Chapter 683: Succession

October 16th, for Konoha, should have been a very ordinary day.

However, after this year, it will no longer be so ordinary. Perhaps some people will remember that on October 16th of a certain year, the Fourth Hokage succeeded to his position.

“Don’t push me! You’re practically pushing me into the Hokage Building!”

“Back up, back up a bit! Otherwise, we won’t be able to see Assistant Muzuki, oh no, I mean Lord Fourth.”

In front of the Hokage Building, a large number of Ninja and Konoha citizens crowded around, waiting for the Hokage succession ceremony to conclude.

The Hokage succession ceremony was held on the rooftop of the Hokage Building. Due to space limitations and safety concerns, only a small number of Jonin were eligible to attend the ceremony on the rooftop.

The remaining Ninja and citizens could only wait outside, waiting for the outgoing Hokage to hand over the Hokage Hat, which symbolized the Hokage, to the new Hokage. The new Hokage would then walk to the rooftop railing and deliver a brief inaugural speech to the people below.

Since the Hokage Building was very tall, it was easy to see Muzuki speaking, but one couldn’t get too close to the Hokage Building, nor could one be too far away.

However, there was only a limited area for good viewing spots, and with so many people, it naturally became crowded.

Fortunately, there were quite a few Ninja among them, so a stampede was prevented. If any accidents occurred, the nearby Ninja would intervene immediately.

Compared to the ground below, the rooftop was very quiet. No one spoke a word. The only sounds were the murmuring of people from below and the rustling of clothes in the gentle autumn breeze.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in the central area of the rooftop, while Muzuki faced Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing about three meters away from him.

The two Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, stood behind Hiruzen Sarutobi. Yagura Karatachi, the Hidden Mist envoy who came to observe the ceremony, stood next to Homura Mitokado.

Further back were Konoha’s renowned Jonin, such as Orochimaru, Tsunade, Teacher Chen, and Minato Namikaze.

Besides them, this row also included Ninja clan leaders or high-ranking officials from important Konoha departments, such as Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Fugaku Uchiha.

In addition to merits and positions, special status also allowed one to stand in the front row, such as Kushina.

Although Kushina did not have the same fame as Minato, nor was she a Ninja clan leader or the leader of some XX squad, she was a Jinchuriki, so she was also qualified to be in the first row, standing next to Minato Namikaze.

In the row behind them were veteran Jonin with some achievements, such as Mimurabe Ketsu, followed by the rising star Jonin, such as Obito, Shisui, and Kakashi.

Rin Nohara was originally not qualified, but she was, after all, Muzuki’s disciple, so she still got the opportunity to observe the ceremony on the rooftop, just like Obito and the others.

Otherwise, everyone else would be watching from the rooftop, and Rin Nohara, also a Jonin, would be treated the same as Yamato, who was still in Ninja Academy. That would be a bit awkward.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at Muzuki, who stood before him.

Muzuki had already put on the specially made Hokage robe, only missing a Hokage Hat to become the Hokage.

Muzuki seemed very suited to wearing this white robe. Although it was not a complicated garment, when worn by Muzuki, Hiruzen Sarutobi found it exceptionally refreshing and dazzling.

Seeing Muzuki like this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t help but feel a little envious.

His own Hokage succession ceremony back then was extremely simple due to various reasons, merely held for the sake of holding a ceremony.

Such a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony was rushed through so perfunctorily. Looking back now, it was indeed a great pity.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, took off the Hokage Hat from his head, and held it steadily with both hands.

He couldn’t go back to the day his Hokage ceremony was held, so he was even more determined to ensure Muzuki’s succession ceremony went smoothly and left Muzuki with no regrets.

Thump, thump.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, holding the Hokage Hat, walked slowly and solemnly towards Muzuki, each step making a clear sound.

“In the future, I also want Teacher Muzuki to pass the Hokage position to me like this!” Obito looked at this scene, his heart filled with soaring ambition.

From entering the Ninja Academy until now, Obito had experienced a lot and changed quite a bit, but his dream had never changed: he wanted to become Hokage!

To become an excellent Hokage who eliminates war and makes everyone in Konoha live better lives!

Obito used to hate reading, even to the point where he would unconsciously feel sleepy when looking at books.

However, after realizing that he couldn’t be a good Hokage, or even become Hokage, without reading, Obito forced himself to read every day. Now, even when looking at the math books he used to dread the most, he wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of drowsiness.

“Teacher Muzuki officially becoming Hokage means the clan’s problems will definitely be resolved faster,” Shisui thought to himself.

The Uchiha Clan’s problems were both internal and external. As the pinnacle of power in Konoha, with Muzuki in charge, Shisui had no worries about external factors.

