Naruto: Starting with Snatching the Mangekyō Sharingan

"Hiruzen, this isn't your fault. The blame lies entirely with those brash wolves of Kumogakure and their insatiable greed!" Koharu was the first to step up, defending Hiruzen.

"That's right!" Homura echoed. "This incident isn't your doing. Kumogakure is entirely at fault, and you've already done everything you could."

"Enough!" Hiruzen raised his hand, shaking his head with a solemn expression. "I must take responsibility. If I hadn't been careless, Torifu wouldn't have died, and Konoha wouldn't have suffered such losses."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled jōnin. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "After reflecting deeply during this time, I've come to a decision. As an aging leader, I am no longer suitable to serve as Hokage."

Hiruzen's voice was steady and resolute.

"Therefore, I have decided to step down and allow a new generation to lead Konoha into a brighter future!"

His words hung heavy in the air, and murmurs filled the meeting room as the gathered jōnin exchanged hushed comments.

"Hiruzen, you can't mean that…" Homura Mitokado looked stunned, as though hearing this decision for the first time.

"Hiruzen, this isn't wise! You're still in your prime, with a wealth of experience to guide us. Please don't be hasty!" Koharu Utatane quickly urged.

"Exactly, Hiruzen! You should reconsider. Under your leadership, Konoha has thrived like never before. Don't make such a rash decision!" Homura added.

"Yes, Hokage-sama, please reconsider!" a jōnin chimed in. "After the war, Konoha needs a leader of your experience to navigate these turbulent times…"

"Indeed, Hokage-sama, your leadership is the cornerstone of our peace. With you at the helm, we can feel secure…"

As the voices rose, Fugaku and Akira remained composed, silently observing the unfolding drama.

They understood this was all a formality—an act to preserve Hiruzen's dignity.

"Enough!" Hiruzen motioned for silence, his tone heavy with finality. "This decision wasn't made lightly. The current situation calls for a younger, more vigorous Hokage to lead us!"

Homura sighed deeply. "Hiruzen…"

Koharu also sighed but nodded. "Very well, Hiruzen. Since you've thought this through, as your friends, we can only respect your decision."

"Then, Hiruzen, who do you think should succeed you as the Fifth Hokage?" Koharu asked.

Taking a long draw from his pipe, Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his voice steady and deliberate.

"There are many capable individuals in Konoha, but I believe there are only two truly suitable candidates for the position of Fifth Hokage."

He stood, his gaze softening as it fell on Akira, seated beside Fugaku.

"Uchiha Akira, a jōnin of the Uchiha clan, displayed unparalleled prowess on both the Kumogakure and Iwagakure battlefields. His strategic brilliance and overwhelming strength led us to decisive victories."

"Akira has embodied the Will of Fire and is a shining example of its legacy. I believe everyone here acknowledges his contributions and suitability as a candidate for the Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen declared, his voice resolute.

The room buzzed with conversation, but no one appeared surprised. Uchiha Akira's nomination was expected.

By any measure—strength, achievements, or influence—Uchiha Akira stood unrivaled. To exclude him from consideration would defy all logic and fairness.

On the Uchiha side, there was quiet excitement. After years of striving, their clan's long-held dream was within reach.

Even Fugaku couldn't suppress a smile. Though he wasn't the one becoming Hokage, Akira was his protégé. For Fugaku, Akira's potential ascent to Hokage fulfilled a personal, long-standing ambition.

"The weight on my shoulders is finally lifting. The days ahead will be my time to enjoy life," Fugaku thought with relief.

"Akira will soon become Hokage. He's even younger than the Fourth was at the time…" Shisui mused, admiration evident in his expression.

Shisui had once feared insurmountable tensions between the Uchiha and the village. Now, with Akira's rise, those fears had dissolved.

"Under Akira's leadership, the village will undoubtedly reach its peak," Shisui thought with confidence.

Homura broke the silence, his tone serious. "Uchiha Akira has both the strength and the merits. I have no objections to his candidacy. I support him."

Koharu nodded in agreement. "I concur. Among our ranks, Uchiha Akira is undoubtedly the most qualified to become Hokage."

Hiruzen nodded approvingly. "Very well. I propose that Uchiha Akira officially becomes one of the candidates for the Fifth Hokage."

Akira rose, his expression earnest and resolute.

"I, Uchiha Akira, pledge that if chosen as Hokage, I will lead Konoha to unparalleled heights!"

"Excellent!" Hiruzen said with satisfaction. Then, turning to the assembly, he continued, "As for the second candidate, what do you think of Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage?"

The room erupted into hushed discussions once more.

"Tsunade-sama has made significant contributions to Konoha. She trained countless medical-nin and established our village's medical system. She's more than qualified…"

"True, but would Tsunade-sama even return? The loss of her brother dealt her a heavy blow, leaving her disillusioned with the village…"

"If Hokage-sama is suggesting her, he must have already convinced her to come back."

The murmurs continued, the jōnin weighing their options as Konoha stood on the brink of a new era.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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