The battlefield had fallen silent. The only sounds were the crackling of fires and the soft whispers of wind moving through the rubble of Konoha. The village had suffered greatly, but standing in the center of it all, draped in a divine Hokage robe, was Souta Kazuki.
The Hokage robe, tailored specifically for him, bore five bold characters across its back, marking him as the Fifth Hokage. Its golden embroidery gleamed under the dim light, a testament to the effort and care that had gone into its creation. The sight of him in the robe left many speechless, their gazes filled with awe and reverence. Even the veteran shinobi of the village, those who had once served under previous Hokages, could not deny the presence he exuded.
Among the crowd, the younger generation, the "Rookie Twelve," were the most excited. Yamanaka Ino, in particular, had a certain sparkle in her eyes as she gazed at Souta. The robe he now wore had been a project of theirs, crafted in secret. Every stitch of golden thread had been embroidered by her own hands.
Souta stood there, eyes scanning the faces of those before him. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't even considered it. Yet, here he was, being presented with the position of Hokage. His instincts told him to act with humility, but the thrill of the moment sent a shiver down his spine.
"Heh… hahahahahaha… ah, what did I do to deserve this? How could I possibly take on such a role?" Souta said, the corners of his lips betraying the amusement he was trying to suppress.
The Rookie Twelve exchanged glances, barely able to contain their laughter. They had been around Souta long enough to recognize his antics. His words may have sounded modest, but his expression told a different story. His smirk was almost uncontrollable.
Uzumaki Naruto leaped forward, his enthusiasm undeniable. "Souta! This robe is so cool! Do you like it? Everyone worked on it just for you!"
Souta blinked. "Everyone?"
Naruto grinned. "Yep! And Ino embroidered every single golden thread by hand!"
Souta's gaze shifted to Ino. Her cheeks flushed pink, and she looked away shyly.
"…Thank you, Ino," he said.
Ino fidgeted with her fingers. "I-If you like it, then that's all that matters…"
The crowd surrounding them stirred. The elders, the shinobi, the villagers—all were taking in the moment. It wasn't just about the robe; it was about what it represented. This was their acknowledgment of Souta Kazuki.
Among the clan leaders, none looked prouder than Yamanaka Inoichi. His daughter had caught the attention of the soon-to-be Hokage. That was something worth celebrating.
Even among the resurrected legends, there was an air of agreement. Senju Hashirama scratched the back of his head, his usual innocent smile on display. "Hehe… Souta, from today onward, you're the Fifth Hokage of Konoha!"
Uchiha Madara remained silent for a moment before stepping forward. He reached out and adjusted the collar of Souta's robe with an air of finality. His crimson Sharingan eyes bore into Souta's.
"Listen, brat. Whatever you wish to do, do it. Because you are my disciple, and I do not tolerate weakness. Do not disappoint me."
The words sent a shudder through the crowd. To hear Uchiha Madara, Ghost of the Uchiha, give his approval—such a thing was unimaginable.
Senju Tobirama folded his arms, his expression neutral but his tone sharp. "Hmph. You've schemed and manipulated your way into the Hokage seat. Are you satisfied now?"
Souta only smirked. "Not quite. There's still a lot of work to do."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing to the side, felt a strange sense of nostalgia. He had once stood where Souta was now. The weight of the village rested on his shoulders. He stepped forward, his eyes firm with conviction.
"Souta! No—Fifth Hokage! Do not forget the Will of Fire! Where the leaves dance, the fire will always burn!"
At that moment, the entire battlefield erupted in cheers. The civilians, the shinobi, the children—they all chanted in unison.
"Fifth Hokage!!!"
"Fifth Hokage!!!"
"Fifth Hokage!!!"
The sound of it sent chills down Souta's spine. He looked out at the people who now placed their faith in him.
Among them was Homura Mitokado, one of the village's elders. He watched the scene unfold, his expression unreadable. Though he had long served as an advisor, he had never imagined this outcome.
"This boy… He has changed everything," Homura murmured to himself.
The Kazuki Clan members in the crowd were the most stunned of all. Their young patriarch had not only become the disciple of two legendary figures but had also risen to the position of Hokage. It was a dream beyond their imagination.
Back in their ancestral home, the elders of the Kazuki Clan would soon be lighting incense and burning offerings of ryo, believing that their ancestors must have been smiling down upon them.
As the cheers continued, Souta took a deep breath. This was only the beginning. The village had been shaken to its core, but now, under his leadership, a new era would begin.
And this time, things would be different.