It was a quiet and gloomy day, in Konoha. The rubble and ruin were a reminder of the invasion, its memories painfully fresh. Konoha wasn't decimated, only some outskirt blocs were seriously damaged -including the Uchiha estate. The village's core stood strong and emerged with no significant harm.
That was the report stated by the Jonin shinobi, Maximus pondering over it as they stood in the KIA cemetery. Rain pattered on his back, and his clothes were drenched. Everyone wore black, a sign of mourning, although he was sure half didn't even know the dead. It was a ceremony, where all shinobi paid respect to their Killed In Action peers. The multitude of shinobi stood in uncanny silence, their heads tilted down and their faces reflective of their emotions.
Asuma Sarutobi, the late Hokage's son, climbed the wooden platform that had been prepared and faced the crowd. Taking a heavy breath, the man addressed the people in a booming voice that echoed throughout the area,
"People of the Hidden Leaf, both shinobi and civilians, I know you've come here to pay due respects to our martyrs. I know you have lost friends and family in this sinister and treacherous act of savagery. I know many have been displaced, and many will not forget that dark day. I can sympathize with you, for I have lost a father and a man I looked up to. Someone who always prioritized the village above himself, and even now sealed the accursed Orochimaru at the cost of his own life.
But such selfless and brave acts are not exclusive to him, for every grave here is a testimony to the great men who put their lives on the line, so that this village could prosper. From the time Lord Tobirama sacrificed himself to save his students, to the martyrdom of Lord Fourth, the men of this village have always worked toward peace and prosperity; and their toil hasn't been in vain. All the people who stand here are alive because of these men -who we mourn. I knew many of them and fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them on various occasions. So let us ensure their sacrifice is not in vain, and work toward a better future for this village and its people, for peace!"
Great extempore, Maximus thought. However, it didn't encourage applause from the people present; they were in a cemetery.
The crowd soon dispersed and the squad went their way. As they walked down the road, Maximus heard someone calling from the adjoining street,
"Hey, Maximus!" Turning his head, the Roman saw his sensei waving at him. His leg was dressed in gauze, and he carried a walking stick. Maximus smiled and rushed towards Asahi, followed by the other two. After greeting each other, Maximus posed a question as he eyed the shinobi's leg,
"Quite the unlucky man, aren't you sensei? Got your house destroyed during the nine tails' rampage, was hospitalized in the last war, and this time got your leg fractured." Asahi didn't take offense and joked,
"Yes, but at least I live." The mood turned gloomy, but Hayato avoided the topic and commented,
"It's been a while sensei, when was the last time we met?" Asahi smiled and replied,
"Probably months, but this shouldn't come as a surprise. Most Genin teams break up after passing the Chunin exams, and are assigned tasks individually." Naruko folded her arms and commented,
"It's not that pleasant, you know. We're just assigned to train little students and genins, or do menial missions." Asahi chuckled and replied,
"Well, what do you expect? The Genins are Konoha's future so they must bide their time training, and the Jonins are reserved for captains and high-ranking missions. You are the only ones left to do everything in between." Hayato nodded in agreement, Asahi continued,
"Well then, what you've been up to. I have full confidence you've surpassed me by now, I recognized your potential the first month our squad was together." Hayato replied while eyeing Maximus,
"You might've heard of the escapades of our dear fellow here. Went up to the Northern parts to fight some rebels and returned with a new sword!" Maximus smiled nervously as his teammate continued,
"And not just any sword, a gift from the former Daimyo, and that too for saving his daughter! Dear Maximus has been imitating those folk heroes." Naruko glanced at Maximus, wondering about the new information and teasing him; although Asahi could tell she wasn't liking what her teammate was going on about.
"Anyways, who do you think will be the next Hokage?" This question posed by Maximus drew everyone's attention. Naruko was the first to comment,
"I think it will be either lord Jiraiya or Lady Tsunade, they are capable folk, and tales of their bravery during the second war are still heard." Hayato disagreed with her and replied,
"Last time I heard, Jiraiya was a peeking pervert who was wasting away in brothels and as a wanderer. Lady Tsunade is still sad about her losses and has also mounted a huge debt on herself. I say it will be Fugaku or Danzo." Maximus queried,
"Why do you think that?"
