Fifth Hokage

Land of Fire

Konoha

On the top floor of the Hokage Building, the high-ranking ninjas of Konoha gathered, including the twelve department heads of Konoha, Hokage Advisor Uchiha Fugaku, Hatake Sakumo, and Mitokado Homura, standing at the front of the line.

Behind them stood Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, and the members of the Konoha Seven Ninja Swords. Following them were the current clan leaders of Konoha's major ninja clans: the Uchiha Hyuga Clan, Kurama, Uzumaki, Inuzuka, Sarutobi, and Ino- Ino-Shika-Cho, as well as high-ranking members from various departments. The large group of people stood in a line.

The person at the very front of the entire procession was wearing the Hokage robes and a straw hat embroidered with the character for fire; he was none other than the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the Fourth Hokage Uchiha Nara Naraku. Naraku's wife Tsunade, Naraku half a body length behind him.

Namikaze Minato was facing the entire line, face to face with the Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Nara.

Naraku looked at Namikaze Minato in front of him, a gentle expression on his face. He removed the Hokage hat from his head and said softly:

"You certainly didn't disappoint me..."

Naraku, speaking calmly, presented the Hokage hat, a symbol of the Hokage, with both hands, and then said:

"The future of Konoha is in your hands, Fifth Hokage!"

In the Konoha Jonin election, Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage's assistant, was considered by many Konoha Jonin to be the one to inherit Naraku's mantle, and thus received the most Jonin votes.

Upon receiving the news, Naraku disregarded his status and immediately went to Konoha, without waiting for Namikaze Minato and the others to go to the Capital City for the investiture ceremony.

After Naraku returned to the village, he first conferred the title of Namikaze Minato, completing the Daimyo conferment ceremony. Immediately afterwards, he held a handover ceremony between the two generations of Hokage for Namikaze Minato.

Namikaze Minato reached out and took the hat, putting it on his head with a solemn expression.

"I am willing to give my life!"

Minato spoke calmly, answering the question entrusted to him by his predecessor Naraku.

After answering the question entrusted to him by his predecessor, Namikaze Minato turned around and walked towards the Hokage railing. The village was holding a grand ceremony for the handover of the Hokage title, and the villagers and ninjas were all waiting below to witness the arrival of the Fifth Hokage.

As Namikaze Minato walked to the Hokage's railing, a thunderous cheer erupted throughout Konoha. Countless villagers and ninjas cheered, celebrating the arrival of a new era for Konoha.

Namikaze Minato looked down at the Konoha and ninjas of Konoha, a warm smile involuntarily spreading across his face. He waved to them and called out loudly:

Thank you everyone!

Namikaze Minato was formally elected by the Jonin Konoha. Uchiha Fugaku had no interest in the Hokage Position, and the votes Jonin the Uchiha clan in Konoha were scattered, with many Uchiha votes going Jonin Namikaze Minato.

He served as an assistant to the Fourth Hokage, a key figure during the Fourth Hokage's era, and had an influence for over a decade.

More than a decade has passed since the Third Shinobi World War, and for many of the new generation of ninjas, it feels like a distant memory.

Now, Namikaze Minato has succeeded as the Fifth Hokage. His contributions in the Third Shinobi World War are only a minor factor; the main reason he won the support of the Konoha Namikaze Minato Jonin his personal charisma.

The numerous Jonin of Konoha, along with powerful ninja clans such as the Uchiha, Hyuga Clan, Uzumaki, Sarutobi, all unanimously approved of Namikaze Minato. There were very few who disagreed.

If there is any objection, it might only be to a few other candidates who lost the election and were disheartened.

After the Hokage handover ceremony was completed, everyone returned to their posts and began operating the Konoha ninja organization.

In the Hokage Office, several Konoha High Command ninja sat on sofas arranged in a U-shape.

The seat that Naraku for over ten years has now changed hands, with the Fifth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, now sitting in the Hokage's seat.

Jiraiya, the teacher of the Fifth Namikaze Minato, held a teacup and said in a deep voice:

"At that time, Kirigakure was truly in ruins. The entire village was reduced to white, and the extent of the devastation was unimaginable to those who had not witnessed it."

