Uchiha Ran's speech was not yet finished, yet the atmosphere at the venue was already boiling.
"Quiet—quiet!"
Hiashi Hyūga and Kakashi moved at the same time, stepping forward to maintain order. The scene was on the verge of chaos, and if it spiraled out of control, it would disrupt Ran's address.
With ANBU and Hyūga clan ninja stepping in, the crowd gradually calmed down. Reason returned little by little, and countless gazes refocused on the stage—on the young man with calm confidence, peach-blossom eyes, and a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.
"Alright, I understand," Uchiha Ran said lightly. "For so many years, you've all endured plenty of grievances, following a Hokage who behaved like a coward."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's back teeth nearly shattered. He glared at Ran like a starving wolf eyeing its prey.
Ran noticed the gaze and raised an eyebrow.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, don't you agree?"
That single sentence pushed Hiruzen straight into the fire. Instantly, everyone's attention shifted away from Ran and landed squarely on the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen's face turned pale.
"I refuse to answer!"
After speaking, he turned his back on the stage—but he still didn't leave. Clearly, he was waiting.
Waiting for the villagers to remember the blood he had shed for Konoha, the years he had devoted, and Jiraiya's contributions during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars. Waiting for them to choose Jiraiya.
If that happened, today's humiliation wouldn't matter. History was written by the victors. As long as Jiraiya became Hokage, Konoha would still be under Hiruzen Sarutobi's shadow.
Ran's voice rang out again, clear and firm.
"The third point: from today onward, Konoha will appoint people strictly by merit. Talented ninja—regardless of clan, background, chakra nature, or rank—may all come forward. I will personally arrange your positions and compensation."
"The fourth point: draft formal demands and send them to Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure. They mobilized troops and marched against Konoha without justification. If they refuse to give a proper explanation—"
His eyes sharpened.
"—then we will fight our way to their gates."
His words were bold, direct, and filled with conviction.
In an instant, more than ninety percent of the people present were completely won over. The crowd erupted.
"Fifth Hokage!"
"Fifth Hokage!"
"Fifth Hokage!"
"Ran!"
"Ran!"
"Ran!"
Jiraiya looked at Ran's back, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Perhaps this was the kind of leader Konoha truly needed. Someone like this… he could never compete with in his lifetime.
After today, he could step aside without regret.
Uchiha Ran spoke one final sentence, his voice steady and sincere:
"From this day on, all of Konoha's glory will be shared—by you and by me."
He bowed, then fell silent.
The entire venue was stunned by those words.
"From this day on, all of Konoha's glory will be shared—by you and by me."
The sentence echoed again and again in everyone's minds.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the scene of unity before him, bitterness welling in his chest. He had underestimated Uchiha Ran.
Where was this man weak at giving speeches? His ability far surpassed his own. And none of it was empty rhetoric—it was all grounded in reality.
He had lost. Completely.
There was no longer any need to guess who the villagers would choose.
Sure enough, once Ran ended his speech, Shikaku Nara stepped onto the stage carrying a cardboard ballot box.
"Next," Shikaku announced, "representatives of the ninja clans and the civilian delegates will cast their votes."
"This vote is completely anonymous. Once voting is complete, ballots will be counted openly and fairly to determine the final Fifth Hokage."
"Now," he said loudly, "the vote begins!"
Clan heads lined up, slips of paper clenched in their palms. Though everyone already knew their choice, the formal process still had to be observed.
Uchiha Ran closed his eyes, resting calmly. Jiraiya, however, looked conflicted, as though wrestling with a difficult decision.
Sensing it, Ran opened his eyes and glanced at him.
"Jiraiya-sama, if you can't make this decision, it's fine. I don't take Hiruzen Sarutobi seriously anyway."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"Forget it. I already gave Orochimaru my word. I won't break it."
Ran nodded softly and sighed.
Orochimaru…
On the surface, that man would one day orchestrate the Konoha Crush, but in truth, it was because he cared too deeply for Konoha to watch Hiruzen continue his foolish rule.
Ran's appearance had merely accelerated the inevitable.
Before long, the results were tallied.
Shikaku cleared his throat.
"I hereby announce: Lord Jiraiya has received sixty-nine votes."
"Lord Uchiha Ran has received two hundred and forty-one votes."
"Let us congratulate Lord Uchiha Ran on becoming the Fifth Hokage of Konoha! Everyone—applause!"
Shikaku led the clapping, followed immediately by the Uchiha clan. Their applause was thunderous, hands reddened from the force of it.
The Hyūga clan followed under Hiashi Hyūga and Neji's lead. The Ino–Shika–Chō, Aburame, and many others joined in.
Even Jiraiya applauded with a smile. Looking at Ran's back, he felt a strong premonition—
Konoha would be fine.
Ran smiled, waving to the villagers, repeatedly thanking them.
Seeing the moment was right, Shikaku raised his hand for silence. As Ran's strategist, his gesture was respected.
"Now comes the transition between the old and the new," Shikaku announced.
"Let us invite the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to pass the Hokage hat to the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Ran."
A faint sneer crossed Shikaku's face.
He wanted to see whether Hiruzen could truly keep his composure.
Hiruzen's face was livid, but he knew the importance of this moment. He took a deep breath, forcing his expression to soften.
Stepping forward, he lifted the hat that had accompanied him for nearly thirty years. Memories flooded his eyes.
With an aged hand, he gently brushed the brim.
At that moment, he truly let go.
He walked onto the stage and held the Hokage hat with both hands.
"Uchiha Ran," he asked solemnly, "are you prepared to shoulder the burden of Konoha, to lead its people forward, never forgetting your original intention, and never forgetting the Will of Fire?"
Though the words were addressed to Ran, Hiruzen was, in truth, questioning himself.
Did he still remember his own original intention?
He could not answer.
So he waited to hear Ran's answer.
Uchiha Ran put away all mockery and disdain. He straightened, meeting Hiruzen's gaze without hesitation.
"Of course."
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
He nodded—and slowly raised the Hokage hat, preparing to place it upon Uchiha Ran's head.