Konohagakure.
The area in front of the Hokage Building was packed with people—civilians, shinobi, and even some visitors from other lands.
The streets nearby were completely blocked off by the massive crowd, shoulder to shoulder, all eager to witness the event.
Yet, despite the density of the crowd, more people were still desperately trying to squeeze their way in.
—
"It's so rare to see three Hokage in the same frame!"
"Ugh, Minato-sama is so handsome! Why does he have to step down?"
"Well, Obito-sama is handsome too... he just looks kinda goofy when he smiles."
"A New Year's Festival and a Hokage inauguration on the same day—this is truly a double celebration for Konoha!"
"Yeah, but it kind of feels like the higher-ups just wanted to save time..."
—
Atop the circular platform on the Hokage Building—
Hiruzen, Minato, and Obito stood side by side, all three clad in white Hokage robes with flame patterns.
They stood at the edge of the platform, smiling and waving in all directions, responding to the villagers' enthusiastic cheers.
When the cheers finally began to die down, Hiruzen took a step forward.
Clearing his throat, he spoke in a loud and steady voice.
—
"People of Konoha, we have emerged victorious from a great war."
"Today, Konoha stands reborn—stronger, more prosperous than ever!"
"As we bid farewell to the old year, our hearts swell with pride. And as we welcome the new year, our fighting spirit remains unwavering!"
—
The villagers erupted in excitement once more.
"Long live Konoha! Long live the Hokage!"
"Damn! That was a hell of a speech!"
"Konoha is the best! (voice crack)"
—
But... enthusiasm has its limits.
—
One hour later.
Hiruzen was still talking.
—
"Ahem, one more thing I'd like to add—"
"And finally, let me emphasize once more—"
—
By now, half the audience had already left.
The ones who remained looked half-asleep, barely holding on.
Even Obito, standing on the platform, had started nodding off.
—
Among the crowd—
A woman with long black hair and sunglasses tugged at the sleeve of the pineapple-haired man beside her.
"Shikayu, look at Obito! Haha!"
Shikayu rubbed his temples and chuckled helplessly.
"That guy… still the same as always. He could sleep anywhere, anytime."
Memories of their academy days resurfaced in his mind—
A spacious classroom, the perfect temperature, sunlight streaming through the windows—
Obito would doze off the moment class started in the morning and stay asleep all the way until school ended in the evening.
—
"Ryoko, how do you think someone like him even became Hokage?"
—
Ryoko giggled.
"If you don't get it, Shikayu, there's no way I would!"
"But… I still remember that moment in the Land of Grass, when he stood up to protect us."
—
Shikayu paused, then smiled.
"Yeah… maybe that's it. Because deep down, he has the heart of someone who protects his comrades."
—
On the platform, Hiruzen finally wrapped up his speech.
Minato let out a silent, exhausted sigh.
"You're not the one retiring today, nor the one being inaugurated... where did you get all these emotions from?"
"Sigh… they say old trees have deep roots, and old people have a lot to say. I really hope I don't turn out like this when I'm older..."
—
Minato glanced to his side—Obito was still swaying on his feet, barely awake.
Lowering his voice, Minato whispered without moving his lips.
"Obito, wake up. It's our turn now."
—
Obito jolted awake, blearily wiping away the bit of drool at the corner of his mouth.
—
"The inauguration ceremony for the Fifth Hokage—begins now!"
—
Hiruzen gestured with his arm, motioning for Minato and Obito to step forward.
The two quickly moved up.
Placing a firm hand on Obito's shoulder, Hiruzen introduced him to the crowd.
—
"Standing beside me is the hero who ended the Fourth Great Ninja War—"
"And the man who will now take on the mantle of Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Obito!"
—
The crowd erupted into cheers once more.
"Obito-sama is the best!"
"Fifth Hokage! Fifth Hokage!"
"We're counting on you, Fifth! Lead Konoha to even greater heights!"
—
Hiruzen turned to Minato.
"Minato, I'll leave the rest to you."
Minato nodded slightly, then removed his Hokage hat.
In front of the entire village, he solemnly handed it over to Obito.
—
"Obito, from this moment on, Konoha's future is in your hands."
—
Obito accepted the hat with both hands, nodding firmly.
—
"I understand, Minato-sensei."
—
Under the watchful eyes of the village, Obito held up the hat and laughed.
—
"From this day forward, I, Uchiha Obito, am the Fifth Hokage!"
—
He raised his voice, enunciating each word clearly.
"The prosperity of Konoha—rests upon my shoulders!"
—
The cheers reached a deafening climax.
"Ahhhhh! Hokage-sama!"
"So cool! Fifth Hokage, you're making my legs go weak!"
"We support you, Fifth! Happy New Year!"
—
Among the crowd, Naruto was shouting at the top of his lungs.
"I won't lie—this new Fifth Hokage is my big bro!"
Beside him, a boy sneered.
"I remember you! Blondie, you're bluffing again!"
"Last time when the Fourth Hokage took office, you said he was your dad!"
Naruto: "???"
Before Naruto could even defend himself, the boy continued.
"And even if the Fourth is your dad, and the Fifth is your brother—so what?"
"Konoha values strength, not connections. What's there to be smug about?"
"Your dad is your dad, your brother is your brother. If you've got the guts, why don't you become Hokage?"
—
Naruto stomped his foot in frustration.
"Dattebayo! I wasn't lying!"
"And listen up! One day, I—Uzumaki Naruto—will definitely become Hokage!"
—
The boy named Goudan burst out laughing and turned to his friend.
"This guy's bragging so hard, he even changed his own last name! I'm dying!"
His friend, however, looked utterly horrified.
"Goudan… he wasn't lying. I think… he really is the Fourth Hokage's son!"
"…Huh?!"
Goudan's laughter stopped dead.
—
Among the crowd, the Uchiha clansmen activated their Sharingan one after another, their glowing red eyes a reflection of their uncontained excitement.
Decades of pent-up frustration had finally found an outlet—replaced now by pride and triumph.
At last, the Uchiha had a Hokage.
Even the grandmothers of the clan had activated their Sharingan in unison.
—
Uchiha Inaho clasped his hands together and shouted.
"Obito, well done!"
Itachi, standing nearby, was stunned.
"…Since when did Uchiha Inaho and Obito have such a close relationship?"
—
Rin stood behind Obito, one hand resting on her slightly swollen belly.
Watching her husband stand tall on the platform, her eyes shone with warmth.
"Obito-kun, you finally made your dream come true."
"I told you, I would always be watching over you. Hehe."
"You did amazing, Obito-kun!"
—
Beside her, Kakashi sighed with deep emotion.
"Yeah… this guy has been shouting about becoming Hokage ever since we were kids."
"Who would've thought… he'd actually make it?"
—
As the morning's celebration came to a close, Kakashi helped support Rin.
"Rin, let's get you to the back for some rest."
"You'll need to save some energy for the real event this afternoon—your wedding."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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