Inside the Daimyo's library, Hiruzen Sarutobi read through the scattered notes in his hands. The fragmented, disjointed sentences were filled with mystery and myth. In the past, they would have been dismissed as mere legends. Now, in his eyes, they read like genuine accounts of a distant past.
The information was incomplete and one-sided, but it still gave him a rough understanding of the ancient era.
The situation appeared even more troublesome than he had imagined.
Half a day later, Hiruzen closed the final yellowed local chronicle.
His face showed little emotion, but deep within his weathered eyes lay a gravity heavier than when he had arrived. He carefully returned every scroll he had examined to its proper place, movements precise and respectful.
"Thank you," he said quietly to the official who had waited nearby. Without another word, he turned and left the library.
When Hiruzen's figure appeared at the entrance of the side hall, Taiichi immediately stepped forward to meet him.
No words were needed. The former Hokage's seemingly calm but noticeably heavier gaze, along with the invisible weight that now clung to him, said more than enough.
The Daimyo's library had indeed contained something. Those scattered fragments had likely confirmed some of his worst suspicions.
"Let's go. Back to the village."
Hiruzen's voice carried a faint rasp.
"Yes, sir."
Taiichi responded and, together with the ANBU, escorted the Third Hokage away from the grand yet oppressive palace, beginning the journey home.
After the Hokage departed the capital, the official who had guided them appeared once more before the Daimyo.
"What did Hiruzen Sarutobi read?"
"My lord, they were all ancient biographies, local chronicles, and books on mythology and legends."
The official possessed an extraordinary memory. He hadn't needed to stand over Hiruzen the entire time. Simply noting which sections the former Hokage had browsed was enough for him to identify the texts afterward.
The Daimyo's brows furrowed deeply as he tried to recall the contents of those books, but everything felt vague and shrouded in mist. He couldn't believe the Hokage had traveled all this way just to read myths and legends. There had to be something more—something he didn't understand.
Whatever it was, if it was important enough to draw the Hokage here in person, its value could not be underestimated.
"Pass down the order. Have someone organize the relevant ancient texts in the library, especially anything involving mythology and legends. Prepare a detailed report for me."
"Yes, my lord!"
While the Daimyo launched his own investigation, back in Konoha the power transition moved forward at maximum speed.
The Daimyo's official confirmation was formally filed and made public. The name Namikaze Minato had become inseparably linked with "Fourth Hokage."
Villagers spread the news excitedly, their faces filled with hope for the future.
The process reached its most critical step: the jonin trust vote.
Inside the largest conference room on the top floor of the Hokage Tower, the air felt heavy as iron.
Every jonin currently in the village was present. In the front rows sat the heads of the major clans: Hyuga Hiashi with his calm, pale eyes; Uchiha Fugaku sitting with arms crossed; Nara Shikaku with eyes half-closed as if dozing; Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi looking solemn.
Hiruzen stood before the main seat. His voice carried across the room.
"Now, regarding the trust vote for Konoha's Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato—begin."
One by one, metal tokens engraved with the Leaf crest were dropped into the sealed wooden box at the center. Each crisp clink tightened the nerves of everyone present.
When the final token fell, the ANBU member in charge began counting the votes openly in front of all the jonin.
"Approved."
"Approved."
"Approved."
Every announcement made hearts race, but as the count of "Approved" kept rising, smiles of genuine relief appeared on every face.
When the final vote was announced, the ANBU's voice rose sharply.
"All votes are in favor. The motion passes unanimously!"
A brief silence was followed by an enormous cheer that nearly lifted the roof.
Jiraiya slapped Orochimaru hard on the shoulder, grinning so widely that Orochimaru frowned and leaned away in disgust.
Tsunade stood with arms folded, her gaze passing through the excited crowd to land on Minato. There was relief in her eyes, along with a faint, complicated emotion.
In the front row, Taiichi gave a slight nod and exchanged a knowing look with Uchiha Fugaku beside him.
Minato's rise to Fourth Hokage was undeniably good news for the Uchiha. Even setting aside Minato's own lack of hostility toward them, the close relationship between Minato's girlfriend, Kushina, and Fugaku's wife was enough to put many at ease.
