The capital of the Land of Fire—residence of the Daimyo.
Inside the opulent and ornately decorated Daimyo's mansion, a solemn gathering was taking place. More than a dozen high-ranking officials, nobles, and key political figures of the Land of Fire were seated around a long, lacquered wooden table. The air was thick with tension and formality.
At the head of the room sat the ruler of the Land of Fire himself—the Daimyo. Draped in an elegant ceremonial robe, he wore a large hat adorned with three fiery symbols, and the towering red backrest behind him bore the kanji for "Fire" in bold black strokes. Though age had left its mark on his body, his eyes remained shrewd, calculating, and keen.
"Oh ho ho, so the Third Hokage is finally stepping down?" the Daimyo said lightly, lazily fanning himself as his gaze fell on Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Well then, I suppose it's time for me to meet the new one."
His tone was light, almost mocking, but beneath the surface, there was genuine curiosity. Despite his aged appearance and flamboyant demeanor, the Daimyo was no fool. He had always appreciated Hiruzen's reliability—after all, the Third Hokage rarely interfered with the central politics of the Land of Fire, allowing the Daimyo to maintain his control without trouble.
Now, however, with the war concluded and peace settling in once more, the announcement of a successor drew both attention and scrutiny.
Before Hiruzen could speak, a stern voice cut through the hall.
"I believe Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, is the most suitable candidate for the position of Fourth Hokage," Danzo declared, standing beside Hiruzen, his eyes sharp and unwavering. "What are your thoughts, Lord Third?"
The Daimyo, however, did not even turn toward Danzo. He kept his eyes fixed on Hiruzen, clearly indicating whose opinion truly mattered.
Danzo's expression darkened subtly. The Daimyo's disregard was a silent insult. He might have authority in the shadows, but when it came to public recognition, he still lacked the legitimacy Hiruzen commanded.
Hiruzen sipped his tea calmly before speaking in a measured voice. "Orochimaru is indeed brilliant. His military achievements are undeniable, and his talents speak for themselves. However…"
He paused, letting the room settle into silence.
"…his heart is not with the villagers. His ambition is immense, but his attachment to Konoha—its people, its Will of Fire—is tenuous at best. Therefore, I cannot entrust him with this sacred duty."
Raising his eyes to meet the Daimyo's gaze directly, Hiruzen continued, "I recommend Namikaze Minato."
The Daimyo blinked, curious. "Namikaze Minato… That's the man they call the Yellow Flash of Konoha, isn't it?"
Minato stood to the side, his golden hair almost glowing under the chandelier light. He gave a respectful bow.
"Yes, that's him," Hiruzen replied. "He was instrumental in securing victory during the war. He has not only demonstrated strength but also compassion and humility. He is admired by shinobi and civilians alike, both young and old. He is a perfect embodiment of the Will of Fire."
There was a murmur of interest among the ministers. Even though many of them weren't shinobi, they had followed the course of the war closely. The name "Yellow Flash" had become legendary—Minato's battlefield dominance had tilted the tide of war and earned him reverence far beyond Konoha's walls.
At that moment, a round-faced, prosperous-looking man stood up.
"I support this recommendation," he declared.
It was Fujiwara Bunta, the wealthy president of the Fire Country Chamber of Commerce. As a key business partner of the Nara clan in medicinal exports and closely allied with the Akimichi clan's food enterprises, Bunta had close ties to Konoha's economic structure. His business also had longstanding interests in the Uchiha clan's weapons trade.
Minato's connection to Choza Akimichi made him an appealing candidate for Fujiwara. A Hokage with close ties to his commercial allies was ideal.
"Minato's leadership would be a stabilizing force," Bunta added. "He will ensure a peaceful, prosperous relationship between the village and the capital."
With Bunta's endorsement, the rest of the room fell in line.
"I have no objections."
"Agreed."
"I second the nomination."
One after another, the ministers nodded and voiced their support. The Daimyo set his fan down, his usual flamboyant demeanor vanishing.
"Very well," he said solemnly, his voice resonating through the chamber. "From this moment on, the position of Fourth Hokage—and with it, the protection of the Land of Fire—shall be entrusted to Namikaze Minato."
The announcement was official.
