Naruto Shippūden (ナルト 疾風伝)

Kakashi...

It won't come off!

Here is the Hokage's message. Go on! Take it!

Bring that to Lord Tsuchikage! Tell him that we want a response right away!

There's no need for that! We'll give you your answer right now!

Hm.

Sometimes it's better not to be so hasty.

Huh!?

What!?

The Fourth Kazekage!?

Why is the Hidden Sand here?

You're standing on Sand Territory. It would be unwise for you to start an incident here...

We'll put out any and all sparks that rain down on us.

The Sand will move accordingly.

Just remember that whatever choice you make!

Scatter!

So then-- what is the situation regarding the request to enter into the peace treaty?

Naturally it's going to have to be turned down.

Whatever the Hidden Leaf may negotiate with the Hidden Sand nothing will challenge the unity of the Hidden Stone!

Silence! Enough!

Indeed I'm proud of the unity we've seen displayed in the Hidden Stone...

However, with our pride on the line, we sent one thousand of our shinobi.

And I understand that it took just one of them, namely the Yellow Flash, to put a stop to the invasion.

I'm afraid that's the cold reality of it all.

The rumor going around is they're gonna enter into a peace treaty with the Hidden Stone.

But how much faith can we put in a single piece of paper, anyway?

That's for sure, without a doubt.

Just think about the burden this is putting on Lord Third, you guys!

Maybe, but in any case, at least the long, great war will be over for now.

Let's toast to it with some dumplings!

Hm?

Hey! Kakashi!

Come join us! Have some dumplings!

Seriously? He sure isn't too social these days...

Is something bothering him?

Well, you can't exactly expect him to be jumping for joy.

Oh. You're talking about what happened with Obito and Rin?

Yeah. That sure would leave a big hole in your heart...

Kakashi...

Rin...

That was nicely done.

Now we can breathe easier for a while.

You're satisfied with an agreement like this?!

To simply forgive the Hidden Stone's actions and to forego our demands for compensation...

It's almost as bad as if we'd lost the war!

What do you think of it, Hiruzen?

Continuing the war any further would be disastrous for the already exhausted Hidden Leaf.

This is a step toward finding common ground.

Many of our colleagues gave their lives fighting in this last battle.

With this agreement it's like they died in vain!

I understand, and assume full responsibility for that.

Just how will you take responsibility?

I intend to step down as the Third Hokage so the Fourth Hokage may replace me.

How regrettable...

You were doing such a fine job, Lord Third.

To be completely truthful, the Third Hokage was too soft, and allowed the village to be pushed into a corner.

We need a forceful Hokage who will change the way things are done and will enforce the rules of the shinobi.

That's the kind of man we need!

And? Is there such a person to be found?

I recommend we choose Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of The Leaf.

And what say you, Lord Third?

In this age of war, Orochimaru is truly nothing short of a genius, there's no denying that fact.

However...

A sinister will and intense ambition lurk deep behind those eyes...

Such a person cannot be trusted with the duties of the Hokage.

Lord Third, you dare--!

I recommend we choose Minato Namikaze.

He's a shinobi who studied under Jiraya, in other words, a pupil of your pupil.

He's so skilled he's called the Yellow Flash.

Oooh!

Minato is still too young!

He won the Battle of Kannabi Bridge and found acclaim by leading the way to the end of the Third Great Shinobi War!

I am strongly opposed!

And what about the rest of you...?

I believe you will carry on the Village's Will of Fire.

I want to entrust you with the future of the Leaf Village.

And in fact, of that of the whole shinobi world.

Will you accept my offer?

Lord Third, I shall do my best to be worthy of your trust.

I wish I could have passed this position on to you under better circumstances than the ones we find ourselves in.

It's almost certain that what lies ahead of you will not be peaceful.

I am prepared for that.

Mm.

I believe in you. I know you can do it!

Mm!

Huh?

Just what do you think you're doing over there, ya know?

What did Lord Third want with you, anyway?

Well...

Hold on. Did you get scolded for something?

Oh, so what. Look, don't worry about it, ya know?

No... actually it wasn't that...

Well, then, what was it?

Well, um...

He wants me to be the Fourth Hokage.

Oh, yeah? Well don't you mind what he says. The Hokage is just--

Uh-- Wait. What did you say, Minato!?

I've just been named the Fourth Hokage.

Uhh...

Congrats, ya know!

Whoa! Hey Hey! Hey! Hold on!

Oh...

Thank you, for all your hard work.

Thanks, Kushina.

Everything in this situation is going the way Hiruzen wants...

The Third Hokage just intends to use Minato as a puppet and to keep ruling the Hidden Leaf Village.

At this rate, the Leaf will have no future whatsoever!

It's not over yet, so don't give up.

If my research is successful, then it will be quite easy to seize power within the Hidden Leaf.

Hm.