In the days that followed, life became quiet again.
All the Edo Tensei shinobi were sent back, and everything returned to normal.
Konoha.
People pointed toward the Hokage Rock, chattering nonstop.
"The war just ended not long ago, and the Sixth's face is already close to being finished. The village craftsmen work way too fast…"
"I heard the moment they learned Shinju would be the Sixth Hokage, they started carving immediately. That was still during the war, right…? Of course the progress is fast."
"Even if the Hokage Rock doesn't capture one-thousandth of the Sixth-sama's aura, it's still absurdly handsome. I love it! (´◊ω◊｀)"
"Then go drool at the Rock for the rest of your life!"
"By the way, during the war the White Zetsu Army was wiped out, the Masked Man and Madara are dead, and the rest of Akatsuki got arrested. So what about the one controlling the Edo Tensei shinobi—did they catch him?"
"I've got some insider gossip… They got him. Word is the Sixth-sama personally took action the night the war ended. Orochimaru and Kabuto are both locked in Konoha's prison now."
"In prison? Aren't they scared Orochimaru will escape again? (꒪⌓꒪) "
"What are you afraid of? The prison holding major criminals now is all specially made with Wood Release by the Sixth-sama. If you can't trust anyone, you can at least trust him! (´°Δ°`)"
"This is the first I've heard of that…"
"Right, the war's been over this long and the succession ceremony for the Sixth-sama still hasn't happened… You have any inside info?"
"No, but I've got other inside info…" The first passerby lowered his voice dramatically. "I heard our young Sixth-sama isn't very willing to be Hokage… maybe even a bit resistant…"
The second passerby froze.
"Not willing to be Hokage? There are actually people like that in this world? (꒪⌓꒪) "
"It's not that strange. Rumor says on the night the war ended, hundreds of girls were chasing him! ❛‿˂̵✧"
"Giving up a life like that just to be Hokage… If it were me, I wouldn't want it either! ୧⍢⃝୨"
"Keep dreaming. You don't have the Sixth-sama's looks, or his strength… (||๐_๐)"
"Hold on—am I the only one focused on the hundreds of people?!"
"A hundred people? He'd break!! Σ( ° △ °|||)︴"
"Shhh! Quiet. We don't know the details. Don't go spreading stuff!"
...
Hokage Office.
Shinju was in full Hokage robes, sprawled over the desk asleep. His Hokage hat was tossed off to the side…
After a moment, the office door opened.
Sasuke came in holding a stack of documents half as tall as he was. He lightly tapped the desk.
"Wake up. Wake up. Time to work. Lots of things waiting for you, Hokage-sama."
"If you don't approve these now, Naruto will bring another huge pile later. If they stack up, you're doomed…"
Shinju pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes, looking completely worn out.
"I said I didn't want the job, but they forced me… I said I wouldn't come to the office, and Jiraiya-sensei and Tsunade-sensei dragged me here anyway… How is this humanly possible?! (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)"
Sasuke tried to soothe him.
"You're the new Hokage. Lots of transition work is normal. Give it some time. It'll settle down…"
Halfway through saying that, Sasuke's expression went flat.
"And besides, you're using clones to handle all the paperwork. What is your real body even complaining about? ¯\(ツ)/¯"
Shinju pouted.
"A clone is still me. When the clone dispels, all the memories slam into my head at once… Just thinking about it makes my skull throb! ￣へ￣"
Sasuke dropped the topic and moved on.
"The village wants to build a new park. They plan to put up a statue of you there, to commemorate your contribution to the shinobi world. The Fifth has already approved. Thoughts?"
Shinju looked speechless.
"What thoughts can I have? Build the park if you want. Just don't put up a statue of me. I'm still alive. No need to commemorate anything…"
Sasuke nodded. "Alright. Next—since you're officially succeeding as Hokage, you're supposed to meet the Daimyō of the Land of Fire…"
"Don't wanna. Send a clone."
Sasuke frowned. "That's… not appropriate."
Shinju waved. "It's fine. They can't tell."
Sasuke sighed helplessly and checked the booklet in his hands.
"Another thing: the four great nations and all the nearby small nations have sent congratulatory letters. Many are asking when the succession ceremony will be held… Oh, and the Daimyō of the Land of Birds said he'll be visiting soon…"
Shinju nodded. "The Daimyō of the Land of Birds… Toki, right? Tell him he's welcome. Handle the rest however you see fit…"
Then Shinju suddenly got an idea.
"Sas'ke, what if I just wipe out all five great nations and build one unified country? Then I wouldn't have to deal with all this diplomatic nonsense."
Sasuke actually paused to think. "In theory… you're not wrong."
"But the current world structure has existed for ages. Cultures, beliefs, daily habits—everything differs. In the early stages of unification, chaos is guaranteed…"
"And a lot of people would die…"
Shinju said, "Then I'll just put all the rebels under genjutsu?"
Sasuke gave him a look. "Maybe that's what Madara once thought too? (°ー°〃)"
Shinju nodded. It… made sense.
"So the best choice is to just give up on everything. No worries. Lie down every day. ୧⍢⃝୨"
He spread his hands.
He had barely finished speaking when Naruto rushed into the office carrying another mountain of paperwork.
"Shinju! Look what good stuff I brought you! (＾ワ＾)"
Shinju: "…"
Then he placed both hands on Naruto's shoulders, speaking solemnly.
"Naruto, you've wanted to be Hokage since you were a kid, right?"
Naruto blinked, confused.
"Yeah, but right now I… ◝₍ᴑ̑ДO͝₎◞"
Shinju shook his head.
"Ignore all that messy stuff!!"
"Now! I, Shinju, Sixth Hokage of Konoha, hereby appoint you as the Seventh Hokage!"
"You may begin handling governmental affairs!!! (´◊ω◊｀)"
The words had barely finished—
BANG!!!
Tsunade punched the Hokage Office door into splinters and marched inside like a storm.
"Unbelievable! I heard everything from outside! How can you shove your duties onto someone else like that?! Ծ‸ Ծ"
Shinju pouted. "It's called planning ahead. I'm thinking of Konoha's future. (눈‸눈)"
Jiraiya came in right behind her.
"Planning ahead my butt—this is you trying to run away…"
Shinju's face twisted. "Jiraiya-sensei, you—"
Jiraiya kept signaling frantically with his eyes while edging toward Tsunade, his expression clearly saying:
Good disciple, for the sake of your master's love life, just take the blame for a moment and I'll save you later.
Shinju immediately understood and gave a small nod. "Got it."
Jiraiya coughed.
"Anyway, the Great Toad Sage is calling for you. Something important."
Shinju shot out of the room like an arrow.