Each cry rang louder than the last.
Each wave surged higher than the one before.
Kazan's voice reached the ears of every person in Konoha, his Haki carrying his will into the deepest reaches of their souls.
At that moment, no one could help being moved. Civilians and ninja throughout the village erupted in excitement, reverently bowing to that figure.
From that day onward, Kazan was officially Konoha's Fifth Hokage.
Kazan was very pleased with the result.
Compared with Tsunade's inaugural declaration of "From today onward, I'll be running Konoha," his speech was countless times more badass.
As Konoha's Fifth Hokage, he believed his Succession Ceremony would be the most iconic of them all.
His speech that day would go down in Konoha's history books.
Just then, an ANBU appeared on the rooftop behind Kazan and the others with a swoosh.
"Lord Hokage, an urgent report from the Rock Shinobi!"
At those words, Kazan and the others' gazes instantly turned cold.
"Keep it quiet. We'll discuss it inside."
Kazan turned, leaving the people of Konoha with a view of his imposing back, and returned to his office.
"Speak."
He sat down. The First and the others were there too, standing beside him.
"One day ago, Iwagakure was invaded. Madara Uchiha captured the Four-Tails and Five-Tails."
As expected.
Tobirama Senju and the others exchanged glances. Clearly, they had anticipated this outcome.
Without Kazan pursuing him, no one in the shinobi world could stop Madara Uchiha.
While Konoha was busy rebuilding and arranging the Hokage's Succession Ceremony, he had acted decisively.
But this was not the end. It was the beginning.
No sooner had the ANBU delivered the Rock Shinobi's plea for aid than an urgent report from the Cloud Shinobi followed.
Kazan opened the scroll and read it.
Its contents