Chapter 23
Discontent was at an all-time high in the Village Hidden in the Leaves by the time the Third Shinobi War drew to a close and a tentative peace was established once again between the Five Great Shinobi Nations. There had only been a handful of years of an uneasy peace between the Second and Third Wars. The people of the Leaf Village – both shinobi and civilian alike – were tired of war. Even those "peaceful" years had been fraught with tension and distrust between nations. Shinobi had to remain on high alert whenever they traveled near the borders and incursions and skirmishes were not uncommon. Civilians were tired of their lands being overrun and destroyed as battles were waged and moved through. All of the Hidden Villages had suffered heavy losses.
The Hokage's decision not to seek reparations from the Land of Earth was a very unpopular one. While he felt that it was a move that would help ease the tension between the two nations, many saw it as weakness. They felt the Land of Fire should demand its due from a nation they had defeated. People were weary and angry and felt they were owed by the land who had inflicted heavy losses upon them, even if it would cause more suffering there. For some, the additional suffering of their recent enemy was seen as a bonus. Tensions continued to mount in the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Several weeks after the peace treaties with the other nations were finalized and sighed by all parties, Hiruzen called a meeting of the Village Council and the daimyo of the Land of Fire along with his councilors to discuss the direction the Hidden Leaf would now move in.
"I intend to resign from my position as Hokage," Hiruzen stated without preamble.
"I'm sad to hear that," the daimyo said. "You were doing such a fine job, Lord Third."
Danzo, who'd been at odds with how Hiruzen had navigated the War and was furious with his decision not to seek reparations, was only too glad to offer his opinion. "To be completely truthful, the Third Hokage was too soft and allowed the village to be pushed into a corner. We need a forceful Hokage who will change the way things are done and will enforce the rules of the shinobi."
"And? Is there such a person to be found?" the daimyo asked.
"I recommend we choose Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of the Leaf."
"In this age of war, Orochimaru is truly nothing short of a genius, there's no denying that fact. However, a sinister will and intense ambition lurk deep behind those eyes. Such a person cannot be trusted with the duties of the Hokage." Orochimaru had been Hiruzen's own student. He could not deny that he had changed over the past few years and not for the better. He had become even more aloof and cold, isolating himself away in his laboratories and eschewing all but the most superficial and necessary interactions with the rest of the village.
"Lord Third, you dare -!" Danzo sputtered.
"I recommend we choose Minato Namikaze," Hiruzen continued as if Danzo hadn't spoken. He was unwilling to be drawn into an argument about Orochimaru.
"He's a shinobi who studied under Jiraiya, in other words, a pupil of your pupil," Koharu Utatne, one of the Village Elders stated.
"He's so skilled he's called the Yellow Flash," the other Elder, Homura Mitokado, added.
"Ohhhhh." The Fire Daimyo was clearly impressed.
"Minato is still too young!" Danzo protested.
"He won the Battle of Kannabi Bridge and found acclaim by leading the way to the end of the Third Great Shinobi War!"
"I am strongly opposed! He was your student's student and undoubtedly believes in the same foolish ideals that caused this last war to drag on! We need someone strong to lead us!"
"And what about the rest of you...?" the daimyo asked, uncomfortable with the argument raging between Danzo and the Hokage.
The councilors and advisors began muttering among themselves, mulling over the two choices that had been presented.
Shikaku Nara listened with half an ear to the debates taking place around him as he pondered the issue of who should be named the Fourth Hokage. As Jonin Commander he got a voice in this Council since the new Hokage had to be voted on and approved by the jonin of the village. He knew neither the Hokage nor Danzo was going to back down; both were much too stubborn. Personally, he preferred Minato over Orochimaru for the position. There was no denying that Orochimaru was a brilliant and powerful shinobi. He was one of the legendary Sannin who had stood against Hanzo the Salamander in the Second War, earning great renown. However, he had never been very personable and over the past few years he had developed a dark and sinister air about him that made people nervous. Dark rumors were whispered to those who knew to listen about unsavory experiments being conducted in hidden laboratories. Shikaku also had no doubt that Danzo had his own ambitions toward the title of Hokage. Or at least ingratiating himself so that he had the Hokage's ear so he could steer the policies of the Hidden Leaf from the shadows. If he was backing Orochimaru it was because he believed the other could bring him closer to that goal. Shikaku may not have always agrees with the Third Hokage or his methods but he agreed even less with Danzo's.