Hiruzen let out a long breath upon hearing the final result. Everything was now settled.
"Everyone, the Fourth Hokage has been decided. One week from now, the village will hold the official inauguration ceremony."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
All the jonin rose together and bowed toward Hiruzen.
By this point, the necessary procedures had already been completed. Minato was effectively already the Fourth Hokage. The inauguration ceremony was simply a public formality in front of the villagers—an important declaration of legitimacy, even if it wasn't strictly necessary.
One week later.
At noon, golden sunlight poured generously over the Hokage Tower, coating it in flowing gold.
More and more civilians and shinobi gathered in the open square in front of the building.
When the time came, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared on the rooftop wearing a plain white Hokage robe. Behind him stood the two advisors, the clan heads, and several jonin representatives.
The square below was packed. From shinobi to civilians, from young children to elderly villagers, countless eyes focused on the rooftop at that moment.
"He's coming!" someone in the crowd shouted.
All heads turned toward the other side of the rooftop.
Namikaze Minato appeared wearing a brand-new Hokage robe. On the pure white fabric, the bold red characters "Fourth Hokage" stood out like burning flames, instantly igniting the crowd's passion.
"Minato-sama!"
"Fourth Hokage!"
"Yellow Flash!"
The cheers rose wave after wave. Countless arms waved as flowers rained down along the path.
Minato walked with steady steps, his usual warm smile on his face. He waved to the enthusiastic villagers below the entire way. That smile was like the clearest autumn sunlight, driving away the last remnants of war's shadow and filling every upturned face with hope and strength.
When Minato reached Hiruzen, the entire square fell miraculously silent. Only the sound of wind tugging at the banners and the expectant beating of countless hearts remained.
Hiruzen looked at the young man he had personally nurtured and tempered through blood and fire. Deep satisfaction shone in his aged eyes.
He stepped forward. His steady, powerful voice, amplified by chakra, reached every corner of the square.
"Wherever Konoha's leaves dance, fire will also burn on. The light of that fire will illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. Namikaze Minato—today, I formally pass this burning will and the duty of protecting Konoha to you."
He raised both hands, removed the Hokage hat from his head, and solemnly placed it into Minato's hands.
The red tassels on the brim swayed gently in the wind, carrying the weight of all the glory, sacrifice, and legacy since Konoha's founding.
"I'm counting on you, Fourth Hokage."
Minato's smile gradually faded, replaced by rock-solid resolve and solemnity.
He accepted the hat and placed it properly on his head.
"I will give everything I have, Third Hokage."
The dense crowd below had gone completely still. They watched as Minato received the Hokage hat from the Third, as if witnessing the true transfer of power.
Then they saw the new Hokage step to the edge of the rooftop and face them all.
"I, Namikaze Minato," his voice wasn't loud, yet it cut clearly through the silence. Every word landed like a stone in still water, sending ripples outward with undeniable conviction and strength. "I swear here and now!"
He raised his right arm, fingers together, pointing straight toward the sky in one sharp motion.
"I will burn my life as fuel to keep the flame of the Hokage burning! Every person of Konoha—whether shinobi, woman, child, elderly, or weak—is my brother and sister. I will use my life to protect everything Konoha stands for. As long as I live, this protection will never end!"
The oath rang out like clashing steel, echoing through the hot sunlight and still air, carving itself deep into the souls of everyone who heard it.
A brief, vacuum-like silence followed.
Then—
"Fourth Hokage!!!"
"Long live Lord Minato!!!"
"Long live Konoha!!!"
The long-suppressed volcano finally erupted with terrifying force. Deafening cheers surged upward like a tidal wave, shaking the sky as if trying to tear it apart.
Countless arms waved wildly. Hats, clothes, and flowers were thrown high into the air. Tears mixed with ecstatic smiles streamed down countless faces.
The sound waves became a physical force, making the banners on the platform thrash violently and causing the ground beneath their feet to tremble slightly.
