Chapter 181: I Am the Sixth Hokage of Konoha
Various notices plastered the cities, towns, and even villages of the Land of Fire.
Coupled with the recent conclusion of the Konoha Chunin Exams' Third Exam Preliminaries, many examinees eliminated in the second exam and preliminaries were returning home, inadvertently carrying this news back to their respective countries and ninja villages.
The entire ninja world was shaken.
In a world where the technological tree was severely skewed, and news took time to spread, Konoha, in less than two days, became the focus of the ninja world, the subject of everyone's discussion and attention.
And this sensational news was... Tsunade's abdication!
In the late autumn of Konoha Year 60, barely a month or two later than the current time, Tsunade had just succeeded as the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, declaring that Konoha had re-entered the era of the Senju.
Just over two years later, Tsunade's brief era was declared over.
And the successor to the Hokage position was, as expected, the man whom everyone in the ninja world, from the nobility and ninjas to the common folk and even newly self-aware children, could guess.
No, to be precise, it was that boy... Izayoi!
Izayoi, a Konoha Year 60 graduate, was initially thought to be a ninja genius who mastered five nature transformations at a young age. Yet, he surprisingly became the second person in Konoha, after the First Hokage, to awaken the Kekkei Genkai: Wood Release, implying he was a descendant of the Senju who had abandoned his surname to integrate into Konoha.
Immediately after graduating, he developed a hand-seal-less Storm Release Ougi, and also mastered the rare flying ninjutsu. In the same year, he was promoted to Chunin, topped the black market's bounty list, breaking countless records, even more exaggerated than Uchiha Itachi becoming an S-rank rogue ninja at thirteen.
Just when everyone believed the future belonged to Izayoi,
Unexpectedly, the Akatsuki Leader and Ōtsutsuki Toneri appeared one after another, turning Izayoi, who had hoped to become the second Sage of Six Paths, into a mere firefly overshadowed by the bright moon.
Wood Release, after decades, reappeared. Before the ninja world could be declared to have re-entered the era of Wood Release, the Sage Eye stole the title of the new era.
However, just when everyone underestimated Izayoi, he delivered a resounding slap to the entire ninja world.
What should have been the final battle starring the Akatsuki Leader and Ōtsutsuki Toneri, was forcibly turned into a tripartite standoff by Izayoi. Finally, with Uchiha Madara's revival, it firmly established an era where four super-tier powers balanced the ninja world.
Even so, Izayoi and the Akatsuki Leader's strength were still underestimated by everyone, who believed there was still a huge gap between their power and that of Uchiha Madara and Ōtsutsuki Toneri.
After all, the battle that severed the moon was simply too shocking.
It wasn't until Izayoi's chakra exploded, spreading throughout the ninja world, that everyone suddenly awoke.
A genius is an existence that cannot be explained by common sense.
Just as Hatake Kakashi became an all-rounder Jonin immediately after graduating, while others were just starting out.
When everyone underestimated Izayoi, believing he had not yet entered his true growth period and could not possibly compare to Uchiha Madara and Ōtsutsuki Toneri,
His strength had already reached the level of Uchiha Madara and Ōtsutsuki Toneri. Just a burst of his chakra affected the entire ninja world.
Uchiha Madara's recent departure from Konoha without damaging it or killing anyone further proved Izayoi's deterrent power.
Now, this super-tier power, one of the Four Super-Tier Powers, and the acknowledged strongest in the Five Great Ninja Villages, has finally taken over the political power of Konoha, becoming one of the two most powerful individuals in the Land of Fire, standing at the pinnacle of ninjas as one of the Five Kage, Konoha's supreme leader—the Sixth Hokage.
"He's finally succeeded, then? It seems Uchiha Madara's visit scared those guys quite a bit."
In the Hidden Stone Village's Tsuchikage Building, upon receiving this news, Ōnoki uncharacteristically felt no pressure. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh of relief.
It was like a family elder seeing a junior capable of standing on their own and carrying the banner, finally relieved of a heavy burden.
This feeling was completely different from his reaction two years ago when Wood Release reappeared.
Because back then, there were no new super-tier powers in the ninja world, and Ōnoki, as the pinnacle of the Five Kage, was the strongest existence.
Unfortunately, this strongest individual had no successor and was very old.
Coupled with his insufficient understanding of Izayoi's character, Ōnoki naturally felt heavy-hearted, worried that after his death, the Hidden Stone Village would be unable to resist Konoha.
But now, four super-tier powers had emerged in the ninja world, three of whom were enemies, and only one was 'their own.'
No matter how fierce the previous three Great Ninja Wars had been, the ninja world had always been ruled by the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Because the masters of this world were the five Daimyo.
No matter how great the hatred between ninja villages, it did not affect the five Daimyo's "card game."
For them, losing a war only meant losing some chips.
But if a disruptive force emerged to overturn the table, that opponent would be a true enemy.
At such times, the five great nations would unite.
They would rather lose to 'their own people' than to an outsider.
Now that Izayoi had become one of the Five Kage, it also declared that Konoha had returned to its strongest position.
