The First Reactions

Afternoon in Konoha.

The sun hung overhead, and the wind was hot.

A squad of Anbu left the Hokage Building and split up, slipping into different streets and alleys.

An Anbu wearing a White Fox Mask knocked on the gate of the Hyuga Clan Compound. Another, in a cat mask, knocked at the Nara Residence. Others headed straight for the Uchiha Clan Compound, the Training Ground, and the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters.

They carried a single message:

"In three days, the Jonin Assembly will convene in the Hokage Building conference room to elect the Fifth Hokage."

The order went out in a rush. Anbu set up a checkpoint at the village gate and stopped several Jonin who were about to leave on missions, delivering the message in person.

"By order of Lord Hokage, all Jonin in the village must remain here and await the assembly."

One of the stopped Jonin stood at the gate, looking at the checkpoint, then up at the sun.

"The Fifth Hokage..."

He murmured the words once, said nothing more, and turned back.

Within an hour, the news had swept through every street in Konoha like the wind.

People talked about it in taverns, teahouses, outside general stores, and beside the Laundry Well.

"Have you heard? They're choosing a Hokage in three days!"

"Of course I have. It's bound to be Lord Jiraiya. The higher-ups have been building support for him for days."

"Jiraiya... that Pervy Sage?"

"Shh! He's going to be Hokage!"

"What about that young Uchiha clan head? Doesn't he want the position too?"

"What chance does he have? The village and its leaders decide who becomes Hokage. He's just a kid—"

The speaker stopped himself mid-sentence.

These days, Uchiha En's name was not one to toss around carelessly in Konoha.

He changed