The reconstruction of Konoha after the war was proceeding in an orderly manner.
Interspersed throughout was a large-scale funeral to commemorate those who died in the Nine-Tails' rampage.
Black Zetsu, who was attached to Naruto Uzumaki, hadn't caused any trouble during this time and had been unusually well-behaved.
The main problem was that Naruto Uzumaki was too young to withstand too much of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Subsequently, Hiruzen Sarutobi convened a meeting of Konoha's high-ranking officials to elect a new Hokage.
Shimura Danzo, the two advisors of Konoha, the heads of various ninja clans, and some jonin from Konoha all arrived to vote for the Fifth Hokage.
"The Daimyo still has some matters to attend to and is unable to come to Konoha in person for the time being," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "Everyone present is a high-ranking official and a pillar of Konoha. Please feel free to offer any opinions or suggestions on suitable candidates."
"Once the new Hokage is appointed, we can go and report to the Daimyo."
As the former Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally presided over this meeting.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Jiraiya was traveling the ninja world, and Tsunade had left the village.
Although Orochimaru had not yet defected, his rivalry with Minato Namikaze had already proven that he was unpopular.
"Why not entrust it to the next generation of ninjas after Minato?" Nara Shikaku spoke first.
"How about choosing one from these young people?"
"No!" Koharu said as she shook her head. "While there are indeed some outstanding jonin among the new generation, their experience is not enough to lead the group and intimidate enemy nations."
"Indeed, it would be difficult to find someone who is capable, prestigious, and able to intimidate other countries."
Nara Shikaku frowned. He hadn't considered the Third Hokage, after all, the latter had already abdicated.
He was thinking about the other two of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha.
If all else fails, we'll have to ask those two to come back.
The others looked at each other in silence. Even someone as intelligent as Nara Shikaku couldn't decide who to choose, let alone the others.
"I..."
Seeing that no one spoke for a long time, Shimura Danzo could no longer suppress his desire to become Hokage.
However, before Danzo could even open his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and preemptively said, "There is no other choice but for me to take over the position of Hokage again during this critical period."
"If it's the Lord Sandaime, then I support you!"
"Yes, the Third Hokage has many years of experience as Hokage, and he will surely be able to restore Konoha to its former glory."
"Indeed, the Nine-Tails' attack has just passed, and Konoha has suffered great losses. We need a capable Hokage to deter enemy nations. Third Hokage, please take on the role of Hokage again!"
Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, the group of ninjas were stunned for a moment before speaking up.
"Alas, I did not want to return to the mountains, but Konoha still needs me," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "However, I would like to make my position clear here."
"My position as Hokage is merely a transitional one. Once the new generation of ninjas has grown up, I will step down and hand over the Hokage position to a newcomer."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly, his face full of helplessness.
He wasn't greedy for the Hokage position; rather, Konoha needed his contributions, and he couldn't step down.
Shimura Danzo: "..."
At that moment, he was so angry he felt like his lungs were about to explode.
Danzo Shimura was a seasoned warrior who had seen many battles and experienced many hardships, but he had never seen such a shameless person.
You're already a retired Hokage, yet you're back to compete with others for the Hokage position.
Have you no shame?
At this moment, Danzo recalled that when the Second Hokage was choosing a successor, he hesitated for a moment, and the old man beat him to it.
Now, after finally enduring until his abdication, the death of the Fourth, and the election for the Fifth, he shamelessly jumped out again.
"Are you really capable of taking the Hokage position?" Danzo asked in dissatisfaction.
"In fact, although you arrived at the scene of the Nine-Tails' rampage, you failed to save the Fourth Hokage. How can you protect the village like this?"
If I miss this opportunity, I don't know how long I'll have to wait.
Moreover, it's rare that no Daimyo interfered this time, so my chances of becoming Hokage were very high.
"Danzo, you can't say that," Mitokado Homura said. "Hiruzen did his best. The death of the Fourth Hokage cannot be blamed on him."
"If he hadn't arrived in time and driven the Nine-Tails out of the village, the casualties in the village would probably have been even greater."
Mitokado Homura gave Danzo a disapproving look. Having worked together for so many years, he was well aware of Danzo's thoughts.
Koharu Utatane also stepped in to help, asking Danzo, "Speaking of which, where were you, Danzo, when the Nine-Tails was causing trouble?"
"You..."
Faced with their questions, Danzo Shimura was speechless for a moment, and the others did not object to Hiruzen Sarutobi taking over as Hokage again.
Thus, the position of Hokage returned to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The era of the third generation had begun once again.
...
"Danzo, don't be emotional," Hiruzen Sarutobi said as the meeting ended and everyone left. "I'm doing this for the village, for Konoha. You should be able to understand, right?"
"Hmph, Hiruzen, no need to pretend here," Danzo Shimura replied. "You must be feeling pretty smug right now, right?"
Danzo Shimura was now so angry he wanted to kill him. He wouldn't be given the jinchuriki position, the Hokage position was going to be taken from him, and he's going to have to take the blame for everything.
That Hiruzen Sarutobi was utterly inhuman!
"Danzo, don't overthink it," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "I know you want to become Hokage."
"However, if you become Hokage, what will happen to Root?"
"Konoha without roots will inevitably decline. Your position is far more important than that of the Hokage."
"No one but you can shoulder such a heavy responsibility, including myself."
"Therefore, for the sake of Konoha and the village, I have no choice but to assume the position of Hokage once again. Only in this way can you have the capacity to continue leading Root. Otherwise, how could I bear to place such a heavy burden on your shoulders?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's earnest and sincere words slightly calmed Danzo Shimura's anger.
As expected, Konoha cannot do without Danzo, and Hiruzen understands this as well.
Being the leader of Root was indeed not something just anyone could do.
At the very least, someone with Hiruzen Sarutobi's indecisive and soft-hearted nature would never be fit to be the leader of Root.
"Hiruzen, you don't need to flatter me," Danzo Shimura said. "You had better do your job as Hokage properly. If something like the Third Shinobi World War happens again, you can prepare to abdicate for the second time!"
Danzo Shimura was very satisfied, but he didn't mince words.
The last time Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down was because he was too incompetent and foolish, which forced him to resign from the position of Hokage.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha fought against four countries simultaneously, yet still maintained the upper hand. Despite numerous sacrifices, the other countries gradually withdrew from the battle, unwilling to continue.
Only the Hidden Stone Village in the Land of Earth was still gritting its teeth and persevering.
Despite this favorable situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi took the initiative to sign a peace treaty with Onoki, thus bringing the Third Shinobi World War to an end.
...
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