Notices plastered cities, towns, and even villages throughout the Land of Fire.
Adding to this, the preliminary rounds of Konoha's Chunin Exams had just concluded. Many candidates eliminated in the second round and preliminaries were returning home, naturally carrying this news back to their own countries and villages.
The entire Shinobi World was in an uproar.
In a world where the technology tree was severely skewed and news took time to spread, Konoha, in less than two days, became the focal point of the Shinobi World, the object of everyone's discussion and attention.
And this earth-shattering news was... Tsunade's abdication!
In the latter half of the year 60 in Konoha, almost one or two months later than the current time, Tsunade had just assumed the position of Fifth Hokage, announcing Konoha's return to the era of the Senju.
Just over two years later, Tsunade's brief era was declared over.
And the person who succeeded to the position of Hokage was, as expected, the man that everyone in the Shinobi World, from the powerful and shinobi to the common people and even young children with self-awareness, could guess.
No, to be precise, it was that young man... Izayoi!
Izayoi, a graduate of Konoha's 60th class, was initially thought to be a ninjutsu genius who mastered five nature transformations at a young age. However, it turned out he was the second person in Konoha after the First Hokage to awaken the Bloodline Limit: Wood Release, likely a descendant of the Senju who had abandoned their surname and integrated into Konoha.
Immediately after graduating, he developed a Hand Seal-less Storm Release Secret Technique and also mastered the rare Flying Ninjutsu in the Shinobi World. In the same year, he was promoted to Chunin, topped the Black Market Bounty List, and broke countless records, even more exaggerated than Itachi Uchiha becoming an S-Rank Missing-nin at thirteen.
Just when everyone thought the future belonged to Izayoi,
unexpectedly, the Akatsuki Leader and Toneri Otsutsuki appeared one after another, making Izayoi, who had the potential to become the second God of Shinobi, just a Firefly's Light against the Bright Moon.
Wood Release reappeared after decades, and before the Shinobi World could announce a return to the Wood Release era, the Sage Eye stole the title of the new era.
However, just when everyone looked down on Izayoi, he delivered a resounding slap to the entire Shinobi World.
What should have been the Endgame Battle with the Akatsuki Leader and Toneri Otsutsuki as the protagonists was turned into a Three-Way Stalemate by Izayoi. Finally, with the resurrection of Madara Uchiha, the era of the Four Super-Scale Combatants balancing the Shinobi World was completely established.
Even so, the strength of Izayoi and the Akatsuki Leader was still underestimated by everyone, who believed there was a huge gap between their strength and that of Madara Uchiha and Toneri Otsutsuki.
After all, the battle that severed the Moon was simply too shocking.
It wasn't until Izayoi's Chakra erupted, spreading throughout the entire Shinobi World, that everyone suddenly woke up.
A Genius is an existence that cannot be explained by common sense.
Just as Kakashi Hatake became an All-Rounder Jonin right after others graduated.
While everyone underestimated Izayoi, believing he hadn't yet entered his true growth period and couldn't possibly compare to Madara Uchiha and Toneri Otsutsuki,
his strength had already reached the level of Madara Uchiha and Toneri Otsutsuki. Just a burst of his Chakra affected the entire Shinobi World.
Madara Uchiha's departure from Konoha not long ago, without destroying Konoha or killing anyone, further proved Izayoi's deterrent power.
Now, this Super-Scale Combatant, one of the four, and the publicly recognized strongest in the Five Great Shinobi Villages, has finally taken over Konoha's political power, becoming one of the two most powerful people in the Land of Fire, standing at the pinnacle of shinobi as one of the Five Kage, and the highest leader of Konoha—the Sixth Hokage.
...
"He finally took the position? It seems Madara Uchiha's visit scared those guys."
In the Tsuchikage Building in Hidden Stone Village, upon receiving this news, Ōnoki, uncharacteristically, not only felt no pressure but also breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
It was like a patriarch seeing the younger generation capable of standing on their own, carrying the banner, and finally shedding a heavy burden.
This feeling was completely different from his reaction when Wood Release reappeared two years ago.
Because at that time, there were no new Super-Scale Combatants in the Shinobi World, and Ōnoki, as the pinnacle of the Five Kage, was the strongest existence.
Unfortunately, this strongest was old and had no successor.
Coupled with not fully understanding Izayoi's personality, Ōnoki naturally felt heavy-hearted, worried that after his death, Hidden Stone Village would be unable to resist Konoha.
And now, four Super-Scale Combatants have appeared in the Shinobi World, three of whom are enemies, and only one is 'one of their own'.
No matter how fierce the first three Great Shinobi Wars were, the Shinobi World was always ruled by the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Because the masters of this world are the five Daimyo.
No matter how deep the hatred between the shinobi villages, it didn't affect the five Daimyo playing cards.
For them, losing a war was just losing some chips.
But if a disruptive player appeared who flipped the table, then that person was the true enemy.
At this time, the Five Great Nations would unite.
They would rather lose to 'one of their own' than to an outsider.
Now that Izayoi has become one of the Five Kage, it also signals Konoha's return to its strongest position.
