Konoha Village, Noon.
Sunlight spilled over the Hokage Rock, golden radiance illuminating the entire village.
When Setsuna returned with Kirigakure's alliance, cheers surged like tidal waves through every corner.
Sunagakure's peace talks, Iwagakure's ceasefire, Kirigakure's submission… these once unimaginable achievements were all accomplished by a single person.
"Chiaki Setsuna! Chiaki Setsuna!"
"Our Konoha hero, who single-handedly ended the Great Ninja War..."
Within the crowd, the Hyuga Clan's members instinctively turned their gaze to Hizashi standing at the front.
"Hizashi-sama." A branch family member bowed respectfully. "You taught an amazing student."
"Yes, Setsuna-sama will definitely become Hokage." Another said excitedly. "And you... you'll be the Hokage's teacher."
Hizashi waved his hands repeatedly: "I was only Setsuna's team leader, not really his teacher. His achievements today are entirely due to his own efforts."
"Hizashi." Hiashi stepped forward, a smile on his face. "You are just too humble and cautious. I remember you weren't like this before."
Hizashi could only inwardly smiled wryly. Ever since learning that secret, he had been treading on thin ice.
'Elder Danzo's 'accidental death', Hokage-sama's 'resignation to take responsibility'... it's almost as if everything was paved, allowing Setsuna to naturally take the Hokage's position...' The more Hiashi thought about it, the deeper Konoha's waters seemed. Losing one's sense of awe probably meant death wasn't far off.
…
Uchiha Clan's compound, Naka Shrine.
A Jonin's voice trembled: "So... Uchiha Madara-sama, our ancestor, was truly alive?"
"He was." Fugaku said gravely. "But not anymore."
The questioning Jonin was rather speechless. They all thought Madara had been dead for many years. Then, just as they received news of him, Madara was killed again.
"Did Chiaki Setsuna really kill Uchiha Madara?" Another couldn't believe it, widening his eyes. "Could the meaning of Uchiha Madara-sama's resurrection be just to let a new God of Ninja kill him once more?"
"Hmph!" A radical faction Jonin slammed the table, standing up. "That's because Madara-sama was too aged! Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" Fugaku coldly interrupted. "An aged Uchiha Madara could still control the Third Mizukage, even summon a meteor. Being able to defeat Uchiha Madara, doesn't Setsuna deserve the title [God of Ninja]?"
Everyone fell silent.
After a while, a clansman whispered despairingly: "With him here, we will never be able to rebel against Konoha."
Fugaku shook his head: "Then don't rebel."
Everyone was shocked. A radical elder questioned: "Have you completely defected to the Hokage's faction?"
"To be precise, to Setsuna's faction." Fugaku's voice was firm. "We should fully support Setsuna. He will treat every Uchiha fairly."
"Heh." Someone sneered. "Once he becomes Hokage, he probably won't think that way."
Fugaku slightly shook his head: "The Second and Third Hokage feared us because they dreaded the Uchiha's power. But do you think, with Setsuna's strength, he needs to fear us?"
Everyone was stunned, then understood.
"Right. No matter how many Jonin our Uchiha Clan have, before him, it's just a matter of one punch."
"With his power, he truly has no need to suppress us."
…
One week later.
Inside the Hokage Building's meeting hall, all Jonin gathered.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, removed his Hokage Hat, placing it on the table, surveying everyone.
"I am old and no longer capable of continuing as Hokage. Today, we elect a new Hokage. I recommend one person… Chiaki Setsuna."
His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the meeting hall: "If any other Jonin wishes to run, you may also nominate yourselves."
The meeting hall was utterly silent. Everyone looked at each other, their gazes mostly lingering on Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.
But all three were quiet, completely lacking the intention to stand up.
'It's over.' Everyone understood inwardly, feeling somewhat anticlimactic, yet utterly unsurprised by the result.
In terms of achievements and strength, unless the First Hokage were resurrected, no one in Konoha could compare to Setsuna.
Everyone looked at Setsuna, quietly sitting in the meeting hall, their eyes somewhat dazed.
'Too young. Such a young Hokage… It's never before, and probably never again.'
Seeing this, Hiruzen laughed heartily: "It seems Setsuna is the consensus choice. Once I submit the name to the Daimyo, after the Daimyo's approval..."
Setsuna slightly frowned. He had no interest in accepting scrutiny from a bunch of parasites.
Just as Setsuna was about to speak-
Bang!
The meeting hall's doors were abruptly pushed open.
All Jonin in the meeting hall looked at the newcomer with displeasure. They saw a lavishly dressed chamberlain swagger in with over a dozen samurai, a brazen smile on his face.
"Hokage-sama need not trouble yourself. I have already brought His Lordship's opinion."
Hiruzen frowned, quite displeased by this rude intrusion, but still asked gently: "What is the Daimyo's directive?"
The chamberlain lifted his chin, his tone full of arrogance: "The Daimyo says, anyone can become Fourth Hokage, but on one condition: that Ninja named Nagato must be delivered to the Land of Fire."
The atmosphere in the meeting hall instantly solidified. Everyone was extremely displeased.
What did the Daimyo take the Hokage for? Saying anyone could become Hokage.
Hiruzen's face darkened: "Nagato is not a Konoha's Ninja, but the new leader of Amegakure."
The chamberlain impatiently waved his hand: "Then go capture him. The Daimyo's beloved cat unfortunately passed away. Have that Nagato revive it."
Hiruzen slammed the table, standing up: "Ridiculous! For a cat, you would disrupt hard-won peace?"
The chamberlain narrowed his eyes, his tone dangerous: "What? Ninja dares to defy the Daimyo's orders? Don't forget, you are merely weapons. Weapons shouldn't have their own thoughts."
"Shouldn't have their own thoughts?" A calm voice rang out. Setsuna slowly stood up, his white haori billowing without wind.
"Then let me tell you what my thoughts are. From today onwards, I will command all military forces of the Land of Fire!"
The entire hall erupted in an uproar. Everyone looked at Setsuna in disbelief.
'Setsuna had just become Hokage and was openly planning rebellion?'
Alongside fear, a sense of thrilling transgression flowed through their hearts.
Would rebelling against the Land of Fire destroy Konoha? It would not.
On the contrary, without Konoha, the Land of Fire would be destroyed!
"Treason! Treason!" The chamberlain's eyes bulged, his face flushing red. "You... who are you? How dare you utter such treasonous words? Where is the new Fourth Hokage? Quickly, apprehend this madman!"
As he finished speaking, the chamberlain noticed everyone's gazes upon him were very strange, as if wanting to laugh but not daring.
"Where is he? Where is the Fourth Hokage?"
Setsuna's tone was indifferent: "I am the Fourth Hokage. Chiaki Setsuna."