A group of Otogakure's top shinobi had gathered in the throne room in which Orochimaru had once sat. Kabuto and some of the survivors of the costly Battle for Konoha's Destruction had already learned the news from the Sound Four, but many of those who stayed behind in the Land of Rice were yet to know.
The daimyo had also not been invited to said meeting. The situation was critical, and it would be better for the organization to solve it internally first. It was also possible that, if presenting themselves without a good enough solution, the ruler of the land could completely remove the economic backing of the village.
Apart from the elite squadron of the village and Orochimaru's right hand man, other members had been called as part of the meeting. Kimimaro, who was sitting on a wheelchair, as well as Arashi Fuma, leader of the Fuma clan branch that joined Oto, and Guren, who was one of Orochimaru's favorites as well.
Kabuto was still wearing a porcelain mask from Konoha's ANBU. He was stuck staring at Orochimaru's empty throne. It was a regular one made out of stone, with some metallic ornaments in the form of white snakes. The medic quickly noticed that everyone was looking at him, so he simply turned to the Sound Four and beckoned them to begin.
Tayuya, a pink-haired girl, was the one to speak first. "Lord Orochimaru died during the battle."
Those who knew remained silent, while everyone else gasped almost in horror. Orochimaru was not only the supreme leader of Otogakure, which was barely a real shinobi village in the traditional way. The Sannin was also the main piece keeping it all together; he was the reason the Daimyo of Rice was so interested in funding the organization, he was the reason why so many unfortunate orphans and missing-nin sought a new purpose in life in Oto.
Kimimaro clenched his fist, while he began to feel dizzy. Moreso than usual.
"What now?!" Asked Arashi. He was a middle-aged man and a veteran of minor gorilla wars his clan had fought years prior. Orochimaru had promised him the resources to maintain his clan, and that's why he took the controversial decision of joining Otogakure, which split the Fuma clan in two different branches. The news hit him like a ton of bricks. "Is Oto going to disband?"
Guren lowered her head, assuming the fate of her Lord's project. To her, outside of all the reasons why she admired the man, what was more shocking was that an immortal, a god like him could be killed in the first place.
"If that's what the majority wants, then sure." Kabuto replied while glancing at the patriarch of the Fuma clan.
Kimimaro, as ill as he was, smashed his fist on the armrest of his chair. "We can't just abandon Lord Orochimaru's dream like that."
"What do you suggest, then?" Asked the blue-haired woman. She was as hopeless as everyone else.
"I suggest voting for a new leader." The Sannin's former right hand man replied, beating the hesitating and distressed Kimimaro.
Arashi gritted his teeth. "The Daimyo will retrieve all economic backing without Orochimaru! And we cannot remain here under such circumstances."
"If it comes to that, then we can't let him have a choice." Yakushi was holding tight onto the white-haired boy's wheelchair. "In fact, without Lord Orochimaru on the way, perhaps we can use the Daimyo to negotiate with the rest of your clan."
The man was caught off-guard by the idea, but he could not say he was displeased. He thought about it, and it made sense. After all, Hanzaki had refused to join because of Orochimaru, who was a dangerous criminal known around the world.
He simply nodded, before Jirobo took the chance to speak.
"Let's vote then."
"Who are the candidates?" Asked the boy of the six arms.
"All of us in attendance." Replied Tayuya.
Everyone then nodded in agreement of the procedure. After a few seconds of silence, the voting began.
The first one to raise their hand was Arashi. "I vote for Kabuto."
Guren followed. "I vote null."
"I vote for Kabuto, too." Jirobo announced, while turning to the rest of his teammates.
"Kabuto." Simply said the pink-haired girl.
"I vote Kabuto, too." Continued Kidomaru.
Sakon hesitated slightly more, but in the end he gave in. "We vote for Kabuto, too."
"I vote for Kabuto as well." Said Kimimaro, though his stare was locked on his fists.
