Chapter 339: Everything, for Konoha!

Konoha Village, Central Plaza.

On the Central Plaza of the Village, almost all of Konoha's civilians and ninja have gathered.

Today is the day the Second Hokage Qianshou Feijian announced his retirement, and also the succession ceremony for the Third Hokage.

On the raised platform, Qianshou Feijian stands proudly, his gaze scanning the crowd below.

Behind him stand Lian Ye, Tuan Cang, Xiaochun Zhuanqin, Yuanfei Rizhan, Uchiha Jing and Mizuto Menyan.

"Congratulations, Tuan Cang!"

"Now that you're Hokage, don't forget us former comrades!"

Tuan Cang gradually loses himself amid his companions' compliments, showing a delighted expression.

Is this what power feels like?

Truly mesmerizing!

The crowd murmurs, their gazes mostly fixed on Yuanfei Rizhan and Zhi Cun Tuan Zang.

They had long heard that the two were the Hokage's chosen successors, but who exactly remained unknown.

"Damn, our Uchiha are once again denied the Hokage Position!" A Uchiha Eagle Faction Jonin clenched his fist in frustration, a flash of crimson disappearing from his eyes.

Damned Qianshou Feijian, why didn't you pass the Hokage position to Uchiha Jing?

Although Uchiha Jing faces cold stares and ostracism within the clan, once he becomes Hokage no one would dare treat him that way.

It seems Qianshou Feijian never considered the Uchiha clan at all!

At this moment, the Uchiha clan members feel some discontent; the village was founded by their former clan head Madara Uchiha and Hashirama.

Yet for three consecutive Hokage, none belonged to the Uchiha!

This fuels growing resentment in the Uchiha clan, the family's Eagle Faction members swell, with nearly a third of the Jonin being Eagle Faction members.

Current clan head Uchiha Tanaka watches the fiery clan members, sighing helplessly.

His gaze lands on Lian Ye atop the platform, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

If back then they hadn't expelled that guy from the clan...

Perhaps the Uchiha could have produced a Hokage.

Now the Eagle Faction within the clan is growing, sometimes even the clan head has no means to handle it.

One day, the Uchiha will launch a rebellion!

Such an event is now unavoidable unless another clan head as powerful as Madara Uchiha appears to quell the Eagle Faction.

It's not that he never considered rebellion, but he realized the clan is no match for the Village.

If a war broke out, the Uchiha might be exterminated!

Qianshou Feijian raises his hand, and the plaza falls silent in an instant.

This is the influence of the Second Hokage!

Tuan Cang sees this, admiration flashing in his eyes, vowing that one day he too will be revered like his teacher!

"Everyone, I have served as Hokage for decades and have long reached retirement age," Qianshou Feijian removes the hat symbolizing Konoha's highest authority, the "Fire" character on it standing out.

"At a time like this, the leader Konoha needs must possess not only great strength, but also a spirit of fearless sacrifice, a calm tactical mind, and... a heart of unreserved loyalty willing to bear all slanders and darkness for the Village!"

"Therefore, I have decided," Qianshou Feijian's voice echoes in everyone's ears, "Zhi Cun Tuan Zang shall inherit my will and become Konoha Village's Third Hokage!"

At those words, the crowd below erupts instantly.

"Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang!"

Undoubtedly, these are planted supporters that Lian Ye arranged in advance.

As the shills speak, others are stirred up.

Everyone in the plaza shouts the name of Third Hokage Zhi Cun Tuan Zang.

Amid the cheers, Qianshou Feijian personally places the hat symbolizing authority onto Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's head.

"Tuan Cang, from today onward, you are Hokage."

"Teacher, I will never betray your expectations!" Tuan Cang's eyes redden.

The moment the hat settles, Tuan Cang feels an unprecedented weight and responsibility pressing on his chest, nearly taking his breath away.

He had waited countless years for this day, only knowing that countless days and nights were spent dreaming of becoming Hokage.

Now the long‑held dream finally materializes!

How could one not be thrilled?

Tuan Cang raises his hand, mimicking his teacher, and the crowd below quickly quiets.

He looks down at the silent crowd, appearing a bit trembling.

Not fear, but excitement!

"From today, I, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, will lead the Village onto a stronger path!"

Forgot the front part, forgot the back part.

In short—

"Everything, for Konoha!"

After a brief silence, thunderous applause erupts across the plaza.

"Third Hokage, Third Hokage, Third Hokage!"

Yuanfei Rizhan looks at his friend, complex light flashing in his eyes.

Tuan Cang still became Hokage a step before him.

Lian Ye watches Tuan Cang at this moment, bathed in sunlight and cheers, his heart filled with boundless fighting spirit and ideals.

Not the original work's claim of doing it for the Village, but merely for his own—

the selfish, unscrupulous Mu Ye Nao Wang!

I hope Tuan Cang can become an excellent Hokage.

Hokage Office.

Qianshou Feijian has already gone back, leaving only Lian Ye and the others.

Tuan Cang sits in the office chair, gently stroking the armrest.

"Tuan Cang, congratulations on becoming Hokage!" Uchiha Jing Mian smiles.

He has a good relationship with Tuan Cang, which can reduce the Anbu's surveillance of the Uchiha.

The things I previously didn't dare to tell Teacher Feijian can now all be told to Tuan Cang…

"Tuan Cang, you and Ri Zhan both hold positions in the Village; aren't you going to assign us some tasks?" Xiaochun Zhuanqin hasn't forgotten Lian Ye's earlier reminder.

"Indeed, Lord Hokage," Mizuto Menyan adds, "We also want to experience the feeling of having power."

"Nonsense, can such matters be decided at will?" Tuan Cang resolutely refuses.

—It fully illustrates that the first thing about having power is forgetting one's roots.

Xiaochun Zhuanqin subconsciously looks at Lian Ye beside her, her expression as if saying, "Why is this different from what you said back then?"

Lian Ye averts his gaze, pretending not to see her look.

He just said it offhand, didn't expect Xiaochun to take it seriously, huh?

Although the Hokage Advisor holds little real authority, the very existence of the position will inevitably affect some of the Hokage's decisions.

Isn't this just asking for trouble?

I don't know whether Tuan Cang will agree to this.

After all, in the original work, several characters hold the title of Hokage Advisor…

"Tuan Cang, you can't become Hokage and forget your brothers!" Mizuto Menyan pushes his glasses, "I even saved you several times back then."

Hearing this, everyone looks at Tuan Cang with expectant expressions.

"Fine, I can let you become Hokage Advisors, but with no real authority."

Originally this position was meant for Ri Zhan, but now Ri Zhan holds the Hokage Assistant role, so it can't be used at all.

Since that's the case, let's give it to them.

…

…

ps: Speed up the pace a bit, or you'll accuse me of dragging—Eee eee eee…