A/N: howdy, how have you all been? Hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 6: Gallant turned Hokage

Kakashi had heard the news of the Third Hokage's sickness sooner than the rest of the villagers. All of the leaf jonin were aware of his status soon after he was bedridden. It only took a few hours for the rest of the village to find out.

As Kakashi made his way towards the hospital, he could hear the gossip from the villagers.

"Did you hear about the Third?"

"I heard he doesn't have much time left."

"Who will be hokage now?"

That question stood out in Kakashi's mind. Who would be replacing the former hokage? To be completely honest, he could only think of one candidate that the Third would choose.

The jonin stepped inside the hospital doors and made his way down the hallway. It was a short walk until his path was blocked by a few medical ninjas.

"Sorry, only family past this point," he explained.

"It's alright Paul," Jiraiya called from behind him. "He's with me."

"Stop calling me that, that's not my name," the medical ninja, whose name is unknown by all protagonists, said. He moved out of the way to let Kakashi through.

"Only family past this point, huh?" Kakashi retorted.

"I'm on the Third's ninja health insurance so I'm basically considered family," Jiriaya shot back.

"What? Since when?"

"He said my 'perverted actions' were going to get me killed one day and told me to get my own health insurance. I refused and he just put me on his."

"How is he doing?" Kakashi asked, ignoring the bizarre fact that Jiraiya had just shared.

Jiraiya frowned. "He's doing worse."

Kakashi was taken aback by the grimness in Jiraiya's face. He was often cheerful and loud. Around the holidays, the children often confused him for Santa Clause. Bringing up the condition of the Third made him seem like a new person. He became quiet and he kept his gaze on the ground.

"I'm sorry," Kakashi consoled. "This must be hard on you."

"No, it's fine. Many ninjas don't get to live long and fulfilling lives." Jiraiya pulled a goofy smile. "But he lived a great life."

The two continued in silence for a few moments. Kakashi was trying to think of comforting words but he had none to share. His mind wandered to the question that the Leaf village has been asking since the news became public knowledge. Who would be the new hokage? To Kakashi, the answer couldn't be more obvious, but he was curious what Jiraiya thought about it.

"What did Lord Third say about the new hokage?" Kakashi broke the silence. "There's only one more Sannin left in the village so I think it's pretty much decided."

Jiraiya's expression was blank as he let out an exasperated sigh. "That was something I needed to talk to him about."

"So he already asked you?"

"Yeah." Jiraiya rubbed the back of his neck. "I need to tell him that I can't do it."

"You're really not interested, huh?" Kakashi asked. "So, who's going to be hokage instead?"

Jiraiya didn't look up. They made their way down the hallway in silence.

When the two reached the Third Hokage's room, there were two people already standing there. Kakashi immediately recognized them as the Hokage's advisors. Homura and Koharu were close with the previous hokage. The three of them had trained together under Tobirama Senju, and they have worked closely together ever since. Only family passed this point, huh? Kakashi thought. Don't tell me these guys are on his health insurance too.

"Jiraiya," Koharu greeted. "We need to have your hokage inauguration as soon as possible."

"Yes, as sad as it is, we need an active hokage in office," Homura added.

"Right…" Jiraiya scratched the back of his head. "I'm actually planning on denying the offer."

Homura and Koharu looked at each other with concern. A moment of awkward silence flooded the room.

The silence was interrupted by a sigh from Homura. "Usually, the hokage will choose their successor. When a successor is not chosen, it is the responsibility of the Daimyo to elect a new hokage."

"That's perfect," Jiraiya replied. "He'll find someone better."

"I don't know if he will."

"Do you mind if we go in?" Jiraiya impatiently pointed at the door.

The two advisors stepped aside and let Kakashi and Jiraiya through the door.

This was the first time that Kakashi had seen the sick hokage. His breathing sounded like there was a huge weight on his chest that they couldn't remove. His pale skin made him look like a vampire.

"He looks worse than before," Jiraiya whispered. He raised his voice slightly to get the Third's attention. "Lord Third? I'm here with Kakashi."

Hiruzen made a noise and opened his eyes slowly. "Jiraiya..." he groaned. "You thought about it?"

