The Hokage Succession Ceremony!

The night faded, and a faint wash of pale light appeared on the eastern horizon.

After a night of racing through the forest, the smoke of battle and the fury of killing had long since been swept away by the morning breeze.

At last, the five of them appeared at Konoha's gates.

The two Konoha Ninja on guard spotted the group. Their eyes fell on Kagami Uchiha, and they immediately straightened and saluted.

Kagami Uchiha paused and gave the guards a slight nod. Then he looked up at the Konoha sign hanging above the gate, the faint morning light falling across his calm face.

"Let's go in."

Two simple words, spoken with quiet authority.

The group stepped through Konoha's gates in the morning light.

Meanwhile, at the Senju Residence in Konoha.

Mito Uzumaki, who rarely ventured out, was patiently teaching Tsunade.

"Mm... that's already very good."

"Tsunade, you've gotten quite good at Medical Ninjutsu."

"And your Sealing Jutsu has improved a great deal, too."

Watching the little fish come back to life in Tsunade's hands, Mito Uzumaki's eyes filled with pride.

The child had grieved for a while after Tobirama's death. Thankfully, she had soon pulled herself together and devoted herself to honing her Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu.

Perhaps she didn't want to watch another loved one die before her eyes.

Or perhaps she was doing it for someone in particular...

Tsunade had picked up Hashirama's bad habit of gambling, but she had also inherited some of his gifts and those of the Uzumaki Clan. She showed particular talent for Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu.

Medical Ninjutsu most of all. Though she was only ten, she had already mastered advanced techniques such as the Mystical Palm Technique and Chakra Scalpel, which normally only experienced medical ninja could use.

Both the Mystical Palm Technique and Chakra Scalpel were A-Rank Medical Ninjutsu.

Many ninja spent their entire lives unable to learn either one.

Her talent was extraordinary. She was worthy of her future titles as one of the Sannin and the Fifth Hokage.

At Mito Uzumaki's praise, Tsunade puckered her lips with pride.

"Of course!"

"I'm Grandpa Hashirama's granddaughter, after all."

"This stuff is a piece of cake for me."

Seeing little Tsunade so confident brought a smile to Mito Uzumaki's face.

After a while, Tsunade stopped practicing her techniques and turned to Mito Uzumaki with a question.

"Grandma, I heard Big Brother Kagami went to the Land of Fire Capital. I wonder when he'll come back."

She let out a small sigh, and her bright eyes dimmed for a moment.

Seeing how much her granddaughter missed him, Mito Uzumaki frowned slightly but did not scold her.

After all... sigh...

What was it about the men of the Uchiha Clan?

Generation after generation of Senju had fallen for them.

After a moment's thought, she said slowly,

"Judging by the time, he should be back soon."

Passing through Konoha's bustling streets, the group headed straight for the imposing Hokage Building.

Once they reached the top-floor offices, Kagami Uchiha dismissed everyone else and immediately ordered Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Shikata Nara, and the other senior officials to assemble.

They quickly gathered in the council chamber and took their seats in silence.

Seated at the head of the room, Kagami Uchiha gave them a clear account of his visit to the Land of Fire, laying out every term he had discussed with the Daimyo and the final result.

When he finished, everyone in the chamber felt a weight lift from their shoulders.

"That's wonderful, Kagami! A ten percent increase in funding will help us enormously."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression eased, relief filling his voice. The financial burden that had weighed on him for so long finally felt a little lighter.

"Exactly. Even with Kumogakure's war reparations, Konoha's had to tighten its belt lately."

Shimura Danzō spoke gravely, though his usually tense expression softened a little.

Military supplies, medical care, education, repairs throughout the village—everything cost money. Their funds had been stretched thin for some time.

"That's true. Several major reforms have been draining the village treasury lately," Shikata Nara added, gently rubbing his brow. As Konoha's chief strategist, he knew the budget shortfall better than anyone.

Kagami Uchiha remained composed. "Our agreement with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire includes more than a ten percent annual funding increase. Revenue from taxes on border resources will also be allocated to Konoha first. That will be enough to support every reform we're about to implement."

Shikata Nara stepped forward, his expression solemn. "With funding secured, conditions stable both inside and outside the village, and every preparation complete, Lord Kagami, shall we formally set a date for the Third Hokage's succession ceremony?"

Kagami Uchiha's gaze sharpened. He nodded slowly and made his decision.

"Yes. Three days from now. We'll hold the succession ceremony then."

The announcement sent a surge of energy through everyone in the chamber.

"As you command!"

The three men bowed together. The pressure of long-pending affairs and their worries over the reforms fell away. At last, Konoha's next Hokage would formally take office.

Each had duties to attend to. Without another word, they bowed in turn and hurried out of the Hokage Building.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the day of the ceremony, the sky was clear and cloudless.

Enthusiastic ninja and villagers packed the square beneath the Hokage Building. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire had sent a representative to watch the ceremony as well.

"Whoa! What a sight to get the blood pumping..." Ten-year-old Might Duy wiped away tears as he watched the excited ninja and villagers.

"This is youth!"

Everyone wore a smile that came straight from the heart.

Since the First Shinobi World War began, and then the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju died, the village had gone far too long without such a joyful, lively atmosphere.

At the top of the Hokage Building, Kagami Uchiha stood at the front, his expression calm and his posture straight as a pine.

Behind him stood Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Shikata Nara, Koharu Utatane, and the rest of the Konoha High Command.

Every one of them wore a complicated expression.

They had all watched Kagami Uchiha grow, little by little.

Now this young man, only eighteen years old, was about to become Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was heavy and his expression solemn. What he was thinking was anyone's guess.

Shimura Danzō looked at Kagami Uchiha, who stood before them in the prime of his youth, and his eyes filled with pride.

If it's you, I know you can lead Konoha to greater heights, Kagami!

The others were filled with emotion, too, and a trace of unease about the future.

They all knew that after today's ceremony, Kagami Uchiha would truly be Konoha's Third Hokage.

It would mark the end of the old order and the beginning of a bold new future for Konoha.

Wind swept across the rooftop, setting their robes fluttering.

The entire village watched and waited.

Kagami Uchiha's era as Hokage was about to begin.

Kagami Uchiha walked forward slowly, one step at a time...

At last, the crowd below caught sight of him.

The Hokage's appearance instantly sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Villagers rose on tiptoe and waved their arms. Children from the Ninja Academy shrieked and jumped.

Even the Jonin, stern-faced until now, raised their arms in salute, warmth shining openly in their eyes.

Wave after wave of cheers rolled across the square, making the paving stones seem to tremble.

Kagami Uchiha smiled to himself, pleased by the reception. Looks like I'm pretty popular in the village after all.

He glanced up at the blue sky and made a silent vow. Then he turned his gaze to the crowd below.