Furthermore, because of Muzuki’s mentorship with Shisui and Obito, it also had a significant positive effect internally.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to within half a meter of Muzuki, he stopped, looked directly into Muzuki’s eyes, and offered the Hokage Hat to Muzuki.

Muzuki extended both hands to receive the Hokage Hat, then raised his right hand and put it on.

Throughout this process, neither Muzuki nor Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke a single word.

Clap! Clap!!

The moment Muzuki put on the Hokage Hat, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu began to applaud, and immediately, the Jonin behind them quickly joined in.

For a moment, thunderous applause filled the air.

The applause lasted for about twenty seconds.

“I entrust this to you, Fourth Hokage,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a serious expression.

From the moment Muzuki put on the Hokage Hat, Konoha’s Hokage would no longer be Hiruzen Sarutobi, but Hayate Mugetsu.

“I will do my best,” Muzuki replied solemnly.

Clap! Clap!!

Another round of applause erupted.

“The Hokage of Konoha, who wasn’t even a squad commander a few years ago,” Yagura Karatachi sighed, marveling at the impermanence of life.

He once only considered Muzuki a troublesome opponent. Now, he couldn’t even be an equal opponent to Muzuki.

“What groceries should I buy later?” Tsunade had a thoughtful expression.

She didn’t care whether Muzuki became Hokage or not, but the celebration party for the Hokage couldn’t be sloppy.

“How about we buy all the dishes we want to eat? After all, it’s a celebration for becoming Hokage, so it’s reasonable for it to be more lavish than a regular celebratory meal.”

Tsunade decided to get everything. Only children make choices.

“He’s finally taken office, Fourth Hokage,” Fugaku Uchiha’s lips curved slightly into a smile.

The Uchiha’s best era was about to arrive. Once Obito and Shisui matured a bit more, the Uchiha would restore their former glory!

“Teacher Muzuki, you’re definitely going to be the best Hokage!” Obito shouted while clapping vigorously.

It was well known that Sage Muzuki was omnipotent, so becoming Hokage was a piece of cake for him.

Many Jonin instinctively looked at Obito, thinking he was truly bold.

The best Hokage? Wouldn’t that mean surpassing all Hokage? Forget about the deceased First and Second Hokage, the Third Hokage was still standing right there.

Kakashi, standing to Obito’s left, felt the sun was unusually strong today, making his face feel as hot as if it were on fire.

Rin Nohara, standing to Obito’s right, looked as if she wanted to speak but stopped herself, ultimately remaining silent.

“Fourth Hokage, your burden is not light. Everyone has high hopes for you,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle, stroking his long beard.

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi certainly wouldn’t be angry or resentful over such a small matter.

Moreover, in his opinion, Muzuki indeed had great potential and hope of surpassing him.

Muzuki smiled slightly, his gaze quickly sweeping over all the Ninja, then nodded and turned to walk towards the railing.

It was time to deliver his inaugural speech.

When the Ninja and citizens below saw Muzuki wearing the Hokage Hat, a tremendous cheer erupted instantly.

“Lord Fourth Hokage!”

Whether it was Jonin, Chunin, Genin, or citizens, they all shouted “Fourth Hokage.”

When Muzuki took off the Hokage Hat and showed a warm smile to the people below, the roar of the crowd reached its peak.

At this moment, the sun was at its strongest, and the golden sunlight shone on Muzuki, making his golden hair exceptionally dazzling.

Muzuki’s smile at this moment seemed to genuinely possess warmth, making the Ninja and citizens feel a reassuring warmth.

Then Muzuki raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

Under Muzuki’s powerful charisma, in the blink of an eye, the previously noisy environment quieted down.

“I am Hayate Mugetsu. From now on, I will serve as Konoha’s Fourth Hokage,” Muzuki looked at the crowd and said slowly.

Clap! Clap! Clap!!!

The next moment, cheers and applause reached their peak, even louder than when Muzuki first appeared.

Countless people cheered and clapped vigorously, celebrating Muzuki’s succession as Hokage.

“I actually worked in the same office as the Hokage, asked him to substitute teach, drank and ate with him, and borrowed money from him,” Ikeya Yu clapped enthusiastically, his mind involuntarily recalling his memories of Muzuki when he first arrived at the Ninja Academy.

If Ikeya Yu were to describe Muzuki’s journey of growth, it could only be called fantastical.

At first, he just thought Muzuki was a somewhat capable, good-natured colleague, with more potential than him, but limited.

As a result, Muzuki became the Vice Principal of the Ninja Academy in less than two years, directly leaping out of the Ninja Academy.

