8:30 a.m.
The conference room in the Hokage Tower was already filled with jōnin.
"Sasuke, you look more nervous than you were in the Fourth Great Ninja War," Nara Shikamaru joked, hands laced behind his head.
"With Kitazawa-sensei there, that war was a sure win," Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "But the race for Seventh Hokage? No one knows how that ends."
"Kabuto-senpai, do you really not know?" Haruno Sakura sounded doubtful. "You're head of the Anbu now—your intel should be the best."
"Anbu reports directly to the Hokage. I don't get to decide who my boss is," Kabuto replied with a gentle smile.
"Sounds like only Kitazawa-sensei would know, then," Kurama Yakumo said mildly.
"What's Kitazawa-sensei doing?" Uzumaki Naruto looked around. "Why don't I see him?"
"You should ask Ino," Sakura said, glancing at Yamanaka Ino.
"No idea," Ino huffed. "Wait for Hinata—ask her."
"Why does Ino sound… annoyed?" Naruto asked, baffled.
"That's not a question you should be asking," Inuzuka Kiba elbowed him and advised solemnly, "Think of your own safety."
"You don't get it, Naruto," Sakura said as she looped her arm through Uchiha Sasuke's with a bright smile.
"Naruto, you should get yourself a girlfriend. You're already over twenty-five," Kiba added.
"I've got youth—good enough!" Naruto threw up a thumbs-up. "Right, Lee?"
"Correct! Youth is our lifelong companion!" Rock Lee flashed a sparkling grin. "And since even Guy-sensei doesn't have a girlfriend, clearly we don't need one either!"
"You two are hopeless," Kiba sighed.
"Aren't you single too?" Naruto scratched his head.
"Who said that?" Kiba puffed up. "I just made it official with Tamaki."
"Huh?" Naruto gaped. "Who's Tamaki?"
"Cat Granny's granddaughter," Sasuke said out of nowhere.
"Kiba, you hid this from us?" Tenten stared.
"No need to hide it—I just haven't had time to tell you," Kiba explained. "I've been busy with the Hokage election these past two days."
"But you didn't even become a Hokage candidate," Tenten arched a brow.
"I voluntarily withdrew. That's different," Kiba said, suddenly very serious.
"What's the difference?" Shikamaru deadpanned.
"Ahem, never mind that," Kiba pivoted. "I was at the civilian polling place with Akamaru helping keep order."
"Woof! Woof!" Akamaru wagged and barked twice.
"Then you know how the civilian vote went?" Sakura leaned forward, eager. Sasuke and Naruto both looked at him.
"Nope," Kiba shook his head. "I wasn't counting ballots."
"Then who is?" Naruto pressed.
"Kurenai-senpai—she's one of the Hokage's secretaries," Kiba answered.
"Knowing now or later won't change anything. In half an hour the jōnin vote starts," Kabuto chuckled. "When it's done, we'll announce the civilian results together. It'll be obvious who the Hokage is."
"I'll be the Seventh Hokage," Sasuke said, full of confidence.
"Sasuke-kun is right!" Sakura chimed in instantly.
"Not until the last moment does youth reveal itself!" Naruto clenched his fist. "That's the thrill of youth—unknowns and challenges!"
"In that case, Sakura, maybe don't say anything," Ino teased. "Since we were kids, two-thirds of the time whatever you said about Sasuke turned out the opposite."
"Eh? Really?" Sakura glanced at Sasuke on instinct.
"Maybe," Sasuke said after a two-second pause.
Sakura clapped a hand over her mouth.
"As Kitazawa-sensei puts it, that's called a jinx," Karin snorted, amused.
"In the end, being Hokage comes down to strength," Hyuga Neji said. He'd wanted to run, but Sasuke and Naruto outclassed him by too much. It made him nostalgic for Academy days—at least back then he could beat them once in a while.
"Sasuke, look who's here," Kiba pointed toward the door.
"Dad came too?" Sasuke turned to see Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Itachi, and Uchiha Izumi. Fugaku had retired; Itachi now headed the Uchiha clan. Seeing Fugaku here was a mild surprise—though, thinking about it, today was the day the Seventh Hokage would be decided. The Uchiha had always dreamed of having a Hokage. This was the closest they'd ever been.
