You Are No Longer Hokage
When it came to selecting the Fifth Hokage, both Jiraiya and Tsunade hesitated, each unwilling to assume the role.
The two onlookers, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, couldn't help but feel a sense of irony. Their old comrade, Shimura Danzō, who had long embraced the shadows and schemed tirelessly for the Hokage position, was now irrelevant before these two legendary Sannin.
Yet, Jiraiya and Tsunade's reluctance was nothing new. Over a decade ago, they had already turned down the position.
But was the situation then truly the same as now?
More than ten years ago, Konoha had numerous young, capable candidates fit to serve as Hokage. Now, only Jiraiya and Tsunade remained as the village's strongest options.
Kakashi glanced at the two advisors and calmly said, "Lady Koharu, Lord Homura, let's step aside for now."
Exchanging glances, the elderly advisors slowly left the office, leaning on their canes.
The discussion between Jiraiya and Tsunade would shape Konoha's future. It was best that the remnants of the old era refrained from interfering too much. Kakashi, however, was likely to become a key confidant of the next Hokage.
As they reached the corridor, Homura turned to Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi, what kind of reforms do Jiraiya and Tsunade plan to implement? Are they targeting the ninja clans or the administrative departments?"
Having served as advisors for decades, Koharu and Homura were no fools.
Jiraiya and Tsunade had seized control of the Anbu in the wake of a violent power shift—clearly a move to sever ties with the past and lay the groundwork for major reforms.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly and smirked. "I can't speak for Lord Jiraiya's exact plans, but if Konoha clings to old traditions, sooner or later, it will fall behind and be overtaken by the other villages."
Seeing Kakashi's reluctance to reveal details, the two advisors frowned but knew they were powerless to push further.
Authority in Konoha had always been determined by strength, and theirs had long since waned. All they had left was the prestige and experience of their years in office. Preserving Konoha's stability was their only remaining purpose.
After briefly exchanging words with Kakashi, the advisors watched as Jiraiya and Tsunade exited the office.
After much deliberation, the two Sannin had reached an agreement: Jiraiya would serve as the Fifth Hokage, but Tsunade would be given full authority over the village's day-to-day governance. For matters concerning the village's survival, both would consult the elders.
Hearing this, the advisors exchanged subtle glances.
A Hokage who didn't handle governmental affairs? That was no different from an Honorary Hokage. However, it wasn't unprecedented in Konoha's history.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had rarely managed village affairs, leaving almost all administrative duties to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. This arrangement had made Tobirama's succession smooth—after all, he had already been handling the responsibilities of a Hokage long before officially assuming the title.
Jiraiya's maneuver was clever. By ensuring Tsunade remained in the village, he prevented her from wandering off again. Years of hardship had certainly matured him.
Tsunade, however, shot Jiraiya an annoyed glare. "Let's get one thing straight—I expect full pay."
Jiraiya grinned, his expression triumphant. "I've saved quite a bit from my manuscript royalties over the years. Let's use that to settle your gambling debts first."
In the end, though both had initially rejected the Hokage position, Jiraiya had played his cards well. By dangling the bait of financial security and a high salary, he persuaded Tsunade to shoulder the administrative workload.
His philosophy was simple: a Hokage should not be confined to an office but should be alongside their comrades on the battlefield.
Half protesting, half conceding, Tsunade found herself staying in the village, still somewhat bewildered by how it had happened.
But Jiraiya wasn't wrong. When the village was in danger, the Hokage should be at the forefront, protecting Konoha with action rather than directing from the shadows.
That was what it meant to be Hokage. That was the true embodiment of the Will of Fire.
---
Later that afternoon, the roads in Konoha, which had been temporarily blocked, were reopened.
The Hokage Building issued an official statement to all shinobi: Due to the exposure of illicit human experiments, Danzō had defected with his subordinates. Citing his failure to oversee these activities, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, voluntarily relinquished his position as Acting Hokage, transferring authority to the village's advisory elders.
The Fifth Hokage selection process would soon commence, with Jiraiya and Tsunade as the primary candidates.
The announcement stirred widespread discussion among Konoha's ninja.
What kind of experiments had Danzō conducted to be branded a traitor? And what role had the Third Hokage played in it all?
Yet, few were concerned with the specifics of how Jiraiya and Tsunade had forced Hiruzen to step down. The legendary status of the two Sannin rivaled that of any Hokage, and they were, after all, Sarutobi's own disciples.
To most, a power struggle between master and students was of little consequence.
Only the major clans pondered how they should navigate the leadership of the incoming Fifth Hokage.
Unlike typical Jōnin, the clan leaders had to consider the Chūnin within their ranks. There was a vast difference between Chūnin with stable positions in the village and those who took on high-risk missions for commissions.
Although the former earned less, they didn't have to gamble their lives on the battlefield.
---
A few days later, the village convened a Jōnin Assembly. Jiraiya easily secured the majority vote. All that remained was for the Fire Daimyō to confirm his appointment, after which he would officially don the Hokage's mantle.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha's former leader, conspicuously absented himself from the assembly, citing illness.
This wasn't like the transition of the Fourth Hokage's era.
This time, Hiruzen hadn't stepped down willingly. He had been stripped of power, even losing control of the Anbu. He was now effectively exiled from Konoha's key institutions.
Because of this, many members of the Sarutobi clan resented him, but there was nothing he could do.
His departure from office had been anything but normal, and he lacked the influence to challenge Jiraiya's authority.
Jiraiya's actions clearly signaled a desire for sweeping reforms, and Hiruzen—no longer holding power—could do nothing to interfere.
As he sat in his quarters, deep in thought, he turned to the Anbu operative stationed beside him.
"How are things progressing? Has Jiraiya taken full control of the Hokage Building?"
After a brief pause, the masked ninja answered, "Yes, Lord Third. Jiraiya-sama has successfully consolidated power. The major clans are actively engaging with his administration—much like they did during your leadership over a decade ago."
"Over a decade ago…"
Lost in reminiscence, Hiruzen murmured, "Have my decisions all these years truly been mistakes? Have I, in the end, harmed the village rather than helped it?"
The Anbu operative hesitated before responding.
"Lord Third, you have always been a hero of Konoha, a beacon of the Will of Fire. But after the Fourth Hokage's death, perhaps you should not have returned to the position."
"Once a Hokage becomes indecisive… they are no longer fit to lead the village."
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