The scene in front of him left Haseo momentarily dazed, pulling up some deep, buried memories.
Looking down from the flat rooftop of the Hokage Office Building, the neatly arranged squads of Konoha ninja below looked as orderly as high school students doing calisthenics.
As for Haseo? He was like the headmaster standing on the platform at the playground—someone who always found something to say… Wait, no, actually in terms of position he'd be more like the principal.
With official appointment from Konoha and recognition by the Daimyo, Haseo had now truly become the "Fourth Hokage"—definitely not a temporary worker, but someone with permanent status.
The inauguration ceremony of the Fourth Hokage was still ongoing.
How should Haseo describe what he was feeling? Honestly, nothing felt real. All the preparation hadn't moved him, but now, watching it all unfold exactly as planned, he just couldn't believe it was really happening. Haseo just didn't seem like someone cut out to be Hokage—it didn't suit his personality at all.
Besides, he genuinely had no interest in the position. How should one put it?
It's always the things you can't have that stir up desire, while the ones you've got feel too secure to worry about?
Thinking thus, Haseo felt slightly uncomfortable about the hat placed on his forehead. Before beginning his "inaugural speech," he turned his head slightly to whisper at Homura Mitokado standing beside him:
"Can I take this off? It's neither comfortable nor fashionable. Even though it does give me that humble, hard-working villager vibe—and sure, maybe even fits some kind of postmodern style—if you're going to give me a straw hat anyway, then at least provide a hoe too. A full set would make the whole experience feel more immersive."
"Fourth Hokage, please mind the occasion. We can talk after the ceremony finishes successfully."
Mitokado's expression remained solemn. Truth was, he was nervous—deeply afraid that Haseo might ruin such a serious event. Mitokado saw Haseo as a mischievous kid who just wouldn't stop pulling stunts in class.
Haseo paused momentarily, then finally realized—"Fourth Hokage" referred to himself. Compared to the straw hat, being called "Fourth" sounded even more ominous. Haseo decided he should correct everyone later, asking them to just use his name directly—after all, job titles might differ, but everyone deserved equal respect.
His request denied by the advisor, Haseo shrugged helplessly. Fine, he wouldn't remove it. He reached out and pressed the brim of the hat downward, then stepped forward a few paces until arriving at the very front edge of the rooftop.
However, instead of rushing to speak, he half-turned and waved for Tsunade who stood behind.
Tsunade hadn't planned to move at first, but seeing Haseo insist so firmly, she had no choice but to walk forward and stand beside him. Yet, she chose to stay half a step behind.
Besides Haseo and Tsunade, two advisors, Uzumaki Shikou, and the envoy from the Fire Daimyo also stood on the rooftop, positioned slightly further back.
As for those further behind, they were Anbu Ninja responsible for security... Their task today was also very important: to serve as scenery.
The Konoha ninja below looked toward the new Hokage with eyes filled with hope and enthusiasm. The Fourth possessed unimaginable strength, a fearless combat style, and achievements that had turned the tides of war on multiple occasions. Naturally, he deserved his position and the respect of everyone.
Faced with such gazes, Haseo's face was solemn. He understood the formality and public nature of this occasion, so he took a deep breath, preparing to begin his "inaugural speech."
Of course, Haseo didn't hold the script prepared by the Elders and Uzumaki Shikou—he didn't need it. After all, wasn't speaking off the cuff simple enough?
Standing beside him, Tsunade was filled with a sense of accomplishment. However, just as she was about to quietly listen to what Haseo planned to say next, she suddenly felt her right hand being held.
Then, Haseo spoke his first sentence:
"Friends who think we're well-matched, shout out the word 'well-matched'..."
"..."
This divine "inaugural address" naturally caused an awkward silence from the crowd below… Within five minutes of taking office, the Fourth Hokage faced cold-shouldering from all the Konoha ninja.
Standing in an unnoticed corner of the crowd was Kohei Sarutobi, who clamped both hands over his eyes with a face-palm. He knew something like this would happen.
Besides Sarutobi, the one who reacted fastest was actually the ordinary Daimyo's messenger. Since he wasn't "directly involved," there was no need for pretense… As a clear-headed observer, his reaction was quick indeed.
His response was...
He~tui!? What kind of stunt is this? A critical hit?! I'm not even married yet! Are you really gonna start flaunting your relationship in front of everyone like this? That's crossing a line!
Countless Konoha ninjas instinctively shifted their gazes toward Tsunade's face. When Tsunade finally realized what was happening, a deep blush spread across her cheeks.
Was he seriously bringing that up at a moment like this?
Tsunade pulled her hand free from Haseo's grasp, lightly patted him in a shy manner, then quickly lowered her head and walked back to the group standing behind.
Yes, Tsunade had only retreated quietly, but at this moment, the two Elders wished nothing more than to kick this guy off the rooftop… Dammit, was this supposed to be an inauguration ceremony or a stand-up act?
What's Murphy's Law? This was a live demo—textbook timing from hell.
But Haseo didn't care about others' feelings at all; he shrugged casually, revealing an expression of complete innocence.
At this point, some of the ninjas below could no longer hold back their laughter… According to protocol, they shouldn't laugh—anyone chuckling at this gathering would violate decorum.
"Cough. As everyone knows, just a few days ago I got married. My spouse is Lady Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage, student of the Third, and Konoha's Slug Princess. I thought it appropriate to introduce my family background, although a slight mishap seems to have occurred earlier."
With that thick skin of his, Haseo clearly showed no special reaction. Instead, he continued talking casually like this—as if he'd just turned the whole ceremony into a comedy set.
Tsunade, though appearing shy or even showing anger, felt a sense of happiness from Haseo's earlier action. It was definitely a plus, and even...deserving of a reward.
"But what I want to say is this: while my marriage has always been a 'predestined arrangement' from start to finish, becoming the Fourth Hokage was something I had never even considered. I was just as ordinary as everyone else all along.
The Third's brave sacrifice was a tremendous loss for Konoha, and there must always be someone to inherit his unfinished aspirations. Although I might not be quite suitable, I can only strive to fulfill this responsibility now..."
Luckily, after making a small joke, Haseo finally started talking about serious matters... Well, actually, the content he was saying had absolutely nothing to do with the prepared speech Konoha had written for him.
It's not like an inaugural address is anything hard—it's just recalling the past, analyzing the present, and looking ahead to the future. Besides, Haseo didn't need to make any election promises.
He just needed to say a few empty words with more passion and sincerity, express them in a more down-to-earth manner, stand on a macro level, advocate Konoha's unity, and inspire morale a bit. That should suffice.
"The war continues unabated; even right now, some of our ninja could've fallen on the Front Line... Konoha has been facing tough external conditions.
But please believe in one thing: we survived the First Great Ninja War and the Second Great Ninja War, and we shall overcome this current war using the same methods.
Our mission isn't complicated—we must pass on the will of our predecessors, unite as one, cherish life yet not fear sacrifice. There's no long road ahead either… you all already know how this ends.
Furthermore, we can seize victory in our hands.
This is just another day in Konoha."
Finally, Haseo made such a summary.
Well, truthfully, Haseo himself didn't really know what nonsense he was spouting. When he finished speaking, he lifted his head, revealing an expression of solemn resolve, gazing toward the Hokage Cliffs and the statue of the Third.
Judging solely from acting ability, although Haseo clearly hadn't put much effort into it, his current performance at least deserved an eighty out of a hundred... as if he'd really been mourning the Third Hokage's death all this time.
Then came the enthusiastic applause that wouldn't stop...
Hmm, the crowd's passion seemed almost perfectly rehearsed.
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