Chapter 107. Down with the King.

Despite what Madara thought, I didn't hate Hiruzen.

I didn't like the man for many reasons, but I didn't hate him, not like I hated Danzo. He was an incompetent leader that lost two of Konoha's strongest clans. He was a spineless doormat who only knew how to fight. He wasn't a leader; he couldn't think for himself. He was so concerned with keeping the peace that he incited a war. If the other villages weren't licking their wounds and too scared of the Nine-Tails to attack, Konoha would have fallen because of the coward.

Despite his ramblings about the will of fire, he didn't treat everyone like family, or maybe he did. There was a reason Asuma and his siblings didn't get along with their father, the young Sarutobi even leaving the village to serve the Daimyo.

Danzo was true to his foul nature, while Hiruzen was a hypocrite.

Much like Jiraya, Hiruzen was redundant.

It was time this man retired.

The plot will be followed.

"Sakura, you need to come with us," Hiruzen said sternly. As if his - I'm your leader; you must obey me - voice will sway me. Ino didn't pause in her work even as the room grew tense.

"I don't want to," I said simply. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Sakura," Kakashi warned. I hummed in response.

"Don't be arrogant because you have power now," Jiraiya stepped into the room, his sandals tapping rhythmically on the floor. Minato growled, and I smiled at the perverted fool. I can't believe I cried for his death. "That power you wield isn't perfect; much like the Jinchurikis, you must learn to control it."

Ino brushed my hair and snipped the loose ends.

"Control is only necessary when both parties can't agree," I reminded him. "Do you think we are incapable of rational thought?"

Ino paused in her work, looking at me. I waved a hand, and she resumed.

"I understand your fear, but your actions are unnecessary," Hashirama stated.

"Not to mention insulting," Tobirama added. "It's like saying we would harm the village if left unchecked. Even if Minato hates you now, that's still one out of five."

"Ahem."

"Three out of five," he amended.

"The issue isn't you, Lord First, nor you, Lord Third," Hiruzen spoke. "What worries us is the Uchiha that dwells within her!"

Shikimaru hissed, and Itachi's eyes narrowed.

"Sakura?" Sasuke asked. I smiled at him without saying anything. I really wanted to keep Madara's existence from everyone, but I suppose I was asking too much. Ino brushed my hair once more and stepped back.

"All done," she said, as if the situation had nothing to do with her. I stood running a hand through the manageable hair, pleased.

"You should give up on being a kunoichi and become a hairstylist instead, Ino Pig," I complimented her.

"I'll do that when you start telling the whole truth without hiding things from us," she replied with a smile.

"Touche~"

"Madara Uchiha is Konoha's biggest shame, the first rogue shinobi and a danger to the village!" Jiraiya lectured, cutting off all my excuses. "Even if you think you can control him, we can trust that man!"

Dooooom!

The air was heavy with death, the room shaking from the anger rolling off me. Those unused to my frequent outbursts fell to the ground from the pressure and fear, even if the killing intent wasn't aimed at them. Jiraiya, for his part, weathered the storm like a veteran. He looked oddly pleased, as if I was proving his point, but he was mistaken; this rage wasn't mine, nor was it Madara's.

Natural chakra rushed through my body as the sage markings formed on my face, markings Hiruzen recognised. The Sarutobi stepped back in fear and awe at the descent of a god.

"Shame?" Hashirama growled. "You dare speak that way about my best friend?" Jiraiya's eyes widened with realization. "I can tolerate Tobirama's insult, but I will not dismiss the words of an outsider!"

I could feel natural energy rushing into the ground, the life below responding. This land would be covered in a forest if I didn't stop him.

I clapped my hands.

The bridge over the water collapsed, and Hashirama's influence blew out like a candle. The killing intent vanished with a woosh, and the genins could breathe again. I paused, ensuring Madara and Tobirama held the raging Senju tightly before I dared to speak. Minato stood with his hands crossed, refusing to help; he really wanted Jiraiya dead, huh?

"While Madara is someone to be feared, I would refrain from speaking ill of him in front of Hashirama; he can be a bit," I searched for the right word. "Protective." I settled.

