10:00 a.m.
Warm sunlight streamed through the clouds, bathing Konohagakure in golden light. Namikaze Minato stood alone at the highest point of the Hokage Rock, looking down over the bustling village below. A gentle breeze stirred his dazzling blond hair, making it look like flowing sunlight.
Time was of the essence. At daybreak, Namikaze Minato had requested an audience with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. After completing the formal procedures for his appointment as Hokage, he finally returned to Konoha before nine in the morning.
However, to leave some room for contingencies, Minato's inauguration ceremony had been scheduled for eleven. This gave him two hours to rest and prepare.
Shikaku Nara and the others were handling all the miscellaneous affairs, so with nothing else to do, Minato came to the Hokage Rock to calm his nerves.
Becoming Hokage had always been Minato's dream. Now that his dream was finally becoming a reality, it was impossible to say he wasn't nervous.
Minato took a deep breath and looked toward the Hokage Monument bearing the likeness of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, below and to the side.
At that moment, the slanting sunlight illuminated half of Hiruzen's stone face in gold, giving it an imposing and solemn appearance. The other half remained shrouded in shadow, obscuring its features and adding an eerie quality to the monument.
"Sometimes, living too long isn't necessarily a good thing. After all, the longer you live and the farther you travel, the easier it becomes to forget the road you came from... and the heart you started with..."
Minato murmured softly, his emotions complicated.
On a personal level, Hiruzen Sarutobi had treated Minato extremely well. He had genuinely regarded Minato as his successor and personally cultivated him for that role. For this, Minato was deeply grateful to him.
But from the standpoint of public duty, Hiruzen's rule had also caused Konoha to become permeated with a decaying atmosphere. The people of the shinobi world had suffered under Hiruzen's rule for far too long. Hiruzen and those around him had become obstacles to Konoha's development.
Minato did not want to watch the village he loved continue to decay under Hiruzen's leadership.
"Perhaps Ren's approach was right. Letting the Third Hokage die with his honor intact may be the best ending for him..."
Minato murmured to himself before shifting his gaze toward the new Hokage Tower below.
With the efforts of countless shinobi, the enormous crater left by yesterday's battle had already been filled in. Meanwhile, thanks to Tenzo's Wood Release, the new Hokage Tower had risen from the ground, looking virtually identical to the original.
"Lord Minato."
At that moment, an ANBU shinobi appeared with the Body Flicker Technique and dropped to one knee.
"The Medical Team has sent an update. After several surgeries, the injuries of Lord Third and the two elders have stabilized. However, they have yet to regain consciousness, so they won't be able to attend the inauguration ceremony."
"I understand."
Minato closed his eyes for a moment, his knuckles turning slightly pale.
Because of yesterday's upheaval, rumors were spreading throughout the village.
Some worried about whether the Third Hokage would ever recover. Others speculated that Kumogakure or Iwagakure was secretly plotting another war.
And as the incoming Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato would have to shoulder the entire village's burden without the support of any of the old powers.
The ANBU shinobi continued, "Also, Lord Shikaku says the ceremony is about to begin. He wants you to go to the Hokage Tower first and familiarize yourself with the proceedings."
Minato turned around. His expression had returned to its usual gentle yet resolute state.
"Thank you for reminding me. I'll go back and prepare now."
A few minutes later, Minato stood in the corridor of the Hokage Tower. Through the window, he could see the plaza in front of the tower already packed with villagers.
His student, Kakashi Hatake, was leaning against the wall, waiting for him.
"Sensei, are you nervous?"
There was a rare warmth in Kakashi's gaze, along with a hint of excitement.
Minato smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes relaxing.
"It would be a lie to say I'm not. The responsibility is even heavier than I imagined."
"You'll do better than anyone else."
Kakashi's voice was calm, but filled with absolute confidence. At the same time, he handed Minato a letter.
"It's from Jiraiya-sama. He's taking care of Tsunade-sama, so I guess he won't be able to attend your inauguration either."
After a brief pause, Kakashi added, "He asked me to tell you that he's proud to have a student like you!"
Minato accepted the letter and glanced over it.
Jiraiya's handwriting was messy, but his words carried considerable weight:
"The Hokage is both power and responsibility. From this day forward, your shinobi way will become Konoha's path into the future!"
Minato could see Jiraiya's concern between the lines, but he said nothing.
He would prove everything through his actions.
Minato carefully put the letter away and strode forward, pushing open the door to the temporary conference room.
Inside were the Uchiha clan representatives, Shikaku Nara, Uzumaki Kushina, and the heads of Konoha's various clans, along with those closest to Minato.
Uzumaki Kushina stepped forward carrying a special Hokage haori and the Hokage hat. With a radiant smile, she exclaimed:
"Ta-da! Surprise! I made these myself!"
A smile immediately spread across Minato's face.
In front of Kushina, all the worries and nervousness he had been carrying vanished in an instant.
All that remained was a surge of motivation!
Shikaku Nara then stepped forward and began reminding Minato of the various matters he needed to pay attention to.
By the time he finished, it was already time for the Hokage inauguration ceremony to begin.
When Minato appeared on the balcony of the Hokage Tower wearing the Hokage hat, deafening cheers erupted from the plaza below.
The villagers waved Konoha flags, while children sitting on their fathers' shoulders screamed excitedly!
Although Konoha had just experienced a major upheaval, having the renowned Yellow Flash take over as the Fourth Hokage was like a powerful shot in the arm for the villagers.
Shikaku Nara stepped forward and spoke into the loudspeaker:
"Everyone of Konoha, today is an important day. After careful consideration by the village's jōnin, we have decided that Namikaze Minato will assume the position of Fourth Hokage!"
Another wave of cheers erupted, crashing against the Hokage Tower like ocean waves.
"Minato demonstrated extraordinary leadership and formidable strength during the war. His name as the 'Yellow Flash' shook the entire shinobi world. I believe that under his leadership, Konoha will enter a new era of prosperity!
"Now, let us welcome the Fourth Hokage."
With that, Shikaku stepped back several paces, clearing the way for Minato.
Minato took a deep breath and looked at the countless expectant faces below before speaking solemnly:
"My fellow people of Konoha, standing here today, I feel both immensely honored and deeply aware of the responsibility I have been entrusted with."
The plaza gradually fell silent.
"I am an ordinary shinobi who grew up on Konoha's soil. My parents sacrificed their lives during the war, and this village raised me. Every teacher, every comrade, and even every villager has played a part in making me who I am today."
"The war has ended, but our mission has not. As the Fourth Hokage, I promise that I will devote all my strength to protecting every villager, whether shinobi or civilian."
"But I also need the support of every one of you!"
"Konoha does not belong to the Hokage alone. It is our shared home. Only by standing united can we ensure that the leaves of Konoha remain lush forever."
Minato removed the Hokage hat and raised it toward the sunlight.
"I swear upon my life that I will protect the trust you have placed in me!"
The cheers that followed were like a tsunami.
"Fourth Hokage!"
"Yellow Flash!"
The shouts continued without end.
In a corner of the crowd, the Uchiha watched the scene unfold, unable to suppress the smiles that appeared on their faces.
Konoha was about to enter an entirely new era.
And the shinobi world was about to enter an entirely new era as well!
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