Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 269: The Hokage

Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking weary and aged beyond his years, slowly opened his tired eyes.

His gaze swept over the group standing in his office—among them, his student and his grandstudent.

For the past two days, he had heard the voices outside, demanding his resignation. It wasn't just once or twice—it was constant. Though these people did not represent all of Konoha's citizens, each voice cut through him like a blade.

He was the Third Hokage, once revered and respected, a leader known throughout the shinobi world as a powerful and wise figure.

When had he become the target of the village's scorn?

If Tonari could read his thoughts, he would have told him:

This is the power of public perception.

This is why Hatake Sakumo, once an admired hero, had been driven to suicide.

Because when enough people believe something, it ceases to be just a rumor—it becomes the truth.

By the time Hiruzen realized what was happening, it was already too late.

If Minato were still in the village, perhaps things would be different. At the very least, Hiruzen would have had another viable candidate to pass the position to.

But Tonari had planned everything carefully.

He had orchestrated this moment, striking when Minato was away on the front lines, leaving Hiruzen without a proper successor.

And the worst part?

Hiruzen had done this to himself.

He had trusted Danzo's advice, sending Minato away while recalling Orochimaru to keep him under watch—foolishly believing he could still reform his wayward student.

With Minato unable to return in time, Hiruzen had lost all control over the situation.

Perhaps, if he had been more selfish, things would have gone differently.

Homura and Koharu had pushed him to recall Minato immediately, planning to transfer the title of Hokage to him and completely shut out Tonari.

But Hiruzen had hesitated.

It had taken him only a few minutes to decide—but in those few minutes, he realized something.

Despite everything, he still placed Konoha's stability above all else.

Summoning Minato now would leave the front lines unstable.

And that was something Konoha could not afford.

Boom!

The silence was broken as Koharu slammed her hands on the desk, unable to contain her anger any longer.

"What is the meaning of this?!" she snapped, eyes blazing with fury. "Are you trying to force the Third Hokage to step down?!"

She refused to accept what was happening.

She had held power for too long to simply watch it slip away.

If Hiruzen resigned, what would happen to them?

What about their authority?

Their status?

Power, once obtained, is not easily relinquished.

"You brat!" Koharu continued, pointing at Tonari. "Do you know what you're doing?! How dare you speak to the Hokage in such a manner?!"

Tonari's expression darkened.

His Mangekyō Sharingan spun to life, locking eyes with her.

With a single glance, Koharu's body went rigid.

Then—

Thud!

She collapsed to her knees, trembling violently, her mind trapped in a powerful genjutsu.

"You—!" Homura gasped, his face contorting with fury.

This arrogant brat had the audacity to attack a Hokage's advisor right in front of the Third Hokage?!

But before he could say another word, vines of wood erupted from the floor.

Like serpents, they wrapped tightly around Homura, binding him in place.

A thick branch covered his mouth, muffling his protests.

Tonari smiled coldly.

"Calm yourselves," he said. "Even the Hokage hasn't spoken yet. Don't overstep your bounds."

Hiruzen remained silent.

His face was unreadable, but his hands trembled slightly.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"So… this is what Sakumo felt," he murmured.

Tonari's eyes flickered.

He understood exactly what Hiruzen meant.

For the first time, Hiruzen was experiencing the power of public condemnation.

Hatake Sakumo had been crushed under the weight of Konoha's scorn.

Now, Hiruzen was experiencing a fraction of that pain.

But the difference?

Hiruzen was not weak.

He would not crumble.

"You feel it now, don't you?" Tonari said, his voice laced with mock sympathy. "What it's like to be on the receiving end of Konoha's judgment?"

Hiruzen let out a long, slow breath.

For the first time in decades, he felt truly defeated.

"Tell me, Tonari," Hiruzen said, his voice suddenly sharp. "Are you here to force me out?"

Tonari took a step forward.

His answer was immediate.

"For the sake of Konoha," he said firmly, "yes."

Hiruzen's gaze hardened.

"You believe you are worthy of this title?"

Tonari's expression remained unwavering.

"There is no better candidate," he said. "Ask the people, if you don't believe me."

Silence fell.

Then, Hiruzen laughed—a bitter, weary chuckle.

"Fine," he said. "Then let's see if you truly have the people's support."

He turned, striding toward the doors of his office.

As he passed Tonari, he paused briefly.

"Come," he said. "Let's see if Konoha is ready for you."

A few moments later, at the center of Konoha, a massive crowd had gathered.

Thousands of villagers and shinobi filled the square before the Hokage Tower.

At the top of the platform, Hiruzen and Tonari stood side by side.

The air was charged with anticipation.

Hiruzen raised his hand for silence.

Before he could even speak, a voice rang out from the crowd.

"Is it true?! Are you making Tonari our next Hokage?!"

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.

He scanned the crowd, trying to pinpoint who had spoken.

But before he could, another voice shouted—

"Tonari-sama will be our Fourth Hokage!"

"Long live the Fourth!"

And then, one after another—

"Tonari! Tonari!"

"Our new Hokage!"

"The Wood Release Hero!"

Hiruzen felt a chill run down his spine.

This was no ordinary crowd.

The voices were too coordinated.

Planted instigators.

Tonari's work, no doubt.

Yet—

Even those who weren't planted began joining in.

The chant spread like wildfire.

"Fourth Hokage! Fourth Hokage!"

The people had spoken.

Hiruzen stared at the sea of cheering villagers.

There was nothing left to say.

With a slow, measured motion, he removed the Hokage's hat from his head.

The square fell silent.

Then—

He turned to Tonari.

The hat extended toward him.

Tonari accepted it.

At that moment—

The crowd erupted.

"Fourth Hokage! Fourth Hokage!"

The sound was deafening.

Hiruzen let out a final sigh.

"It's done," he murmured.

From today onward…

Konoha belonged to Tonari.

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