Ōnoki was no longer the strongest. Even if the sky fell, Izayoi would be there to hold it up.
He was, of course, relieved.
Others who also felt relieved, like Ōnoki, included the other Five Kage and the Daimyo.
Although Izayoi was the strongest in the Five Great Ninja Villages, as long as he hadn't succeeded to the Hokage position, the Land of Fire's Daimyo could not rest easy.
Because Izayoi, as merely an Elite Jonin, was just one of Konoha's high-level employees.
The heads of the various ninja clans, as well as Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy, were also Elite Jonin.
And the heads of the various ninja clans, unless urgently summoned, rarely went out on missions anymore.
Even the Hokage found it difficult to command them.
Even if they did undertake missions, they might not put their lives on the line, as their ninja clans lacked no money.
Though Elite Jonin, they were semi-retired ninjas.
After Team 8 became nominal, Izayoi also became such an existence.
Except for taking Hanabi out on missions, he spent all his time in Konoha, as if retired.
If he was unwilling, no one could command him, and he bore no responsibility whatsoever.
Only Konoha, where he resided, was safe. As for other parts of the Land of Fire, or other countries, they had nothing to do with him; that was the Hokage's concern.
Therefore, the Land of Fire Daimyo constantly wished for Izayoi to succeed immediately.
This way, if anything happened to the Daimyo's mansion, Izayoi would definitely come to their rescue at the fastest speed.
Because if a country lost its Daimyo, the entire country would fall into chaos, and the busiest individuals would surely be the Five Kage.
If the country experienced war, the citizens would flock to Konoha for refuge, and a single village simply couldn't accommodate so many people.
The "One Country, One Village" system, where the Daimyo was responsible for politics and the Five Kage for military affairs, was common knowledge in the ninja world, and also an unspoken agreement between the Daimyo and the Five Kage.
Now that Izayoi was finally about to succeed as the Sixth Hokage, the Land of Fire Daimyo felt an instant sense of security, as if he had a bodyguard who would appear at any moment.
Konoha Year 62, July 16th, 11:25 AM.
Konoha's central street was bustling with people.
Crowds filled the large and small streets.
Not only Konoha villagers but also a large number of citizens from the Land of Fire, and even foreigners, who came specifically for the event.
They occupied every available space. If one looked down from above, Konoha's central street was a dense sea of black.
With no ground left, ninja academy students and ninjas who could control chakra stood on walls, eaves, and even streetlights.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the rooftop of the Hokage Building, which was now more majestic and grand than before after its reconstruction, awaiting the appearance of that figure.
Those who had attended previous succession ceremonies, and more than once, engaged in heated discussions, their tones filled with excitement and pride.
"Sixty-two years ago, Lord Hashirama emerged, pacifying the centuries-long Warring States Period with Wood Release and establishing Konoha. Decades later, Konoha's political power has finally returned to the hands of a Wood Release ninja. Our Konoha no longer needs to fear being bullied!"
"As long as Lord Izayoi is here, neither a Great Ninja War, nor the Konoha Crush, nor the Nine-Tails Attack will ever happen again!"
"The Senju of the Forest truly is the legitimate line of Konoha. It's said that Lord Izayoi only graduated in Year 60, and now he's already the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages. My child was just a Genin at that age; there's absolutely no comparison."
"Even the Fourth Hokage is far inferior to Lord Izayoi. This record for the youngest Kage will probably never be matched or surpassed by anyone else."
"..."
Looking at the crowded masses below and the clamor louder than a marketplace, the Konoha 11 standing on a rooftop also sighed in amazement.
"The sheer number of people is crazy, it feels like everyone in the village is gathered here."
"Not just that, I heard there are many tourists from other places and countries. Haven't you seen the crowds extending outside the central street?"
"It still feels a bit surreal. Didn't we just graduate two years ago? If I remember correctly, two years ago Izayoi had just finished fighting Rock Lee, and now he's becoming the Sixth Hokage?"
"When I was in the Academy, I always scoffed at the legendary Wood Release, thinking it was an exaggeration. After all, we're all ninja clans, all with Kekkei Genkai; how could there be such a huge difference, and how could one person pacify the chaotic era? Now that I think about it, I suddenly understand what our ancestors felt."
"That bastard Izayoi, he actually became Hokage before me! He's so detestable!"
Uchiha Sasuke, arms crossed, looked at Uzumaki Naruto beside him, who was grinding his teeth with envy, almost drooling as if fantasizing. Sasuke couldn't help but mock, "Stop daydreaming, Dead Last. Izayoi is only a bit more than a month older than me, and less than four months older than you. You have no hope of ever becoming the Seventh Hokage in this lifetime."
Hearing this, Uzumaki Naruto's body instantly turned gray, and a chibi ghost emerged from his head, its mouth repeatedly muttering, "No hope... no hope..."
No matter what setback he faced, or who mocked him, Uzumaki Naruto's desire to become Hokage would never waver in the slightest.
Only Uchiha Sasuke's words, however, dealt a massive blow to Uzumaki Naruto, making him feel a sudden darkness.
Because Uchiha Sasuke wasn't mocking; he was revealing a cruel truth.
