The next day, the Third Hokage's funeral.

Because he had an agreement with Uchiha Fugaku that he would not show up, Jiraiya hid his identity and quietly attended the Third Hokage's funeral.

Even though the Third Hokage had done many wrong things, he was still his teacher after all, and he chose to send the Third Hokage off for the last time.

The day after the funeral, he left Konoha with Uzumaki Naruto, and not many people knew that he had returned to Konoha.

Four days later, the meeting room of the Hokage Building.

Around a long conference table sat the heads of each family and the elite jonin among the civilian ninjas, except for the imprisoned four family heads of Sarutobi, Mito, Utatane, and Shimura.

Uchiha Fugaku, the acting Hokage, sat in the main seat. He glanced at the people on both sides and said,

"The election of the Fifth Hokage will begin. Anonymous voting will be implemented. The person with the most votes will be elected as the Fifth Hokage."

There was paper and pen on each person's table so that everyone could write down the person they wanted to vote for.

Without much thought, everyone started writing.

Since the death of the Third Hokage, these people had already considered this, so they naturally had their decisions made.

Everyone wrote their note, folded it, and put it into a sealed wooden box.

Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro stepped forward, took out the notes from the wooden box, and counted the votes.

"A total of three people received votes—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and you, Clan Leader Fugaku."

After the count, Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro reported to Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku was not surprised that Jiraiya and Tsunade received votes.

Although both had been away from the village for many years, they still held significant prestige.

The reason he didn't want the two to return was that he feared if they lobbied after returning, some family heads who had been won over might change their minds.

He nodded and said calmly,

"Just announce the votes."

It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous, but since he dared to hold the election, he was prepared.

Before this, he had already secured more than half of the family heads.

Although he couldn't guarantee that all of them would be consistent in action and vote for him, as long as most remained loyal, he would be elected.

Of course, if he failed, he was prepared to use coercion—but only if absolutely necessary.

After all, that wouldn't be good for his long-term rule over Konoha.

Swish—

In the conference room, everyone's eyes fell on Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro, waiting for them to announce the result.

Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro swallowed and spoke together.

"Jiraiya has nine votes."

"Tsunade has twelve votes."

"Clan Leader Fugaku has eighteen votes."

"The person with the most votes is Clan Leader Fugaku. He is elected as the Fifth Hokage."

As the final result was declared, everyone's gaze turned from Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro to Uchiha Fugaku, the newly elected Fifth Hokage.

"Congratulations, Clan Leader Fugaku."

"Congratulations, Clan Leader Fugaku."

...

Whether they had voted for him or not, everyone congratulated him.

Those who voted for Uchiha Fugaku were naturally pleased—they had helped choose the new Hokage.

Those who hadn't voted for him dared not let it be known for fear of being purged later.

"Thank you for your trust."

Uchiha Fugaku smiled.

The position of the Fifth Hokage was something he had to obtain, and he had to obtain it by any means.

It was best to be elected through a proper process, without coercion.

He didn't care who didn't vote for him.

It was simply a matter of individual choice—it didn't mean hostility, and he wouldn't pursue it.

Of course, if there truly were hostile individuals, he would not let them go.

"Hokage-sama, the villagers outside are still waiting. Please put on the Hokage robe, go to the terrace on the Hokage Building, and receive the villagers' congratulations."

Nara Shikaku said to Uchiha Fugaku.

Regardless of whom he voted for, since Uchiha Fugaku was elected, he would recognize the result and support him.

"All right."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded with a smile.

The Hokage robe had long been prepared. He had an Anbu bring it over and put it on.

It was white, with a large red flame pattern along the bottom.

On the back were the words "五代目火影"—Fifth Hokage.

He walked out of the meeting room and headed for the rooftop terrace of the Hokage Building. The family heads and elite jonin followed behind him.

When he reached the terrace and looked down at the densely packed crowd of villagers below, he felt a rush of emotion.

Since crossing into this world, he had always feared the Third Hokage's faction.

Now that the Third Hokage's faction had finally been crushed, and he himself had been elected as the Fifth Hokage, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Villagers, after the election, Clan Leader Fugaku received the most votes and has been elected as the Fifth Hokage!"

Nara Shikaku and Hatake Nobuhiro stood slightly behind Uchiha Fugaku and announced the election result to the crowd below.

"Fifth Hokage—"

"Fifth Hokage—"

...

Uniform chants echoed from the crowd below.

If this had happened a year ago, there might have been boos—after all, the Uchiha clan had once been unpopular.

But over the past year, especially after Fugaku repelled the Wood Release ninja and captured Orochimaru, his prestige had soared.

Now, the villagers responded with nothing but enthusiastic cheers.

In the crowd, the Uchiha clan members were beyond thrilled.

"The Uchiha clan's generations-long wish has finally come true!"

The eyes of the First Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder were misty with joy.

The Uchiha and Senju had co-founded Konoha, but until now, no Uchiha had ever become Hokage.

That had always been the clan's greatest regret.

Now that dream had finally been fulfilled.

"Dad became Hokage?"

Uchiha Sasuke looked excitedly at Uchiha Fugaku standing atop the Hokage Building in his new robe and asked Uchiha Mikoto.

"Yes, your father is now the Fifth Hokage."

Uchiha Mikoto nodded proudly, her heart full of joy.

To give birth to a Hokage was the Uchiha clan's greatest wish—and her husband had fulfilled it.

She was proud, and she was happy.

(End of this chapter)

***

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