Minato, on the other hand, was popular and well liked throughout the village and by his fellow shinobi. The young jonin had made quite the name for himself during the last war as the Leaf's Yellow Flash and had played a key role in bringing about an end to that war. Only in his early twenties, he was still very young to be named Hokage. Would he be able to stand up to Danzo and his schemes? The other two Elders from the Leaf tended to support Danzo's ideas. They, along with Danzo and Hiruzen, had all been teammates under the Second Hokage's tutelage. Shikaku wondered if that played a role in their support or if they truly believed Danzo's ideals were best. The Leaf needed a Hokage who would not cave to Danzo's militant way of thinking lest they find themselves embroiled in yet another war.
If neither Orochimaru nor Minato Namikaze were suitable for the position, then who was? Shikaku considered while the argument raged around him, tuning it out and putting his considerable intellect to tackling the problem. He smirked faintly as it came to him. While Hiruzen and Danzo each backed their own candidates, whomever was nominated needed to ultimately be approved by the daimyo before being presented to the jonin for final confirmation. This was only the first meeting with the daimyo in attendance that Shikaku had been present for but from what he had observed, the Fire Daimyo was weak-willed and easily swayed by whomever he happened to like the most at the moment or by whatever idea he found most appealing. Shikaku suspected it would be easy enough to dazzle him with his option. The Daimyo's councilors seemed less emotionally motivated and Shikaku had clear facts on his side as well. And he was certain there would be no objections among the village jonin.
There was a lull in the conversation. Both Hiruzen and Danzo were not-quite openly glaring at one another. Each had played out the merits of their choices and the less appealing aspects of the other's choice. Neither one was willing to budge. While the sitting Hokage had the right to name their successor, it still needed to be approved by the Council, daimyo, and the jonin of the village. The Fire Daimyo was looking back and forth between the two men, clearly uncomfortable at the rising tension between them and unwilling to anger either by breaking the deadlock.
"What about Sakumo Hatake?" a quiet voice broke the tense silence.
All eyes turned to the speaker, Shikaku Nara, the newly appointed Jonin Squad Commander. Seeing he had everyone's attention, he continued. "He's as renown as the Sannin; some would argue he's even more powerful. He had been a shinobi of this village for over two decades and is well respected among even the shinobi of other nations."
"Oh, the White Fang, hmm?" the Fire Daimyo said, looking pleased. "How interesting! What do the rest of you think?"
A low murmur spread throughout the room as the assembled councilors considered his proposal. They seemed in favor of the idea. There was really nothing about Sakumo for them to object to. He was a powerful shinobi, certainly one of the strongest in the village. He was extremely intelligent. He was well known, even outside of the Land of Fire. He didn't have any vices that could potentially cause embarrassment for the Village. In his mid-thirties, he was still in his prime while having years of experience. He was decisive and strong willed; yet open minded and fair as well. It was well-known that he was honorable and a man of his word. All desirable qualities for the Hokage, especially now with suspicion and mistrust running so high.
"Sakumo could do well as Hokage," Hiruzen admitted after a brief consideration. He may have been disappointed that the Jonin Commander wasn't backing Minato but he did not seem entirely displeased by his idea. The other Councilors and advisors around the table nodded in agreement. Danzo looked as if he wanted to object. He settled for glaring around the room instead. He knew he had lost.
"Then it's settled!" the daimyo said cheerfully. "I trust that you'll take care of all the necessary arrangements, Lord Third?"
"Of course. I'll inform Sakumo of our decision as soon as we're finished here."
Shikaku almost wished he could be present when the Hokage broke the news. For all his renown, Sakumo was a humble man. He had no ambitions towards the Hokage's seat or any other political power; only to be the best shinobi he could and protect his village and those precious to him. That meant he was not going to be thrilled to hear he had been chosen as Hiruzen's successor. Shikaku decided that giving the White Fang a few days to accept the idea before he found out who had put his name forward would be for the best. Sakumo was going to hate this.
Sakumo and Kakashi stood in front of a target with two kunai embedded so close together that they touched.