After that, it was a blaze of glory, so incredible that Ikeya Yu couldn’t even comprehend it.

Four years, just over four years, from a Chunin teacher to Hokage. Even Ninja novels wouldn’t dare to write something like that.

“Truly remarkable,” Shimono Hisanobu exclaimed.

As the head of the teacher’s squad, he witnessed how Muzuki rose step by step in the Ninja Academy.

He had once worried that Muzuki would replace his position as head of the teacher’s squad. Clearly, he had underestimated Muzuki. The Ninja Academy was too small for Muzuki; Muzuki’s stage was all of Konoha, and even the entire Ninja World.

“Lord Danzo, if his spirit in heaven knew, he would surely be comforted,” a former Root Ninja, now a training squad leader, couldn’t help but sigh.

He was a survivor of the Root Ninja stationed at the base.

All Root Ninja knew that Muzuki was Danzo Shimura’s most prized creation. They often used phrases like “Muzuki is the most excellent Root Ninja” to motivate new Root members, encouraging them to strive to be like Muzuki.

He thought, Lord Danzo’s favorite Root member became the Hokage, the very position Lord Danzo most wanted to achieve. If Muzuki’s Root identity wasn’t illegal and needed to be kept secret, this would surely become a beautiful story.

“He’s finally officially taken office,” Yamato smiled genuinely, applauding Muzuki.

He was the only one of Muzuki’s disciples not observing the ceremony from the rooftop, but Yamato understood. After all, he wasn’t even a Ninja yet.

“Teacher Muzuki, I always thought you should be Hokage!” Asuma shouted excitedly.

He hadn’t been promoted to Jonin long and didn’t hold any important positions, so he couldn’t attend the ceremony on the rooftop and could only watch from below.

Asuma didn’t mind this, as he personally disliked his elderly father using Hokage privileges on him. Besides, he wasn’t the only Jonin down there; most Jonin weren’t qualified to observe the ceremony from the rooftop.

“Teacher Muzuki!”

The Ninja who had taken Muzuki’s classes at the Ninja Academy shouted in unison.

Regardless of Muzuki’s status, to them, Muzuki would always be the respected Teacher Muzuki.

“Fourth Hokage, how wonderful,” Minato Namikaze gazed at the exceptionally dazzling golden-haired figure illuminated by the sun, listening to the tremendous cheers from below, and genuinely sighed.

As a Ninja determined to become Hokage, Minato Namikaze had also fantasized about his own Hokage succession.

And today’s ceremony had fulfilled all of Minato Namikaze’s fantasies about succession.

Even though he wasn’t the protagonist of the ceremony, as one of the witnesses to Muzuki’s growth, Minato Namikaze was very happy.

“It’s okay, Minato, you’re so young, you still have a chance,” Kushina, sensing a hint of hidden envy in Minato Namikaze’s eyes, spoke to comfort him, reaching out and grasping Minato Namikaze’s hand.

Minato Namikaze paused slightly, then let out a soft sigh.

Although Muzuki surpassed Minato in many aspects, and his becoming Hokage was perfectly reasonable, it was hard not to feel envious watching a good friend achieve the dream he himself wanted to achieve.

“Maybe Muzuki will retire after ten or twenty years. You’ll only be in your thirties or forties then, so it won’t be too late,” Kushina continued.

Muzuki was currently the youngest Kage in the entire Ninja World, succeeding at twenty-two years old. Whether anyone would come after him was hard to say, but he was certainly unprecedented.

Minato Namikaze squeezed Kushina’s hand, smiled, and said softly, “If there’s a chance, I’ll naturally strive for it. If there isn’t, there’s no need to force it.”

Minato Namikaze was truly convinced by Muzuki as Hokage.

As long as Muzuki didn’t voluntarily step down, Minato Namikaze wouldn’t have the idea of becoming Hokage. He wouldn’t act proactively like Danzo Shimura, trying to create opportunities to become Hokage even if there weren’t any.

Whether it was the Jonin observing on the rooftop or the Ninja and citizens on the ground, everyone was celebrating the emergence of the new Hokage in perfect harmony.

Facing these people who supported him, Muzuki did not stingy his smile, maintaining a warm and gentle smile throughout to respond to everyone.

And in a scene visible only to Muzuki, Obito’s life mission began to skyrocket.

General knowledge: Aside from the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who was blood-related to the First, all other Hokage, up to the Seventh Hokage, have had a teacher-student relationship.

A Hokage’s disciple may not necessarily become Hokage, but the vast majority of those who do become Hokage have a Hokage as their teacher, or their teacher’s teacher was a Hokage.