"Yes sir," Jiraiya replied. He fidgeted with his hands for a while. "You're sure there's no one else fit to become hokage?"

Kakashi looked at him confused. Didn't he just say he was going to say no?

"It's not that there's no one fit for the job." Hiruzen took a raspy breath before continuing. "I have to find the person that's best suited for it, and I believe that it's you."

"Then I will carry out my duties to the best of my abilities." Jiraiya bowed his head.

Kakashi was still confused. He glanced at Jiraiya whose head was still facing the ground.

"Changed your mind that quick, huh?" Kakashi teased.

"Oh shut up," Jiraiya shot back. "Did you see the condition he was in? What was I supposed to tell him?"

Jiraiya and Kakashi sat outside of the hospital. Jiraiya was pacing around the bench that Kakashi calmly sat on.

"Okay, so you just agreed to become hokage," Kakashi recapped the situation. "So you're hokage now, congrats."

"I can't be hokage."

"Well, why not?"

"I'm not good at that kind of stuff, I'm good at actual fieldwork, not the behind-the-scenes stuff."

"Well-" Kakashi crossed his arms, "-that's something people don't do alone. There will be people around to help and support you."

"People won't like me being Hokage." Jiraiya stopped pacing and stood in front of Kakashi. "You know that they call me the village pervert?"

"They also call you a Legendary Sannin." Kakashi stared at him with composure. "Stop coming up with excuses, why don't you want to be hokage?"

Jiraiya didn't break his gaze with Kakashi. "I'm going to mess it up," he whispered.

"You don't know that."

"I don't want to take the risk," Jiraiya raised his voice. "I don't want to be the hokage that screwed the village up."

"Would you prefer someone else to put do the honors?" Kakashi stood up and put his hand on Jiraiya's shoulder. "You've worked closely with the Third and Fourth Hokage's. I think you know a lot more about the position than you think."

Naruto had his hands behind his head and walked through the village all anime-like. Kakashi had canceled their training for the next couple of days because of the Hokage's situation. He was upset at the thought of losing the old man, but he tried not to talk about it. There were plenty of people in the village who were closer to him than he was.

Naruto slowed his epic anime walk when he saw Jiraiya pacing around the bookstore.

"Hey, Pervy Sage," Naruto greeted. "What's going on?"

Jiraiya let out a dramatic sigh. "I was just reliving old memories." He pointed to his Make-Out Paradise series that was on display. "I won't have time to write much, now that I'm hokage and all."

"Well, it's probably better if you don't continue getting 'research' for those nasty-WAIT WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

Jiraiya just crossed his arms and nodded.

"You're hokage now?" Naruto practically had stars in his eyes. "That's so cool Pervy-Sage!"

Jiraiya chuckled behind a smile.

"When do you start?"

"Hopefully soon. I just spoke to the Konoha Council and they said we just need the Daimyo's approval and then I can start."

Naruto was very happy for his teacher. Being hokage was the greatest accomplishment a ninja could get. However, he noticed a hint of uncertainty in Jiraiya's eyes.

It took about a day for the Daimyo to approve Jiraiya as hokage and get the preparations for his inauguration ready. Jiraiya was on his way to tell Hiruzen the good news. Well, it would be good news to him. He opened the door as quietly as he could. If his old sensei was asleep, he didn't want to disturb him.

"Jiraiya," Hiruzen croaked. "Is that you?"

"It's me," Jiraiya answered. "I thought you'd be happy to know that I'm being appointed hokage later today."

"Oh, that is wonderful news," Hiruzen rasped. "I always thought Orochimaru would be the one to become hokage out of the three of you."

Jiraiya winced upon hearing his old teammate's name. Orochimaru had once been a talented ninja, but he let the darkness consume him. Since then, he was not allowed to even step foot in the Leaf, let alone lead it.

"I'm happy that it's you, Jiraiya," Hiruzen added.

"Thank you, sensei."

"But, there's something I need to tell you before I pass on."

Jiraiya felt a sharp pain in his chest. At first, he thought it was just heartburn, but it didn't take him long to realize that it was grief. He had been expecting the passing of his old sensei, but he still didn't feel ready for it.

