"I am ready to appoint you as the Sixth Hokage!"
Tsunade sat behind the Hokage's desk, her golden hair falling over her shoulders, her amber eyes calm but serious. The words left her lips with surprising ease, but for Hatake Kakashi, hearing them was like being struck by lightning. He shot to his feet in shock, nearly knocking over the chair he had been sitting in.
"Hokage-sama… what did you just say?!"
Tsunade leaned back slightly, her expression softening into a faint smile as if she had expected this exact reaction. "After preliminary discussions with the village elders and senior officials, I have decided to recommend you to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire as the Sixth Hokage."
Kakashi blinked under his mask, his single visible eye widening. Hokage. The word struck something deep inside of him. Once, as a boy, he had dreamed of standing at the top of the village like his sensei, Namikaze Minato, before the horrors of war and the tragedies of losing Obito and Rin had weighed down his heart. To be Hokage… it had always been a dream buried under layers of guilt, loss, and responsibility.
He gave a faint, almost ironic smile. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised. Hokage is… the most respected position in the village, after all."
Tsunade studied him carefully. She knew him well enough to read the emotions he tried so hard to hide. "I know you're surprised, but this is a decision I've considered many times. I would not entrust this to you lightly."
Kakashi's brow furrowed slightly, and after a pause, he asked, "Hokage-sama… why not appoint Naruto? After all, it was Naruto who played the decisive role in ending the Fourth Shinobi World War. He is also… someone who came from the future. His perspective on threats beyond the shinobi world—the Ōtsutsuki, the stars, all of it—he understands far more than we do. By appointing him as Hokage now, Konoha would be prepared for the future more effectively."
Tsunade's smile faded. She folded her arms beneath her chest and nodded. "I've considered that as well. Jiraiya and I have discussed it thoroughly. Naruto's decisions, however, are made from the perspective of the entire ninja world, not just Konoha. His existence and his role already surpass the Five Great Nations. His strength, his influence… he isn't just the protector of Konoha anymore, but the one who unites us all."
She paused, then added firmly, "As Hokage, one must always speak and act for Konoha first. That very fact would limit Naruto. It would cause suspicion if he spoke on behalf of the entire shinobi world while wearing the Hokage's hat. The other villages trust him now, yes, but that trust is delicate. Not everyone will agree to let a Hokage dictate matters that extend beyond Konoha's borders."
Kakashi nodded slowly, his sharp mind processing her reasoning. She was right. Naruto's current role was far greater than Hokage—it was global, even universal.
"So," Tsunade continued, "I have decided you will become the Sixth Hokage. When the time is right, you will pass the title to Naruto as the Seventh. Jiraiya told me once that this was always the way it was meant to be: you as the Sixth, Naruto as the Seventh. Fate seems to agree."
Kakashi closed his eye briefly. Her logic was undeniable. And yet, he hesitated. "But… Hokage-sama, why the sudden urgency? You still seem healthy and capable of carrying out your duties. Why appoint me now?"
Tsunade sighed, lifting a hand to her forehead, as if embarrassed. Shizune, who had been standing to the side cradling Tonton, chuckled softly and broke the silence.
"Kakashi, you don't know, do you?" Shizune said cheerfully. "Just last night, Lord Jiraiya proposed to Lady Tsunade—with Naruto's help, of course—and she accepted!"
Her eyes lit up as she added warmly, "Soon, Tsunade-sama will be married. And once they're married, well, they'll surely want to start a family. Naturally, Lady Tsunade needs to step away from her Hokage duties for her health and the child's sake."
Kakashi blinked again, his eye widening before narrowing with realization. "Ah… so that's what the fireworks were about last night. I thought the noise was keeping me awake for no reason." He chuckled lightly under his breath, shaking his head.
Tsunade gave him a glare, though her cheeks flushed faintly.
Kakashi, however, thought deeply about what Shizune had said. It was true—Tsunade, despite her youthful appearance, was an older woman, and even though she could use medical ninjutsu to maintain her body, pregnancy at her age carried serious risks. It would be dangerous for her to continue shouldering the burdens of Hokage.
Straightening, he gave a firm nod. "Hokage-sama, I have no objections. I'll respect the decision of the village leadership."
Tsunade smiled faintly, her amber eyes softening. "Good. Then tomorrow I will take Shikaku and Shizune to the Daimyō to submit the recommendation. Once it's approved, your appointment will be formalized."
"As for your position as captain of the Allied Shinobi Forces, you can hold it temporarily until a replacement is chosen after your succession. Will that be acceptable?"
