--------------------------------------------------
With the war over, Konoha had a wedding to celebrate.
"The time has come! Let's welcome our two happy couples!" the master of ceremonies called out, his voice carrying over the crowd.
Pink and white petals floated around the two couples as they walked onto the red carpet. Manji and Tsunade led the way, followed by Sakumo Hatake and his bride, a medical ninja.
Manji wore a black suit and his usual gentle smile. He held Tsunade's hand firmly in his own.
Tsunade wore a white wedding gown instead of her usual clothes, and she looked radiant. Her long blond hair was styled in an elegant updo with a white camellia tucked in.
Behind them, Sakumo wore Konoha's traditional wedding clothes. His black haori jacket had a small Hatake clan crest embroidered on it. He stood tall and straight, and his usually stern face showed a rare tenderness.
His bride wore a white kimono with long, flowing sleeves and pale wisteria blossoms embroidered on the fabric. Her black hair was pinned up neatly and gracefully.
Manji and Tsunade added a lively, modern romance to the ceremony, while Sakumo and his bride brought a quieter, traditional elegance. Both couples walked toward the altar as cherry blossoms fell and the guests applauded.
The wedding was grand and lively. Almost every important shinobi in Konoha came to celebrate.
Minato Namikaze, Kushina, and Shinnosuke squeezed into the front row. They waved excitedly when their teacher walked by.
"Congratulations!"
Even Jiraiya, who was still in Amegakure teaching Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, sent his congratulations. As soon as he heard the news, he gave a handwritten letter to the fastest messenger hawk he could find.
........
The Second Shinobi World War had ended, and Konoha was still recovering. But Hiruzen Sarutobi was already thinking about stepping down and letting someone else lead.
He'd been considering it for a long time. In all of Konoha, only one person met his standards for a successor.
Manji.
Hiruzen was ready to take a big risk and trust this young man with the village that so many shinobi had fought to protect.
Sakumo Hatake was too aggressive. He was one of Konoha's strongest fighters, and that was where he belonged. He simply wasn't suited for the role of Hokage.
Orochimaru was very talented, but lately he had become too close to Danzō. Hiruzen wasn't sure what he was thinking, so he would have to keep an eye on him for a while.
As for Jiraiya and Tsunade, Hiruzen hadn't even considered them.
Tsunade was too relaxed about everything. Jiraiya was too undisciplined—and he wasn't even in the village. Neither of them had the steadiness or responsibility needed for the job.
For now, Manji was the obvious choice.
His strength was undeniable, and his many accomplishments during the war had made him famous far beyond Konoha.
He treated people kindly and humbly, knew how to behave, and inspired confidence in others without even trying.
He had also married the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, the Second Hokage, tying him to Konoha's most respected founding family.
He also looked a lot like the First Hokage. Some of the older shinobi who had served under the First were moved to tears when they saw Manji. For a moment, it felt like they were seeing their old leader again.
With so many advantages, Manji was far ahead of anyone else who might be chosen.
One day, an urgent summons brought him to the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen, the Fifth Hokage, sat behind his desk with a pipe in his hand. Thin wisps of smoke curled around his smiling face.
"Lord Fifth," Manji greeted him with a small nod.
He had no idea what Hiruzen wanted with him.
"Manji, I'm getting old," Hiruzen said, waving his hand. "Konoha's future belongs to your generation. Tell me, what does being Hokage mean to you?"
Manji took a seat and considered the question. Before long, the two were deep in conversation.
The longer they talked, the more astonished Hiruzen became.
Manji's understanding of the Hokage's role and his plans for the village's future were more thoughtful and far-sighted than even Hiruzen's, despite all his years in office.
He didn't sound like a young man just starting out. He sounded like someone who had already led Konoha through many years of hardship.
When their conversation paused, Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and blew a smoke ring. His next question was half-serious, half-joking.
"You haven't been Hokage before, have you, Manji? People in the village say you're the First Hokage reincarnated. I'm starting to think they might be right."
Manji made sure to look surprised and a little nervous.
"You're giving me too much credit. I know almost nothing compared to the First Hokage. He was on the same level as the Sage of Six Paths."
"Then... would you like to become Hokage?" Hiruzen asked gently.
That threw Manji off...
Hokage? Again? He had just retired, and now Hiruzen wanted him to take the job again?
He'd spent more than enough years as the First Hokage. He was sick of the damn job.
"I'm not interested in being Hokage," he said flatly.
Hiruzen couldn't believe it. Most people dreamed of that position, but Manji turned it down without a second thought.
Danzō would probably beg for the job, but Manji didn't even want it?
Did he really mean it, or was he just pretending?
Hiruzen had another reason for choosing him: his own son was Manji's student.
If Manji became Hokage, Hiruzen's son might one day take over after him. But if Hiruzen appointed his own son directly, people would accuse him of favoritism.
He hadn't expected Manji to refuse outright.
"Why?" Hiruzen asked, recovering from his surprise.
"I'm too young," Manji said, shaking his head.
Hiruzen took another puff from his pipe, then shook his head reluctantly.
"All right. But give it some thought." Hiruzen clearly wanted him to take the job, so Manji nodded and left.
........
As soon as Manji left, Danzō came in, unable to wait any longer.
"Manji isn't right for the job. Konoha needs someone experienced and calm. Preferably a student of the Third Hokage."
Hiruzen was almost at a loss for words.
"Should his last name be Shimura, too? Spiky hair? And let me guess, his first name should end in 'zō'?"
"Exactly!" Danzō nodded after a moment's hesitation. "Next time, just read out my ninja registration number."
Hiruzen wasn't amused. He had once thought Danzō might make a good Hokage, but everything that happened since had proved him wrong.
If Danzō became Hokage, he would lead Konoha down the same path as Madara.
These days, Danzō and the Uchiha clan were very close. The clan followed his lead in everything.
Hiruzen had gained the support of the Senju, Hyūga, Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans, among others. Danzō had the Uchiha on his side.
There were also rumors that Danzō was involved in the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, and that he had stolen many sealing techniques.
Hiruzen chose to ignore it instead of investigating.
........
Back at home, Tsunade lay on the bed, completely bored.
"What did the old man want?"
"He wants me to be Hokage," Manji said.
—•——•——•——•——•——•—
~ 15 Advanced Chapters Now Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)