"I made a lot of mistakes in my day," Hiruzen started. "But my greatest failure had to do with the Uchiha Massacre."

"What?" Jiraiya had a million questions pop into his head, but he decided to stay silent and continue listening.

Hiruzen gave a brief explanation of the situation he found himself in. He told him that the massacre was an inside job and that Itachi was, and still is, working as a double agent. He explained everything.

Jiraiya couldn't believe what he was hearing. This entire time, the village believed that the clan's genocide was a horrible tragedy caused by an evil man. That couldn't have been farther from the truth. In reality, Itachi was just a kid who was doing what he was instructed.

"Believe me, it was the last thing I wanted to do," Hiruzen explained. "It was Danzo and the Council that went through with it."

Jiraiya opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to respond.

"But I watched it happen, I didn't do anything to stop it." Hiruzen's hoarse voice pierced Jiraiya's ears. "I was a coward."

Jiraiya's heart sank as a wave of realization hit him. He thought of how many innocent lives could have been saved if this didn't occur. He remembered Sasuke who had passed away with a cloud of hatred for his brother always looming over him. And Itachi? He was just a kid when it all happened.

Hiruzen coughed, seemingly louder than before. A red streak of blood dripped from his mouth. "This information is still completely classified, but I need you to tell Naruto." Jiraiya couldn't help but notice the heavy breathing between his words. "Sasuke always talked about bringing his brother to justice, and I believe Naruto plans to fulfill those wishes."

"I'll tell him everything." Jiraiya's eyes began to wet as he looked at his old sensei. A lump formed in his throat while he processed the situation. He could tell his teacher was dying. Fast.

Jiraiya sat in his new hokage cloak. He thought the large label of "Fifth Hokage" was a little flashy. Still, he had to wear it. It was tradition for a newly appointed hokage to wear their cloak to their inauguration ceremony.

"Lord Fifth," a jonin called. "They're ready for you."

Jiraiya felt weird being called by his new title. It felt like wearing shoes that didn't fit, but he knew he would have to get used to it eventually. Ignoring his uncertainty, he stood up and made his way to the rooftop, where the ceremony would be held.

The closer he got to it, the louder the crowd seemed. He was mentally preparing himself for the large crowd, but he wasn't nervous. To be honest, dealing with the crowd would be the easiest part of this situation. Even though some people thought of Jiraiya as a pervert, he was known as a Sannin first. Jiraiya assumed the village would have a positive reaction to him.

"Residents of the Leaf Village," Homura announced. "I present your new hokage: Jiraiya the Toad Sage." The cheering of the crowd as he stepped into visibility confirmed his thoughts. People were clapping, cheering, and a particular blond was screaming his lungs out. Jiraiya stepped closer and the crowd began to quiet down.

"Speech! Speech! Speech!" Naruto chanted from the crowd. Half of Jiraiya wanted the boy to shut up but his other half liked the attention. He cleared his throat and thought of something to say.

"I plan on leading and protecting the village to the best of my abilities." Jiraiya wasn't sure how much he was supposed to say, he didn't prepare a speech or anything.

The crowd, however, was satisfied with that. Sounds of cheering echoed in Jiraiya's ears as he forced a smile. His strained face was very different from his usual goofy smile. He hoped no one would notice.

Hiruzen didn't know how he had stayed going for this long. Each breath he took felt like his lungs were being pierced by a million tiny kunai. His head had been in a constant state of agony for days.

That pain didn't phase him anymore. He recently lost the ability to hear the world around him. Everything was just… quiet. He knew that he couldn't continue. His condition would only worsen. He had been fighting for so long but he knew he had to make a decision.

Hiruzen could either continue fighting death for a few more days, but continue suffering. Or, he could face it and become at peace.

He thought of his wife. His children. His grandchildren. His students. He thought of his village. His home.

Take care of them for me, Jiraiya. The world around him grew darker and darker until- A loud gasp became the Third Hokage's last, dying breath.

"Did the Third Hokage just...die?"

"You know it was really unclear."

Thanks for reading guys!