Amid these discussions, another voice grew louder and louder.
"When is Lord Minamoto going to become the Fifth Hokage?"
"Exactly! Lord Third is old already. It's time he stepped down for someone more capable!"
"I choose Lord Minamoto as the Fifth Hokage! Only Lord Minamoto deserves the title of 'Hokage'!"
"If Lord Minamoto doesn't become Hokage, who else is qualified?"
Similar voices rang out in every corner of Konoha.
Villagers discussed it in the streets and alleys.
Children at the Ninja Academy discussed it.
Even the Anbu ninja inside the Hokage Building discussed it in private.
Uchiha Minamoto, the Light of Konoha, the God of Shinobi of a new era...
Who else but him could take the position of Fifth Hokage?
"Achoo-"
Inside the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sneezed heavily.
He rubbed his nose, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward the window.
Even from so far away.
Hiruzen Sarutobi could hear the Konoha villagers below cheering wildly for Uchiha Minamoto.
The Third Hokage lowered his head and looked at the news report from the Love Newspaper Office on his desk, which he had already read no fewer than ten times.
The line "Hashirama Senju's era has ended. Uchiha Minamoto's era has arrived" was like a sharp kunai, stabbing Hiruzen Sarutobi precisely in the heart.
Step down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes and let out a long, stale breath.
It's time.
Just then, someone knocked on the door of the Hokage's Office.
"Come in."
An Anbu ninja pushed the door open, entered, and dropped to one knee.
"Lord Third, Kumogakure's diplomatic mission has arrived at the Konoha Gate. Leading them is the Kumogakure jonin Dodai, accompanied by the Fourth Raikage's secretary, Mabui, and the Kumogakure jonin Samui."
Kumogakure's diplomatic mission had arrived.
At Konoha's main gate.
Led by a squad of Konoha