Shortly after two in the afternoon, the grand conference hall of the Hokage Tower gradually filled with shinobi responding to the Hokage's summons.
This was the so-called Jōnin Assembly.
It did not mean every jōnin in Konoha had been called. Rather, those present were the village's true decision-makers—department heads with authority, elite jōnin and tokubetsu jōnin holding key posts, and the heads of the major clans.
These were the people who formed Konoha's core.
Ordinary jōnin without specific duties would have representatives chosen by the Jōnin Commander.
Since the war had only just ended and many forces were still returning from the front, only a little over a hundred people occupied the hall that could seat three hundred.
Just before three, Uchiha Fugaku entered with Uchiha Jin at his side.
The previously murmuring hall fell quiet.
Eyes turned.
Recently, the Uchiha name had stirred the entire village. Those gathered here knew far more than ordinary civilians.
The looks directed at them were complicated—
Dissatisfaction.
Indifference.
Pity.
Curiosity.
And among those gazes, the most curious ones were aimed not at Fugaku—but at Jin.
This was the first time the Uchiha prodigy, whose name had spread across the Mist front, formally appeared before Konoha's ruling class.
Normally, Fugaku attended in his capacity as Chief of the Konoha Military Police, with the Second Elder representing the clan beside him.
Today, that seat belonged to Jin.
The two walked calmly to the front-right positions and took their seats.
The central four seats were reserved for the Third Hokage and the three advisors.
To the left sat the heads of departments and military divisions.
To the right—the clans.
However disliked the Uchiha might be, their status as Konoha's foremost clan was unquestioned. Their seat was naturally at the head of the clan side.
After sitting, Jin smiled lightly toward the Hyūga representative seated nearby.
"Clan Head Hyuga Hiashi, long time no see. Has Hizashi not returned yet?"
Hiashi remained composed.
"According to the withdrawal schedule, he should return the day after tomorrow."
He offered no further elaboration.
Jin did not press.
Though he and Hyuga Hizashi had fought side by side on the Mist front and maintained good relations, Hiashi represented the entire Hyūga clan here. Any sign of overt closeness to the Uchiha in this setting would be interpreted politically.
Hiashi was too disciplined to allow such misunderstandings.
Soon, the remaining seats filled.
Then—
The doors opened.
Sarutobi Hiruzen entered, followed by the three advisors and Namikaze Minato.
The so-called "Konoha F4" took their central seats.
Minato, however, did not sit among them.
At Hiruzen's gesture, he took the first seat on the left side.
A stir ran through the room.
That seat traditionally belonged to the Jōnin Commander—currently Nara Shikaku, who remained stationed in the Land of Rain.
Hiruzen's decision to place Minato there sent a clear message.
The old Hokage's gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly on Jin with a hint of surprise before moving on.
He frowned slightly.
"Where is Orochimaru?"
From the third seat on the left, the ANBU Commander, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, stood respectfully.
"Orochimaru-sama reports he is unwell and will not attend."
"Unwell?" Hiruzen's expression darkened.
The excuse was thin.
But Orochimaru was his disciple.
He would settle that matter later.
Hiruzen inhaled slowly.
"Very well. Since most are present, we shall begin."
The hall fell completely silent.
Though rumors had circulated beforehand, nothing was certain until spoken aloud.
Hiruzen's heart was heavy.
He had long resolved himself to this course—
Yet the moment of declaration still weighed on him.
He exhaled.
"Several years ago, we signed a ceasefire with Sunagakure."
"Ten days ago, with Kumogakure."
"Yesterday, with Iwagakure."
"As for Kirigakure, though they have isolated themselves in recent years, they have withdrawn entirely from the Land of Fire."
He paused.
"The war… has ended."
A faint shadow passed through his eyes.
"I have served as Hokage for nearly twenty years."
"From youthful ambition to advancing age, I have devoted most of my life to this village."
"But time spares no one."
"In recent years, I have increasingly felt the limits of my strength."
"And I have made mistakes."
He straightened.
"Therefore—"
"Now that the war has concluded—"
"I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, hereby resign as Hokage, effective immediately."
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