"That's" Hiruzen was lost for words. I simpathized.

They tried to kill each other but acted as if it never happened, as if they were back to being kids by the riverside.

"You can't control them," Jiraiya concluded.

"Ha!" a burst of laughter escaped from my lungs. "Control is needed when the parties can't agree," I said again. Was he stupid? Control the Kages, when did I say I could? If they decided they didn't want to listen to me, I was dead. Dead! My chakra ripped from my body, leaving behind a husk. We have an agreement, so I'm in control.

We want what's best for the shinobi world, we want peace.

"I can help you," Jiraiya adopted a warm smile. "I can improve your seal and teach you to control the power inside you!"

"While we understand your state of mind, we're afraid we'll have to reject your offer."

"We insist," Jiraiya stepped forward dangerously leaking killing intent as if to intimidate me.

"Is this your final decision?"

Inoichi paled, knowingly.

"Sakura, just cooperate and we don't have to do this!" He pleaded. "We're all a part of the same village!"

"Indeed, I, no, we are Konoha shinobis through and through," I responded, chakra growing dense and heavy around me. "We will do whatever it takes to protect the future of that village!" I stepped forward, matching Jiraiya's energy. For that, Hiruzen needs to go."

They took a battle stance ready for a fight.

Cute.

"It's time you retire and hand the mantle over to someone else, oldman."

The room stilled.

"Eh?"

"Are you nominating yourself?" Shikaku asked cautiously. Was he stupid?

"Sage, no!" I recoiled at the very idea. "I wouldn't sit in that seat even if you took Naruto hostage!"

It would be fine, Naruto would be able to escape if they did take him hostage.

"With a war on the horizon and the five nations in a ceasefire, it's the perfect time to pass on the hat to someone more, let's say, youthful," I began, pacing the room. "You should have never been reinstated, but I understand why you had to do it. I wouldn't want Danzo as my Hokage either."

"Sakura," Kakashi hissed, but I waved him off.

"Are you saying I am no longer fit to be Hokage?" Hiruzen spoke up.

"Your time has passed," I said, simply. "Just be grateful you're still alive to pass on the hat," I smiled to lift the mood. "You can become an elder and bicker about useless things with your old teammates." Kakashi palmed his face in shame. Asuma patted his shoulder.

"Are you speaking as Sakura or the former Kages?" Hiruzen asked.

I hummed in thought.

"This is Sakura's opinion," I informed him, "but I have the blessing of the Kages." I locked eyes with him. "If it makes you feel better, Tobirama wants you to retire for your own health."

Hiruzen chuckled sadly, his eyes losing focus as he looked at the ground.

"Was I really a disappointment to you?" He muttered.

I ignored Minato's growl of yes and Madara's insult to his character. Seeing his dejected posture, I couldn't bring myself to insult him.

"You did the best you could with the hand you were dealt," I offered. "While the Nine-tail debacle could have been resolved with Fugaku's help, you were being cautious." he flinched. "While peace was the aim, I for one would have told the hidden cloud to shove it; but that's just me." I didn't have to elaborate. "I can't really excuse your actions when it came to raising Naruto, nor can I condone your plans for the Uchiha clan." wasn't I supposed to be nice to him, why was I ripping him a new one so gently? "Your bleeding heart is a danger to the village," he looked up in shock. "You let Danzo live, and while that can be excused, I don't know what you can say about Orochimaru."

I could see the pain in his eyes. Orochimaru was a pain in my ass, and that is your fault, went unsaid. His fame trembled but he didn't cry.

Jiraiya stepped protectively before his sensei.

"That's enough!" He cried.

"No," Hiruzen said weakly.

"I'm not fit to be Hokage," He whispered. "It was a mistake from the beginning."

Ugh, my bleeding heart!

"I didn't make a mistake, choosing you," Tobirama said through me, rubbing my neck in embarrassment and frustration.

"Despite everything, I am proud of the man you became. We all make mistakes, but you did your best. You are a kind child, Hiruzen, never be ashamed of that."

And there were the tears. Have you ever seen an old man break down in ugly sobs? No, well let me tell you, I couldn't watch. If the other villages saw this we would be whipped off the map like they did the Uzu.

