In the Hidden Rain Village, morning sunlight pierced through the ever-present dark clouds for the first time.
On the plaza below the high tower, twenty thousand Konoha ninja stood in perfect formation, alongside several thousand Rain ninja who now wore brand-new forehead protectors.
Tobirama stood at the highest point, gazing down at the sea of people.
"Listen carefully!"
"From this day onward, there will no longer be a Land of Rain, nor a Hidden Rain Village!"
His voice, amplified by chakra, echoed across the sky.
"This land is officially renamed the Konoha Special Province—Rain Province!"
"You are no longer wandering souls cast aside by war, but citizens protected by the Will of Fire!"
"Cheer—for the dawn of a new era!"
"ROAR—!"
The response was thunderous, like a tsunami crashing across the square.
For the civilians of the former Land of Rain, peace and full stomachs mattered more than banners and names. This new ruler brought food, money, and protection—someone like that was worth following.
"Jiraiya."
Tobirama turned to the white-haired ninja beside him, who still looked a little groggy from last night's drinking.
"I'm leaving this place to you."
"You will serve as Acting Governor of Rain Province."
"Huh? Me?" Jiraiya pointed at himself, startled. "I was planning to head back and take a long bath…"
"Stop whining."
Tobirama clapped him on the shoulder, his tone calm but firm.
"There are countless orphans here, and reconstruction won't be easy. Haven't you always talked about finding true peace? Then treat this place as your proving ground."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up. He straightened instantly and saluted.
"Mission guaranteed, Lord Tobirama!"
With that settled, Tobirama waved his hand.
"Break camp."
"We're going home."
---
Three days later.
Konoha Village—Main Gate.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood waiting with the two advisors, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, alongside a crowd of villagers.
Though he secretly wished Tobirama would never return, appearances still had to be maintained. This was, after all, a victorious homecoming.
"They're here!"
On the horizon, a massive army emerged.
At the front walked a young man filled with vitality, Tsunade on his left and Orochimaru on his right. The presence alone rivaled that of a daimyo's procession.
"Lord Tobirama!"
"Our hero!"
The villagers erupted with excitement. They didn't know about the struggles at the top—only that this man had won the war and safeguarded their peace.
Tobirama looked at their faces and smiled.
"Everyone—I'm back!"
"I made a little money while I was away."
"And as always, joy is better when shared!"
He snapped his fingers.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
With loud bursts of smoke, dozens of clones appeared atop rooftops, each carrying enormous sacks.
A moment later—
Money rained from the sky.
Bills of large denominations poured down, taken from the Lands of Rain, Earth, and Lightning.
"Grab it!"
"Long live Lord Tobirama!"
The area near the gates descended into joyful chaos. Cheers drowned everything else.
Amid the crowd, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched silently, his expression darkening. As Hokage, he now looked more like a forgotten gatekeeper, while Tobirama stood at the center of everyone's attention.
"Hokage-sama."
Tobirama approached him.
Despite Hiruzen's title, Tobirama's presence pressed down from above.
"The alliance has been repelled, reparations secured, and our territory expanded."
"So… it's time to honor your promise, isn't it?"
Hiruzen's lips twitched.
"Ahem… Tobirama, everyone is very emotional right now."
"Why don't we discuss this calmly in a meeting later—"
Stalling.
Still stalling.
"Old man."
Tobirama laughed softly—coldly.
His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan flared into existence.
"Have you forgotten what Danzō looks like now?"
"Or would you prefer to share his fate?"
"If I raise my voice right now, tens of thousands of ninja and villagers will follow me straight to the Hokage Tower."
"Then you'll lose both your dignity—and your life."
"Choose."
It was open coercion.
Hiruzen looked at Tobirama's eyes, then at the cheering crowd around them.
The tide had already turned.
"…I understand."
He turned, raised Tobirama's hand, and projected his voice across the village.
"Silence!"
The crowd quieted.
"In light of Uchiha Tobirama's unparalleled achievements in the war, and due to my own failings—"
"I hereby step down as the Third Hokage, effective immediately!"
"By unanimous decision of the leadership—"
"Uchiha Tobirama is appointed Acting Hokage of Konoha!"
"And established as the successor to the Fourth Hokage!"
For a heartbeat, the world stood still.
Then—
"Fourth Hokage!"
"Fourth Hokage!"
The cheers shook the sky.
No one objected. Power and benefit left no room for dissent.
Watching from the side, Tsunade felt her chest swell with pride.
This was the man she believed in.
---
Night fell.
At the Uchiha Clan Head's residence, the atmosphere was far quieter than the celebration outside.
Tsunade stood by the window, the lights of Konoha stretching endlessly below.
"Tobirama… Konan is next door…"
Her voice was low, tinged with embarrassment.
Tobirama smiled faintly, resting a hand against the glass beside her.
"I set up a barrier."
"And besides… today deserves celebration."
She turned to look at him, her expression conflicted but soft.
"…You're impossible."
He chuckled quietly.
"Maybe. But tonight, at least, forget the titles."
Outside, the village basked in a new dawn.
Inside, the night passed in rare peace.
---
In the adjacent room, Konan lay awake, clutching the paper flower he had given her.
The world felt different now.
Brighter.
And somehow closer.