Various notices were posted all across the cities, towns, and even remote villages in the Land of Fire.
At the same time, the preliminaries for the third round of the Chunin Exams in Konoha had just concluded, and many candidates who had been eliminated in the earlier rounds were now returning home, bringing with them news that quickly spread to other countries and ninja villages.
The entire ninja world was shaken.
In a world where the tech tree was seriously skewed and information still took time to travel, Konoha had become the center of attention within just two days—discussed and speculated on by everyone.
The piece of news that stunned the ninja world was… Tsunade's abdication!
Back in the late 60th year of Konoha, just over two years ago, Tsunade had taken the role of Fifth Hokage and declared that the Senju clan had returned to power in the village.
Yet just over two years later, the short era of Tsunade had ended.
And the person succeeding her—just as everyone in the ninja world, from nobles to commoners, from experienced ninjas to little children—had guessed, was none other than the boy... Izayoi!
A graduate of Konoha's 60th class, Izayoi had initially been known as a ninjutsu genius who mastered five chakra natures at a young age. Later, he became the second person after the First Hokage to awaken the Wood Release, assumed to be a Senju descendant who had abandoned his clan name and blended into Konoha.
Right after graduation, he developed the seal-less Storm Release and mastered the rare flight jutsu. That same year, he was promoted to Chunin, and even topped the black market bounty list—breaking countless records, achievements that made even Uchiha Itachi's S-rank rogue ninja status at thirteen pale in comparison.
Just when people believed that the future belonged to Izayoi…
The Akatsuki leader and Otsutsuki Toneri appeared one after another, and Izayoi—once expected to be the next ninja god—seemed like nothing more than a firefly under the moonlight.
When the ninja world was ready to declare the return of the Wood Release era, the title of the new age was snatched away by the Eye of the Sage.
But just as people were underestimating Izayoi, he gave the entire ninja world a loud, resounding slap in the face.
A final battle that was supposed to be between the Akatsuki leader and Otsutsuki Toneri turned into a three-way fight. With the resurrection of Uchiha Madara, a new balance emerged—four individuals of super-tier strength stabilizing the world.
Even then, most believed that Izayoi and the Akatsuki leader were far below Uchiha Madara and Otsutsuki Toneri.
After all, the moon-cutting battle was too overwhelming.
That changed when Izayoi's chakra burst reverberated through the entire ninja world. People finally realized…
Geniuses defy common sense.
Just as Hatake Kakashi had already become an all-around Jonin when others had just graduated, Izayoi's strength had long been equal to Uchiha Madara and Toneri. That single chakra burst shook the entire world.
Not long ago, Uchiha Madara had left Konoha without causing destruction or casualties—further evidence of Izayoi's deterrence.
And now, this man, one of the four super-tier powers and the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages, had finally taken control of Konoha, becoming one of the Land of Fire's two most powerful figures, a member of the Five Kage, and the Sixth Hokage—the village's highest authority.
"Finally succeeded, huh? Looks like Uchiha Madara's visit gave those people a real scare."
Upon receiving the news inside the Tsuchikage Office of the Hidden Stone Village, Ohnoki didn't feel pressured. On the contrary, he let out a long sigh of relief.
It felt like a family patriarch had seen the younger generation finally take charge, able to shoulder responsibility.
This feeling was completely different from when Wood Release first reappeared two years ago.
Back then, no new super-tier powers had emerged. As one of the Five Kage, Ohnoki had been the strongest—though aged and without a clear successor.
He didn't know Izayoi's character well and was naturally uneasy, worried that after his death, Iwagakure would be unable to resist Konoha.
But now, there were four super-tier forces. Three were enemies. Only one… was "on our side."
No matter how brutal the previous three ninja wars were, the Five Great Ninja Villages always ruled the ninja world—because the daimyos of the five great nations were the true rulers.
No matter how deep the village rivalries ran, they never threatened the daimyos' authority.
To the daimyos, losing a war meant losing a few chips.
But if someone flipped the entire table, that person became the true threat.
At that point, the five nations would unite.
They'd rather lose to one of their own than to an outsider.
Now that Izayoi had become a Kage, it signaled Konoha's return to dominance.
Ohnoki was no longer the strongest. If the sky fell, Izayoi would hold it up.
So, of course he felt relieved.
Similar relief was felt by the other Kage and daimyos.
Even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire had been anxious.
Because until now, Izayoi was just an elite Jonin—only one of Konoha's many senior shinobi.
Clan heads like Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy were also elite Jonin, yet few would take on missions unless it was urgent. Most were semi-retired, especially after the disbandment of Team 8.
Izayoi too had become such an existence.
Except for occasionally taking Hanabi on missions, he stayed in Konoha, like a retired man.
No one could order him. He bore no real responsibilities.
Only Konoha was safe. The rest of the Land of Fire? That was the Hokage's problem.
That's why the Daimyo had always wanted Izayoi to become Hokage.
If the Daimyo's mansion were attacked, Izayoi would now definitely respond.
Because if the Daimyo fell, the nation would descend into chaos—and the Hokage would be the busiest man alive.
With his succession, the Daimyo finally had a personal bodyguard on standby.
July 16, Year 62 of Konoha. 11:25 a.m.
Konoha's central street was packed.