"Good morning, everyone," Itachi and Izumi walked over. Fugaku didn't; he struck up a chat with Hyuga Hiashi instead. No need for a middle-aged man to intrude on the young folks.
"Relax—what's yours won't run away," Itachi told Sasuke.
"Mm." Sasuke felt his heart steady.
"It's about time, Itachi. Let's take our seats," Izumi reminded him. As clan head, he had an assigned seat in the front.
"Do your best," Itachi tapped Sasuke lightly on the forehead, then he and Izumi headed to the first row.
"Sorry I'm late," Hyuga Hinata hurried in a moment later.
"It's almost nine. Everyone, back to your seats—the meeting's about to start," Ino stood. As a Hokage secretary, she sat in the first row. Kiba, Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji, and Aburame Shino were all clan leaders now, so they were in the front as well. Ironically, the two Hokage candidates—Sasuke and Naruto—didn't currently hold any official posts and sat with the rank-and-file jōnin. Still, better than in canon, where they'd been genin forever.
Nine o'clock struck.
Kitazawa walked in with Yūhi Kurenai. Tsunade had retired and couldn't be bothered to attend.
"There's only one item on today's agenda: the jōnin vote," Kitazawa said after a brief pause. "Kurenai, hand out the ballots."
"Got it." Kurenai flashed him a smile and began distributing slips.
"One person, one vote. Write the candidate you support—Uzumaki Naruto or Uchiha Sasuke," Kitazawa set a large ballot box on the table. "The vote is anonymous. Drop your ballot here when you're done."
"Once you have your ballot, you can start," Kurenai reminded.
"Naruto, Sasuke—up front," Kitazawa pointed to the space before the first row.
They stood, nerves tight.
"Who are you voting for?" Kiba scratched his head, already feeling a headache.
"No clue," Shikamaru produced a die. "I'm leaving it to fate."
"Great idea!" Chōji perked up. "I'm doing that too!"
"I'll vote for Sasuke," Ino said after a glance at Sakura. "Otherwise Sakura will nag me for life."
"Good that you know!" Sakura huffed, smiling despite herself.
"I'll write Naruto—same clan and all," Karin decided.
"I'll let my kikaichū decide," Shino released two insects. "If the one on the left wins, I vote Naruto."
"Only you would come up with something that weird," Tenten muttered.
"Weird but effective," Shino said blandly.
"Neji, you?" Tenten turned to him.
"Naruto," Neji answered.
"Why?"
"Left foot stepped into the room first today, so—Naruto," Neji said, dead serious.
"...?" Tenten twitched. When did you get this weird? After a moment, she followed Neji and marked Naruto.
"Time," Kitazawa announced five minutes later. "Come up in order and cast your ballot."
Kabuto, Ino, Kiba, and the rest of the first row went first. Sasuke and Naruto watched, wound tight—Sasuke hiding it better.
Soon everyone had voted. Kurenai stood to tally.
As the minutes dragged by, Sasuke finally cracked, worry showing on his face. Naruto fidgeted nonstop beside him—little movements here, there, everywhere. Becoming Hokage had always been his dream, and now he was one step away.
"Hard to say who it'll be," Kiba murmured.
"Either is fine," Shikamaru said. "As long as Naruto doesn't swap the green vest for a green bodysuit after he wins."
"That would be terrifying," Ino said gravely. Hinata and Tenten nodded in agreement.
"I think it'd be great!" Lee gave a thumbs-up. "It's the symbol of youth!"
Silence.
"All right, the tally is done," Kurenai's voice snapped them back; all eyes turned to her.
"The civilian vote from yesterday is also in. I'll announce both together," Kitazawa said, glancing at the scroll as he rose.
Sasuke and Naruto stared holes through him.
"The Seventh Hokage is… Uchiha Sasuke!" Kitazawa declared.
"Me?" Sasuke's mind went blank. "It's really me?"
"Congrats, Sasuke," Naruto said at once, masking his disappointment.
"Hahahahaha!" Sasuke came to and burst out laughing. The jōnin broke into applause.
"Father, there are a lot of jōnin here—don't damage the Uchiha's dignity," Itachi whispered toward Fugaku.
"You're right," Fugaku forced down his own rising laughter and put on a stern face. "The Uchiha are now the clan of the Hokage."
