Many perceptive jōnin had already realized that this meeting would likely determine Konoha's future direction—perhaps even a complete reshuffling of power.
Despite the resentment, doubts, and even indignation simmering beneath the surface, as the backbone of the village they still set aside their duties at once and rushed toward the conference hall.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the room, he deliberately slowed his steps—almost unconsciously hoping that he would once again be the first to receive the familiar, respectful gazes of his subordinates.
But the expected unified greeting never fully focused on him.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"Lord Jiraiya!"
Most of the jōnin's eyes instinctively passed over the Third Hokage walking at the front, instead landing—filled with genuine respect and even anticipation—on Tsunade and Jiraiya, who followed behind him.
These two Legendary Sannin—especially after the Heavenly Screen revealed Tsunade as the future Fifth Hokage—now carried far greater symbolic weight in their hearts than the aging Third Hokage, who was mired in a deepening crisis of trust.
Hiruzen's steps faltered ever so slightly.
A mixture of bitterness, embarrassment, and loss surged in his chest.
So this was it…
Had he truly become this unpopular?
He was still Hokage in name, after all.
And yet these jōnin—whom he had personally promoted and entrusted with great responsibility—had already begun to… ignore him?
Standing among the crowd, Shikaku Nara keenly caught this subtle moment.
He saw the brief stiffness in the Third Hokage's back, and the gravity and resolve on Tsunade's and Jiraiya's faces—so different from their previous returns.
Then he noticed something else.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, the two senior advisors, were nowhere to be seen.
A thought exploded in his mind like lightning.
A transfer of power.
Not preparation—
But one already in progress.
His heart trembled, yet his expression remained calm. He merely lowered his eyes slightly, concealing the storm beneath.
Konoha… was truly about to change.
Suppressing his inner discomfort, Hiruzen stepped onto the platform.
He did not immediately take the central seat as he usually did. Instead, he paused, his gaze sweeping across the familiar faces below—faces that now seemed veiled by an invisible distance.
He saw probing looks.
He saw doubt.
He even saw undisguised detachment.
Hiruzen drew in a deep breath, knowing that his era had already ended in substance, if not yet in name.
No longer hesitating, he spoke—his voice hoarse with exhaustion, yet still forcing out the last remnants of authority.
"Everyone, I have summoned you urgently today to announce a decision that concerns Konoha's future."
"Due to the revelations of the Heavenly Screen, I trust you all understand that Konoha is now facing an unprecedented crisis of trust, along with immense external pressure. Many… matters of the past have been exposed, drawing criticism from across the shinobi world."
He paused, his gaze passing over the room—yet he found it difficult even to meet the eyes of those who had once been so familiar.
"As the Third Hokage, I… cannot evade responsibility. For Konoha's future, and to better face the challenges ahead, I have decided… to resign from the position of Hokage."
The words fell like a stone into still water.
A wave of restrained gasps and whispered murmurs rippled through the hall.
Hiruzen gave them almost no time to process the shock. He continued immediately, as if mustering all his remaining strength:
"At the same time, speaking in a personal capacity, I solemnly recommend… Tsunade to succeed as the Fifth Hokage. Does anyone here… have objections?"
Deep within his heart, he harbored a pitiful, secret hope.
That someone—anyone—might stand up, even symbolically, and say something like:
"Third Hokage-sama, Konoha still needs you."
Just a single polite formality would have been enough to prove that his decades of sacrifice had not been entirely forgotten.
But—
"I support Lady Tsunade!"
"Agreed! Lady Tsunade is the most suitable choice!"
"We have no objections to Lady Tsunade becoming the Fifth Hokage!"
"Konoha needs someone like Lady Tsunade to stabilize the situation!"
Almost the instant his words ended, unwavering voices of support erupted one after another.
The unity of those voices—the decisiveness of their stance—carried even a sense of relief, as if a burden had finally been lifted.
Whether from great clans or civilian backgrounds, the jōnin's support for Tsunade was nearly unanimous.
On one hand, Tsunade's fearsome reputation as one of the Legendary Sannin and her unmatched medical ninjutsu spoke for themselves. Many present had either been saved by her personally, or had comrades and family members who benefited from the medical-nin system she pioneered. Her prestige was beyond question.
On the other hand, everyone understood that with Konoha mired in internal chaos, external threats, and shattered credibility, the village desperately needed someone like Tsunade—strong-willed, decisive, and clearly severed from the darkness of the past—to turn the tide.
Looking at the eager faces fixed on Tsunade as if she were a savior—
Hearing the voices of support that carried not the slightest trace of reluctance—
Hiruzen felt blood rush to his head, his face burning as if on fire. He nearly wanted to turn around and flee this place where he had lost all dignity.
Not even a single hollow courtesy?
In their hearts… was he truly so worthless—so expendable—so eagerly replaced?
He clenched his fists inside his sleeves, nails digging deep into his palms, barely maintaining the last rigid semblance of a Hokage's composure.
The reality of human loyalty was cold—and unmistakably clear.
Through gritted teeth, Hiruzen forced out the words:
"Since… there are no objections… then… Tsunade, please say a few words."
His steps faltered as he yielded the central position on the platform—
The place he had stood for decades.
At that moment, his back looked exceptionally hunched and lonely, as though all vitality had been drained from him the instant power changed hands.
Once she had made her decision, Tsunade did not hesitate for even a second.
She straightened her back and strode forward with firm, resolute steps, ascending the seat that symbolized Konoha's supreme authority.
The moment she came to a stop, the entire conference hall seemed to brighten.
Tsunade swept her gaze across the room, taking in every familiar and unfamiliar face—every look of expectation, trust, and faint unease.
She did not look at the ashen-faced Hiruzen beside her.
In her eyes, there was only Konoha's future—
And the past that must be brought to account.
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