The next day, the funeral of the Third Hokage was held.
Because of his secret agreement with Uchiha Fugaku to stay out of sight, Jiraiya concealed his identity and quietly attended.
No matter how many mistakes the Third Hokage had made, he was still Jiraiya's teacher. Jiraiya chose to see him off one last time.
On the very same day, once the funeral ended, Jiraiya departed the village with Uzumaki Naruto. Few ever knew that he had even returned to Konoha.
Four days later, in the Hokage Tower's council chamber.
Around the long conference table sat the clan heads—except for the Sarutobi, Mito, Koharu, and Shimura families, whose leaders were imprisoned—as well as elite jōnin from among the civilians.
Acting Hokage Uchiha Fugaku sat at the head of the table. His eyes swept across both sides as he spoke.
"The election for the Fifth Hokage begins now. The voting will be anonymous. The candidate with the most votes will be chosen as Hokage."
Each seat already had pen and paper prepared.
Without hesitation, everyone began writing.
Ever since the Third Hokage's death, they had all thought carefully about their choice.
Once the ballots were folded and placed into a sealed wooden box, Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro stepped forward to count.
"Three names received votes," Shikaku announced. "Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Clan Head Fugaku."
That Jiraiya and Tsunade each received votes did not surprise Fugaku.
Though both had long been absent from the village, their reputations remained strong. Fugaku's greatest fear had been their return—if they lobbied in person, some clan heads he had already swayed might change sides.
Maintaining a calm expression, Fugaku nodded."Announce the tally."
Though nerves coiled in his chest, he had prepared well. Before this day, he had already secured promises from over half the clan heads.
He couldn't guarantee all of them would stay true, but as long as most did, victory would be his.
If not… he still had other means. But he would rather not rule by force unless absolutely necessary—it would undermine his legitimacy.
The chamber grew silent. All eyes fixed on Shikaku and Nobuhiro as they unfolded the ballots.
The two swallowed hard, then read aloud together:
"Jiraiya: nine votes."
"Tsunade: twelve votes."
"Clan Head Fugaku: eighteen votes."
"The highest count goes to Clan Head Fugaku. The elected Fifth Hokage is Clan Head Fugaku."
With the announcement made, the eyes of the room shifted to Fugaku, the new Hokage.
"Congratulations, Clan Head Fugaku.""Congratulations, Clan Head Fugaku."
One voice after another joined in.
Those who had voted for him were genuinely pleased—the Hokage was their choice.
Those who had not… were careful to hide it. None dared risk being singled out for retribution.
"Thank you for your trust," Fugaku said with a smile.
The title of Fifth Hokage was something he had to claim no matter the method. That he had achieved it through a proper election, rather than coercion, was the best outcome.
He bore no grudge against those who hadn't supported him—differences in choice did not necessarily mean opposition. But anyone who proved to be his true enemy… would be dealt with without mercy.
"Hokage-sama, the villagers are waiting outside. Please put on the Hokage robes and step onto the rooftop platform to receive their congratulations," Nara Shikaku said respectfully.
No matter who he had voted for, Shikaku now recognized the result and was ready to serve Fugaku faithfully.
"Very well."
Fugaku nodded, smiling.
The Hokage robe had already been prepared. ANBU brought it forward, and he donned it.
Pure white, the hem dyed in great swaths of crimson flame. On the back, the words "Fifth Hokage."
Fugaku left the council chamber, walking toward the open rooftop. Clan heads and elite jōnin followed closely behind.
From the rooftop, he gazed down at the sea of villagers below. His heart surged.
Ever since he had crossed into this world, he had lived on edge, constantly wary of threats from the Third Hokage's faction.
Now, that faction had fallen. And he had been elected Fifth Hokage. Finally, he could breathe freely.
"People of Konoha, after the election, Clan Head Fugaku has received the most votes. He is hereby the Fifth Hokage! "
Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro announced from behind him.
"Fifth Hokage—! ""Fifth Hokage—! "
The cry rose in unison from the crowd.
If this had happened a year earlier, there might have been boos. After all, the Uchiha name had carried deep mistrust.
But things had changed. In the past year, Fugaku's reputation had soared—especially after he drove out the Wood Release user and captured Orochimaru. His prestige had reached its peak.
Now, when his name was announced, what answered was not scorn, but thunderous cheers.
Among the crowd, the Uchiha clan stood overwhelmed with pride.
"The dream of our clan has finally come true! "
The three elder councilors of the Uchiha even had tears in their eyes.
For generations, the Uchiha had shared the legacy of founding Konoha alongside the Senju, but never once had they produced a Hokage. It was their greatest regret.
Now, at last, that regret had been erased.
"Father… became Hokage? " Uchiha Sasuke stared in awe at Fugaku, cloaked in Hokage robes atop the tower, and asked his mother.
"Yes," Uchiha Mikoto said, her voice trembling with pride."Your father is now the Fifth Hokage."
A Hokage at last—fulfilling the wish of generations of Uchiha and it was her husband who had made it real.
Her heart brimmed with pride and joy.
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