Chapter 6 The New Hokage
In the Hokage's office, the four Konoha high-ranking officials discussed what preparations they should make if Orochimaru were to become Hokage.
Danzo feigned involvement in the discussion, as if he genuinely didn't oppose Orochimaru becoming Hokage.
They also offered a variety of well-reasoned and sound suggestions.
As the discussion unfolded, the sky outside gradually brightened, and just as it became fully light...
Knock knock knock.
There was a sudden knock on the Hokage's office door.
"Come in," the Third Hokage called out.
The door was opened.
Orochimaru walked in.
However, the three elders, Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu, frowned because Orochimaru had a familiar bloody smell about him.
But when they thought about the commotion caused by collusion between insiders and outsiders last night, they felt relieved.
It seems Orochimaru went to deal with that riot.
"Orochimaru, how's the situation going?"
"I have successfully completed my mission."
The Third Hokage nodded and said, "We were just discussing your succession as the Fifth Hokage, and all three elders are willing to support you."
Orochimaru seemed unsurprised by this.
"Thank you for your support, Homura Mitokado-senpai, Utatane-senpai, and Shimura-senpai."
Orochimaru's smile softened.
He is a smart man and knows that after becoming Hokage, he needs to maintain a good public image even more.
"Then let's announce our decision," the Third Hokage declared.
"So fast?" Koharu, who was switching dorms, was a little surprised.
"There is no time to lose."
The third generation picked up his pipe, took another puff, and as he exhaled smoke, he said, "The villagers need a new source of inspiration, a new and younger leader who can bring them new expectations."
"But the old leader is still the one who can reassure people at critical moments. Hiruzen, the situation in the village is still quite urgent.
Why don't you hold on for a while and hand over the Hokage position to Orochimaru after the urgent moment has passed?"
Mitokado Homura offered this suggestion with a prudent mindset.
"..." Shimura Danzo really wanted to agree with his old friend Mitokado Homura, but such words didn't quite fit his established persona.
Fortunately, it was Orochimaru.
At worst, we can target Orochimaru in advance.
So he remained silent.
"Homura Mitokado, given the current situation in the village, a younger and more capable leader is better able to demonstrate to the villagers Konoha's determination to boost morale.
You should understand what the new Hokage represents."
Mitokado Homura also fell silent. He understood, of course, that a new Hokage represented a new opportunity.
A group of people will be promoted because of the new Hokage.
Thus, the scattered hearts of the villagers will be united.
Many people would crave this opportunity, and those who crave it will inevitably be more motivated.
However, this haste leaves no room for the old factions to adjust their interests.
Although Orochimaru is also from the Hokage faction, the new and the old are ultimately different.
Didn't he always prefer to play it safe?
When would you be willing to make such a 'radical' claim?
Danzo also looked at Hiruzen with surprise.
He now realized that Hiruzen seemed to have changed. Was it because he had suffered successive blows from the Nine-Tails' attack?
"Hiruzen..." This time it was Koharu Utatane who wanted to persuade him.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand to stop him.
"It's all for Konoha," he said solemnly.
With such a fitting title bestowed upon him, and given his status as Hokage, no one present could say anything.
"Alright then, let's announce our decision to the village and have Orochimaru succeed as the Fifth Hokage."
As for voting?
There are precedents in the village of someone being appointed to a critical position in a time of crisis.
And now, this is the crucial moment.
Of course, a more formal appointment would require communication with the daimyo, and only after the daimyo's envoy paid his respects could Orochimaru officially succeed as the Fifth Hokage.
However, announcing it first can also allow him to be known as the 'prospective Fifth Hokage' and let everyone get to know him.
"I agree." Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement.
Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane all looked toward Danzo Shimura at the very end.
"...I agree."
Danzo Shimura expressed his agreement, his voice somewhat hoarse.
He comforted himself, thinking that as long as there was no daimyo's envoy to formally confirm his audience, then Orochimaru was not the true Fifth Hokage.
Before that, all we need to do is expose what Orochimaru has done.
Everything is under control, so don't worry too much.
"Then issue the notice."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, two advisors and elders of the administrative department, issued the notice together with the Hokage.
As for Danzo? He is the head of Root, and his opinion needs to be considered, but as Root adheres to secrecy, his name will not appear in public announcements.
Soon after, the announcement spread throughout Konoha.
This caused an uproar throughout the entire Hidden Leaf Village.
After all, the Fifth Hokage has been confirmed.
It's Lord Orochimaru!
The Konoha ninjas who were closely associated with Orochimaru were all invigorated.
The other ninjas were also intrigued.
As everyone knows, Lord Orochimaru values talent and results above all else. If you truly perform exceptionally well, you're more likely to be promoted. Although Lord Orochimaru is also quite ruthless, this ruthlessness can, in a way, be seen as fairness!
Many ninjas were filled with anticipation.
The scattered hearts of the people have truly been united.
Of course, the final outcome will depend on how well Orochimaru, the new Hokage, performs.
"Great! I knew our teacher would become the new Hokage!" A girl with a pineapple-shaped haircut shouted excitedly, waving her fist.
She stood with her hands on her hips, looking smug.
This means she's a disciple of the Fifth Hokage! That means she can practically do whatever she wants in the village!
"Let's go eat some glutinous rice balls to celebrate!" She pouted, humming a cheerful tune, and went off to eat her favorite glutinous rice balls!
The appointment of the Fifth Hokage triggered a chain reaction that began from there.
Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu left the Hokage's office.
Orochimaru finally stopped holding back and his smile became unusually bright.
"Orochimaru, you seem to be in a very good mood," the Third Hokage said.
However, in his view, it was only natural that he was in such a good mood after being promoted and becoming the leader of the highest military and defense institution of a major country.
Orochimaru smiled and said, "Master, Danzo is hiding something that surprises me as well."
"oh?"
"Wood Release".
Orochimaru didn't hide anything. After all, the Wood Release experiment was initially promoted by the Third Hokage and Danzo, who gathered volunteers to recreate the Wood Release power that the First Hokage once used to intimidate the world!
However, due to the high number of volunteers who died during the experiment, the third generation had to be stopped.
Although the order was called to a halt, Danzo continued to secretly work with Orochimaru to research Wood Release.
The cells of the First Hokage were implanted into infants; in one phase, there was subject number sixty.
Orochimaru initially thought that all sixty test subjects had failed, but unexpectedly, one survived, inherited the power of Wood Release, and was hidden away by Danzo.
End of this chapter...