Soon enough, a meeting with all of the clan leaders, village officials, and respectable shinobi was called to discuss the position of the next Hokage.
"It's finally time," Katsuro sighed to Sakumo, Kaito, Old man Yairya and Tsunade, "we just need to go as a formality. We all know who's going to become the next Hokage after all."
Technically, Katsuro held the position as heads of both the Senju and Uzumaki, and the Uzumaki considered him their head anyway. But with the change in leadership, he insisted they have a representative so that they may more officially be recognised as a clan in their own right, with the powers that came with that. For example, once officially a large clan of Konoha they would have a say in village affairs and be involved in high level decision making.
"Not you…" Tsunade muttered, rolling her eyes, but smiling, happy that her husband would be able to spend more time with her without the role of Hokage, which would have led to him being too pre-occupied with spending the majority of his days in the office, with truck-loads of paperwork and mission assignments- a job that was clearly not suitable for him just yet. But she still stood by her belief that he would be the best, but it looked like that role would go to his disciple instead.
—
Unlike the previous meeting before the war about the next Hokage, the mood was less serious than one would expect about such an important topic. Katsuro immediately noticed Hiruzen enter, with Anbu by his side. The familiar site was his own son, Shinosuke Sarutobi who also currently served as the Anbu commander. But it was a clear case of nepotism that had been all too common previously throughout the village with the Second Hokage's disciples. While certainly a strong Jonin, Shinosuke being Anbu commander even before when people like Sakumo served in the Anbu was just plain ridiculous. But, it kept power and loyalty for Hiruzen in the force closest to the Hokage.
With all of the necessary officials and clan leaders present (which included even a Shimura representative), the meeting quickly started. But everyone knew it was a mere formality. The undercurrents of the previous few days and weeks had all pointed to the same thing. Everyone seemed to be propping up the Yellow Flash to become the next Hokage. Minato had obvious support from several clans like the Uzumaki through his wife, Hatake through his disciple and Senju through his teacher. But friendships forged in battle under his leadership had gained the respect of many who were more than willing to continue to follow him. He even made sure to visit the Uchiha, promising them a better future in a village where they wouldn't be oppressed. With his skill and personality, Minato had won the respect of the entire village, so when the question came there were no dissenting votes. Not even from the Hokage, even if it wouldn't matter.
"Those in favour of Namikaze Minato?"
Some hands shot up, others raised slowly but it was undeniable that they were all raised. And thus it was decided, the 4th Hokage would be none other than Minato.
Having decided it, the meeting quickly shifted into holding Minato's inauguration as soon as possible. The war had ended, and Minato's ascendance could double up as a celebration for their overwhelming victory and a sign of Konoha's continuing dominance. The meeting dissolved into something much less formal and more akin to a party or social activity.
Hiruzen, true to his nature, took the opportunity, congratulating Minato like a proud father and telling him to rely on him and ask for help if he needed it. He made sure to take a forefront in the planning to ensure his own relevance as the hat was passed on. It was clear to see that in the way he acted, and used his experience as a Hokage much longer, Hiruzen wanted to remain in power through his influence over Minato. Even if he realised what was happening, Minato was far too polite and kind to brush off the former Hokage. But Katsuro was sure the man was following his own convictions and taking steps when necessary.
Although, seeing the shamelessness and Shinosuke by Hiruzen's side being introduced and recommended to Minato, Katsuro made a mental note to tell Minato to create his own Anbu teams and not succeed to previous regime's. On the other hand, it was clear to see that the remaining elders, Koharu and Homura, were much more nervous. With Hiruzen in power they could manipulate their friend's soft spot for them, and abuse what they had even more than he had. But now, with Minato as the next Hokage, that assurance was gone, and with it would be their tie to relevancy. Therefore, they too joined Hiruzen in doing what they could to flatter the man and show off their experience to find themselves in a better position.
However, as the meeting and makeshift party was coming to a close, a familiar feeling engulfed Katsuro. A single talisman he kept on him activated, with a signal appearing as it emitted faint light. The last time one of these had activated it was in the middle of the Second Shinobi War, and it was because of it he was named Wind Emperor.
This version however, was improved, unlike before it was linked to every single talisman/seal he handed out with one of his Flying Raijin Kunai, and each one created a specific pattern on the seal. And from the pattern this one was making, he knew that the one who was calling desperately for help was none other than Kakashi Hatake.
Earlier…
With the agreed treaties signed and agreed upon, they came into effect. Konoha experienced an abundance of missions not just in their lands but from Iwa to Kiri and everywhere in between. It kept them busy, but also made them richer, while making missions a bit easier now that certain lands and borders no longer needed to be avoided. Konoha shinobi were able to cross into lands like Kiri with adequate proof of a mission needing to go to their land.
One person who was actively participating in this abundance by taking and succeeding with difficult missions was the young Shisui. His Genjutsus were elite, among the best of his clan despite his young age, his Kenjutsu had improved leaps and bounds under Katsuro's help and through his guidance the boy had created his own unique Body Flicker technique. The technique pushed the Body Flicker to the limits while combining with a subtle use of Genjutsu to create illusionary clones of oneself. It was through this ability and almost inhuman performance for his age that he earned the name, 'Shisui of the Body Flicker.' With the nature transformation taught by Katsuro, his ninjutsu had been approved to cover his potential weakness of firepower, and made him able to beat even Jonin. He had a long way to go, and had certainly not reached his peak. But he was young and had plenty of room to grow to become the feared Shinobi he would become.
On one such mission, Kakashi, Rin and several others were on an important mission in the Land of Water just before the meeting took place. It was one of the first they had taken after a long break due to Obito's death. But, everything seemed to be going well, and they even managed to complete it without much difficulty. But tragedy struck, unexpectedly they were attacked by Kiri shinobi who according to the treaties should not have done so. Caught off guard after just having completed their mission, several members of the large team were instantly maimed and killed under their assassination techniques. Once they regained their bearings, the Konoha force fought back with all the might they could muster and managed to drive the enemy back.
But despite their victory, the news given by a Konoha Chunin who had witnessed it poured ice over them, especially Kakashi. Rin had been kidnapped.
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