The man of the porcelain mask then nodded. "I refrain from voting as it's settled."
He removed his hands from the white-haired boy's wheelchair. He walked towards the empty throne and carefully wiped some dust using his hands. He stared at it for around thirty seconds, before finally sitting on it. A chill went up his spine. It almost felt wrong to him.
"So what're the new orders, boss?" Asked Kidomaru, while stretching all six of his arms.
"We stick to the previously established plan. Kimimaro's surgery remains for today. And we schedule a formal meeting with the Daimyo of Rice for next week as I need some more time to properly heal my wounds." Explained the gray-haired man. "As for the new talent, did we capture all of our intended targets?"
All members of the Sound Four nodded in response. Kabuto smirked behind his mask.
"And Kumogakure succeeded in capturing the heiress of the Byakugan." Added Jirobo, while crossing his arms.
"Then we must meet with the Raikage as well. Let them know we are ready to proceed with that project as well." A small smirk appeared on his face. It took him a while, but after the shiver, and the somewhat thrilling sensation of sitting in Orochimaru's throne, he was starting to get excited. "And of course, let everyone know across all bases and outposts that I am their new leader."
"It's hard to believe indeed." Sarutobi said calmly.
Right after the meeting, they remained together even when Gohan had left. There was more to be discussed without his presence.
"But I must also recognize that the possibility is there, and it's considerable enough to be considered." He finished.
Danzo, while satisfied with his rival's initial statement, was less so when nuance was added to it. He frowned, wanting to make his disapproval of such beliefs.
"Orochimaru was immortal. I could not think of any other explanation for such a feat by such a young boy." Anko, still shook by it all, said. She was looking down at her own hands and had been so ever since the boy revealed he had befriended a god. "Plus, Kakashi reported how they defeated the Nine Tails like it was nothing. It's…"
"Not in its full splendor. A shinobi of the highest level could rival the fox if it's only using fractions of his power." Shimura intervened, tired of hearing nonsense. "Trapped in a vessel, a tailed beast can rarely release its full power, which is part of the reason we keep them sealed."
"Then again, I must agree with Anko." Kakashi joined the discussion. He witnessed their power, and could not keep his own beliefs and concerns quiet just to please some elders. "I hit my raikiri directly into the green demon's abdomen. That would have killed any shinobi, regardless of their power or rank. No amount of jutsu or chakra can save you from having your vital organs destroyed. And yet, he survived."
Danzo remained silent, but he made it clear through his menacing stare that he was not content with the jounin's intervention.
"Indeed, many things are very strange in this case. But for now, we can only wait and be careful." Sarutobi continued smoking from his pipe.
"And what does being careful mean, exactly?" Pressed the advisor.
Ibiki gulped. The tensions in the room were getting higher than he was comfortable with.
"Well, we can't really just let him go freely. It could backfire in the long run. But on the other hand, we don't know how he might react if we keep holding him here. He seems like a good kid, but his power is simply terrifying." Sarutobi turned around to look outside the window of his office. A drop of sweat began to pour down from his forehead. "I'm starting to think we might have to let him go back to his home."
"You've officially lost your mind, Sarutobi." Declared Danzo, completely baffled by his words. "We can't simply let such an asset go."
Ibiki could not disagree with the advisor, for as much as he admired Lord Third. If it was not Konoha, then someone else would pick him up.
"He'll be supervised, of course. And we will request him to visit our village at least once a week. That way we may have more time to convince him to move permanently." Sarutobi sighed. "That's my plan, at least."
"Supervised by whom?" Inquired Kakashi. If he had to be honest, he would rather if he was not put to such a task.
"Well, I've been playing with different ideas. Haruno Sakura, your student, has become quite close, which makes her the obvious choice. But being a genin, I don't think she's the correct one." He took his pipe out of his mouth. "So I think I've decided. Anko shall watch Son Gohan."
Kakashi's only visible eye widened.
