Konohagakure, Meeting Room.
The moment Tsunade returned to the village, the three senior Konoha advisors were immediately alerted. However, before they could go to her, Jiraiya arrived first.
Koharu Utatane, her face lined with age, praised, "Well done! You actually managed to bring Tsunade back."
Jiraiya scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I hate to dampen your spirits, but I think it's necessary to explain something."
Koharu frowned, her expression filled with confusion. "What do you mean?"
Jiraiya hesitated briefly, then relayed Tsunade's message. "Tsunade didn't come back to be Hokage."
Koharu's eyes widened, and she froze in disbelief.
Homura Mitokado, another senior advisor, couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said," Jiraiya replied, grumbling internally about Tsunade leaving this mess to him. He added, "She's only here to visit and to heal Kakashi and the others. That's all."
"If Tsunade isn't going to be the Fifth Hokage, then who will?" Homura asked, confusion clouding his aged face.
"Uh…" Jiraiya dragged out the sound, hesitating for a long moment before pointing to himself. "What do you think about me?"
The three senior advisors, including Danzo, who sat with bandages wrapped around his face, were visibly taken aback.
"You've always been opposed to becoming Hokage," Koharu remarked, her surprise evident.
Jiraiya sighed deeply, as if he had swallowed a fly. "Do you think I want this? I only agreed because I lost a bet with that troublesome woman, Tsunade. I had no choice."
Hearing this, Danzo's ears perked up, and a thought began to form in his mind.
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance. It didn't seem like a bad idea.
After all, Jiraiya had been their first choice. While Tsunade had an excellent pedigree and reputation, Jiraiya, as a man, appeared more commanding and authoritative.
"Since that's the case, let's proceed with it," Koharu and Homura decided, quickly preparing to notify the Fire Daimyo about Jiraiya's appointment as Hokage.
Jiraiya sighed again, thinking how fast these old folks could move when they wanted to.
The thought of becoming Hokage, with no time left to joyfully roam and gather "research," filled him with sorrow.
Resigned, Jiraiya could only mutter, "I really don't want to be the Fifth Hokage…"
Homura sternly rebuked him. "Stop saying foolish things. From now on, the weight of Konoha rests on your shoulders!"
That's exactly why I don't want to be Hokage… Jiraiya thought, letting out yet another sigh. Lately, he felt like he'd sighed more in a few days than in an entire year.
Just as he believed the matter was settled, a voice broke through the air, offering a potential turn of events.
"Wait…"
Huh?
Everyone turned toward the voice, which came from none other than Danzo, his head wrapped in bandages, with only one eye exposed.
"What is it, Danzo? Do you have a different opinion?"
Danzo spoke in a low tone. "Since Jiraiya isn't interested in becoming the Fifth Hokage, I think we should reconsider. Rushing this decision could lead to unforeseen issues. You all know his personality."
Jiraiya blinked in surprise, looking at Danzo. Although others might not know Danzo well, Jiraiya's familiarity with him, due to their shared history, made him suspicious.
Danzo was the strict and disciplined leader of the Root organization. Why is he suddenly being so accommodating? Jiraiya thought.
Still, someone offering an escape route was a welcome surprise, and Jiraiya gratefully gave Danzo a look of thanks.
Danzo coughed a few times and continued. "Don't judge me by appearances. I can be reasonable when needed. With Hiruzen gone, matters concerning the village must be handled with the utmost care."
Koharu and Homura found his words quite logical. Since Danzo seemed to have a strategy in mind, they decided to ask his opinion.
Feigning contemplation, Danzo slowly said, "Think back to twelve years ago, on the night of the Nine-Tails attack. The Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails. It was moving, yes, but it left the Hokage position vacant, throwing the village into chaos.
"At that time, the Third Hokage's decision to come out of retirement and temporarily serve as Hokage stabilized the situation.
"Now, once again, the Third Hokage has sacrificed himself, sealing Orochimaru's arms to protect the village.
"In light of these events, I propose we follow Hiruzen's example. We should appoint a temporary Hokage until a suitable candidate emerges."
Danzo paused for dramatic effect, letting his words resonate with the group. His intent was clear: to pave the way for his true suggestion while silencing any objections.
At first, Koharu and Homura nodded, agreeing that his logic was sound. But as he continued, they sensed something was off.
"Danzo, are you saying—?"
Danzo interrupted with a dramatic flourish. "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal. It's time for this old body of mine to step up. I propose that I, Shimura Danzo, temporarily take on the role of Hokage until we find a suitable candidate."
