Chapter 288 : Succession ceremony
It was not yet dawn, but the residents of Konoha were already eagerly taking to the streets, heading towards the Hokage Building.
The succession ceremony for the Fourth Hokage was scheduled for nine o'clock this morning, and if they arrived too late and missed the chance to see Hokage-sama's magnificent presence, they wouldn't be able to sleep well for the next year.
As they approached the Hokage Building, the number of pedestrians on the road grew from sparse to dense, until there was no room to even set foot.
The Ninja of the Jōnin Squad were responsible for maintaining order on the periphery, to prevent accidents among the ordinary villagers due to the crowding.
"Don't push, everyone, don't push!... I'm talking to you! Damn it, can't you see there are children in front!?"
Inuzuka Tsume, with Kuro-Maru, was working tirelessly, her ancestral loud voice almost hoarse, yet she couldn't stop the enthusiastic crowd.
"How many times do I have to tell you before you believe me, there's really no more room inside!"
"Damn! Kuro-Maru, quickly go and pull out that guy who's being trampled underfoot!"
In the end, the Jōnin Squad had to deploy Earth Release Ninja, using Ninjutsu to create several temporary isolation walls, which barely managed to stabilize the queue.
Finally able to rest, Inuzuka Tsume leaned against Kuro-Maru, feeling like she had never been this tired even on A-rank missions.
"That guy, no," realizing the change in his status, Inuzuka Tsume smiled and corrected herself, "Lord Fourth Hokage is truly popular...!"
Someone next to her chimed in: "Of course, Hokage-sama is the first Ninja from a commoner background!"
"Yes..."
Inuzuka Tsume looked up at the sky, and couldn't help but recall the Hokage selection conference half a month ago.
The entire process of the conference was full of twists and turns.
Initially, Jiraiya and Tsunade both successively abstained, refusing to take on the position.
Orochimaru had the ambition, but someone brought up Danzo's dying testimony, so he was logically eliminated.
Hatake Sakumo was still unconscious, unable to be a candidate.
Uchiha Fugaku's contributions were insufficient, and the Land of Fire's Daimyo had an extremely poor impression of the Uchiha Clan, making his election almost impossible.
So the title of Fourth Hokage, as everyone expected, fell upon a young man.
Although he was only in his twenties and relatively inexperienced, besides this, everyone present couldn't say a single bad word about him.
Whether it was his background, strength, personality, or the extent of his good relations with every faction, he had achieved near perfection... The golden-haired young man stood in the Hokage Office, looking down at the bustling crowd, his face serene, lost in thought.
"It's almost time."
Kushina thoughtfully helped him put on the Hokage's robe, the vivid red characters "Fourth Hokage" on the back seeming to come alive as if imbued with a soul.
"Your childhood dream is about to come true, Minato, are you nervous?"
"Well, a little bit."
Minato Namikaze turned his head, bathed in sunlight that shimmered like shattered gold, and smiled at Kushina: "It's good to have you by my side, Kushina."
"Then let's go with that spirit!"
Kushina gave Minato's shoulder a pat, with such force that his entire arm tingled slightly.
But miraculously, the nervousness and unease in his heart were also dispelled by that slap, transforming into the exhilaration of realizing his dream and leading Konoha towards a bright future.
He revealed a rare, unreserved smile: "I'm off."
"Mm! Very spirited!" Kushina nodded with her hands on her hips: "Go!"
The scorching sun blazed, and the world was as clear and bright as if it had just been washed with water.
Minato arrived at the top of the Hokage Building, walking step by step towards the front under the unwavering gaze of the elders.
He walked unhurriedly, but each step was firm, steady, and carried significant weight.
Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a kind and concerned smile, took off the Hokage's hat, symbolizing his office, and handed it to his successor with both hands, speaking earnestly.
"Minato, Konoha is now entrusted to you."
Minato solemnly received it with both hands, bowing his head slightly: "Yes, I will certainly not disappoint your and everyone's expectations."
"Alright, let everyone meet their new Hokage."
Minato put on the hat and strode to the very front, facing the intense, almost tangible gazes of thousands of people, and began his heartfelt speech.
"Fellow villagers of Konoha, I am the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
Before his words even finished, the crowd in the plaza erupted in cheers that echoed throughout all of Konoha.
"It's Lord Fourth Hokage!"
"Long live Lord Fourth Hokage!"
"Hokage-sama! We will always support you!"
As the cheers of the crowd gradually subsided, Minato continued.
"Today, I should thank many people, Lord Third Hokage, the Jonin who nominated me, everyone who came to the ceremony..."
"But most of all, I want to thank those who sacrificed themselves to protect our home in the recent great war."
"They didn't live to see peace arrive, and they will never again bask in this warm sunlight."
"But it is precisely because of them that today, we can stand here and enjoy peace."
"Konoha is not a giant tree supported by one person; it is a forest woven from countless branches and leaves."
"The Hokage is not a crown of honor, but a vow fulfilled with one's life."
"I, like all those who sacrificed on the battlefield, will protect Konoha with my life, protect everyone in the Village, and never break my vow!"
After a brief silence, the extremely excited cheers and shouts of thousands of people converged like a mountain tsunami, surging forward like waves.
The grand wave of sound quickly spread and permeated every corner of Konoha Village, adding a glorious and brilliant stroke to the inauguration ceremony of the new generation Hokage.
In the very center of this storm, Minato gazed at each person below with firm yet gentle eyes, deeply engraving their expressions of trust, loyalty, and happiness into his mind.
The other elders on the rooftop were also very satisfied with this outcome, especially Uchiha Fugaku, who had long known he had no chance at the position of Fourth Hokage.
Now that Minato Namikaze, who had a good relationship with him and was an upright person, had taken office, the outcome was already the best possible.
Among the crowd in the plaza, Rin, Kana, and Arashi stood together, looking up at their new leader, anticipating Konoha's revitalization under Minato's leadership.
"If only Obito could have witnessed all of this..."
Rin mumbled to herself very softly, so much so that even Kana, who was closest to her, couldn't hear the faint whisper.
"Did you say something just now, Rin?"
"It's nothing, Sister Kana."
Rin shook her head and smiled, denying it, not wanting to bring up past pain on such a joyous day, after all, she wasn't the only one who had lost someone very important in the war.
"Shall we go for barbecue tonight to celebrate?"
"Sure! I've just developed a new dipping sauce, I'll mix it for you two to try then. Oh, and let's call Naraku and Kakashi too... Arashi, you behave yourself, understand?"
"I know, I know..."
Arashi agreed hastily.
Uchiha Naraku, that "little brother-in-law," wasn't very satisfied with him, and he knew it well... [Leave Request]
Friends, I might not be able to update today and for the next few days... (ノДＴ)
It's only been a few days since I was discharged from the Hospital, and my fever is back up to over thirty-nine degrees. The medicine isn't bringing it down, and if it doesn't improve soon, I'll have to go to the Hospital for an IV drip.
I've had many tests, but I still don't know what illness it is. Several doctors said it might be an immune system problem.
Actually, I don't like being sick and asking for leave all the time, but this is really happening.
The city Hospital here in my hometown probably has no solutions. Next, I might go to a Hospital in a big city for examinations. I hope they can find out the cause of the illness.
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