Kakashi nodded again. "No problem."
"Then it's settled," Tsunade said, satisfaction clear in her tone.
After a few more words of discussion, Kakashi bowed politely and left the Hokage's office.
The sunlight outside was dazzling as he stepped onto the village streets. He paused, his gaze lifting instinctively toward the cliffside where the Hokage Rock loomed proudly, the stone faces of the previous Hokage watching over Konoha. His eye rested particularly on the Fourth Hokage—his sensei, Minato.
A rare smile touched Kakashi's lips beneath his mask. "Sensei… I think I'm going to be Hokage too."
But then the thought hit him, and he nearly laughed aloud. "No… wait. You're alive now. You, Kushina-sama, even Obito and Rin are here in this world thanks to Naruto. All of you… you'll be there to see it."
His heart felt lighter than it had in years. Achievement was satisfying, yes—but having the people he once cared for beside him to witness it, that was true happiness.
"Hahaha…" The quiet chuckle slipped past his mask as his shoulders shook faintly.
But before he could drift further into his thoughts, a loud, familiar voice cut through the street.
"Kakashi! Kakashi! So you are here—I've been looking for you everywhere!"
Kakashi turned his head and saw Rock Lee rushing toward him, pushing Might Guy in a wheelchair. Guy grinned brightly, as if his very presence could light up the road.
Since the war, Guy had never walked again, his leg shattered irreparably after using the ultimate technique—Eight Gates Released Formation, opening the Gate of Death, and unleashing "Night Guy." His body had been broken beyond repair. If not for Naruto's Yang Release at the last moment, Guy would have perished.
Even so, here he was, smiling as brightly as ever.
"Guy? Lee?" Kakashi greeted them with mild surprise. "What brings you here in such a rush?"
Guy leaned forward eagerly, his thick brows dancing with excitement. "Kakashi, I have news! Important news!" He motioned Kakashi to crouch closer, then whispered loudly, as though sharing a top-secret mission. "According to reliable information… Lord Jiraiya proposed to Lady Tsunade last night!"
He leaned back, eyes sparkling, awaiting Kakashi's reaction.
Kakashi blinked once. "…Oh."
That was it.
Guy frowned. "What kind of reaction is that?! This is a historic event, Kakashi!"
Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temple. "Shizune already told me. I know."
Guy gasped dramatically, then continued, undeterred. "And do you know? The fireworks last night were set off by Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, and Lee here! And guess who provided the fireworks? Orochimaru!"
Lee nodded enthusiastically, confirming it with his whole heart.
Guy's eyes brimmed with tears of joy. "Kakashi, I never thought I'd live to see the day! Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade… together at last! Don't you think they'll live a hundred years of happiness?"
Kakashi quickly slapped a hand over Guy's mouth, glancing nervously toward the Hokage's office. "Don't say that so loudly! Just give them your blessings and leave it at that."
Guy pried his hand away, still smiling. "Alright, alright! But—"
Kakashi exhaled sharply, then straightened. "Guy, I also have something to tell you. But you must promise not to tell anyone yet."
Guy blinked, startled by Kakashi's sudden serious tone. Lee quickly raised a hand, swearing an oath of silence.
Kakashi looked directly at Guy and said quietly, "I'm… going to be appointed the Sixth Hokage."
The street grew silent. A single breeze swept through, carrying leaves between them.
Guy stared at him. Then he chuckled awkwardly. "Kakashi, that joke isn't funny."
But Kakashi didn't laugh. His gaze was steady.
Guy froze. "You… you're serious?"
Kakashi gave a slow nod.
For a moment, Guy lowered his head, fists trembling in his lap. His shoulders shook—not with laughter, but with something deeper. Kakashi frowned and bent down, placing a hand on his rival's shoulder.
"Guy? What's wrong?"
Suddenly, Guy's head shot up, tears streaming from his eyes. He turned to Lee, his voice breaking. "Lee! Push me—we're leaving!"
Lee startled. "Eh? Guy-sensei?"
"Lee! Let's go!" Guy barked again, his voice hoarse.
Lee glanced at Kakashi in confusion, then obeyed. "Understood, Guy-sensei!" He bowed quickly to Kakashi, then pushed the wheelchair, disappearing with Guy down the street.
Kakashi stood frozen, watching them vanish around the corner. His brow furrowed.
"What on earth was that about?" he muttered. "Why would Guy react like that…?"
The confusion lingered, weighing heavily in his chest as the leaves danced quietly in the wind.
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