When a peer was a hundred times more excellent and powerful than himself, and became Hokage before him, then unless that person died in battle or abdicated, Uzumaki Naruto would have no hope of becoming Hokage in this lifetime.
His dream was shattered!
Uzumaki Naruto recovered, biting his collar hard, tears streaming down his face. He gnashed his teeth enviously, "That detestable Izayoi! He stole my Hokage position and blocked my path... If he doesn't do a good job as Hokage, I'll definitely kick him out later!"
Uchiha Sasuke shook his head, speechless, but felt a sense of relief in his heart.
This Dead Last was still that idiot; it seemed there was no need to worry.
Looking at the still empty rooftop of the Hokage Building, Uchiha Sasuke seemed to see something, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly. He murmured, "That guy is still as arrogant as ever."
"Look, Lord Izayoi is out!"
"So handsome! He looks even better than in pictures, and he's so tall!"
"What a shame, I heard Lord Izayoi already has a girlfriend. She's the Young Mistress of the Hyūga Clan's Main Family, who grew up with him and was his deskmate in the ninja academy."
"The Hyūga Clan really struck it lucky!"
"..."
As a shout rang out, the already bustling street's volume instantly reached the sky.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Building, a tall figure appeared.
He was still wearing a white long robe suitable for battle, but outside it was a white cloak with flame patterns, also embroidered with the five large characters for "Sixth Hokage" with similar flame patterns.
His black short hair, disguised by the Wood Clone Jutsu, perfectly covered his ears and bangs. His blue eyes were as beautiful as a cloudless sky, and his now mature face was chiseled and handsome.
Even though he was still a youth, just standing there, he exuded a sense of reliability and security like a towering tree.
"Hokage-sama!!"
Someone shouted this title, and then everyone else, with unspoken understanding, changed their address and cheered "Hokage-sama!"
Looking at the fanatical villagers and ninjas below, Izayoi picked up the Hokage hat that Tsunade had given him. He faced the crowd below and, with an authoritative voice, declared, "From now on, I am Konoha's... Sixth Hokage!"
Just like Tsunade's succession two years ago, cheers rang out, echoing through the sky.
Then, fireworks bloomed in the daytime sky above Konoha.
From this day forward, Konoha officially entered the Sixth Hokage's era.
As the saying goes, "a new ruler, a new court."
Izayoi's succession also declared the end of the Hyūga Clan's long period of suppression, firmly establishing their position as a prominent family.
Hyūga Hiashi, whose son-in-law was the Hokage, was now the biggest winner in life.
On his first day in office, Izayoi directly delegated authority to those below him, announcing that the era of the Hokage personally handling every single matter was over.
Only a fool like Uzumaki Naruto would personally take on every single task.
If even trivial matters required the Hokage's personal attention, what was the point of everyone else in the Hokage Building?
The Hokage was the strongest existence in the village, the guardian god of the village and the country.
When the guardian god neglected their strength due to overwork, that village was essentially committing slow suicide.
Possessing super-tier combat power, Izayoi had no worries about those below him usurping power, as Konoha was merely a small place.
No one dared to defy his will, and no one dared to challenge his authority.
As the Sixth Hokage and the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages, Izayoi's power was limitless.
He simply needed to assign specialized tasks to specialized individuals.
Every day, he only needed his main body to check in at the office, or let a Wood Clone handle some documents requiring signatures and seals.
All other matters were entirely entrusted to Hinata and Karin, his two secretaries.
If they weren't still so young, Izayoi would truly want to experience what that particular saying felt like.
With a Hokage who wasn't obsessed with micromanagement, the various ninja clans, led by the Hyūga Clan, also welcomed their spring.
Especially the Hyūga Clan and the Nara Clan, who were only given important roles during wartime, they finally returned to Konoha's upper echelons.
Because... Izayoi's second act upon taking office was to abolish the Elder Council.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were directly retired, and the vacant position of Hokage Advisor was simply eliminated.
Neither Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, nor their families, dared to express any resentment, for this was the command of the Hokage and the Daimyo.
Unless they wished to become rogue ninjas, no one dared defy the orders of the two most powerful individuals.
For the Daimyo, as long as Izayoi became the Sixth Hokage, whatever demands Izayoi had, he would fulfill them.
If Izayoi wanted Konoha to become his personal domain, it would become his personal domain.
As long as Izayoi did not interfere with the country's politics, even if he demanded that military expenditures double, or even quadruple, the Daimyo would satisfy Izayoi's requests, provided he was able to do so.
As the first country to implement the "One Country, One Village" system, the Land of Fire's Daimyo seemed to clearly understand what super-tier combat power meant and was not as incompetent as he might appear.
Izayoi was very satisfied with the Daimyo's discretion.
If the Land of Fire Daimyo had refused his request to abolish the Elder Council, unwilling to let Izayoi reclaim the dispersed power, Izayoi would not have minded replacing him with a puppet.
His Tenseigan's wireless puppets could absolutely replace a Daimyo without anyone noticing.
After reclaiming power, Konoha had clearly become Izayoi's paradise.
He could do whatever he wanted!
....
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