On the viewing platform, Jiraiya grinned from ear to ear, clapping so hard his hands hurt. A faint trace of approval flickered in Orochimaru's narrow golden eyes. Tsunade's lips curved in a smile, though her gaze seemed distant, as if seeing far into the past.
Taiichi stood at the heart of the roaring crowd. While the sea of people and thunderous cheers surrounded him, his eyes passed through the boiling celebration and settled on Minato's straight, spear-like back.
New leaves were already unfolding on the branches, while a storm quietly gathered on the distant horizon.
Minato had officially become the Fourth Hokage. The transfer of power had actually begun earlier, but from this moment forward, it moved even faster.
Hiruzen stepped down as Hokage and temporarily remained as an advisory elder to assist Minato in governing.
At first, many suspected the old Hokage was reluctant to give up power. But as time passed, people gradually realized that Hiruzen genuinely wanted to support Minato.
Taiichi didn't know what the old man's true intentions had been in the original timeline. In this world, however, even he could see that Hiruzen's desire to assist was sincere.
Perhaps the pressure was simply too great now—Uchiha Madara's lingering threat, the mysterious organization watching from the shadows, and the covetous gazes of those from beyond this world. These were burdens an aging Hiruzen no longer had the energy to handle alone.
In the face of such unprecedented upheaval, it was better to let the younger generation with more drive and boldness take the lead, while the elders focused on handling logistics and support.
Inside the Hokage Tower conference room.
Unlike Hiruzen, who had preferred holding meetings in his office, Minato chose to use the conference room for discussions.
This was perhaps one of the small disadvantages of being the junior. He couldn't very well sit while making the former Hokage stand.
In the current meeting, Minato sat at the head of the table. Hiruzen sat to his left. Further left were Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
To Minato's right sat Taiichi, listening attentively.
"Taiichi, you're already aware of the village's most sensitive matters."
Minato didn't specify, but Taiichi naturally understood he was referring to the Otsutsuki threat.
He glanced at Homura and Koharu across the table. He wasn't sure how much those two had been told.
At that moment, Homura and Koharu exchanged a look. They assumed the new Hokage was talking about Uchiha Madara and the mysterious organization. They knew nothing about the threat from beyond this world.
Hiruzen, meanwhile, sat with his eyes half-closed, calmly smoking his pipe as if none of this concerned him.
Taiichi saw this and said nothing. He simply nodded to show he understood.
"These crises are different from a shinobi world war. They hide in the shadows. We can't openly unite all our strength to face them. Yet they still force Konoha to mobilize its full power just to prepare."
Everyone present nodded unconsciously. The statement was correct. Even just dealing with Uchiha Madara was enough to give the entire village a headache. Now they faced three major threats, each more severe than the last.
"Right now, the Uchiha clan is in a unique position within the village. Due to certain historical reasons, they've remained semi-independent from Konoha's core power structure.
During this critical period, I want to completely change that situation. I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Taiichi looked surprised, but before he could speak, someone else jumped in.
"No, Minato. The Uchiha clan is a major problem. We cannot afford to lower our guard toward them."
All eyes turned to Homura Mitokado, who had spoken. A flash of displeasure crossed Taiichi's face. Being interrupted like that would annoy anyone.
"Oh? Elder Homura, why don't you explain directly? What exactly has the Uchiha done wrong that requires the village to be this wary of them? Aren't they part of Konoha?"
Minato's tone remained calm and light. He knew this issue wouldn't be resolved in a single meeting. Today was only meant to open the discussion and test the waters.
Homura took a deep breath. The Hokage's question wasn't easy to answer, but he had no choice but to give an explanation.
"In the Uchiha clan, we're not even mentioning Uchiha Madara, the man who betrayed Konoha and is somehow still alive. During the Second Hokage's era, they also attempted a coup. The Second was magnanimous and didn't hold the entire clan responsible.
More importantly, the Uchiha are a clan born with an evil nature. Their Sharingan is powerful, but every time they awaken or advance it, their personalities can change drastically. Even someone who was originally good can become a heartless killer afterward.
And even now, within the Uchiha, there exists a group of people who are constantly thinking about launching a coup to overthrow Konoha's current rule.
Minato, the Uchiha clan cannot be trusted!"