December 31.
In the Shinobi World, this day was called Ōmisoka, the last day before the New Year. For the people of Konoha, today was not only the night of the year's end; something else of tremendous importance was happening as well.
Early that morning, the usually bustling village seemed deserted. The residents who had risen early were dressed in white haori bearing the emblem of the Land of Fire, making their way toward the Hokage Building.
Today was the new Hokage's inauguration ceremony. Even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire would attend to offer his congratulations.
Inside the Hokage Building, Uzumaki Kuming sat quietly behind his desk. He wore a black haori, with red flame patterns along its hem and sleeves. The back bore the embroidered words "Fourth Hokage" in red.
His haori was quite different from the Third Hokage's. Instead of the usual white and red, his was black and red.
Some documents were piled on the desk in front of him. He had already begun handling official matters over the past few days, but right now, he had no mind to deal with any of them. Instead, he gazed through the large office window at the steadily growing crowds of Konoha residents gathering outside.
"To think I actually became Hokage."
Uzumaki Kuming looked down over the whole of Konoha and murmured.
Over the years, the number of people Kuming truly cared about could be counted on two hands. At first, he hadn't felt a particularly strong sense of belonging to Konoha. Ever since Uzumaki Mito's death, all his efforts had been for himself and Kushina. He had only wanted the people he treasured to live a little better.
But after Hiruzen Sarutobi had raised him to the position recently, Kuming had gradually become more involved in