There had been a snowfall not long ago—winter's final act before the season turned. The snow had begun to melt, but the air still held a bite. Despite the cold, the Hidden Leaf Village brimmed with life and cheer.
Children raced through the streets, laughter echoing off rooftops as they hurled snowballs in open fields. Snowmen of every shape and size stood under trees, proud monuments of play. Red-cheeked and breathless, the children showed no signs of tiring.
The older generation preferred the warmth of the local taverns, heating pots of sake while swapping stories of battles past. For most, the war was over now—a time to remember fallen comrades and embrace peace.
Among the common chatter, one topic dominated every table: the upcoming election for the Fourth Hokage.
With the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepping down, the question of succession loomed large. Commentators from every rank and background made their predictions with the confidence of insiders.
One name surfaced again and again—Namikaze Minato.
To many, Minato was the golden boy of the village. The Third Shinobi World War had catapulted him to legendary status, and the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, where he single-handedly turned the tide against Iwagakure, was now retold like folklore. His sunny demeanor and overwhelming strength had made him beloved among both shinobi and civilians.
Other names came up too: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Kai, Imai Kenta, Hyuga Aya, Rin Nohara, and even Uchiha Obito, though the latter was presumed dead. Yet none had quite the reach or acclaim of Minato.
With only a few weeks before the New Year, Hiruzen had declared the new Hokage would be appointed the day before the celebration—a symbolic gesture to usher in a new era.
At a well-known tavern in the heart of the village, Uchiha Kai, Imai Kenta, and Hyuga Aya sat in the corner, quietly observing the lively crowd. The heat from the hearths and chatter filled the room with comfort.
Chūnin, genin, and even a few jōnin mingled and drank. Laughter echoed, and voices were raised in debate.
Not far from them, a young, clearly tipsy chūnin blurted out, "Hey Dawu, who do you think's gonna be the next Hokage?"
Dawu, a weathered shinobi in his thirties who had served in both the Second and Third Wars, leaned back, chuckling. "Hell if I know. We're just chūnin, not elders. But Minato's done a lot for the village. He's the talk of every street."
He sipped his warmed sake. "Still… my heart leans toward Lord Orochimaru. I fought in the Land of Rain during the Second War. If it weren't for the Sannin, we'd have been slaughtered by Hanzo."
The younger ninja frowned. "Orochimaru-sama's strength isn't in question. But he's… distant. Not the kind you can rally around. And honestly? It was Minato-sama who ended the war at Kannabi Bridge. His accomplishments were more decisive."
Before he could finish, a scarred, middle-aged tokubetsu jōnin slammed his cup down. "You brats talk like you know war! You weren't there in the Land of Rain!"
He stood and pulled open his flak jacket, revealing a torso riddled with scars. One particularly deep wound traced down from his chest to his abdomen.
"This? I got this in the Land of Hot Water, surrounded by Kumogakure troops. Lord Orochimaru saved us—if he hadn't come when he did, I'd be long dead. You think Minato's better because he's flashier? The Sannin held the line for years!"
"Even if that's true," the young chūnin countered, rising with flushed cheeks, "Minato-sama changed the course of the war. Everyone says so. He was Jiraiya-sama's student, and if it weren't for him, we'd still be fighting in the Land of Grass!"
"You little—how dare you—"
"And don't forget," the young ninja added, lowering his voice, "Lord Orochimaru is under investigation by the Uchiha. You think it's a coincidence that a sub-head of the Konoha Police disappeared right after the probe began? Everyone knows something's rotten!"
The tokubetsu jōnin growled. "You better watch your mouth, brat!"
"The truth hurts, huh? Lord Kai exposed the corruption. People are finally realizing how important the Police Force is!"
Tempers flared. Sake sloshed. It didn't take long before someone threw a punch—and the tavern erupted into a full-on brawl.
Kai watched calmly, sipping his tea as the scene unfolded. Beside him, Aya and Kenta wore matching looks of quiet satisfaction.
"…So this is what you meant by planting seeds," Kenta said, half-impressed. "Did you start planning this the moment the Orochimaru investigation surfaced?"
"More or less," Kai replied, lips curling in a faint smile. "The disappearance of that sub-head stirred the pot. Made people nervous. A little pressure, a little narrative push—it's all coming together. Waste not, want not."
"And the other half of your plan?" Aya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That's still classified," Kai smirked.
"A pity," she said with a small laugh. "But I'm sure you'll tell us eventually. So, what do you think? Will your gambit succeed?"
Kenta leaned forward. "Even if it does… once the new Hokage takes office, what then? Can you guarantee he won't become a puppet? The Third won't relinquish power easily."
Kai's expression turned thoughtful. "It's true. Minato's merit is immense—but he has no strong faction. No clan backing him. His ideals make him vulnerable."
"And his kindness," Aya added, "could get him killed."
Kai shrugged. "That's not our concern—for now. We've done our part. Let those above us worry about the rest."
"You mean your 'other collaborator'?" Aya asked slyly. "The one who helped take down the corrupt sub-head? Was it… your clan leader?"
"Who knows?" Kai replied, eyes glinting.
"Right," she said softly. "No one ever knows."