With a commanding tone, Danzo added, "That's my suggestion. Who supports it? Who opposes it?"
He glanced at the advisors, his gaze carrying an implicit threat.
This was his moment of triumph, his lifelong ambition within reach. Danzo was determined: today, he would become Hokage, no matter what.
He had no intention of hiding his ambitions any longer.
Koharu and Homura closed their mouths, realizing Danzo's true intent. After all that roundabout reasoning, he just wanted the Hokage position for himself.
Danzo smirked, satisfied as he observed their silence.
Just as Danzo thought the Hokage position was within his grasp, an unexpected twist occurred.
"I object…"
Danzo's eyes widened as he struggled to suppress the urge to lash out. When he saw it was Jiraiya speaking, he froze in disbelief.
Jiraiya sighed and said, "Forget it. I'll take on the role of the Fifth Hokage."
"Jiraiya, don't force yourself," Danzo said, frowning deeply, unsure what had suddenly changed Jiraiya's mind.
Weren't you the one who didn't want to be Hokage?
Jiraiya gave a bitter smile. "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal. If I hadn't been traveling all the time and had been in the village on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, perhaps Minato wouldn't have died. Maybe Orochimaru wouldn't have defected, and all of this could've been avoided. I've realized that running away solves nothing. This time, I won't run anymore—I'll take responsibility for the village."
Danzo was left speechless by these words, his irritation evident as he muttered, "It's good you've thought it through."
If Jiraiya was truly determined to be Hokage, there was no room for Danzo's ambitions.
"Thank you very much," Jiraiya said, bowing deeply.
Danzo let out a cold snort, bitterly swallowing his disappointment at the turn of events.
Damn it.
Meanwhile, Koharu and Homura both breathed sighs of relief. They preferred Jiraiya over Danzo as Hokage.
"In that case, it's decided. The village will begin preparations for the inauguration ceremony starting today," they announced.
After the meeting, Jiraiya left the room under Danzo's resentful gaze. As he walked, he ran into his young apprentice.
"Hey, Naruto," Jiraiya greeted him.
"Oh, it's you, Pervy Sage!" Naruto replied.
"From now on, don't call me that. Address me as the Fifth Hokage," Jiraiya said, trying to get into his new role.
Naruto shrugged. "It's easier to just call you Pervy Sage."
"Well, whatever. Call me whatever you want," Jiraiya said with a fond smile, looking at Naruto with a grandfatherly affection.
In his observations, Jiraiya had concluded that the most likely candidate to succeed him as Hokage was Kakashi. Kakashi had the reputation and strength to take on the role of Sixth Hokage once Jiraiya stepped down.
Coincidentally, Kakashi was Minato's student, just as Naruto was Jiraiya's student.
Though others saw Naruto as a troublemaker, Jiraiya knew that with Naruto's potential and determination, he would one day transform from the underdog into a true leader. The idea of Naruto becoming the Seventh Hokage seemed entirely possible.
There's something poetic about this passing of the torch, Jiraiya thought to himself.
"By the way, Naruto, what are you doing here? Weren't you with Tsunade?"
Naruto frowned. "I was looking for her to heal Kakashi-sensei and the others, but she ran off somewhere in the village. I don't know where she went!"
After some asking around, the two of them found Tsunade at a barbecue restaurant, enjoying a meal with her group.
When Tsunade saw them, she waved enthusiastically. "Want to join us? It's been so long since I've been back in Konoha. I forgot how much good food this place has!"
"Hey! You made a promise!" Naruto shouted, pointing a finger at her.
Tsunade, slurping noodles, looked puzzled. "Promise? What promise?"
Naruto stomped his foot in frustration. "To heal Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, and Bushy Brows!"
"Oh… I forgot," Tsunade admitted sheepishly.
"Ahhh, you're so unreliable!" Naruto yelled.
"Alright, alright, I'll go now," Tsunade said, standing up and calling her team to head to the hospital.
On their way, they encountered a few familiar faces, including some well-known ninjas. Each greeted Tsunade with great respect, leaving her younger self, Shizune, awestruck.
So this is what it's like to be respected… Little Tsunade thought as she walked beside her future self.
Soon, the group arrived at the hospital and entered a room. The space was simple yet neat, with a single white flower in a vase, its freshness indicating it was replaced daily.
Inside, a pink-haired girl was startled to see so many people enter at once.
"Naruto?" Sakura asked.
Naruto enthusiastically gestured toward Tsunade. "Sakura, this amazing lady here is a super-skilled medical ninja. She'll definitely heal Sasuke!"
His face lit up, clearly expecting praise.
(End of Chapter)
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