"That one's closer to the center and its mine," Sakumo said.
"No way! My kunai is the one that hit closest to the center!" Kakashi protested.
"Mine hit first."
"Cheater! It did not! You must be getting old or something. Mine was clearly a better shot."
Their squabbling was cut short as both whirled upon sensing someone approach. A masked ANBU stepped forward. Sakumo's eyes narrowed slightly. Having a member of the ANBU show up meant something serious was going on. But who was he here for?
"Lord Hokage wishes to see you immediately, Sakumo," he said.
"I'm on my way."
"What's going on, Dad?" Kakashi asked as the ANBU disappeared back into the trees.
"I don't know. I guess I'm about to find out." He pulled his kunai from the target and returned it to the sheath strapped to his thigh. "You should work on your target practice while I'm gone!" he called as he leapt to the nearest tree.
"Hey! No fair!" Sakumo heard as he took off. In true shinobi fashion, he leapt from rooftop to rooftop. It was faster than running along the ground where there were too many other people and obstacles to dodge. He had told Kakashi the truth, he didn't know what was going on. But if the Hokage had sent one of his ANBU to summon him it must be serious and time was of the essence.
It took him only minutes to reach Hokage Tower and bound up the stairs two-at-a-time to the level which housed the administrative offices.
"You wanted to see me?" Sakumo asked as he was waved into the Hokage's office.
"Yes, Sakumo. Thank you for coming so quickly. I intend to step down from being the Hokage." Hiruzen got right to the point. "You have been recommended for the position."
Sakumo stared, speechless. "You what?" he blurted, finally finding his voice.
"I'm stepping down as Hokage."
"I got that part."
"I want you to be the next Hokage. The Council and Daimyo agree."
Certain this was some sort of prank, Sakumo laughed. The very thought was absurd. He was a good shinobi but he was not suited to the Hokage's chair. The very notion was preposterous. Sakumo's reaction was not unexpected. Hiruzen simply sat calmly, keeping his gaze steady until the other man regained control of himself. Sakumo reigned in his mirth, slowly realizing the other was serious.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
He snorted softly. "Thanks, but no thanks. I don't want the job."
"Sakumo," Hiruzen said. "I know you've never had any ambitions towards being Hokage. That is exactly why the Village needs you."
"You've lost me."
"After this last war, the Leaf Village needs a strong leader. Someone they can trust to lead going forward. Someone who can bring about change. You have amassed quite the reputation as a powerful shinobi over the years. Not just in the Hidden Leaf but throughout the shinobi world. You're well respected. You are what we need going forward." Seeing the other man was still not convinced, he continued. "I understand you have doubts. But believe me when the entire Council agreed you'd be the best choice."
Somehow Sakumo couldn't picture Danzo Shimura agreeing that he was the best choice. He kept that to himself as he slowly shook his head. "Being a shinobi is all I know. I don't know anything about being Hokage."
"You're already an excellent leader."
"Of a squad. In the field. Not of a village!"
"You're selling yourself short, Sakumo." Hiruzen held up a hand before the silver-haired jonin could protest further. "And I am sorry but I'm not really giving you a choice in the matter. The Village Hidden in the Leaves needs you in this seat."
"This is a mistake…" Sakumo protested weakly, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew he had lost before he had ever stepped foot in this room. For Hiruzen to be telling him he had been selected to be the next Hokage rather than asking him to assume the title meant he would have already had to have been approved by the daimyo and Council. While the jonin hadn't voted yet, there was little doubt that they would approve his appointment. Shikaku Nara was much too intelligent to have backed someone he felt wouldn't have the support of the elite shinobi of the village.
"You'll be fine. Now, about the preparations for your instatement – "
Sakumo only half-heard what the Hokage was saying. The very first thing he was going to do was find out who had put his name in for consideration so he could have their head examined because they were clearly insane.
Author's Notes: This was never supposed to happen! Minato was supposed to be the Fourth and everyone lived happily ever after. But no. Shikaku just had to hijack things and muck up my nice, happy story. Well, I guess I did say this was going to be cannon-divergent...
The conversation during the Council meeting were taken and/or inspired by Shippuden episode #349 "The Mask that Hides the Heart."