As for Anko, she was simply paralyzed.
"So, how did it go?" Asked the pink-haired girl.
Gohan had been staying at the Haruno home ever since returning and intervening in the battle. They had been lucky that the house was not destroyed by the enemy. And so was the Saiyan that he had been received with open arms.
Kizashi Haruno, Sakura's father, was only slightly suspicious of the boy. As a shinobi, even if one of the so-called 'eternal genin', he had heard some rumors that were being said about the boy following his private meeting with the Hokage. Not only that, but it was already hard to believe that a boy younger than his own daughter had been able to kill one of the legendary Sannin.
Now, both of them were sitting on Sakura's bed, in her room. The Haruno home was not very close to the center of the village, so it was a more private place for the now renowned mysterious boy. The girl also closed the curtains of her room, wanting to avoid as much attention as possible.
The half-blood scratched the back of his head. "I suppose it went well, if I'm here. They offered me to become a shinobi."
"Eh? Just like that?" Sakura raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
"I said no, of course. I don't even like fighting." He shrugged while shaking his head. "I don't think I'm cut out to be a shinobi."
"Well you'll need some money now, and I bet someone like you could make a lot of money as a shinobi!"
"I don't really need money." He laughed nervously. "I have everything I need back in the forest with Mr. Piccolo, remember?"
Sakura scratched her chin. "Right."
"Um…"
The girl opened her green eyes to look at him. "Hm?"
"Why're there like six people just out the window?"
Sakura widened her eyes before jumping out of the bed. She rushed towards the window and moved the curtains to peek. Her curious, even worried expression was replaced by a furious one as she was met with the blue eyes and blonde hair of her only remaining teammate.
"Naruto!" She yelled before opening the window and grabbing the boy by the neck.
"Hey, hey! Calm down!" Naruto tried to beg for his life, but it was useless.
"Don't think that just because we've been going through a lot I'm going to let you do whatever you want!" She said while repeatedly punching his face.
Meanwhile, more faces peeked from outside. One of them was familiar to the Saiyan, as it was Konohamaru.
The kid jumped into the room and then bounced into the girl's bed. He cleared his throat and then pointed his finger straight at Gohan's face.
"I challenge you for the hat!"
The half-blood was confused and exchanged glances with the pink-haired girl, who finally let go of the defeated Uzumaki.
"What hat?"
"Well, the Hokage hat, of course!" Replied the youngest of the Sarutobi while confidently nodding.
"Why me? Your grandfather is Hokage, isn't he?"
"Not anymore, no." Shikamaru spoke as he and his team also jumped into the room.
Alongside him was a fat boy and a blonde girl.
Ino crossed her arms. "Lord Third just announced he is stepping down due to his old age."
"What?!" Sakura, Gohan and Naruto yelled in unison, being quite shocked at the news.
"Who's taking the hat now?" Continued the blonde boy, while rubbing his sore head.
Shikamaru shrugged. "No news on that yet. Seems like Danzo, Lord Third's old teammate, will take over temporarily."
"And the rumours say…" Another voice, this time unknown to Sakura as well, echoed through the room.
Another boy, wearing a green spandex and with a peculiar set of very thick eyebrows, jumped inside from the window.
"That the mysterious boy that killed Orochimaru of the Sannin is going to become the Fifth."
"Ha, great." Ino looked away as he recognized the boy.
He walked past team 10, and directly approached the pink-haired girl. They exchanged stares for a few seconds, until the boy suddenly kneeled in front of her. He carefully grabbed her hand and kissed it once.
"Never in my life had I witnessed such beauty in person. Wonder what the name of this angel could be." He stood back up, expecting a reply that did not come due to the girl's shock. "My name is Rock Lee! What is yours?"
"You came to my house and you don't even know my name?!" The girl yelled back.
Lee nodded calmly. He then pointed at the group behind him, which included Naruto. "I just followed them."
