The streets of Konoha were still filled with the lingering echoes of battle. The air carried the scent of dust, scorched wood, and blood, a reminder of the storm that had passed. Yet, amidst the remnants of destruction, there was a renewed sense of hope—a chance to rebuild.
Souta Kazuki stood atop the Hokage Building, his arms crossed as he surveyed the village. Even with Senju Hashirama's Wood Release abilities accelerating construction, the damage to Konoha had been severe. The village was undergoing massive reconstruction, and though the physical structures could be restored, the deeper wounds—those of betrayal, corruption, and broken trust—would take longer to heal.
Just then, Hatake Kakashi appeared beside him in a flicker of movement, his single visible eye carrying a hint of hesitation. "Hokage-sama, there's something you need to see," he said.
Souta turned his gaze toward Kakashi, noticing the slight stiffness in his posture. "What is it, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi flinched at the title, rubbing the back of his head. "Uh... Hokage-sama, you're joking, right?"
Souta smirked. "Kakashi-sensei?"
"Hokage-sama!"
"Kakashi-sensei!"
"Hokage-sama!!!"
The exchange might have continued if not for the piercing gaze of Hatake Sakumo, Kakashi's father, who stood nearby with his arms crossed. The legendary White Fang of Konoha was watching his son with an expression that sent a shiver down Kakashi's spine.
Sakumo's voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight. "Kakashi, you're a shinobi. Do your job properly, or you'll be coming home to pick up manure."
Kakashi's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Understood... Hokage-sama."
Souta chuckled but quickly turned serious as Kakashi continued. "During the cleanup of the village, we found the two Elders imprisoned in the Root Base—Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura."
Souta narrowed his eyes. Those two…
He had almost forgotten about them in the chaos surrounding Danzo. Many had assumed they were dead, casualties of the internal struggle within Konoha's leadership. Instead, it seemed Danzo had kept them alive for reasons only he knew.
"Hokage-sama, how should we handle them?" Kakashi asked.
Souta's expression remained unreadable. "Elders? What elders?"
Kakashi hesitated. "Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were high-ranking members of the village's Elder Council. They were responsible for overseeing logistics and political matters."
A slow smirk crept across Souta's face. "Logistics, huh? That's an area with a lot of ryo flowing through it."
Kakashi blinked in confusion. "Uh… yes?"
Souta's smirk widened. "I want a full investigation. If there's any evidence of corruption—embezzlement, bribery, or mismanagement—confiscate all their assets."
Kakashi opened his mouth to object, but before he could speak, there was a loud thwack!
Hatake Sakumo had smacked his son on the back of the head.
"You heard the Hokage! Stop hesitating and do your job!" Sakumo barked. "If you can't, I'll find someone else to handle it. Or better yet, you can come home and start shoveling manure!"
Kakashi groaned, rubbing his head. "Fine, fine! I'll take care of it!"
With that, he vanished in a blur, heading toward the Root Base to oversee the investigation.
Souta exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples.
Being Hokage was proving to be more of a headache than he had expected. Every little issue seemed to require his attention, and he had no interest in sitting in an office all day, drowning in paperwork.
"I need a better system," he muttered to himself.
His ambitions stretched far beyond Konoha. He had no desire to play the role of a bureaucrat. If he wanted to reshape the shinobi world, he needed a strong foundation, one that could function without his constant involvement.
Restructuring Konoha
Souta spent the next night drafting a new structure for the village.
1. The Root Organization: Abolished.Danzo's influence had corrupted it beyond redemption. Konoha needed no hidden faction operating in the shadows. Souta himself would be the ultimate authority—there was no need for a secret police force beneath him.
2. The Anbu: Retained and restructured.Hatake Kakashi would serve as its commander, ensuring that loyalty to Konoha, not individual agendas, remained the priority.
3. The Logistics Department: Investigated and reformed.With corruption rampant, a complete overhaul was necessary. Uchiha Shisui would take charge, ensuring fairness and transparency.
4. The Medical Division: Expanded.With Tsunade in charge, the medical corps would receive more funding, improving both civilian and shinobi healthcare.
5. The Education Division: Strengthened.Jiraiya would lead efforts to reform shinobi education. The old Ninja Academy would evolve into Konoha Village Defense Technology University, where students would learn not only combat but also strategy, medicine, and even research and development.
6. The Research Division: Established.Orochimaru, with all his knowledge, would oversee scientific and technological advancements. Of course, he would be monitored to ensure his experiments remained ethical.
7. The Hokage's Council: Expanded.Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi were appointed as Hokage assistants. Shikaku, the sharpest mind in Konoha, would help with strategy and governance, while Inoichi's expertise in intelligence gathering would ensure that no threats went unnoticed.
A New Era Begins
By dawn, Souta stepped out of the Hokage office with dark circles under his eyes.
Outside, the transformation of Konoha was already visible. Hashirama had reshaped the village with his Wood Release overnight, making it larger, stronger, and more modernized. The streets were wider, the buildings sturdier, and everything had a fresh, vibrant feel to it.
As he walked through the streets, shinobi and villagers alike stopped to bow their heads in respect.
"Good morning, Hokage-sama!"
"Thank you for protecting the village!"
"We believe in you, Hokage-sama!"
Souta wasn't used to this level of admiration, but he simply nodded in acknowledgment, keeping his expression neutral.
He had achieved a lot in just two days, but this was only the beginning. Konoha would rise, stronger than ever. And soon, the entire shinobi world would follow.
The era of stagnation was over.
A new age had begun.