Ōnoki is no longer the strongest person; even if the sky falls, Izayoi is there to hold it up.
Of course, he was relieved.
Others who were relieved like Ōnoki included the other Five Kage and Daimyo.
Although Izayoi was the strongest in the Five Great Shinobi Villages, as long as he hadn't assumed the position of Hokage, the Fire Daimyo could not rest easy.
Because Izayoi, as just an Elite Jonin, was merely one of Konoha's high-level employees.
The clan heads of the various shinobi clans, as well as people like Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy, were also Elite Jonin.
And the clan heads of the various shinobi clans, unless urgently summoned, rarely went out on missions anymore.
Even the Hokage found it difficult to order them around.
Even the Hokage found it difficult to command them.
Though they were Elite Jonin, they were essentially semi-retired ninja.
After the Eighth Squad effectively ceased to exist, Izayoi became one of these individuals.
Aside from taking Hanabi out on missions, he spent the rest of his time in Konoha, as if he were retired.
As long as he didn't want to, no one could command him, and he didn't have to bear any responsibility.
Only Konoha, where he resided, was safe. As for other parts of the Land of Fire, or other countries, they had nothing to do with him; that was the Hokage's concern.
Therefore, the Fire Daimyo constantly wished for Izayoi to take office immediately.
That way, if anything happened to the Daimyo's Estate, Izayoi would definitely rush over to rescue them as quickly as possible.
Because if a country lost its Daimyo, the entire country would fall into chaos, and the busiest people would undoubtedly be the Five Kage.
If the country descended into war, the citizens would surely flock to Konoha for refuge, and a mere village simply couldn't accommodate so many people.
The One Country, One Village System, where the Daimyo handles politics and the Five Kage handle military affairs, is common knowledge in the Shinobi World and an unspoken agreement between the Daimyo and the Five Kage.
Now that Izayoi was finally about to become the Sixth Hokage, the Fire Daimyo felt instantly reassured, as it meant he had a bodyguard who would appear at any moment.
...
July 16th, Year 62 of the Konoha Calendar, 11:25 AM.
Konoha's Central Street was bustling with people.
The streets, large and small, were packed with crowds.
Not only were there Konoha villagers, but also a large number of citizens from the Land of Fire who had come specifically to see him, and even foreigners.
They filled every available space. Looking down from above, Konoha's Central Street was a dense mass of black.
With no ground space left, Ninja Academy students and ninja who could control Chakra stood on walls, eaves, and even lampposts.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the rooftop of the Hokage Building, which had been rebuilt and was now even more magnificent and imposing than before, waiting for that figure to appear.
Those who had attended previous inauguration ceremonies, some more than once, engaged in heated discussions, their voices filled with excitement and pride.
"Sixty-two years ago, Lord Hashirama emerged, using Wood Release to quell the thousand-year-long Warring States Period and establish Konoha. Decades have passed, and the political power of Konoha has finally returned to the hands of a Wood Release ninja. We in Konoha no longer have to worry about being bullied!"
"As long as Lord Izayoi is here, neither Great Shinobi Wars, nor the Konoha Crush, nor the Nine-Tails Attack will ever occur!"
"The Senju of the Forest truly are the legitimate rulers of Konoha. They say Lord Izayoi only graduated 60 years ago, and now he's already the strongest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. When my child was that age, he was just a Genin. There's simply no comparison."
"Even the Fourth Hokage is far inferior to Lord Izayoi. This record for the youngest Kage will likely never be matched or surpassed."
"..."
Looking at the crowded people below and the noise louder than a marketplace, the Rookies standing on the rooftop of a building couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.
"The number of people is truly exaggerated. It feels like everyone in the village is gathered here."
"More than that! They say there are also many tourists from other places and countries. Haven't you seen the crowds extending outside of Central Street?"
"It still feels a bit surreal. Didn't we just graduate two years ago? If I remember correctly, Izayoi had just finished fighting Rock Lee not long before that, so how is he already becoming the Sixth Hokage?"
"When I was studying, I always dismissed the legendary Wood Release, thinking it was an exaggeration. After all, we're all ninja clans, all with Bloodline Limits, so how could the difference be so vast? And how could one person possibly quell the chaos? Thinking about it now, I suddenly understand how our ancestors felt."
"That bastard Izayoi, he actually became Hokage before me! It's too infuriating!"
Sasuke Uchiha, with his arms crossed, looked at Naruto Uzumaki beside him, who had an envious expression, gritted his teeth, and then, as if fantasizing about something, almost drooled, and couldn't help but mock, "Stop daydreaming, Dead Last. Izayoi is only a little over a month older than me, and less than four months older than you. You have no hope of becoming the Seventh Hokage in this lifetime."
Hearing this, Naruto Uzumaki's body instantly turned gray, and a chibi ghost appeared above his head, his mouth repeatedly muttering the words "no hope."
No matter what setback he faced, or who mocked him, Naruto Uzumaki's determination to become Hokage never wavered in the slightest.
Only Sasuke Uchiha's words dealt a huge blow to Naruto Uzumaki, making his vision go black.
Because Sasuke Uchiha wasn't mocking him; he was revealing the cruel truth.
