In just a few short days, a series of astonishing events had unfolded within the village, leaving everyone reeling and their heads spinning.
The Third Hokage ambushed. Danzo and Root annihilated. Lady Tsunade, ascending to the position of Fifth Hokage.
In the past, any single one of these three momentous events would have sent violent shockwaves throughout the entire village, causing widespread panic and instability. Yet this time, these three major events, occurring in such rapid succession, surprisingly didn't stir up overly significant waves or widespread unrest within Konoha Village. Under the coordinated and decisive actions of the Military Police Force, the ANBU Black Ops, and the various prominent ninja clans, everything was swiftly brought under control and pacified with remarkable speed.
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade, now clad in the formal Hokage robes and wearing the iconic Kage hat, sat upright in the Hokage's chair, her figure exuding an air of heroic, commanding presence. On the large desk before her, towering stacks of documents were piled high. Looking at these mountain-like piles of paperwork, Tsunade's eye twitched involuntarily.
Thinking back on the whirlwind of events that had transpired over these past few days, she still felt as if she hadn't fully processed it all. Somehow, she had actually agreed to accept the position of Hokage. It felt utterly inexplicable, almost surreal.
However, when she recalled the scenes from the past two days, being relentlessly pestered by that little blond-haired brat, Naruto, a faint, involuntary smile, tinged with a hint of helpless exasperation, touched Tsunade's lips. He was so much like him! That little kid… he was so incredibly similar to her younger brother, Nawaki! For the sake of protecting the dreams of these young, hopeful children, Tsunade was willing to try, once again, to pull herself together and face the future.
Knock, knock, knock~
A polite knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Tsunade said softly.
The door opened, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already officially stepped down from his position, led the way into the office. Behind him, Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi followed respectfully.
"Sensei!" Seeing the Third Hokage, Tsunade quickly stood up, her voice filled with genuine concern. The Third Hokage now looked significantly more aged and frail; his already wrinkled face was now etched with even deeper lines of weariness and sorrow.
The Third Hokage quickly waved his hand, gesturing for Tsunade not to fuss, and walked over to a nearby chair, seating himself with some effort.
"Lord Hokage," Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi, standing behind him, immediately bowed respectfully to Tsunade.
"Please, rise," Tsunade said, making a slight, beckoning gesture with her hand, indicating for the three of them to stand at ease. Then, she turned her gaze back to the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage began, "Tsunade, the Five Kage Summit is due to begin in just a few days. Our Konoha Village is the initiator of this crucial summit, so we absolutely cannot afford to lose face or neglect proper etiquette. You must depart as soon as possible to preside over the meeting. There is no longer enough time to hold a formal Hokage inauguration ceremony for you now; that will have to wait until you return."
"During the time you are away," the Third Hokage continued, "the daily affairs of the village will be temporarily handled by Nara Shikaku. If any urgent matters arise, I will also personally step in to deal with them. This time, to ensure your safety on the journey and during the summit, these three will accompany you as your personal guard." As he spoke the last sentence, the Third Hokage gestured towards Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi.
Hearing this, Tsunade's expression showed a hint of surprise. Her gaze swept over Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi one by one. Although Tsunade had been away from the village for a considerable period, she still paid some attention to major events and prominent figures within Konoha. She had long heard of the exploits of the renowned ANBU Squad Eleven, which had once gained considerable fame throughout the ninja world. Both Kakashi and Guy had been members of that elite squad, and their individual strengths were undoubtedly among the very top tier of all ninja in Konoha Village. Uchiha Itachi, despite his youth, was also a famous genius of the Uchiha clan. His strength, Tsunade surmised, would certainly not be weak.
To have these three formidable individuals act as her personal escort clearly indicated the immense importance the village placed on this upcoming Five Kage Summit. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had already been attacked once on his way to the Land of Iron. If Tsunade, as his successor, were to be attacked again and prevented from attending the summit, Konoha Village's prestige and authority would be utterly shattered.
Of course, Tsunade also understood very well that part of the reason for this strong escort was likely due to concerns about her hemophobia and whether it might impair her ability to perform at her full strength if a dangerous situation arose.