"Well, yeah, I thought all of us were coming." Naruto put both of his hands behind his head. "Except for those that went out to search for Hinata."
"Search for Hinata?" Inquired the pinkette. Right in front of her, the boy of the bowl cut still awaited a response.
"She was kidnapped during the invasion. Didn't you know? We're not sure by whom yet, but Neji, Kiba, Shino and Tenten went with Kurenai and Guy to search for her in the Land of Rice." Explained Ino. "Gosh, you really don't know anything!"
Sakura was about to reply quite harshly, she didn't even know half of those names, but she was interrupted by the curious glance of Lee, which reminded her of their previous conversation.
She sighed. "I'm Haruno Sakura, nice to meet you."
The boy seemed fascinated by her name, even if it was a relatively common one, at least among civilians like most of her family. He gave the girl a thumbs up, before revealing his shining white teeth with a smile. "I guess destiny has put us together, because I was kept out of my team's mission for technical reasons!"
The pink-haired girl blinked, while Gohan behind her fell on his back.
"Would you like to go out with me? I swear I'll protect you with my life!"
This time, even Konohamaru's jaw dropped all the way down. In fact, the boy then fell on his back and rolled down the bed, so deeply embarrassed by the situation that he just wanted to look away.
Sakura's eyebrow ticked. "No, not really."
"About our fight, though…" Konohamaru rolled over the Saiyan's side and stood up to face him.
"But that's impossible. I don't even live here." Gohan replied.
"Yeah, he isn't even a shinobi!"
Shikamaru shrugged. "No one has any idea about who'll succeed the old man. There's no one like the Fourth Hokage that's obviously going to take the hat."
Hiruzen calmly walked through one of the many parks around the training grounds. He admired the flying birds, the flowing wind and the budding trees and flowers all around him. In his mouth, he was holding his good old pipe, from which he was smoking the usual tobacco.
It had been his first time in thirteen years walking on that park as a regular citizen of Konoha, and not the Hokage.
After a few minutes, he finally reached the end of the rock path that crossed the grass. There, Jiraiya was already waiting for his master.
Sarutobi could not help but smile at the sight of his student, mostly due to the weight he had finally taken off his shoulders.
However, the toad sage shook his head once he recognized the old face of his master. He was no longer wearing the robes of the Hokage, but the regular robes the elders of Konoha used to wear as a sign of status.
"At this moment, resigning as Hokage?!" Questioned the man with the long and spiky hair. "We're at war with Suna and Oto and you decide it's a good time to resign? Have you lost your mind?!"
"Otogakure is in no position to try anything without Orochimaru, so we must not worry much about that." The Hokage inhaled from his pipe while turning upwards to look at the sky. "As for Suna, my last move as Hokage was to settle that. It seems Orochimaru usurped the Kazekage after murdering him, which is a pretty good excuse in itself. However, it also means they don't have any interest in continuing the war, especially as they suffered heavy losses."
Jiraiya let out a sigh of relief while wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"My successor will only have to figure out who to marry to the new Kazekage, the son of the previous one." Hiruzen shrugged. "There's plenty of candidates. It shouldn't be hard."
"The jinchuuriki?"
Sarutobi nodded.
"Well, that's why you were the Hokage for so long, I guess."
"My next and final task, though, is to find a successor." He glanced at his student. "Danzo is eager but he's just as old as I am. I would like to leave the village in the hands of someone younger. I know your answer but I'd like to ask you one more time, if you'll allow me."
The Sannin rolled his eyes before crossing his arms.
"All the advisory council and most of the jounin agree you are the best option to become Fifth Hokage at this point. I certainly agree, as well."
"I'm not suited for that, master." He lowered his head.
"Then we have no alternative." Sarutobi cracked his neck. Jiraiya turned to look at him, almost scared at the prospect of Danzo becoming the official Fifth Hokage. "We must find Tsunade."
The white-haired man widened his eyes.
"I'd thought of the same."