Konoha Was Choosing Its Next Leader

More than a month later, Kazan returned to Konoha.

Behind him came a group of emotional Ninja.

They had finally made it home alive.

At the village entrance, many family members who had heard they were returning today had come to welcome them.

Everywhere around the Konoha Gate, people embraced.

Kurenai's mother was there too. Without a word, she pulled her husband and daughter into a tight hug.

Others wore expressions of grief.

The people they had hoped to see had not returned. All that remained were bodies and belongings.

Joy and sorrow mingled in that moment, forming a scene all their own.

"Come on. The old Third Hokage is waiting for us."

Jiraiya draped an arm over Kazan's shoulders, and the two walked into Konoha together.

"And that's what happened."

"You did well. There couldn't have been a better way to end the war."

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long breath.

The war was finally over.

It had not been as fierce as the First or Second Shinobi World Wars. Kazan's meteoric rise had made Konoha unstoppable on the battlefield.

Looking back, Kazan had played a part in ending nearly every conflict.

Grandma Chiyo, the Third Raikage, Hanzo of the Salamander, the Third Mizukage.

All of those renowned fighters had died at his hands.

He had also defeated Fourth Kazekage Rasa and Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, cementing his reputation as invincible.

Now, when people spoke of Konoha, they did not speak of him, the Third Hokage, or of the Sannin and the Yellow Flash.

They spoke of the Ghost of Konoha!

With the fighting over, Hiruzen Sarutobi was ready to step down.

"Once things settle down, I intend to choose the next Hokage."

In other words, he was retiring.

"What do you think?"

"I nominate Minato as the Fourth