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The Hokage election process typically involved three steps.
First, nomination. Usually, the Hokage and the council of elders each nominated a Shinobi who had made outstanding contributions to the Village. If they agreed, only one candidate was nominated.
Second, Village-wide referendum. Civilians weren't included in this "Village-wide" vote. Representatives from Konoha's Shinobi clans and departnt heads cast their votes. The candidate with the most votes beca the next Hokage.
If the Hokage and elders nominated the sa person, this step was largely ceremonial, a way to boost popularity and rally support.
Finally, the nomination and referendum results were submitted to the Daimyo. The Daimyo affixed their seal, completing the succession ceremony. The Daimyo simply announced the results, acting as a rubber stamp.
From that mont, the new Hokage possessed legal authority.
Throughout this process, the Daimyo had no real power to interfere in the election, only the right to "offer suggestions," serving rely as a figurehead.
Looking back at Konoha's history, only the transition from the Third to the Fourth Hokage had involved any real competition, with Orochimaru challenging Minato. All previous successions had been direct appointnts by the incumbent Hokage.
Elder Danzo had aspired to compete with the Third Hokage.
But the elders at the ti were loyalists of the Second Hokage. Whatever the Second said, went. The Hokage and elders agreed on the nomination, leaving Danzo out of the running.
Competition—was a good thing!
These clan heads, though ineligible to run or nominate, were granted the power to vote in the referendum, offering a chance to support a Hokage more aligned with their interests—And perhaps, in the future, as the Hokage's power waned, candidates competing with the elders' choice might even offer them bribes for their support.
But now, with the Fourth and Fifth Hokage acting in concert, the Hokage succession system was effectively dead.
The council of elders—consisted solely of Gojo Kaigetsu.
And the poor, pathetic Homura and Koharu likely didn't even know about the nomination process. They hadn't even been invited to today's eting.
The Fourth Hokage—shared the sa pair of pants as Gojo Kaigetsu.
The Hokage nominating an elder to succeed him, then having the clan representatives vote—what was the point?
There was no competition!
Future Hokage successions would likely beco even more autocratic, the incumbent Hokage's word becoming law!
This Village—would beco a "family dynasty."
Though the academy textbooks still preached about contributions and recognition, though naive children could still dream of becoming Hokage...
In reality? Outsiders had no chance. There was only one path to becoming Hokage—
Beco the incumbent Hokage's disciple, relative, confidant, or lover. Curry favor, appease the incumbent, and defeat all other competitors vying for the position.
"No! This cannot be! Konoha belongs to everyone!" Nara Shikaku cried out silently in his heart. But in reality, when the Fifth Hokage, Gojo Kaigetsu, presented the single-candidate ballot, he would obediently sign his na and press his thumbprint.
Thoroughly subjugated by the Hokage's power.
Perhaps, if the clans could unite, they might have a chance to gain more influence from the Hokage. But with Big Brother Uchiha, Second Brother Hyūga, and Third Brother Uzumaki having completely defected...
The clans—could only beco puppets shouting loyalty.
His thoughts racing, Nara Shikaku keenly perceived the implication in Gojo Kaigetsu's words—"this storm."
"Lord Fifth Hokage, you said—Konoha faces a storm? What has happened?"
"Gentlen—"
"War—has begun."
Gojo Kaigetsu stated the harsh reality simply.
Konoha possessed the most exceptional kekkei genkai users, the strongest intelligence network, integrated land, sea, and air strike capabilities—On paper, their strength was unparalleled, terrifying.
But as everyone knew, paper strength was just paper strength. A Shinobi force untested by the crucible of fire and blood couldn't be considered truly strong.
He'd seen enough S-tier tournants to remain unfazed. Konoha, the heavily favored number one seed, crashing out in the round of sixteen—To avoid becoming the very thing he despised, Gojo Kaigetsu refrained from boasting before the battle.
Boast after defeating the enemy!
"War?!" The previously relaxed atmosphere in the conference room vanished.
The Konoha departnt heads imdiately straightened their postures. Many clan representatives looked bewildered. How could their clan mbers embedded within the Anbu not have relayed news of impending war?
"Lord Fifth Hokage, please elaborate!"
"Which blind Village dares wage war against Konoha?"
"It must be Kumogakure! Those barbarians never let a slight go unanswered."
"Hmph—The Fire Gas just concluded, and they're already eager for war? Do they think Konoha's shuriken aren't sharp?"
Murmurs filled the room, unanimously identifying Kumogakure as the enemy.
Gojo Kaigetsu listened silently, observing the thick, almost tangible bellicosity, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
Konoha had experienced over a year of rapid developnt. The clans had reaped the benefits, accumulating vast wealth. Yet, this prosperity hadn't softened them, hadn't made them forget the necessary vigilance of a Konoha Shinobi.
The sun of the Will of Fire had dispelled the darkness in their hearts!
This was a Village with a guiding spirit!
Konoha possessed the most luxurious, best-equipped ninjutsu training grounds. Foreign rogue Shinobi, abandoning their headbands, joined Konoha, serving as sparring partners in the training grounds.
The Akimichi Clan, combining their secret techniques with the Land of Lightning's body-strengthening elixirs, had offered their knowledge freely to the Hokage Tower, enabling mass production...
In Konoha, anyone willing to train could access the best resources!
High morale was good, but overconfidence could be disastrous.
Nara Shikaku remained silent. He knew that if it were just Kumogakure—the Fourth Hokage, being prudent, would likely have followed so protocol before transferring power. But the Fourth Hokage had vanished without a word.
And now, all prominent Shinobi leaders currently in the Village had been summoned. The crisis Konoha faced likely exceeded everyone's expectations.
Gojo Kaigetsu spoke again, his voice cutting through the murmurs.
"Gentlen—What I must tell you now is that our enemy—is not just Kumogakure."
The discussions in the conference room gradually subsided. In that mont, perhaps everyone realized sothing.
Gojo Kaigetsu produced a pen, drawing circles on the unfolded Shinobi World map—
First Kirigakure, then Kumogakure, then Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Ishigakure, Shimogakure...
Soon, the map was covered in red circles, forming a dense, inescapable net, trapping Konoha at its center.
An indescribable pressure descended upon everyone present.
Gradually, the conference room fell completely silent. Everyone's eyes reflected profound shock.
Even the most optimistic Shinobi lost their smiles.
"This ti, the enemies Konoha faces—are more nurous than even during the Third Shinobi World War!"
"Standing against Konoha—is the entire Shinobi World!"
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