Night faded, and dawn arrived.
As the first rays of sunlight appeared in the sky, the residents of Konohagakure gradually stepped out of their homes in small groups.
Three days earlier, the Hokage Tower had already issued an official announcement that the Fourth Hokage election would be held today. Coupled with the intense campaigning by Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi over the past few days, nearly every villager in Konoha already knew about the event.
Although no one had organized it, the villagers spontaneously began gathering near the Hokage Tower, hoping to learn the election results as soon as possible.
Of course, they weren't allowed to enter the plaza in front of the Hokage Tower.
That area was reserved for the village's shinobi assembly.
Ordinary civilians could only gather in the outer districts surrounding the area, watching the Hokage Tower from afar while waiting for news.
Meanwhile, members of the Konoha Military Police Force had appeared even earlier, stationing themselves at major intersections throughout the village.
They directed civilians toward safe and open areas while guiding shinobi toward the plaza in front of the Hokage Tower.
Today—
the entire village of Konoha had effectively paused its normal operations for the Fourth Hokage election.
Soon, the time reached 9:00 a.m.
The plaza before the Hokage Tower was already packed with people.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Tower, a large ballot box had been placed, while the clan heads of Konoha's major families stood in orderly rows on both sides.
As the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Ren naturally stood near the front of the line.
Across from him, standing about a dozen meters away, was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Although he had stepped down as Hokage, he now stood there in his capacity as head of the Sarutobi clan.
Ren and Hiruzen exchanged a distant glance.
Both men's gazes carried complicated emotions.
At that moment, a figure wearing a Jōnin flak jacket pushed through the crowd and hurried over to Hiruzen.
The man had the distinctive beard of the Sarutobi clan.
He leaned close and whispered something to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen's expression immediately changed.
Just as he was about to say something—
Koharu Utatane , Homura Mitokado, Namikaze Minato, and Shimura Danzō arrived together on the rooftop.
Hiruzen immediately restrained himself.
"Stay vigilant. Observe carefully."
"Keep a close watch on everyone."
After quietly issuing these instructions, Hiruzen returned to his position with a deep frown.
Soon afterward, Homura Mitokado, dressed in a formal dark-blue kimono, stepped forward to the microphone placed at the edge of the rooftop.
His figure instantly appeared in the view of the massive crowd below.
He cleared his throat lightly.
His amplified voice spread across the entire village of Konoha through speakers placed throughout the streets.
Gradually, the once noisy crowd fell silent.
All eyes turned instinctively toward the Hokage Tower.
"Everyone," Homura began solemnly,
"today we gather here to witness the birth of a new chapter in Konoha's history."
"Where the leaves dance, the fire endures…"
"Today we are not gathered here out of personal will, but for the future of Konoha—for the ninja village founded by the First Hokage, protected with sacrifice by the Second Hokage, and carried forward with tireless dedication by the Third Hokage."
"The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has devoted half his life to the village and now steps down with honor."
"Today we convene this solemn ceremony to elect the Fourth Hokage, determining the direction of Konoha's future."
"In this turbulent era of the shinobi world—where Kumogakure watches us like a tiger, Iwagakure lies in wait, and the balance of power in Sunagakure and Kirigakure continues to shift—"
"Konoha does not merely need a leader."
"We need a successor capable of carrying the Will of Fire!"
Homura's voice was dignified and resonant, carrying strong emotional appeal.
The atmosphere among the crowd gradually grew solemn and attentive.
After a long opening speech, Homura finally began addressing the most anticipated part of the ceremony.
"This election has been jointly nominated during the Jōnin Assembly by the Jōnin Corps, the Council of Elders, the heads of Konoha's clans, and the leaders of various departments."
"Two candidates have emerged."
"The first is…"
"Konoha's Yellow Flash — Namikaze Minato!"
Homura turned to the left and gestured.
Minato stepped forward beside him and bowed slightly toward the crowd below.
His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight like flames.
"Though only in his twenties, he has already achieved extraordinary military accomplishments!"
"During the Third Shinobi War, he single-handedly turned the tide at the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, forcing enemy villages to issue the order—"
'If you encounter the Yellow Flash, you may abandon the mission without punishment!'
As Homura's introduction echoed across the plaza, many shinobi below revealed expressions of admiration.
Others shouted Minato's name with excitement.
"He is not only a brilliant tactician, but also a symbol of the younger generation!"
"He represents Konoha's future!"
The moment Homura finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.
The crowd roared with cheers for Namikaze Minato.
His prestige was clearly immense.
When the applause gradually subsided, Homura turned to the other side.
"And the second candidate…"
"…is the man known as the Darkness of the Shinobi World — Shimura Danzō."
Danzō stepped forward to stand on Homura's other side.
Beneath his loose robes, his bandage-wrapped right arm drew immediate attention.
The applause stopped abruptly.
The atmosphere became strangely tense.
Compared to Minato's heroic title of "Yellow Flash," Danzō's title of "Darkness of the Shinobi World" was hardly flattering.
This wasn't because Homura intended to target him.
After all, the election of the Fourth Hokage was a matter of Konoha's prestige.
Insulting Danzō here would only embarrass the village itself.
Homura simply had no better title to use.
After all, it would sound even stranger to introduce him as "Konoha's Root."
Still, Homura tried his best.
"As a disciple of the Second Hokage, Shimura Danzō has fought alongside the Third Hokage for decades."
"He is one of Konoha's greatest protectors."
"He commands Root, using uncompromising methods to ensure that Konoha's enemies dare not act rashly."
"He may not possess glorious fame…"
"But he possesses absolute control and determination."
"His belief is this—"
'If the leaves in the sunlight cannot protect Konoha… then the roots in the shadows must become even stronger.'
Homura had clearly put considerable effort into crafting a respectable introduction for Danzō.
"Though their beliefs differ, both candidates seek the prosperity of Konoha."
"But the title of Hokage is not merely a symbol of power."
"It represents responsibility, wisdom, and leadership."
"Today, we are not simply choosing a leader."
"We are choosing the future path of Konoha."
"So to all Jōnin who possess voting rights—"
"Examine your hearts carefully."
"The future of Konoha lies in your hands."
Homura raised his voice and declared:
"Now then—"
"I hereby announce that the Fourth Hokage Election…"
"…officially begins!"
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