When someone the same age is a hundred times more outstanding and powerful than himself, and becomes Hokage before him, then unless that person dies in battle or steps down, Naruto Uzumaki has no hope of becoming Hokage in this lifetime.
His dream was shattered!
Naruto Uzumaki recovered, then bit down hard on his collar, tears streaming down his face, and gnashed his teeth enviously, "Damn Izayoi, he stole my Hokage position and blocked my path... If he doesn't do a good job as Hokage, I'll definitely kick him out later!"
Sasuke Uchiha shook his head speechlessly, but felt a sense of relief in his heart.
This Dead Last was still that idiot. It seemed there was nothing to worry about.
Looking at the still empty rooftop of the Hokage Building, Sasuke Uchiha seemed to see something, and the corner of his mouth slightly curved up as he murmured, "That guy is still so arrogant."
"Look, Lord Izayoi is coming out!"
"He's so handsome! He looks even better than in the pictures, and he's so tall!"
"It's a shame. I heard Lord Izayoi already has a girlfriend, the young lady of the Hyuga Clan's Main Family, who grew up with him and was his deskmate during their time at the Ninja Academy."
"The Hyuga Clan is incredibly lucky!"
"..."
As a shout rang out, the already bustling street's volume instantly soared to the heavens.
A tall figure appeared on the rooftop of the Hokage Building.
He was still wearing the white robe suitable for combat, but over it was a white cloak with a flame pattern and embroidered with the large characters "Sixth Hokage," also in a flame pattern.
His short black hair, disguised by the Wood Transformation Technique, just covered his ears and bangs. His blue eyes were as beautiful as a cloudless sky. His face, having shed its childishness, was sharply defined, handsome, and refined.
Though still a youth, just standing there gave off a sense of reliability and security, like a towering tree.
"Lord Hokage!!"
Someone shouted the title, and then everyone, with perfect understanding, changed their address and cheered, "Lord Hokage!"
Looking at the fanatical villagers and shinobi below, Izayoi picked up the Hokage hat Tsunade had given him and, facing the crowd below, declared with authority, "From now on, I am Konoha's... Sixth Hokage!"
Just like Tsunade's succession two years prior, cheers erupted and echoed.
Then, fireworks bloomed in the daytime sky above Konoha.
From this day forward, Konoha officially entered the era of the Sixth Hokage.
As the saying goes, with a new ruler comes a new court.
Izayoi's succession also announced the end of the Hyuga clan's long period of frustration, solidifying their position as a Great Clan.
Hiashi Hyuga, whose son-in-law was the Hokage, was now the biggest winner in life.
On his first day in office, Izayoi immediately delegated authority to those below him, declaring that the era of a diligent Hokage had ended.
Only fools like Uzumaki Naruto would personally handle everything.
If even trivial matters required the Hokage's personal attention, what were the others in the Hokage Building for?
The Hokage was the strongest existence in the village, the guardian of the village and the country.
When the guardian neglected their strength due to excessive diligence, that village was essentially committing slow suicide.
Possessing Super-Scale Combatant power, Izayoi wasn't worried about those below him usurping power, as Konoha was just a small place.
No one dared to defy his will, and no one dared to challenge his authority.
As the Sixth Hokage, the strongest in the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Izayoi's power was limitless.
He only needed to entrust professional matters to professional people.
Every day, his main body only needed to clock in at the office, or he could send a Wood Clone to handle documents requiring signatures and seals.
All other matters were left to his two secretaries, Hinata and Karin.
If they weren't still so young, Izayoi truly wanted to experience what that certain saying felt like.
With a Hokage who wasn't overly diligent, the various ninja clans, led by the Hyuga clan, also ushered in their spring.
Especially the Hyuga and Nara clans, who had gained importance during the war, they finally returned to Konoha's high command.
Because... Izayoi's second act upon taking office was to abolish the Council of Elders.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were directly retired, and the vacant Hokage Advisor positions were completely eliminated.
Neither Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, nor their families, dared to show any resentment, because this was the order of the Hokage and the Daimyo.
Unless they wanted to become Missing-nin, no one dared to defy the orders of the two most powerful individuals.
For the Daimyo, as long as Izayoi became the Sixth Hokage, he would fulfill whatever requests Izayoi had.
If Izayoi wanted Konoha to become his personal domain, then it would become his personal domain.
As long as Izayoi did not interfere with the country's politics, even if he demanded a doubling, or even several times the military budget, the Daimyo would satisfy Izayoi's requests as long as he could manage it.
As the first country to implement the 'One Country, One Village System,' the Fire Daimyo seemed to understand very well what a Super-Scale Combatant meant and did not appear as foolish as expected.
Izayoi was also very satisfied with the Daimyo's sensibility.
If the Fire Daimyo had refused the request to abolish the Council of Elders and didn't want Izayoi to reclaim the dispersed power, Izayoi wouldn't have minded replacing him with a Puppet.
His Tenseigan Wireless Puppets could absolutely replace a Daimyo without anyone knowing.
After reclaiming power, Konoha essentially became Izayoi's paradise.
He could do whatever he wanted!
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