"The succession ceremony is tomorrow," Kitazawa said, standing. "Sasuke, come with me."
"Sasuke-kun, Kitazawa-sensei is calling you!" Sakura urged.
"I'll go ahead," Sasuke drew a deep breath, cut off his laughter, and hurried after Kitazawa.
"I lost to Sasuke today—time to run a hundred extra laps!" Naruto blazed back to life.
"That's our Naruto!" Lee beamed. "Let's sprint with the fire of youth!"
"Let's go!" Naruto bolted for the door.
"So much energy," Shikamaru yawned. "Guess we don't need to worry."
"Didn't expect Sasuke to end up Hokage," Kiba shook his head. "I thought Naruto had the better odds."
"That's life—no one predicts the future," Kabuto said with a smile.
"Dinner's on me—barbecue tonight!" Tenten clapped, generous as ever.
"We won't be shy," Yakumo laughed.
"Ino, Kitazawa-sensei is your responsibility—make sure you bring him!" Tenten pressed her palms together in mock prayer.
"Relax," Ino said, brimming with confidence. "Consider it done."
Hokage's office.
Sasuke couldn't help looking around. He'd been here before, but sitting here as Hokage felt utterly different.
"Sasuke." Kitazawa casually handed him a ceremonial Hokage cloak. "Tailor-made."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei." Sasuke's hands trembled as he took it.
"Good. Then from now, you're on the clock," Kitazawa waved. "Good luck."
"Uh?" Sasuke stopped him. "Isn't the succession ceremony tomorrow?"
"Just for show. Start with the files on the desk," Kitazawa said—and shut the door.
"...?" Sasuke stood there for a long second. He'd really become the Seventh Hokage? Slowly, a grin crept up—and he burst out laughing again. After a few minutes, he remembered Kitazawa's parting words and went to the desk.
He took a deep breath and sat in the Hokage's chair. A feeling he couldn't put into words surged through him. After a brief haze, he picked up the first file—routine personnel changes for a new Hokage. Many of Kitazawa's appointees would retire with him. The biggest gaps were in the Hokage secretariat.
Sasuke hesitated, then wrote Haruno Sakura's name. For Hokage's aide, he didn't even pause—Uzumaki Naruto. For all his "youth" talk and goofy antics, Sasuke knew he was solid.
"Anbu… still Kabuto-senpai," Sasuke continued, filling out names—his own core team. Of course, he'd need to ask each person first.
He finished the first file and opened the second— a funding request from the Konoha Science Division. He thought a moment, then approved it. Kitazawa had told him: science was one of the paths to the shinobi world's future.
File after file—Sasuke soon discovered being Hokage wasn't as simple as he'd imagined. There were plenty he couldn't answer right away. Reluctantly, he set some aside to consult Kitazawa later.
The sun slid down from its peak. Afternoon settled in.
Sasuke exhaled long. One last file.
He opened it—and his pupils tightened. The contents were far beyond what he'd expected. He'd thought that after the Fourth War the shinobi world would know peace. Clearly, he was wrong.
The document detailed the Ōtsutsuki clan and said they might descend upon the shinobi world someday. No doubt, this was from Kitazawa—left to him to resolve a future threat.
Sasuke fell into thought. Moments later, he decided to form a Shinobi World Guard—gather the strongest across the nations to face the Ōtsutsuki. He even considered following Kitazawa's example and running training classes to sharpen their power.
Uchiha district.
While Sasuke wrestled with the future, the Uchiha compound was buzzing. After all these years, the clan finally had a Hokage.
"Line up!" Fugaku's voice rang through the courtyard. Clan members filled the space before him.
"Now that Sasuke is Hokage, you're the Hokage's clan," Fugaku said solemnly. "When you're out, don't scowl. Smile."
"Smile?" Everyone looked at each other.
"You don't know how to smile?" Fugaku forced a ghastly grin. "Like this."
They stared, petrified.
"Ahem—forget that one," Fugaku said, recalling how he'd felt when he heard Sasuke had become Hokage. His lips curled up on their own.
"Hahahaha!" Fugaku burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!" Laughter proved contagious—one by one, the Uchiha roared with joy.
Itachi rubbed his forehead, helpless.