Later, as the mourners began to disperse, Shikaku approached Kakashi behind the Memorial Stone.

"You did well today," Shikaku said bluntly.

"It's not about doing good. It's what had to be done." Kakashi said as he shrugged lightly.

Shikaku studied him carefully.

"You know," he began slowly, "the Fire Daimyo's advisors are already whispering. Konoha needs a Fifth Hokage."

Kakashi remained silent.

"I want you to know," Shikaku said, meeting his eye seriously, "that I, and a good number of jonin would support you if you took the position."

For a long moment, Kakashi said nothing.

"Thank you. But no." Then he chuckled softly.

"You sure?" Shikaku raised an eyebrow.

Kakashi nodded. "Tsunade. She's the better choice for the Hokage seat. She has the blood of the First Hokage, the Will of Fire. The people of Konoha will follow her without hesitation."

Shikaku frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe… but Tsunade's situation isn't simple. She abandoned the village decades ago and lost faith in it. She's unstable."

Kakashi turned his gaze back toward the burning pyre. His voice was quiet but certain.

"I already solved that problem."

"What?" Shikaku blinked.

"I reached out to her long ago," Kakashi said.

"During one of my missions. We've corresponded, quietly. I knew… one day we'd need her." Kakashi lied.

Shikaku was stunned.

He hadn't expected Kakashi, the infamous loner, to think so far ahead. He hadn't even thought Kakashi knew Tsunade personally.

"You really are full of surprises," Shikaku said after a moment, letting out a low whistle.

Kakashi just gave him a faint, knowing look.

"Alright. But there's still one thing." Shikaku snorted and shook his head.

"Danzo," Kakashi said, voice darkening slightly.

Shikaku nodded grimly. "He'll move fast. Try to seize the title. He has too many roots still buried deep in Konoha."

Kakashi's expression sharpened.

"I'll deal with him," he said softly. "And we're not alone."

"Jiraiya?"

Kakashi nodded. "He's in the village. Watching, waiting. He'll be back for Tsunade's appointment, and if Danzo wants to resist… We'll have the full backing of the Jonin."

Shikaku gave a rare, genuine smile.

"Good," he said simply. "Tomorrow, then."

"Tomorrow." Kakashi nodded.

And in the ashes of yesterday's war, a new resolve began to rise among Konoha's leaders.

…..

Konoha Underground.

Deep beneath Konoha, in the ruined underground corridors once controlled by Root, Danzo Shimura brooded in silence.

His eyes, hidden behind bandages and shadows, narrowed as his informants fed him scraps of information.

Hatake Kakashi was gaining influence.

The Jonin were aligning behind him.

The Third was dead.

Danzo clenched his fist.

The old fool Sarutobi had been weak.

Kakashi the Copy Ninja was a threat of a different kind. He had strength, loyalty, and popularity. It's Dangerous.

But Danzo wasn't finished yet.

Not by a long shot. No one can block his way to become Hokage.

…..

At the top of Hokage Rock, standing before the stone faces of past leaders, Naruto Uzumaki punched his fist toward the sky.

"Just wait, old man!" he shouted at Hiruzen's carved stone face. "One day, I'm gonna be Hokage too! Believe it!"

The wind carried his voice far across the ruined village.

…..

The grand Hokage Tower stood in stark contrast to the devastation of the village. Its stone and wood structure, strong and intact despite the chaos below, symbolized the continuity of Konoha's leadership. In the aftermath of Hiruzen Sarutobi's death, the village's future lay in the balance.

Kakashi Hatake, Nara Shikaku, and several of Konoha's most trusted jonin stood gathered in the Hokage Tower's central meeting room.

The Fire Daimyo had been summoned, his presence a necessary formality after the death of the Third Hokage.

The advisors, now without the elder statesmen to guide them, were nervous and unsure about the future. But Kakashi, with his calm demeanor, had taken on the responsibility of organizing the funeral and coordinating the rebuilding.

No one questioned his authority anymore, though no official title had been given.

The room was filled with tension as everyone waited for the Fire Daimyo's decision.

Kakashi sat at the head of the room, his posture relaxed but his sharp eyes ever watchful. Beside him, Nara Shikaku, his stoic face framed by his dark pineapple hair, occasionally glanced at Kakashi, sensing his deep contemplation.

The meeting wasn't about to be an easy one. Kakashi knew the stakes. Even if he was respected by his peers, the Fire Daimyo's decision about the next Hokage would be crucial for Konoha's future.

The Daimyo, seated across from them, adjusted his robes and cleared his throat. The man had already grown accustomed to the ninja world, having ruled over the country with an iron hand, but the weight of this decision was something even he couldn't take lightly.

"Well then, Hatake Kakashi," the Daimyo began, looking at the silver-haired ninja with a piercing gaze, "the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi has left us with a significant gap in leadership. I trust you understand the importance of the Hokage position and what it represents to Konoha. You are a strong and capable leader, and I believe you could carry the mantle well."

Kakashi's expression remained impassive as he nodded. "Thank you, Daimyo. But, as I have mentioned before, I believe that Tsunade Senju would be a more suitable choice."

There was a moment of silence as the Daimyo considered Kakashi's words.

Shikaku, who had been observing silently, spoke up. "The decision has already been made in many ways, Daimyo. Kakashi's leadership has been exceptional, but Tsunade Senju, with her lineage, experience, and the respect she has from the people, is Konoha's natural successor."

He thought that Kakashi's decision had been a quiet but firm one. He knew Tsunade was the better fit for the position of Hokage, both in the eyes of the villagers and the ninja community.

Though Kakashi's abilities and leadership had shone through in the past days of chaos, he had never truly wanted to lead Konoha in such a way.