Konoha Village, Noon.
Sunlight spilled over the Hokage Rock, golden radiance illuminating the entire village.
When Setsuna returned with Kirigakure's alliance, cheers surged like tidal waves through every corner.
Sunagakure's peace talks, Iwagakure's ceasefire, Kirigakure's submission… these once unimaginable achievents were all accomplished by a single person.
"Chiaki Setsuna! Chiaki Setsuna!"
"Our Konoha hero, who single-handedly ended the Great Ninja War..."
Within the crowd, the Hyuga Clan's mbers instinctively turned their gaze to Hizashi standing at the front.
"Hizashi-sama." A branch family mber bowed respectfully. "You taught an amazing student."
"Yes, Setsuna-sama will definitely beco Hokage." Another said excitedly. "And you... you'll be the Hokage's teacher."
Hizashi waved his hands repeatedly: "I was only Setsuna's team leader, not really his teacher. His achievents today are entirely due to his own efforts."
"Hizashi." Hiashi stepped forward, a smile on his face. "You are just too humble and cautious. I rember you weren't like this before."
Hizashi could only inwardly smiled wryly. Ever since learning that secret, he had been treading on thin ice.
'Elder Danzo's 'accidental death', Hokage-sama's 'resignation to take responsibility'... it's almost as if everything was paved, allowing Setsuna to naturally take the Hokage's position...' The more Hiashi thought about it, the deeper Konoha's waters seed. Losing one's sense of awe probably ant death wasn't far off.
…
Uchiha Clan's compound, Naka Shrine.
A Jonin's voice trembled: "So... Uchiha Madara-sama, our ancestor, was truly alive?"
"He was." Fugaku said gravely. "But not anymore."
The questioning Jonin was rather speechless. They all thought Madara had been dead for many years. Then, just as they received news of him, Madara was killed again.
"Did Chiaki Setsuna really kill Uchiha Madara?" Another couldn't believe it, widening his eyes. "Could the aning of Uchiha Madara-sama's resurrection be just to let a new God of Ninja kill him once more?"
"Hmph!" A radical faction Jonin slamd the table, standing up. "That's because Madara-sama was too aged! Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" Fugaku coldly interrupted. "An aged Uchiha Madara could still control the Third Mizukage, even summon a teor. Being able to defeat Uchiha Madara, doesn't Setsuna deserve the title [God of Ninja]?"
Everyone fell silent.
After a while, a clansman whispered despairingly: "With him here, we will never be able to rebel against Konoha."
Fugaku shook his head: "Then don't rebel."
Everyone was shocked. A radical elder questioned: "Have you completely defected to the Hokage's faction?"
"To be precise, to Setsuna's faction." Fugaku's voice was firm. "We should fully support Setsuna. He will treat every Uchiha fairly."
"Heh." Soone sneered. "Once he becos Hokage, he probably won't think that way."
Fugaku slightly shook his head: "The Second and Third Hokage feared us because they dreaded the Uchiha's power. But do you think, with Setsuna's strength, he needs to fear us?"
Everyone was stunned, then understood.
"Right. No matter how many Jonin our Uchiha Clan have, before him, it's just a matter of one punch."
"With his power, he truly has no need to suppress us."
…
One week later.
Inside the Hokage Building's eting hall, all Jonin gathered.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, removed his Hokage Hat, placing it on the table, surveying everyone.
"I am old and no longer capable of continuing as Hokage. Today, we elect a new Hokage. I recomnd one person… Chiaki Setsuna."
His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the eting hall: "If any other Jonin wishes to run, you may also nominate yourselves."
The eting hall was utterly silent. Everyone looked at each other, their gazes mostly lingering on Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.
But all three were quiet, completely lacking the intention to stand up.
'It's over.' Everyone understood inwardly, feeling sowhat anticlimactic, yet utterly unsurprised by the result.
In terms of achievents and strength, unless the First Hokage were resurrected, no one in Konoha could compare to Setsuna.
Everyone looked at Setsuna, quietly sitting in the eting hall, their eyes sowhat dazed.
'Too young. Such a young Hokage… It's never before, and probably never again.'
Seeing this, Hiruzen laughed heartily: "It seems Setsuna is the consensus choice. Once I submit the na to the Daimyo, after the Daimyo's approval..."
Setsuna slightly frowned. He had no interest in accepting scrutiny from a bunch of parasites.
Just as Setsuna was about to speak-
Bang!
The eting hall's doors were abruptly pushed open.
All Jonin in the eting hall looked at the newcor with displeasure. They saw a lavishly dressed chamberlain swagger in with over a dozen samurai, a brazen smile on his face.
"Hokage-sama need not trouble yourself. I have already brought His Lordship's opinion."
Hiruzen frowned, quite displeased by this rude intrusion, but still asked gently: "What is the Daimyo's directive?"
The chamberlain lifted his chin, his tone full of arrogance: "The Daimyo says, anyone can beco Fourth Hokage, but on one condition: that Ninja nad Nagato must be delivered to the Land of Fire."
The atmosphere in the eting hall instantly solidified. Everyone was extrely displeased.
What did the Daimyo take the Hokage for? Saying anyone could beco Hokage.
Hiruzen's face darkened: "Nagato is not a Konoha's Ninja, but the new leader of Agakure."
The chamberlain impatiently waved his hand: "Then go capture him. The Daimyo's beloved cat unfortunately passed away. Have that Nagato revive it."
Hiruzen slamd the table, standing up: "Ridiculous! For a cat, you would disrupt hard-won peace?"
The chamberlain narrowed his eyes, his tone dangerous: "What? Ninja dares to defy the Daimyo's orders? Don't forget, you are rely weapons. Weapons shouldn't have their own thoughts."
"Shouldn't have their own thoughts?" A calm voice rang out. Setsuna slowly stood up, his white haori billowing without wind.
"Then let tell you what my thoughts are. From today onwards, I will command all military forces of the Land of Fire!"
The entire hall erupted in an uproar. Everyone looked at Setsuna in disbelief.
'Setsuna had just beco Hokage and was openly planning rebellion?'
Alongside fear, a sense of thrilling transgression flowed through their hearts.
Would rebelling against the Land of Fire destroy Konoha? It would not.
On the contrary, without Konoha, the Land of Fire would be destroyed!
"Treason! Treason!" The chamberlain's eyes bulged, his face flushing red. "You... who are you? How dare you utter such treasonous words? Where is the new Fourth Hokage? Quickly, apprehend this madman!"
As he finished speaking, the chamberlain noticed everyone's gazes upon him were very strange, as if wanting to laugh but not daring.
"Where is he? Where is the Fourth Hokage?"
Setsuna's tone was indifferent: "I am the Fourth Hokage. Chiaki Setsuna."
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