When I went back last month, less than two years later, the village buildings in the Land of Water had already recovered to many of their former state, although I didn't know what Kirigakure looked like during the Blood Mist period.

However, the Kirigakure is now stronger than the surrounding Kusagakure Village Yugakure Village.

Furthermore, I heard that the destruction of Kirigakure was caused by someone manipulating the Mizukage, which is why Kirigakure has had the Blood Mist Policy for so many years.

Now that the Blood Mist Policy in Kirigakure has been lifted, coupled with the venerable and steady leadership of the Kirigakure's senior Genji, the village may soon be able to return to its former glory.

Jiraiya traveled throughout the Shinobi World, gathering intelligence on other countries as he went. His disciple Namikaze Minato, became Hokage, Jiraiya returned to participate in the ceremony.

Jiraiya discussed his travels over the past two years, focusing on the situation in Kirigakure. When Kirigakure was severely damaged, Jiraiya made a special trip Kirigakure to see if it was as rumored in the Shinobi World.

The devastation in Kirigakure shocked this legendary ninja who had fought in two Shinobi World War.

Former Hokage Uchiha Nara and Tsunade sat opposite Jiraiya. Upon hearing this, Naraku said softly:

"The abolition of the foolish policy of the Blood Mist will reduce the fighting power and ferocity of the ninjas to some extent, but it will significantly increase the number of ninjas in Kirigakure."

With such a large number of ninjas, it's only natural that powerful ninjas would emerge.

The construction and restoration of Kirigakure was inseparable from the benevolent assistance provided by Konoha at that time.

This kindness, though bestowed without expecting anything in return, should still be remembered between nations, for it may come in handy in the future."

Sitting on the sofa, Naraku felt a little unfamiliar with the familiar Hokage Office. This U-shaped sofa and coffee table were arranged by Naraku office.

Naraku used to sleep on this sofa without a care in the world, and he also received high-ranking Konoha ninjas. Little did he know that he would become a visitor and guest in the Hokage Office.

"I understand, Fourth Generation."

"I understand your meaning regarding the situations in Kirigakure and Iwagakure, and I will proceed according to your plan."

In response to the teachings of the previous Naraku, Namikaze Minato responded respectfully. The newly appointed Namikaze Minato still addressed Naraku as the Fourth Hokage.

The Hokage who was originally dismissed should not be called that, as it would easily confuse the Konoha Ninja and make them unable to distinguish which generation was in charge.

Minato addressed Naraku with respect for two reasons: first, Naraku was the previous Hokage, whom he had served for many years, and they were very close; second, if he didn't address him with respect, he would have to address him with his Daimyo, which would seem distant.

Naraku nodded slightly upon hearing this and smiled:

"Fifth Generation, it's good that you understand."

The files on Orochimaru and Uchiha Zensui were in the Anbu. Minato Namikaze, who succeeded as the Fifth Namikaze Minato, also had a general understanding of the two men's situations and was very shocked by some of the actions taken during Naraku's reign.

However, Minato eventually accepted Naraku's ideals, as Naraku's actions were for the unification of the Shinobi World.

Having learned about Uchiha Zensui and Orochimaru, Namikaze Minato gained a deeper understanding of Naraku. He couldn't help but harbor suspicions about the mysterious deaths of the Daimyo and Daimyo clansmen, but without evidence or records, he couldn't make a judgment.

As is well known, Naraku had no interest in the position of Daimyo, and his succession was forced upon him by many ministers of the Land of Fire and Konoha, including the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.

After Naraku was promoted to Daimyo, he did not covet power. After the Konoha Jonin Class elected the Hokage, he went to Konoha in his capacity as Daimyo and the previous Hokage, and personally presided over the succession ceremony for Namikaze Minato.

Everything was done with such selflessness, kindness, and approachability.

Jiraiya, overheard the two's somewhat cryptic conversation and asked in confusion:

Are you speaking in riddles? What's the situation with Kirigakure and Iwagakure? Is there some inside story?