Chapter 351: Impeachment
The mysterious man who'd entered Konoha had undoubtedly stirred up more than what appeared on the surface. Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a strange, unshakable anxiety.
"Bring in the other ANBU members from this mission. I need to know exactly what happened with Kakashi," Hiruzen ordered, struggling to keep his voice steady.
Soon, the detailed report lay before him. Hiruzen read through the document, his frown deepening as he saw the words describing Kakashi's strange behavior, the conversation with the unknown man, and the moment when Kakashi had knelt before him. A respected ninja like Kakashi, who had always shown unwavering loyalty, would never bow so freely. What had made him do it?
Has Kakashi betrayed the village? Hiruzen wondered, shaking his head. No, he dismissed the thought. Kakashi's loyalty was beyond question. His family, history, and life experiences were bound to Konoha. And yet, Hiruzen mused, why would he show such respect to an unknown man?
As Hiruzen puzzled over the report, Kakashi himself was already preparing. He had donned a formal outfit in keeping with the traditions of the Hatake clan a respected, if small, ninja clan in Konoha. This time, he had a plan, and it started with a visit to Konoha's prominent clans.
One by one, Kakashi met with the leaders of the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Uchiha, Hyuga, Aburame, Inuzuka, Kurama, and other clans. Although Konoha had long promoted the value of training civilians as shinobi, everyone knew that lineage, traditions, and connections held significant power in the village. Civilian ninja often needed the mentorship of clan mentors, and those without good mentors or outstanding talent typically ended up as fodder for the village's wars.
The Konoha clans were the true power centers, and any candidate for Hokage would need their support. Most of the powerful elders from Jiraiya's generation had either passed away or grown too old, leaving only those savvy enough to have survived the village's political turmoil.
Kakashi's visits quickly made his intentions clear: he was prepared to bear the responsibility of leading Konoha. His noble lineage as the son of the White Fang and his formidable record on the battlefield lent him credibility. But when he activated the powerful Ocean Chakra Mode gifted to him by Ye Wen, any doubts the clan leaders may have had disappeared. The sheer power emanating from Kakashi sent tremors through buildings, a strength reminiscent of the legendary First and Second Hokages.
The following day, Kakashi formally submitted his resignation from the ANBU. Hiruzen stared at the resignation letter in silence, looking up at Kakashi with a complicated expression.
Just as Hiruzen opened his mouth to speak, a knock interrupted them. "Enter," he called.
In came a steady stream of ninja, quickly filling the office until it felt almost claustrophobic. Hiruzen's brows furrowed as he watched the room fill.
"What's the meaning of this?" he asked, trying to sound calm.
Nara Shikaku, head of the Nara clan and a man known for his sharp wit and calculating mind, stepped forward. As a member of the traditional Ino Shika Cho trio that had supported every Hokage, Shikaku's presence was both reassuring and alarming. Now, his gaze held no warmth as he looked at the Third Hokage.
After a pause, Shikaku spoke. "Lord Third, after a vote by over eighty percent of Konoha's jonin, we formally request the selection of a Fifth Hokage. With all due respect, your return to office following the Fourth Hokage's death was always intended as a temporary measure. It's time to pass the title on properly."
The room went silent, and the jonin present fixed Hiruzen with expressionless gazes, their silent agreement filling the room with an undeniable tension.
Hiruzen clenched his pipe, hand trembling slightly as he raised it to his lips. Despite his efforts to maintain a facade of calm, his unease was clear. "Are you… impeaching me?"
The question, spoken in a strained voice, hung heavily in the room.
Even the most cautious among the jonin now looked Hiruzen in the eye and nodded. There was no turning back.
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