Chapter 12: The Hokage Resigns – A Step Backward to Move Forward
Near Konoha's gates, a squad of ninjas returning from the battlefield was greeted by cheering villagers lining the streets.
"Are those the heroes who destroyed Kannabi Bridge and forced the Hidden Stone to retreat?"
"I knew it! With Minato-sama leading, the village was bound to win! Now only the Mist remains stubborn—this war is about to end."
"I wish I could have been part of that mission alongside Minato-sama."
News of the squad's success had spread from the Hokage's office to the civilian population. After defeating the Hidden Cloud, Namikaze Minato had once again led Konoha to victory.
Talk of impending peace filled the air, and excitement was palpable.
Of course, not all discussions were about the war effort.
"Minato-sama is so handsome!"
"Minato-sama is mine, you shameless woman!"
"Hah? With your looks? Get out of here, bird's nest!"
"I told you to stop calling me that nickname!"
Walking amidst the cheers, Minato wore his signature sunny smile as he led Rin and Kakashi. However, upon hearing some of the bizarre comments, his smile turned into a faintly awkward expression.
Hokage-sama, I know this is to boost morale, but this level of enthusiasm is a bit overwhelming, he thought to himself, suppressing a sigh.
Doing his best to ignore the faint trace of bubbling red chakra from a certain direction, Minato straightened his expression and continued toward the end of the path.
There, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood, his face brimming with satisfaction.
"Minato, you've done well."
Minato gestured behind him, pulling his two somber-faced students forward. "The credit goes to Kakashi and the others… and Obito…"
His voice faltered as he glanced at the expressions of Kakashi and Rin, their visible grief making him sigh deeply.
Patting their heads gently in comfort, Minato turned to Hiruzen and said, "Third Hokage-sama, they've been through a lot. Let them rest for now."
"That won't be necessary."
At Minato's confused look, Hiruzen smiled and shook his head. "Today is an important day for you, Minato. As your students, they should witness it."
"Now, hold out your hands."
Still puzzled, Minato extended his hands.
To his shock—and to the astonishment of the surrounding crowd—Hiruzen removed the Hokage's hat and placed it in Minato's hands.
"I originally planned to hand over the reins of Konoha to you after the war was over," Hiruzen said softly, his tone reflective. "But I believe now is the perfect time."
Turning to the gathered villagers, he raised his voice. "As the Third Hokage, I nominate Namikaze Minato to succeed me as the Fourth Hokage!"
"This proposal has already been approved by the Daimyo. Now, to all of you standing here—do you accept?"
For a brief moment, the crowd fell silent. Then, an earth-shaking cheer erupted.
"FOURTH HOKAGE!"
"FOURTH HOKAGE!"
"FOURTH HOKAGE!"
Minato's legend had already been spreading through Konoha for months, ever since the Hidden Cloud battle. He was the man who forced the newly crowned Fourth Raikage to retreat, earning the enemy's grim acknowledgment as a shinobi so powerful that encountering him was cause to abandon a mission.
There was no opposition—Konoha, weary from war, needed a new Hokage.
A strong, young Hokage.
"Minato, you are the hope of the village," Hiruzen said warmly. "Take on this responsibility."
"Third Hokage-sama…"
Minato stared at him in disbelief, his mind swirling with the crowd's chants.
The Hokage. He was to become the Fourth Hokage.
The sunshine returned to Minato's face as he smiled brightly, placing the hat on his head.
"I will bring Konoha final victory in the name of the Hokage!"
The cheering of the villagers reached a deafening crescendo at that moment.
---
In stark contrast to the joyous atmosphere surrounding the Hokage succession, the Hyuga compound was deathly quiet.
A large number of Hyuga ninjas had gathered in an open field, looking up at the figure on the platform in confusion.
It wasn't the Hyuga clan head standing there.
It was the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Why was he here?
Wasn't this supposed to be the location for the rebranding of the new Caged Bird seals?
"I understand your confusion," Hiruzen began, his voice loud and clear. "What stands before you is not my physical body but a shadow clone."
He paused, letting his words sink in as his gaze swept across the many Byakugan watching him.
"I have failed as Hokage!"
The crowd murmured in surprise.
"During my tenure, I failed to handle relations with the other five nations properly, leaving Konoha to face repeated encirclements.
Even within the village, I failed to manage relationships among comrades."
"A simple apology cannot undo the damage caused, but as your Hokage, I bear undeniable responsibility for what has transpired."
Hiruzen bowed deeply, his voice heavy with remorse.
"I am sorry. Truly sorry!"
The branch family ninjas stared at him in a daze, unaccustomed to such a sight—a Hokage bowing and apologizing to them. For a moment, they didn't know how to react.
Hyuga Miyuki, however, fixed her gaze on Hiruzen, her heart sinking further.
"The new Caged Bird seal was developed through the efforts of many ninjas, with Tsunade and myself overseeing its final revisions.
I can assure you, this version of the seal cannot be used to harm its bearer. It will truly serve to protect the Byakugan!"
A commotion broke out among the branch family ninjas. Many began to smile, hope dawning in their expressions.
A mother, holding her young child close, let tears stream down her face. "This is wonderful… so wonderful…!"
Hiruzen remained bowed. "Today, this unworthy Hokage will officially step down."
"The new Hokage, Namikaze Minato—the Yellow Flash of Konoha—will take my place."
"Whether you belong to the branch family or the Main Family, you are all part of Konoha. I hope that under his guidance, you will truly integrate into the village."
One after another, Hiruzen's declarations fell like blessings upon the branch family, leaving them feeling as though they were dreaming.
Namikaze Minato was no stranger to the branch family.
In the early stages of the war with the Mist, the battlefield commander had been Minato's mentor, Jiraiya.
And thanks to the Flying Raijin Jutsu's mobility, Minato had frequently served as reinforcement during the early stages of the Third Shinobi War, earning the admiration of many branch family members who had fought alongside him.
That radiant young man, as warm as the sun itself?
If it was him…
A branch family jonin stepped forward and bowed toward the platform. "Hokage-sama, please don't belittle yourself.
You are the first Hokage to bring us any change. Thank you!"
The two Hokage before Hiruzen had never done as much.
"Yes, Hokage-sama, please lift your head. I'm willing to accept the revised Caged Bird seal."
"That's right, Third Hokage-sama, please raise your head. We… will discuss things with the Main Family."
One by one, more and more branch family members stepped forward to express their forgiveness.
Hyuga Miyuki clenched her fists tightly, a sense of despair washing over her.
Why did they forgive so easily?
Did they really think loosening the leash slightly was enough?
The Third Hokage hadn't even mentioned removing the seal's ability to control life and death!
Sharing her sentiments was another figure in the crowd—Hyuga Yuki, the young man who had killed the Fourth Elder of the Main Family.
Silently, he stared at the Third Hokage, his gaze devoid of hope.
Fuji had once told him that Hiruzen was secretly researching ways to break the Caged Bird seal.
At the time, Yuki had felt a flicker of hope, believing the Hokage might be on their side.
But today's actions made it clear—Hiruzen's efforts had never been for their benefit.
(End of Chapter)
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