"Lord Fugaku is an influential man, and he has desired the Hokage's hat since before the Lord Fourth's selection. Danzo Shimura also holds power in the Anbu, and hosts ambitions." Asahi nodded in agreement, and concluded the discussion,
"Whoever becomes the Hokage, it will be our task to rebuild the village. The higher leadership only provides order and guidance, it will be the common man's duty to restore the village's glory." Maximus smiled, wonderful rhetoric.
After a few more words, the teacher and students bid each other goodbye and went their ways.
Evening, Konoha's boundary
A horse steadily approached the village boundaries, its rider wearing a Kimono and a straw hat. Upon reaching the gates, the shinobi halted him with a stern voice,
"Stop. What is your business here?" The rider lifted his straw hat and looked into the shinobi's eyes. The latter quickly changed his manner into a formal one and greeted the rider,
"Oh, lord Matsumae, pleasure seeing you again. The councilors are waiting for you at the Hokage's building. Please proceed." The man replied in a calm voice,
"You always forget me, Kotetsu." The aforementioned Ninja smiled and replied,
"It's been quite a while, Lord Matsumae."
"Well, have a good day." Saying this, the man rode on through the damaged suburbs, not looking back.
Hokage building
Danzo and the other councilors stood at the gate, ready to welcome the visitor. Seeing them, the rider hurried his horse into a run, abruptly stopping before the village elders. One of the civilian councilors backed off, but the others remained stern. Koharu had a smile on her face.
"Matsumae Shigehira, it's a pleasure to see you again." The rider calmed his horse and then descended from the saddle. He took off the straw hat to reveal a young man in his thirties, with a thin mustache and a stub; he was around 5'10, lean but fit, his hair was tied at the back of his head and a Katana loosely hanging from his side.
"Ah, Lady Koharu, I didn't expect you standing here to welcome me." One of the civilian councilors smiled and commented,
"A man like you surely deserves respect." Shigehira waived it off,
"It's nothing, I'm only a humble warrior." Danzo remained calm, but his words revealed his impatience,
"Now, why don't we go inside to discuss the actual matter?"
"Of course, Lord Danzo. Time is precious." Shigehira replied jovially as he entered alongside the other councilors into the Hokage building.
As they walked through the corridors, Homura (who was at Shigehira's side) commented,
"I still remember the day you arrived here. I thought it was gonna be another brat from the Daimyo's court, but you've proven yourself to be a capable warrior." Shigehira smiled at the old councilor and replied,
"I worked hard sire, that's it. I also respect you for guiding me through the path..."
As the two elders and Shigehira talked in the front, two civilian councilors were murmuring in the back,
"Who is that man? I've never seen him before." The other council member looked at his peer like he knew nothing, and replied,
"You don't know Matsumae Shigehira?"
"Well, he must be someone, if those three elders are treating him with respect." The peer agreed and explained,
"This man here is the son of a governor, a jito, his father is the Daimyo's close friend. Years ago he was sent here as a child, to be trained as a warrior. The shinobi didn't expect much from him, as just a civilian lord's son. But he proved everyone wrong, building a reputation even with moderate chakra reserves. He has developed techniques that require minimum chakra but do maximum damage."
"Is that so? Well, he is an outstanding fellow."
"Yes, he has been called here to help with the Hokage selection process."
"Really? Well, I don't-"
As all the councilors settled down in the meeting room, Danzo declared,
"A good day to all of you present here. As you may know, Konoha has experienced a treacherous attack from backstabbers, that invaded the village in the guise of peaceful cooperation. Sadly, I have to announce the Third Hokage didn't survive." There were a couple of murmurs and sighs from the councilors, Danzo continued,
"But today, we are gathered to discuss that very thing. Who, will be the next Hokage?"