Beneath the Hokage building a week later, every civilian and ninja gathered as it was said to be a big announcement.
The crowd didn't have to wait long; the Third Hokage walked into view above, the murmuring of the curious crowd stopped, and everyone waited for HIruzen to speak.
"People of Konoha, words can't begin to describe the pride I take in being your Hokage, and like my sensei, the Second Hokage, it's time that I give up this hat."
Hiruzen paused for a moment.
"And though I wish the Fourth were here, it's sadly not possible, but the Fourth wouldn't want us all to let the past hold us down, let us not forget his sacrifice, but also not let this stop us. Where the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village. And once again, tree leaves shall bud anew. It's time for your Fifth Hokage to introduce themselves."
Hiruzen stepped back, removed the hat amid applause and whistles from the crowd, and handed it to Tsunade before she came into view.
Wrapped in her new cloak, the character 'Fifth Hokage', emboldened in black ink in the middle of a red circle, the cloak was green, choosing a different design from the traditional white and red cloak of the Hokage before her.
Taking the hat in her right hand, Tsunade used it to obscure her face as she came into view of the crowd, then lifted it and smiled down at them.
The crowd was stunned into silence for a few moments before they erupted in a loud roar that shook the ground, everyone happy to see the Senju Princess back in the village and crowned the Fifth Hokage.
Tsunade's following speech was brief, but that doesn't mean it didn't hold weight. It was a rousing and real address that set the tone for her future tenure as Hokage, no fluff, all business.
The village was lively after the speech: food was handed out for free, most shops held big bargain sales in celebration, and couples openly danced throughout the village, with cheers going on through the night.
*Knock, knock, knock
Opening the door in the morning, Kakashi sees Jiraiya.
"Kakashi, may I?"
Jiraiya gestured to step in, and Kakashi nodded, walking into the kitchen to prepare two cups of tea.
"So, what brings you to my house this early in the morning? Has something unexpected happened?"
Kakashi grabbed the steaming teapot and prepared the tea, carrying both cups on a tray to the table before sitting across from Jiraiya and handing him a cup.
Jiraiya blew softly over the cup to cool it, then took a sip and set it down.
"Yes, actually. The Civil War in Kirigakure is ramping up; the little skirmishes are turning into full-blown battles. This, as you can imagine, isn't to the advantage of the rebels; they're being pushed back. With the supplies we're providing, the war is at a standstill; while the Kiri ninja have quantity, the rebels have the advantage in quality. The number of kekkei genkai users in the rebel force is fighting with a zeel that some would consider crazy."
Kakashi hummed.
"Being oppressed and slaughtered will really do that. Almost happened here."
Jiraiya nodded, thinking about how catastrophic the Uchiha coup could have been had they launched an attack.
"Tsunade and I searched the rest of the Root base."
Jiraiya rubbed his eyes as he sighed.
"It was the stuff of nightmares. We found mentions of a beast in files, a beast made from a large amount of Hashirama cells."
'Nue.'
Kakashi immediately understood, having received all the information about Danzo's dealings.
"Did it go into detail?"
"No, sadly not. It was a basic outline of a plan. A researcher's name was stated in the files: Tanuki Shigaraki, a root operative and genetic researcher. Tsunade had opened a case for the Anbu to gather information on him."
Kakashi sipped at his tea before looking up from his cup.
"No leads on any possible locations?"
Kakashi knew there weren't any leads, but it'd be weird if he didn't ask.
Jiraiya shakes his head.
"We could never get that lucky. Not even a clue."
"Are you going to assist in the search?"
"I wish I could, but the Akatsuki is the bigger threat at the moment, and they're ramping up activity with more and more sightings of them in the land of Stone in particular. That Onoki appears to be hiring them for missions."
Jiraiya wanted to beat his head into the table at the thought. Really, how could someone be so dumb? A group of nothing but S-Rank criminals can never be a sign of good things; they certainly aren't gathering around a campfire and singing like a bunch of drunks. And here was a Kage of one of the five great nations in the world hiring them for jobs when their main objective is to steal Tailed beasts. Even if Onoki didn't know their objectives concerning the beasts, it's still very moronic to let criminals roam your lands unchecked.
"Sounds…. Annoying."
Jiraiya groaned.
"You have no idea, I wish Madara had traumatized him more."
Kakashi choked on his tea mid-sip, laughing through his cough.
"I'm sure he celebrated when he heard the near extinction of the Uchiha."
Jiraiya snorted.
"Old fool probably took a step into the pure lands because of partying too hard."
Jiraiya shared a laugh with Kakashi before he got to the real point of his visit today.
"It's time I took you to meet the Great Sage. I've put it off with how busy we've both been, but we really shouldn't keep him waiting."
Kakashi nodded before speaking up.
"We're bringing Naruto, right?"
"Yes, He will be safer with us at Mount Myoboku."
"Then would you mind if I extend the invite to another?"
Kakashi asked, thinking of bringing Karin along so that she wouldn't be left alone.
"The Uzumaki girl, right? I don't see why not. Have everything prepared by noon, I'll be back to pick you all up."
Jiraiya downed the rest of his tea, placed the cup on the tray between them, and stood to leave, walking to the door.
"I'll be sure to prepare lots of non-perishable foods, I'm not eating bugs."
Kakashi spoke up, a shit-eating grin forming on his face as he realized Jiraiya didn't plan on informing him about the bugs.
'Just because you've suffered doesn't mean I will share in it.'
"You're annoyingly perceptive."
Jiraiya fumed as he remembered all the bugs he was forced to eat in Mount Myoboku.
"I'll be sure to pack some food for all of us, that includes you too."
Jiraiya blinked in confusion, wondering why Kakashi would pack for him when he was only dropping them off.
"Don't you think mastering Sage-mode would be in your best interest?"
Jiraiya looked amused.
"I assure you that Sage mode isn't like one of the thousands of jutsu you've copied, Kakashi. It's no joke. And as for me? I feel that I'm strong enough."
"Until you're not."
Kakashi countered.
"You yourself said that the Akatsuki is a major threat. Can you handle their leader? Be honest with yourself right now, could you defeat the leader of an S-Rank mercenary group seeking to gather every tailed beast? That leader must be a cut above the rest. If you want to give yourself a better chance at seeing your godson grow, I ask you, no, beg you to learn Sage-mode alongside me. If anything, do it for Naruto; he'd be destroyed if he lost you."
Kakashi struck a soft spot in Jiraiya, who sighed heavily and nodded with a mix of pride and amused defeat.
"You truly cut straight through to the heart."
'Talk No Jutsu wins again.'
"I have to when I'm talking to stubborn people."
Kakashi replied with an eye smile.
"Yeah, yeah, you sound like Sakumo."
Jiraiya replied with a dismissive wave, denying his stubbornness like a stubborn person would before he quickly left, closing the door with a quick "Be ready." Before he left to inform Tsunade of the sudden change in plans, he was considering blaming Kakashi for it; he didn't want to be punched after all.
- Chapter End -
Hope you enjoy the chapter.