Villagers from Konoha, citizens from the Land of Fire, and even people from foreign lands gathered to witness the moment.
There was no more room. Shinobi and students alike stood on rooftops, walls, streetlamps—anywhere they could balance.
All eyes focused on the rooftop of the newly reconstructed Hokage Building, waiting for the new Hokage to appear.
People who had attended past Hokage ceremonies chatted with excitement and pride.
"Sixty-two years ago, Lord Hashirama founded Konoha with Wood Release. Now, that power has returned. We Konoha folk need not fear anymore!"
"With Lord Izayoi around, things like the Ninja Wars, the Konoha Collapse, or the Nine-Tails attack won't ever happen again!"
"Lord Izayoi graduated just two years ago… and he's already the strongest of the Five Kage. Meanwhile, my kid's still a Genin. No comparison!"
"Even the Fourth Hokage is nothing compared to him. I doubt anyone will ever match this record!"
Elsewhere, cockroaches standing on a rooftop (shinobi slang) sighed.
"So many people… the whole village must be here."
"And more outside! Tourists from other nations too."
"Just two years ago he was fighting Rock Lee… Now he's the Sixth Hokage?"
"I used to think Wood Release was exaggerated. But now, I understand our ancestors' awe."
"That bastard Izayoi actually became Hokage before me! Unbelievable!"
Uchiha Sasuke crossed his arms, glancing at Naruto who was clearly envious, almost drooling with fantasy.
He smirked, "Don't dream too much. Izayoi's just a month older than me—and less than four months older than you. You'll never be the Seventh Hokage."
Naruto instantly turned gray and collapsed with a cartoonish ghost swirling above him, repeating, "No hope… no hope…"
No matter what, Naruto never gave up on becoming Hokage.
But Sasuke's words—more truth than mockery—crushed him.
If a peer that much stronger had already taken the seat, what hope remained? Unless Izayoi died or stepped down, the dream was over.
Naruto bit his collar in tears, shouting in envy, "Damn Izayoi! Stole my dream! If he doesn't do a good job, I'll make sure to drag him down someday!"
Sasuke shook his head, but smiled slightly.
That idiot was still the same idiot. No need to worry.
Looking at the empty rooftop, Sasuke narrowed his eyes, then smirked. "Still as arrogant as ever."
"Look! Lord Izayoi is out!"
"He's even more handsome than his photo!"
"He's taken, right? Heard his girlfriend's the Hyuga heiress—his desk mate back in ninja school."
"The Hyuga clan is so lucky…"
A shout triggered a wave of cheers.
A tall figure appeared atop the Hokage Building.
Still wearing a white combat robe, he now had a white cloak with flame patterns. Embroidered on it were five flaming characters: Sixth Hokage.
His short black hair (via Wood Transformation) just touched his ears. His bangs framed his handsome, youthful face. His blue eyes were clear as the sky.
Even as a teenager, his presence gave off an overwhelming sense of strength and dependability.
"Hokage-sama!!"
Someone shouted. Then everyone joined in.
Izayoi picked up the Hokage hat from Tsunade and shouted with full authority:
"From now on, I am Konoha's… Sixth Hokage!"
Just like Tsunade's inauguration two years ago, cheers erupted.
Fireworks lit up the daytime sky.
From that day, Konoha officially entered the era of the Sixth Hokage.
As the saying goes, "A new ruler brings new ministers."
Izayoi's rise also marked the Hyuga clan's return to prominence.
Hyuga Hiashi, with a Hokage son-in-law, had truly hit the jackpot.
On his first day in office, Izayoi delegated authority and announced the end of the hard-working Hokage era.
Only fools like Uzumaki Naruto would try to do everything themselves.
Why handle trivial matters yourself when you have an entire building full of subordinates?
The Hokage's duty is to be the strongest protector—not a paper-pusher.
With such overwhelming power, no one dared question Izayoi's authority.
He didn't need to worry about power struggles. Konoha was a small place.
Every day, he either clocked in at the office or had a Wood Clone handle paperwork.
Everything else went through his secretaries—Hinata and Karin.
If they weren't still so young, Izayoi would've fully embraced that classic line:
"Lazy Hokage, the clans rise."
The Hyuga and Nara clans—once only valued during wartime—were now back at Konoha's pinnacle.
Especially since Izayoi's second action as Hokage was to abolish the Elders Council.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura retired immediately, and their assistant positions were removed as well.
Neither they nor their families dared object. This was an order from both Hokage and Daimyo.
Disobeying meant rebellion. No one dared.
To the Daimyo, as long as Izayoi became Hokage, anything he wanted would be granted.
He wanted Konoha to be his personal stage? Done.
As long as Izayoi didn't meddle in political affairs, the Daimyo didn't care—even if Izayoi asked for double the military budget.
As the first nation to adopt the "One Country, One Village" system, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire knew what it meant to have super-tier power.
He was no fool.
Izayoi, satisfied with the Daimyo's insight, smiled.
Had the Daimyo refused to abolish the Elders Council or take back the scattered power, Izayoi wouldn't have minded replacing him.
With the Samsara Eye's wireless puppet abilities, switching a Daimyo unnoticed would be child's play.
Now, with full authority reclaimed, Konoha was Izayoi's paradise.
He could do whatever he wanted!