Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 270: Power Transition

On this day, the power transition in the Hidden Leaf Village of the Ninja World was officially completed.

For other Hidden Villages, this transition undoubtedly seemed abrupt. After all, from the moment signs of Hiruzen Sarutobi's resignation appeared to the successful ascension of Tonari as the new Hokage, only a few days had passed.

Information might not have even spread that quickly.

However, for those living in the Hidden Leaf, this felt entirely natural.

It was as if everything was destined to unfold this way—Tonari inheriting the Hokage position, gaining universal recognition.

When news of this transition reached the front lines, several battlefield commanders who received the intelligence were stunned.

They had no idea what had transpired in the village. Not long ago, they had only learned that Danzo, the leader of the Root Division, had been declared a rogue ninja.

And now, just a few days later, the Hokage had changed?

The highest-ranking administrators of the Hidden Leaf had been almost completely replaced in the shortest time possible.

First, Danzo, the leader of Root and one of the village's most influential advisors, was ousted.

Shortly after, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the acting Hokage, announced his resignation, handing over the position to the former deputy head of the Leaf Medical Corps, the "Azure Cat of Konoha."

Though the selection process for the Hokage had never been based on previous positions, this still seemed unusual.

It was said that when Jiraiya, stationed on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, received the news, he locked himself in his tent and remained in seclusion for an entire day.

On the battlefield of the Land of Rain, Minato Namikaze was momentarily stunned upon hearing the news. Then, he burst into laughter, feeling genuine joy for his friend's rise to the position of Hokage. However, after a while, a trace of disappointment crossed his face.

Of course, that was a matter for later. At this moment, Tonari had just received the Hokage's hat from Hiruzen Sarutobi. There were still many matters to handle during the transition.

After enjoying a brief moment of celebration, Tonari and Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage's office.

However, this time, the atmosphere had drastically changed. Their roles had undergone a complete reversal.

But they weren't alone. Before Tonari could enter the office, a group of masked ninja in Root uniforms appeared before them.

"Honored Hokage-sama!"

The Root ninja stood in two lines along the corridor leading to the Hokage's office, bowing respectfully.

Tonari nodded in acknowledgment, and as Aburame Ryoma opened the door, the Root members entered alongside them.

The Root members moved with synchronized precision, entering two by two, standing against the walls, enclosing the entire office.

Seeing this scene—Tonari, wearing the Hokage's hat, flanked by Root ninjas—Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, visibly shaken, abandoned any thoughts of resistance.

Moments later, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered with a slightly solemn expression.

He understood that Tonari intended to take full control of Root. He had tried before but never truly earned the loyalty of its members.

The Root operatives respected him as the Hokage, but their allegiance remained with Danzo.

Without Danzo's direct orders, Sarutobi could command them, but they would not act without their leader's approval.

"You really did manage to take control of all of Root, didn't you?" Sarutobi said, sighing slightly. Though he wasn't sure how Tonari had done it, he no longer felt the need to dwell on it.

At the very least, this new Hokage seemed to have a firmer grip on power than he ever had.

Originally, he had been concerned that with Danzo's downfall, Root—an organization that could rival the Anbu—would fade into obscurity.

Tonari observed the kneeling Root operatives, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes.

"This is simply power returning to the Hokage," he stated. "Uncle Third, you relinquished too much control. While Danzo helped share the burden and bore many responsibilities, he also created a situation where he was practically untouchable.

"There were times when he could act entirely on his own accord, even to the point where your decisions required his approval or consideration.

"That's far too humiliating."

Sarutobi was not angered by Tonari's blunt words. Having handed over the Hokage's hat, he now felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. Things that once seemed difficult to accept now felt oddly natural.

He nodded. "My circumstances were different from yours. My teacher, the Second Hokage, perished in battle. I was forced to take on the Hokage's mantle under pressing circumstances. The situation was far more complicated than can be explained in a few words.

"I needed allies back then. Otherwise, the internal opposition within Konoha would have been overwhelming—including from the Senju clan…

"But now, with Root under your command, alongside the Anbu which is already under the Hokage's authority, you have truly unified the village's covert forces."

The Anbu was the Hokage's personal force.

While a few members might leave with a retiring Hokage, the vast majority remained loyal to the position, regardless of the individual in office.

"Root will remain Root, and the Anbu will remain the Anbu," Tonari clarified. "I believe these two divisions should remain separate and independent. Their responsibilities differ, so it's best to keep their duties distinct."

Sarutobi chuckled. "That's your choice. From today onward, you are the Hokage. You'll decide how to govern.

"If it were Minato, I might have been concerned. That boy is intelligent, but not as politically shrewd as you.

"But with you as Hokage, I can truly retire in peace… Perhaps even look forward to becoming a grandfather."

His expression lightened, his previously weary face gaining a slight flush. Clearly, he was in a better mood.

Having let go of the burdens of leadership, his previous frustrations had disappeared.

"In any case, Tonari, I know you don't think much of us old folks. But we have fought for Konoha, bled for it, and shed tears for it. You must at least acknowledge that. Koharu and Homura—"

Sarutobi finally remembered his two longtime comrades sitting dejectedly in the corner of the office.

Seeing them in such a pitiful state, he sighed.

Tonari glanced at the two, then nodded, deciding to show Sarutobi some courtesy.

Regardless of everything, Sarutobi still had immense influence in the village. His resignation signaled a peaceful transition, allowing Tonari to consolidate power without backlash.

And Sarutobi's combat strength remained an asset to Konoha.

After quickly weighing the pros and cons, Tonari made his decision.

Looking at Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, he dispelled the genjutsu and allowed the wooden restraints to recede into the floor.

The two elders collapsed, gasping for breath.

"Uncle Third, you make a valid point. They have contributed to Konoha. So, we shouldn't forget them. Given their age, they shouldn't have to toil endlessly. They should enjoy a peaceful retirement—sipping tea and playing chess. Konoha will take good care of them."

He would spare them, but he had no intention of letting them continue interfering in village affairs.

The two elders' faces darkened.

They said nothing, nor did they try to assert their authority. They knew that from now on, their fate lay in Tonari's hands.

"That's fine," Sarutobi said, smiling. "The three of us can retire together, watching as Konoha continues to flourish."

He had no objections. So long as they could live in peace, that was enough.

For all their past maneuvering, they had long-established personal networks in Konoha. Even stripped of their authority, their lives wouldn't be difficult.

Tonari placed a hand on the Hokage's desk, running his fingers over its surface.

Sarutobi continued, "One more thing, Tonari—Konoha is, officially, the military force of the Land of Fire. While you have the village's full support, there's one final step—you need the Daimyo's approval to be officially recognized.

"Typically, the Daimyo does not oppose the village's choice, but you'll still need to travel to the Land of Fire's capital."

Tonari nodded.

"However, given the ongoing war, you don't need to go immediately. The Daimyo will understand. You can wait until the Third Ninja War ends," Sarutobi added.

And so, the transition of power continued, with Sarutobi passing down his knowledge, and Tonari solidifying his rule.

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