Three days later, in front of the Hokage Building in Konoha, the weather was clear and cloudless. A gentle breeze swept across the land, while most of Konoha's citizens gathered before the Hokage Building.
The crowd buzzed with voices! The entire village of Konoha resembled a sea of joy.
"Ah, she's out!"
"Where? Where?" "Up there!"
"So that's Lady Tsunade!"
"She looks so young!"
"Idiot! Lady Tsunade is nearly fifty already. She just takes good care of herself!"
"Huh? She looks that young?"
"Konoha finally has a Kage again!"
"Yeah, and Lord Jiraiya has returned too. Konoha is still the number one great village!"
Amid the clamor of the crowd, Tsunade appeared atop the Hokage Building's platform, dressed in the Hokage's ceremonial robe with "Fifth Hokage" written on the back. Wearing the Hokage hat, she cut a dashing figure, with Jiraiya and Ueno Kei standing at her left and right.
Meanwhile, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stood some distance behind, watching Tsunade walk step by step to the front of the platform!
"From this day onward! I, Senju Tsunade, formally assume the position of Fifth Hokage! I will protect Konoha and its people for the rest of my life!" Tsunade declared loudly from the platform, her expression solemn.
"Woohoo! Fifth Hokage!"
"Lady Tsunade! Lord Hokage!"
"Long live Konoha! Long live Lord Hokage!"
As Tsunade's words fell, Konoha's citizens erupted into even louder cheers!
Looking at Tsunade in her Hokage ceremonial robe, an indescribable emotion surged within Ueno Kei. Konoha! Long live Konoha! Ueno Kei clenched his fists!
The noisy succession ceremony gradually came to an end after half a day. The citizens gathered in front of the Hokage Building dispersed one after another, their faces filled with excitement and reassurance as they rejoiced over Tsunade's appointment.
"Whew, it's finally over.