Konoha's council room felt colder than any winter battlefield.
An elder cleared his throat. "If we let this continue… Konoha becomes a body without a spine. A village without a leader will collapse."
No one liked admitting it, but he wasn't wrong.
"And since we cannot name a Hokage while Amamiya-sama is merely missing," he continued, "we should… appoint a temporary leader. Someone who will hold authority only until Raizen-sama returns. If he returns…"
A voice cut through the hall like a drawn blade.
"That's acceptable."
Everyone turned as Uchiha Madara rose to his feet, expression unreadable, chakra simmering beneath his skin.
His next words were delivered with the certainty of someone who expected the world to agree.
"I will take the position."
Silence.
Then—
"I object."
Hyūga Tennin stood instantly, white eyes narrowed.
The Sarutobi patriarch followed. "As do I."
Several elders nodded. Not one even attempted to soften the blow. They simply didn't trust him. Madara wasn't the type to act as a steward; he was the type to conquer the chair and weld himself to it.
Madara's gaze sharpened.
Then a voice unexpectedly broke the tension.
"I support Madara."
Hashirama stepped forward, earnest and sincere as always.
"Madara's strength is unmatched. With the other villages stirring, we need someone powerful enough to defend Konoha. His ability is undeniable."
But the elders didn't budge.
Tennin spoke calmly, but there was iron under every syllable.
"Strength alone is not leadership. Konoha needs someone who can keep the clans from tearing each other apart. Someone who will put unity before pride."
His eyes flashed toward Madara.
"That is something Lord Madara has never shown."
Ouch.
Even Raizen, if he'd been there, would've winced.
Madara looked around the room one more time — searching for even a sliver of support.
Only Hashirama met his eyes.
And it wasn't enough.
"Hmph."
He turned on his heel and walked out, the cold slamming behind him harder than any door could.
"Madara…" Hashirama murmured, helpless.
But the elders didn't relent. The village could not risk putting a torch near dry oil.
One elder stepped forward.
"Then I nominate Senju Hashirama as temporary leader."
Madara had barely cleared the hallway before freezing mid-step.
He didn't turn back.
He simply walked faster.
Inside, the council buzzed.
"Hashirama-dono is gentle but decisive."
"He values the village more than his own clan."
"Even Raizen-sama trusted him deeply."
Their reasons weren't wrong. Hashirama wasn't perfect — far from it — but he never acted out of malice or ego. When he protected a child, a clan, a wounded shinobi… he meant it.
He had the heart of a Hokage, even if the title wasn't his to take.
Hashirama, naturally, panicked.
"No, no, I'm not suited—"
"Hashirama-sama," an elder interrupted, "Konoha is fraying. Clans are fighting in the streets. Other villages are circling like wolves. If we delay any longer, Konoha may not survive Raizen-sama's absence."
That silenced him.
Hashirama looked around the room — at exhausted elders, worn faces, trembling hands.
At a village that desperately needed someone to believe in.
"…Very well," he whispered. "Until Raizen returns, I will serve as Konoha's temporary leader."
Relief swept the chamber like wind after a storm.
A Village Reclaims Its Pulse
The announcement spread through Konoha in minutes.
"Hashirama-sama… the temporary leader?"
"He isn't claiming the Hokage title?"
"No. He's just holding the village together until Raizen-sama returns."
A strange warmth settled over the village.
Not hope — not yet.
But stability.
The panic that had consumed Konoha eased for the first time in a month.
Mission lines resumed.
Clans calmed down.
Even children played again.
In the Hokage residence, Hashirama stood on the balcony, looking out over the village Raizen built.
"Raizen… until you come back, I'll protect what you left behind."
His voice was soft.
A promise whispered into the wind.