The five of them slurped their noodles together, discussing Kazan's succession as Hokage.
"Too many people died in this disaster. Even though we evacuated everyone immediately, plenty of children still lost their parents. Some even lost their lives at just a few years old."
"Kazan, Konoha needs you. It needs to get back on its feet."
Hashirama Senju spoke up as well, offering much the same reasoning.
Now, more than ever, Konoha needed Kazan. It needed him to become the village's leader.
This was something even Minato, a nearly perfect Hokage, could not accomplish. Only Kazan could lead Konoha forward.
"I never said I wouldn't do it. You don't have to look at me like that."
"So you're agreeing?"
"Yes, I agree."
The others all breathed a sigh of relief.
"In a few days, go to the Land of Fire and have a talk with the Daimyō."
Whenever Konoha selected a new Hokage, it had to notify the Daimyō and obtain his approval.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been personally named the next Hokage by Tobirama Senju, had afterward traveled to the Land of Fire to obtain the Daimyō's consent before his appointment became official.
It was a necessary step.
Most of the missions and resources Konoha depended on for survival came from the Land of Fire.
There was simply no getting around the Daimyō.
"Don't worry. The Daimyō has an excellent impression of you. It's just a formality," Hiruzen Sarutobi reassured him gently.
Orochimaru had failed to inherit his position, but Kazan was also his student.
One could say that no one was happier than Hiruzen Sarutobi to see Kazan put on the Hokage's hat.
"I'm not worried. I'm just thinking about how to be a good Hokage." Kazan drained the broth in one gulp, set the bowl down