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"What nonsense are you talking about, Li! This is the pinnacle of youth—the moment when our blood burns! I remember this well: death is not the end. Hokage-sama will forever live in our hearts. His will and belief will never vanish—they will be inherited by us and continue to push us forward!"
Might Guy's voice was impassioned and genuine.
"That's exactly why I've never understood your 'youth,' Teacher Guy," Ye Dou replied flatly. "When people die, there's nothing left." He stepped forward, white chrysanthemum in hand, slowly approaching the remains of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"A grand funeral doesn't make death any less final."
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[Konoha, After the War]
In the wake of Orochimaru's attack during the Chūnin Exams, Konohagakure looked as if it had been thrown fifty years into the past. The once vibrant village now appeared lifeless and shattered.
Ironically, for a village freshly wounded by war, this desolation may have been necessary.
The best medicine for grief is distraction—and now, rebuilding was imperative.
Over 80% of Konoha had been reduced to rubble. Except for some well-fortified ninja clan compounds, most of the population had been displaced. Providing shelter and resettlement for these civilians became the village's top priority. Civil engineering and reconstruction were no longer just needs—they were mandates.
In this new phase, Konoha's citizens would throw themselves into the rebuilding effort. Through physical labor and purpose, perhaps their emotional wounds would begin to heal.
Fortunately, the reconstruction proceeded rapidly and smoothly.
The daimyō of the Land of Fire had personally witnessed the devastation when he visited the village after the invasion. Understanding that Konoha was the military cornerstone of the Fire Country, he responded immediately to a call for aid from the village elders. Supplies and labor arrived swiftly.
He knew well: if Konoha flourished, the Fire Country remained secure. If Konoha fell, the strength of the Fire Country would deteriorate with it.
Thus, the bond between Konoha and the Fire Country—more than just political—proved unbreakable.
With the influx of materials and manpower, Konoha stabilized and once again began to breathe with renewed vitality.
The problem of rebuilding had been addressed.
However, two urgent issues remained—matters that could not be ignored.
First, Konoha suffered not only economic damage but also the devastating loss of its leader. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had perished in battle against his former student, Orochimaru.
Now the village faced the critical question: Who would become the Fifth Hokage?
A nation cannot go a day without leadership. In Konoha, the Hokage was not just a figurehead—he or she was the ultimate authority, the protector, and the embodiment of the village's will.
Among the villagers, one name stood out as the ideal successor: Jiraiya of the Sannin.
Jiraiya's military record was extraordinary. He had played key roles in both the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars and earned widespread recognition as the "Toad Sage" throughout the shinobi world.
He was also Hiruzen's student, and he had trained the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. In both strength and reputation, Jiraiya was unmatched.
His pedigree was clear. His leadership potential, undeniable.
Not only the villagers of Konoha but even the Fire Country's daimyō considered Jiraiya the most suitable candidate.
Yet Jiraiya had no interest in politics or leadership. He preferred his freedom, traveling the world and gathering information.
While Jiraiya declined the position, Shimura Danzō made his move.
Danzō, the shadowy leader of Root, took the initiative to directly propose himself as the Fifth Hokage to the Fire Country's daimyō. He cited his extensive wartime experience and leadership capabilities. With a detailed presentation, he highlighted his "contributions" during the recent invasion and pitched a vision of stability under his guidance.
The daimyō, at first, was swayed. But he quickly realized that Danzō had come fully prepared—and that his ambition was overwhelming.
Though not a shinobi himself, the daimyō was no fool. He saw through Danzō's intent and recognized the danger in allowing someone so power-hungry to assume power. As the ruler of the Fire Country, he could not afford to appoint a Hokage who might challenge or destabilize the political balance.
Ultimately, he preferred Jiraiya—someone with strength but no appetite for power.
But Jiraiya, true to form, resisted pressure.
Knowing that the village could not wait much longer, and seeing the daimyō growing wary of Danzō, Jiraiya recommended another candidate: Tsunade.
"Tsunade-hime."
"Yes, my lord. She is the granddaughter of the First Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin. In both strength and renown, she is more than qualified to become the Fifth Hokage."
The daimyō's eyes lit up.
He was, like many nobles of his time, deeply fixated on lineage. Hearing that Tsunade was descended from the Senju clan—and the First Hokage—made her instantly appealing.
What's more, she was known for being apolitical and disinterested in power. That only made her a safer choice.
"In that case—"
"Please wait, Lord Daimyō," Danzō interjected coldly, his voice cutting through the chamber like a blade.
"While Tsunade-hime certainly has the credentials, let us not forget that she abandoned Konoha years ago and has not returned since. Her whereabouts are currently unknown."
Danzō's eyes narrowed, reading the daimyō's expression carefully. He had detected the noble's interest in Tsunade and moved quickly to undermine it—framing her absence as betrayal and attempting to disqualify her.
The daimyō wavered again.
Konoha was not yet secure. The borders were unstable, and new conflicts could erupt at any time. A strong, available, and loyal Hokage was needed immediately.
And as negotiations with the Wind Country loomed, strong leadership was more critical than ever.
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