New Hokage

"Lord Second, only you have both the ability and the prestige to take command of Konoha again."

Amid the astonished looks of those around him, Kakashi Hatake became the first to speak out.

When he was young, Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo, had abandoned a mission to save his teammates, causing Konoha tremendous losses. Afterward, the entire village condemned him; even those whom the White Fang had saved joined in condemning him.

Unable to bear the pressure in his heart, Hatake Sakumo took his own life.

Kakashi was left utterly disheartened and closed off his heart, until Team Minato touched him with their sincerity.

But later, war broke out. His close friends Obito and Rin died in the war, and afterward, his teacher Minato Namikaze also sacrificed himself during the Nine-Tails Rebellion.

Once again, he willingly sank into ruin.

But that did not mean he had forgotten the hatred in his heart.

Over the years, he had more or less secretly uncovered the truth behind his father's death.

The ninja Hatake Sakumo had rescued back then confessed to him that he had acted under the orders of Danzo, the Hokage advisor, in attacking the White Fang. The rumors about his father throughout the village had also been deliberately spread by someone.

He had long known that Konoha's upper ranks were nothing but a pack of shady villains.

Konoha needed a new leader, someone as upright and honorable as the Fourth Hokage.

Kakashi did not want to see any more outstanding talents suppressed by Konoha's upper ranks, Naruto Uzumaki included.

"Kakashi Hatake, do you know what you're saying? Lord Second devoted his entire life to Konoha. Are you going to make my teacher drag his dead body on and continue sacrificing himself for Konoha? This is blasphemy against a hero!"

Danzo roared.

He did not want Tobirama Senju to return to power after Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down.

Tobirama Senju was now in an Impure World Reincarnation body. He would not die. Danzo had managed to outlast Hiruzen, but could he outlast someone who could not die?

If Tobirama Senju took command of Konoha again and trained a new Hokage successor while he was still around, then this old bag of bones would be completely cut off from ever becoming Hokage.

So he opposed it with all his strength.

"Elder Danzo, that is not quite right."

"Lord Second has always been impartial in public and private matters. He was a former Hokage to begin with, so it is perfectly reasonable for him to return to Konoha." Hyuga Hiashi spoke up.

As one of Konoha's great clans, with the Uchiha reduced to a single surviving heir in Sasuke Uchiha, the Hyūga could be called Konoha's foremost clan.

His opinion carried considerable weight.

As for why he wanted the Second to become Hokage again, he naturally had his own considerations.

"Hyūga..."

Danzo shot Hyuga Hiashi a resentful glare, silently marking him down in his heart.

"That's right. We are fully convinced if Lord Second becomes Hokage."

The leaders of the ninja clans all voiced their support.

"Everyone, I am grateful for your support. Even after death, if this broken body of mine can continue to serve Konoha, I would be more than willing."

"I, Tobirama Senju, will temporarily assume the position of Hokage. If Konoha produces an outstanding newcomer in the future, the title of Hokage shall be returned to him."

Tobirama Senju's righteous declaration moved everyone present.

Worthy indeed of the Second Hokage.

Under Shimura Danzō's envious and jealous gaze, Tobirama Senju swept out a hand and accepted the Hokage hat.

"Lord Second, changing the Hokage is no small matter. We must still petition the daimyo of the Land of Fire," Shikaku Nara said solemnly.

"I understand that well. I will leave for the capital of the Land of Fire tomorrow. Have someone from the village send word to the daimyo."

The daimyo? What a load of crap. Though that was what Tobirama Senju thought, what he said was entirely different.

"The Third Hokage stepped down, and Lord Second has become Hokage again?!"

"Is that for real?"

Throughout Konoha, countless people discussed the matter fervently.

"The Second... Hokage?!"

In a sparsely populated area, a black-clad figure seemed to have heard something and hurriedly moved closer to the crowd.

"Hey, you said the Second Hokage? What's going on?"

The Chunin who had been speaking passionately glanced disdainfully at the ragged black-clad man before him. Where did this country bumpkin come from?

"This friend, you haven't been in the village these past few days, have you? The Second Hokage has been revived! And the Third has even yielded the position to Lord Second! There will probably be a Hokage succession ceremony in a few days."

"Oh, I see. I've been out on a mission these past few days and didn't know what was happening in the village. I never expected something this huge to happen."

With a laugh, the black-clad man made an excuse and left the crowd.

Tobirama Senju has been revived?! I have to report this immediately!

The black-clad man then stepped into an alley.