"The safety of our nation is tied to the strength of Konoha," the Daimyo continued. "So long as our ninja village remains powerful and its Hokage righteous, the peace of the Land of Fire will endure."
Minato stood and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your trust, Daimyo-sama. I, Namikaze Minato, swear to uphold my duty and protect both Konoha and the Land of Fire with everything I have."
The Daimyo smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent. I expect great things from you."
With the official letter of appointment signed and sealed by the Daimyo himself, Minato and Hiruzen departed, returning to Konoha that same day.
---
By the time Minato reached home, the sun had already begun to dip below the horizon of the next afternoon. Exhausted but content, he pushed open the door to his house.
Bang! Bang!
Colorful paper ribbons burst into the air with a festive pop, showering him with confetti.
"Minato-sensei, congratulations!"
Kakashi, Rin, Obito, and a young Shisui shouted in unison, their eyes gleaming with admiration.
"Congratulations, Minato-niisan! Oh wait—I should say, congratulations, Fourth Hokage!"
Fugaku Uchiha had arrived early, bringing Mikoto and a wide-eyed little Itachi with him. Akimichi Choza and Aburame Shibi followed close behind, offering respectful bows and heartfelt congratulations.
Minato was momentarily stunned by the surprise but quickly smiled warmly.
"We're all like family here," he said, "there's no need to be so formal. Please, come in and sit down."
From the kitchen, Kushina came out smiling, her red hair bouncing with each step. She gently helped remove the ribbons from Minato's shoulders, then slipped her arm into his and led him inside.
The living room soon filled with laughter and joy, friends chatting and celebrating the momentous occasion.
Not long after, the Anbu arrived with a custom-made white cloak—Minato's official Hokage robe, lined in red with the kanji for "Fourth Hokage" emblazoned on the back. When he put it on, the room erupted in cheers.
---
Later that evening, as the celebration died down, Kakashi quietly excused himself and made his way through the shadows of Konoha—until he reached a dimly lit laboratory on the edge of the village.
The door creaked open.
"It's you, Kakashi-kun," a familiar, cold voice said from within.
Orochimaru turned from his workbench, pale face barely illuminated by the glow of strange fluids in glass vials. There was a hint of disappointment in his serpentine eyes.
"Orochimaru-sama," Kakashi said, bowing respectfully.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"You're not here as Minato's messenger, are you?"
Kakashi scratched his head awkwardly. "Yes… and no. Minato-sensei didn't send me, but I came for that reason."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Kakashi took a deep breath.
"I know you're disappointed. The Third Hokage didn't choose you as his successor."
Orochimaru's face remained unreadable.
"But if I may speak freely," Kakashi continued, "you were never meant to be Hokage."
Orochimaru's expression darkened, his gaze sharpened.
"The position of Hokage is a cage for someone like you. Once you wear that hat, you're responsible for the village's every need. You'll drown in politics, paperwork, and compromise. That's not the path you seek."
"I suppose you believe you understand me?" Orochimaru asked.
"I believe I understand a part of you," Kakashi replied. "Your dream lies in discovery, in experiments, in knowledge. Becoming Hokage would only restrict that. You wouldn't be free."
Then Kakashi's voice grew sharper.
"And if I'm not mistaken… you've made an agreement with Danzo."
Orochimaru's eyes glinted.
"You become Hokage in name. He runs the village from the shadows. You remain free, he gains power. You become his puppet."
The silence stretched for several seconds.
Finally, Orochimaru chuckled.
"Kakashi-kun, you're a smart boy. Very insightful."
"Thank you, Orochimaru-sama. But let me ask you this—if you accept such an arrangement, what's the point? You'll carry the title but none of the power. If something goes wrong, Danzo stays in the shadows. You take the fall."
"It's meaningless."
Orochimaru didn't answer right away.
"I don't care about the power," he said at last. "But you're right about one thing—I do care about what the Third thinks of me."
Kakashi nodded quietly. "He's getting old. And times are changing. You don't have to chase approval that no longer matters."
The lab fell silent again.
But something had shifted in Orochimaru's eyes—perhaps doubt, or perhaps… a seed of reconsideration.
---
To Be Continued.
patreon (Obito_uchiha)