After thinking for a moment, Tsunade nodded decisively. "Alright! I will depart immediately."
A look of relief and gratification appeared on the Third Hokage's face. He then turned to Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi and said gravely, "The three of you must ensure Lord Hokage's safety at all costs."
Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi immediately bowed in acknowledgment. "Lord Third, please rest assured. We will definitely protect Lord Hokage and ensure her complete safety," they pledged in unison.
Seeing their resolve, the Third Hokage waved his hand. "Very well. Then go."
Tsunade bowed respectfully to the Third Hokage, then turned and strode purposefully out of the office. Behind her, Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi immediately fell into formation, following closely.
As they walked down the corridor of the Hokage Tower, Nara Shikaku, accompanied by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, approached them from the opposite direction. Seeing Tsunade dressed in the formal Hokage robes, the expressions on both Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's faces were visibly unpleasant.
"Lord Hokage," Nara Shikaku greeted Tsunade with a respectful bow, then stepped aside to allow her entourage to pass. Beside him, however, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu made no such gesture, remaining stiffly in place.
Tsunade didn't seem to mind their blatant disrespect. She simply nodded curtly to Nara Shikaku and then continued on her way, leading Kakashi, Guy, and Itachi past them without a second glance. Seeing Tsunade ignore them so completely, the expressions on Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's faces grew even darker and more resentful.
"Esteemed Elders, if you please," Nara Shikaku said, gesturing politely towards the Hokage's office after Tsunade and her escort had passed. The two elders let out disgruntled hmph sounds, then followed Nara Shikaku into the Hokage's office.
Upon entering the office, they found the Third Hokage sitting alone beside the Hokage's desk, gazing wistfully out the window at the village below.
"Lord Third, the two Elders are here," Nara Shikaku announced respectfully after entering the office and bowing to the Third Hokage.
"Mm. Thank you for your trouble, Shikaku. You may leave us for now," the Third Hokage said, turning his head and offering Nara Shikaku a faint, weary smile.
"Yes, sir," Nara Shikaku replied, then turned and left the office, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
"Hiruzen, are you just going to stand by and watch these juniors act so outrageously?!" The moment Nara Shikaku had departed, Mitokado Homura could no longer suppress his simmering anger. He stared at the Third Hokage and demanded, his voice low and furious.
The faint smile on the Third Hokage's face faded slightly. He didn't immediately answer Mitokado Homura's accusation. Instead, he gestured towards the chairs opposite him and said to the two elders, "Both of you, please sit."
"Hiruzen!" Mitokado Homura exclaimed again, his voice rising in anger and frustration at the Third's apparent nonchalance.
Beside him, Utatane Koharu glanced at the Third Hokage's increasingly aged and frail appearance, and the anger that had been simmering within her own heart subsided somewhat. She reached out and gently pulled Mitokado Homura towards a chair, and they both sat down. After seating themselves, both elders stared intently at the Third Hokage, clearly expecting some kind of explanation or reassurance from him.
The Third Hokage remained silent for a long time. Just as Mitokado Homura was about to lose his temper and erupt again, the Third Hokage finally spoke, his voice soft but firm, "My old friends, it is a new era now. It is time for us… to let go."
"What?" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both stared at him, completely dumbfounded. They didn't understand the meaning behind the Third Hokage's words at all.
The Third Hokage looked at their bewildered expressions and spoke again, his voice carrying a profound sense of resignation, "Whether you are willing to accept it or not, the Konoha we once knew… has already changed."
Mitokado Homura's face was grim as he asked in a low, strained voice, "Hiruzen, not even you can control this situation anymore?"
"Me?" The Third Hokage let out a soft, self-deprecating chuckle and shook his head. "If they truly had that intention, I wouldn't have even been able to return to Konoha alive."
Utatane Koharu's body jolted. "Was it them who secretly attacked you?" she asked, her voice sharp with alarm.
The Third Hokage shook his head again. "No. The one who attacked me was indeed Orochimaru. Danzo likely had people participating in the plot as well."
Utatane Koharu looked confused. "Then what do you mean by that?"
The Third Hokage sighed deeply. "What I mean is… our strength, our influence… we can no longer control the Konoha of today."