Three Days Later.
The weather was gloomy, with dark clouds gathering above.
Looking up at the overcast sky, Kakashi silently pulled up his mask and left his home, heading toward the inauguration ceremony.
Originally, he hadn't planned to attend, but as a member of the Anbu, he had to ensure the safety of the new Hokage.
However, just as he reached the corner, Kakashi suddenly stopped, his sharp gaze sweeping over a shadow. He cautiously threatened in a low voice, "Who's there? Come out!"
A figure cloaked in gray stood like a ghost in the corner's shadow.
"Who are you?!"
With a clang, Kakashi drew his short sword and assumed a fighting stance.
Yet, the gray figure merely stood there, silently watching him through a wide hood.
Seeing the figure not respond, Kakashi's tone turned icy. "Who exactly are you? I'll ask one last time: reveal your identity and purpose!"
The cloaked person stared at Kakashi, then provocatively beckoned him with a finger before turning and sprinting toward the training ground.
"Stop!"
Kakashi immediately chased after them.
The two figures moved quickly, weaving through the streets.
As Kakashi pursued from behind, he became increasingly surprised; not only was the figure exceptionally fast, but there was also something familiar about their silhouette.
It felt as if he had seen them somewhere before!
The gray figure seemed to fear Kakashi might catch up and deliberately slowed down several times, waiting for him to get closer before suddenly speeding off again.
"Wait! You stop right there!"
Kakashi felt inexplicably annoyed as he looked at the familiar figure, a sense of urgency stirring within him.
A voice urged him to catch up.
Upon reaching the training ground, Kakashi unleashed his chakra and used a Body Flicker Technique to close the distance. At the same time, he executed his family's White Fang sword technique, slicing a sharp arc in the air.
Clang!
A dazzling arc of light aimed directly at the mysterious person's neck.
However, the cloaked figure seemed to have anticipated this. They lightly shifted their feet and tilted their body, easily dodging the strike.
Kakashi spun around, thrusting the short sword at a strange angle with incredible speed.
Yet again, the mysterious figure effortlessly avoided the blow.
"Damn it!" Kakashi thought, feeling a bit anxious as he unleashed the full range of the White Fang sword techniques.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sharp edge of the blade sliced through the air, creating flickers of white light that resembled a dense web.
But the mysterious figure seemed to possess a premonition ability, swiftly dodging within the narrow space, evading the terrifying White Fang sword technique with just footwork.
"This guy seems very familiar with the White Fang technique?" Kakashi thought, startled.
Before he could change his move, the mysterious person stepped forward, abruptly breaking the air with incredible speed. Kakashi barely had time to react when he felt a sudden, heavy blow from behind. Darkness engulfed him, and he collapsed.
"Sorry, Kakashi."
Looking at the unconscious youth, the mysterious figure removed his hood, revealing silver short hair—it was the White Fang himself.
He crouched down and ruffled his son's hair, his usually expressionless face showing a rare moment of warmth. "It's too dangerous over there; you should stay here."
The inauguration ceremony for the fifth Hokage of Konoha was taking place as scheduled.
However, unlike the grand scene during the fourth Hokage's inauguration when the streets were filled with people, this time the enthusiasm was noticeably less.
Perhaps all the excitement had been spent during the fourth Hokage's event, leaving a more "sage-like" atmosphere for Orochimaru's turn.
Looking down at the sparse, dejected crowd, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply, feeling a profound sense of helplessness. Even with his political skills at their peak, he found himself at a loss in this situation. He couldn't force everyone to be enthusiastic, could he?
Despite his reluctance, he had to attend the inauguration ceremony as a member of the advisory group.
Yet, after the media frenzy, his image and life had been thoroughly twisted; once revered as a Hokage, he was now labeled as a pervert and foolish.
As time passed and the inauguration drew nearer, the "main character," Orochimaru, had yet to arrive, causing Sarutobi to feel anxious.
The sharp gaze directed at him felt like a knife, intensifying his nervousness.
Sweat beaded on Sarutobi's forehead as he wondered if something unexpected would happen again. Just when he could no longer sit still and was about to find Orochimaru himself, the main character finally made his late entrance.
Dressed in the Hokage's ceremonial robes and wearing a conical hat, Orochimaru slowly appeared on the inauguration platform, a faint smile on his lips. "Sorry, I had to take care of a few things before leaving, so I'm late."
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally relaxed, his earlier tension easing. "Is there anything so urgent that it couldn't wait until after the ceremony?"
"The inauguration ceremony can now begin."
The Second Hokage crossed his arms and interrupted Sarutobi, looking at Orochimaru with a slightly softened expression. "Fifth Hokage, the future of Konoha is in your hands."
"Go on up, Orochimaru; everyone is waiting for you." Sarutobi smiled, relieved he wouldn't have to endure another scolding from the Second Hokage.
"I announce that the inauguration ceremony for the Fifth Hokage officially begins!"
The voices of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu echoed across the large plaza.
After a series of complex procedures and the appointments of various advisors and the Daiymo of the Land of Fire, the crowd, which had been somewhat indifferent, finally became lively.
The Fifth Hokage of Konoha is Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin!
With countless passionate and eager eyes watching him, Orochimaru, wearing the Hokage's ceremonial robes, stepped confidently onto the inauguration platform with a steady gait.
As he looked at everything before him, Orochimaru felt a sense of unreality, almost like a dream.
He had achieved the Hokage position he once desired so deeply, yet he felt no satisfaction—only an endless emptiness.
This was not what he truly wanted, and it was far from a real "dream."
"Orochimaru, it's your turn to speak."
Noticing Orochimaru's long silence, Sarutobi whispered a reminder.
"Oh, sorry, I got a bit lost in thought."
Snapping back to reality, Orochimaru brushed back his long hair and smiled lightly.
"Hehe, it's okay, I understand how you feel right now." As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but get lost in memories.
When he became Hokage, the vibrant scene of everything thriving seemed to flash before his eyes. Even now, thinking back, it still filled him with excitement!
"Go ahead, Orochimaru!"
Hiruzen patted his disciple's shoulder and said warmly, "Your time has come."
That wasn't wrong.
Orochimaru calculated the timing in his heart, facing the crowd below.
Everyone was waiting for the new Hokage to give a speech.
According to tradition, during the inauguration ceremony, the Hokage completing the transfer would express a series of reforms and ideas for the future of Konoha.
"I have only one thing to say."
A playful glint sparkled in the depths of Orochimaru's narrow, snake-like eyes.
The crowd fell silent, waiting for the Hokage's words.
Hiruzen smiled, a hint of kindness in his eyes as he looked at his disciple, his heart filled with satisfaction.
Orochimaru removed the Hokage's hat and tossed it aside.
The fierce wind blew it far away, and his long black hair flew wildly. With a cold smile on his face, he announced, "In the name of the Fifth Hokage, I, Orochimaru, declare that from this moment, I am defecting from Konoha."
Wooooo~
The wind howled, and the crowd's pupils slowly widened.
Hiruzen's heart suddenly sank to the bottom.
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