The passage of time does not stop for anyone's feelings.
Even if that person is the legendary Sannin.
No matter what attitude Orochimaru had towards this matter, the sun still rose the next day, and the Hokage inauguration ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
To witness this grand event, many villagers had gathered early in the morning, gathering below the Hokage Building and looking forward with anticipation.
In addition to the various newspaper reporters from Konoha and envoys and delegations sent by other countries, the area below the Hokage Building became somewhat crowded and chaotic for a while.
Until the appearance of one person.
"Lord Danzo has arrived!"
As if hearing a name that could silence a crying child, the moment the name 'Danzo' was mentioned, the entire scene eerily quieted down.
Whether villagers, ninja, or foreign delegations, they all voluntarily made way for the war-honored elder of Konoha.
The villagers did so out of respect for Danzo.
The ninja out of admiration for him.
As for the foreigners, of course, it was out of fear.
Danzo, leaning on his cane, nodded with a smile to the villagers and ninja, but he didn't even glance at the foreign delegations.
This arrogant attitude did not make them angry; instead, they felt a bit relieved.
Because no one wanted to be targeted by this man.
After entering the Hokage Building, he finally looked at the shadow beside him.
"Is everything arranged?"
Ryoma Aburame, wearing a mask, slowly emerged from the shadows and reported in a cold voice:
"All high points and suspicious individuals have been monitored. If there is any movement, they will be taken down immediately."
With such a significant event as the new Hokage's inauguration, other ninja villages would inevitably send spies hidden within Konoha to gather intelligence.
And even attempt to cause destruction!
This was both bad and good for Konoha.
The downside was obvious.
If something like Hiruko's self-detonation occurred during such an important ceremony, it would undoubtedly trample on Konoha's dignity.
Not only would its prestige plummet, but the task market's situation would also be severely affected.
As for the upside,
Danzo could use this ceremony to identify the rats lurking within Konoha, waiting to stir up trouble.
Therefore, Danzo adopted a strategy of being tight internally but relaxed externally.
On the surface, he did not impose strict restrictions on the civilians and foreign delegations.
But in the shadows, Root ninja had already tightly locked down every place where problems might arise.
Ryoma, Shisui, Pakura, and even Kakuzu were all involved.
With the omnipresent Hyuga, Aburame, Inuzuka, and other reconnaissance ninja, the entire Konoha was already a tightly woven net.
As long as the other four countries did not attack together, there should be no problem.
Thus, in the anticipation of everyone, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, finally emerged, accompanied by the previous Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Under the gaze of all the villagers, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly removed the hat from his head and handed it to Minato.
"From now on, I leave Konoha in your hands."
Hearing this, Minato nodded firmly and swore:
"Third Hokage, rest assured. I, Minato Namikaze, will do my utmost, and even if it costs my life, I will protect the future of Konoha!"
With that, Minato put on the Hokage's ceremonial robe that had been prepared in advance and took the hat from the Third Hokage's hand, officially placing it on his head.
At this moment, a gentle breeze brushed through Minato's blond hair, making it shimmer like sunlight.
The red hat on his head seemed like an inextinguishable flame, burning brightly on top of the building!
This scene signified that Konoha had officially completed the transition to a new generation, and that it was entering a younger phase.
The crowd began to cheer.
Kushina, with her red hair, watched quietly from the side, her face filled with relief and pride.
Only she knew how many hardships and difficulties Minato had faced along the way.
Therefore, she was proud of her husband.
Similarly watching this scene was a man completely shrouded in a black robe.
Uchiha Obito, wearing a tiger-striped mask, stood quietly on the Hokage Rock.
Looking at Minato Namikaze, who was basking in the sunlight on the Hokage Building, he couldn't help but recall Rin's appearance and laughter.
"Teacher, if Rin could see this scene, she would be very happy, right?"
Uchiha Obito let out a bitter smile.
"Unfortunately, she can never see it again."
Immediately, a terrifying intent to kill surfaced in Obito's eyes.
Rin's death not only made him start to hate Konoha but even the entire ninja world, hating everything.
It was under this extreme emotion that he conceived the idea of executing the Moon's Eye Plan.
As long as he created a dream that everyone could be satisfied with, it should be possible to end this boring and decaying world, right?
Of course, the most important thing is to have Rin...
——————
After the ceremony ended, Minato immediately convened the first high-level meeting after his inauguration as Hokage.
Unlike the past, the person sitting in the main seat was no longer the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It had become a young man, with the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, seated in the Hokage's position.
To the left and right were Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi, respectively.
The former represented the village's hawkish, martial faction.
The latter represented the village's dovish, conservative faction.
Judging from the current situation, it was clear that the martial faction led by Danzo had the upper hand.
The purpose of this high-level meeting was to transfer the power held by Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"I will honor the agreement. The ministers of the Foreign Affairs and Finance Departments will formally resign after the handover work is completed," Koharu Utatane had no intention of breaking the agreement.
Although the position of Hokage was now a done deal, if they went back on their word at this point, they would likely face an immediate and terrifying counterattack from Root.
As a long-time friend of Danzo, Koharu Utatane knew she did not have the capability to deal with such a situation.
Seeing Koharu Utatane willingly relinquish her power, Homura Mitokado, despite his reluctance, also had to make a statement.
"The same goes for the Commerce and Education Departments. You can arrange the personnel as you see fit," Homura Mitokado pushed his glasses up his nose, his expression clearly not very pleasant.
Just after taking office, Minato was faced with such drastic personnel changes, and even he was somewhat at a loss.
After all, as a newly appointed Hokage, he did not have a sufficient team to fill the important departmental positions.
As Minato was in an awkward situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up:
"Minato, you have just become Hokage and are not yet familiar with many affairs."
"How about this, I will stay at the Hokage Building for a while and assist you with official business, what do you think?"
Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's kind and sincere suggestion, Minato hesitated only slightly before preparing to agree.
Unexpectedly, Danzo spoke up.
"Hiruzen, I am the Hokage's aide!"
Danzo slowly opened his eyes, his hoarse voice echoing in the office.
It was only at this moment that people suddenly remembered that this old man, Danzo, seemed to still hold the position of Hokage's aide!
"Even if it is to assist the Hokage in his work, it should be done by me, the Hokage's aide."
"Wouldn't you agree, 'Third' Hokage?"
Danzo rarely referred to himself as Hokage, but there was no excitement in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
Because he only called him that after he had stepped down!
In other people's mouths, the Third Hokage might represent respect and recognition.
But in Danzo's mouth, it was sheer mockery!
That's right, he was no longer the Hokage.
But Danzo was still the Hokage's aide!
It was as if the Hokage changed, but the aide remained the same.
And Danzo's heart-piercing remarks were not over yet; he continued to remind:
"As for these four departments, I already have suitable candidates, so there is no need for the Third Hokage to worry."
"You should go back and enjoy your retirement in peace."
Danzo's remarks were sharp and ungracious, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression to change constantly.
He never expected that the words he usually used to control Danzo would now be turned against him!
Hiruzen Sarutobi forcibly restrained the urge to curse and left the room indignantly.
And before leaving, he left a sentence—
"Danzo, you will regret this!"
_
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