A wave of murmurs spread through the conference hall.
Whispers rose from every corner as shinobi exchanged glances, trying to decipher the meaning behind what they had just seen.
"Nara… what's going on?"
Yamanaka Inoichi asked quietly within the small cluster of the Nara–Akimichi–Yamanaka trio.
"Did you hear anything?"
Nara Shikaku shook his head, though his eyes were thoughtful.
"No… but…"
He paused.
"It may have something to do with yesterday. Elder Mito and Elder Shimura went to see Uchiha Jin."
Inoichi frowned slightly.
"What should we do?"
Shikaku's gaze flickered.
"Nothing."
"This meeting isn't simple. We watch."
Inoichi nodded and leaned back, appearing to close his eyes in contemplation.
Across the hall, Jiraiya—fresh from the border of the Land of Hot Water—leaned toward Orochimaru.
"What's this about? Did the old man lose power?"
Orochimaru licked his lips lazily, eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Who knows? I returned just before dawn. Later than you, in fact."
Jiraiya clicked his tongue and turned to Minato.
"Minato? You know anything?"
Minato spread his hands helplessly.
"I was… busy yesterday."
He'd reunited Team Seven. After discovering that Rin was alive, he had spent the entire evening with Obito, Kakashi, Kushina, and Rin. They hadn't parted until deep into the night.
He truly had no idea what had happened.
Hiashi cast a startled glance at Jin.
Was this the "surprise" he'd mentioned?
Jin, however, was no longer paying attention to him.
His gaze was locked calmly with Sarutobi Hiruzen across the table.
So.
The old fox had chosen to retreat voluntarily.
Better to step down with dignity than be dragged down publicly.
Jin offered him a harmless smile.
Hiruzen really was decisive.
"Ahem. Quiet."
Mito Menma's voice cut cleanly through the noise.
The hall fell silent at once.
"Before we begin," he said, "there is a matter to clarify."
"Several days ago, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, formally reported to the Daimyō and officially resigned from the position of Hokage."
"The acting Hokage appointment, however, was never reported to the Daimyō and therefore never came into effect."
A ripple of stillness spread through the room.
"Thus," Mito Menma continued, "Sarutobi Hiruzen attends today's assembly not as Third Hokage nor Acting Hokage—"
"—but as a Konoha jōnin, Minister of Education, Principal of the Ninja Academy, and Head of the Mission Office."
He paused.
"Furthermore, as the Hokage seat is currently vacant, this meeting will be jointly presided over by Elder Koharu, Elder Shimura, and myself."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Some in the room didn't immediately grasp the deeper implications. To them, it sounded like formalities—things everyone already knew.
But others understood.
There are truths everyone knows.
And then there are truths spoken aloud in an official hall.
The moment they are declared, they become reality.
Mito Menma had just formalized something critical—
Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer possessed Hokage authority.
Symbolically, his era had ended.
And today—
He did not even qualify to sit at the head of the table.
Shikaku glanced subtly toward Jin.
How much of this was his doing?
"Ahem. The meeting will now begin."
Mito Menma proceeded without elaboration.
"Recent events have left the village in turmoil. The Battle of Kikyo Pass dealt us severe losses."
"Compensation for the fallen. Reconstruction of damaged districts. Border redeployments. Negotiations with other villages."
"We urgently require a Hokage to restore order."
"This assembly will determine the candidates for Fourth Hokage."
The room gradually grew serious.
Menma continued:
"As per village custom, between one and five candidates must be nominated. After nominations are confirmed, time will be allotted for the village to evaluate them before a vote is cast."
"Now, if anyone has suitable nominees, speak."
He had barely finished when a jōnin who had returned with Jiraiya stepped forward.
"I nominate Lord Jiraiya! One of the Legendary Sannin. He has led us to victory many times. His experience, achievements, and ability all qualify him!"
Immediately, another voice followed.
"I nominate Lord Orochimaru! Also one of the Sannin. Equal in merit and skill!"
The hall erupted into discussion.
Names flew across the room—but two dominated:
Jiraiya.
Orochimaru.
Their reputations ran deep.
Without Hiruzen's intervention, even Minato might have struggled to surpass Orochimaru's standing.
A few jōnin hesitated, clearly wishing to nominate Minato—but with Jiraiya's name already in the air, they found themselves reluctant.
After all, how could a disciple openly compete with his own teacher?
"Quiet!"
Mito Menma raised his hand.
The hall stilled once more.
"I have heard the recommendations."
He turned toward the two Sannin.
"Orochimaru. Jiraiya."
"You've heard the voices of the assembly."
"Will you enter the race for Fourth Hokage?"
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