across his chest in bandages.
Seated on either side of him were Shimura Danzō, who looked eighty percent like him except for the bandages wrapped around his head, and Orochimaru.
Further back sat Jiraiya, Tsunade, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Hyuga Hiashi, Fugaku Uchiha, Namikaze Minato, and the rest. Every elite jonin in Konoha had gathered.
The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe. After slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke, he said with a weary expression, "You have all seen the village's condition. This time, the village suffered such enormous losses, and as Hokage, I bear an inescapable responsibility. Therefore, I have decided..."
He paused briefly. "To resign and accept punishment."
"Hiruzen!"
"Sensei!"
"Lord Hokage!"
Although most of those below had long been prepared for this, they still cried out in shock upon hearing his words.
This would be the first Kage among the Five Great Shinobi Villages to resign during his term and accept blame—a true precedent.
"Sigh, there is no need to say more. My decision has been made."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his single arm, stopping everyone from trying to persuade him otherwise. He continued, "However, the situation is critical. There is a high chance that spies from every country have already spread word of the village's condition. We do not have time to hold a Hokage election. Therefore, I propose..."
His gaze swept over every jonin present before finally settling on Orochimaru to his left.
"That elite jonin Orochimaru temporarily