I just wanted him to step down, why was he bawling his eyes out? Tobirama relinquished control and hid away in a corner of my mind, feeling as uncomfortable as I did. I stepped over the hair on the ground and hid behind Itachi. The Uchiha looked down at me with a raised brow.

"You're the most intimidating person in the room," I explained. He sighed but allowed me to see shelter behind him. Hiruzen bailed like he was a victim of bullying while his subordinates and students tried to comfort him. It was tiring to watch.

"Tsunade? You want to make Tsunade Hokage?"

We sat in the living room, enjoying tea and saki once Hiruzen calmed down. The genins ran away the first chance they got, leaving the room for another. My team didn't want to leave and Itachi kept eyeing me suspiciously. I was not looking forward to that conversation.

A Tobirama-possessed puppet sat at the table with us, a chakra receiver hanging from his ear like an earring.

Neji confessed that the sight of our connection through his Byakugan made him sick for some reason, so out of mercy, I went an extra step. I will admit the chakra exchange was efficient and I didn't have to focus on keeping the connection, though that might be because of the new seal.

"Among the qualified individuals in the village she is the one less likely to cause an uproar," Tobirama stated. He was the only one willing to be in the same room as Hiruzen and Jiraiya. With each of the souls having some grievance with one or the other, or in Minato's case, both.

"The elders will want to nominate Jiraiya as the Hokage, something, something, nepotism," I said. "Since a student of the previous Hokage is wanted, and Orochimaru is a no-go, we will settle for Tsunade."

"It isn't nepotism," Jiraiya objected. "It's only natural that the strongest shinoi's students will be the strongest among their generation."

"True," I admitted. He frowned at my admission. Did he want a fight?

"I don't understand you," He muttered.

I hummed in agreement.

"Tsunade has her flaws, but what Hokage doesn't?" Tobirama stated. "I'm positive she will be a great leader."

"Are you aware of Tsunade's gambling and drinking problem?" Jiraiya asked.

"Are you aware of Hashirama's drinking and gambling problem," Tobirama and I asked at the same time.

Hiruzen looked ill, taking a sip of his tea, before pouring more.

"You shouldn't bring up Tsunade's flaws ya know," I locked eyes with Jiraiya. "Your plan was always to push off the Hokage title onto her, flaws and all. Since you're too busy being a ninja to be a godfather I doubt you would want to be a Hokage either."

He flinched, the topic still a sour spot. Well, you don't have to live with a brooding Yellow flash that lost faith in the shinobi word.

"Is this what you really want, Sensei?" Hiruzen asked in a small voice, like a child afraid of upsetting their parents.

"It's what's best for the village and yourself, Saru. You came out of retirement when Minato died, it was always meant to be temporary. It's time you enjoy your retirement, it won't be long until we have to go to war again." Tobirama was unusually gentle.

Hiruzen visibly relaxed, the movement brought up unpleasant memories.

A small child seeking approval from cold eyes.

I downed a cup, slamming it on the table. All eyes fell on me and I smiled brightly.

"By order of the First, Second and Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi is to retire the Hokage position to Tsunade," I declared. "Any objections?"

The room was silent.

"Good!" I stood.

"Where are you going?" Jiraiya inquired, demanded really.

"Someone needs to tell Tsunade the good news," I smiled at him as pink petals swarmed my vision. The room faded away, and I was standing in the hotspring's changing room.

I took a breath, inhaling the scent of freshly cut wood and Hashiram's calming chakra that filled the air. It seems Yamato finished the reconstruction while I was locked away.

I stepped out into the hot spring to two naked women soaking in the warm bath.

"I wasn't expecting to see you so soon," Tsunade said, relaxing against the edge of the bath with her eyes closed. "Jiraiya said you were a threat," she opened her brown eyes. "Not sure he's wrong."

I smiled, approaching the bath leisurely.

"I was always a threat, no Kunoichi isn't," I said in response, stopping beside her. Shizune watched us cautiously.

"Why are you here?" She sighed.

"Congratulations, you've been nominated as the Fifth Hokage," I said sweetly.

"What?"

Next chapter

October 1