From Naruto onwards, I've become a dreamer.

Chapter 212 The Collapse of Konoha in Progress

Three days later.

The weather was somewhat gloomy, with thick, dark clouds gathering around.

Looking up at the gloomy sky, Kakashi silently pulled up his mask, left his house, and walked towards the inauguration ceremony.

Originally, he did not intend to participate, but as a member of the Anbu, he had to be responsible for the safety of the new Hokage.

But at the intersection, Kakashi suddenly stopped, his sharp eyes sweeping over a shadowy spot. He growled warily in a low voice, "Who's there? Come out!"

A figure draped in a gray robe stood in the shadows of a corner, like a ghost.

"Who are you?!"

With a clang, Kakashi drew his short sword and immediately assumed a fighting stance.

However, the gray figure simply stood there, seemingly watching him silently through the wide hood.

Seeing that the other party did not respond, Kakashi said in an icy tone: "Who exactly are you? I'll ask you one last time, tell me your identity and purpose!"

The gray-robed man stared at Kakashi, then without saying a word, he beckoned to him with a finger in a highly provocative manner, before turning and rushing off towards the training ground.

"stop!"

Kakashi immediately followed.

Two figures moved very fast, weaving through the streets.

Kakashi, who was chasing behind, became more and more surprised as he chased. Not only was the opponent incredibly fast, but even his back view had a slightly familiar feel to it.

It was as if he had seen it somewhere before!
The gray-robed figure ahead seemed afraid that Kakashi wouldn't be able to catch up, so he repeatedly slowed down, only to suddenly accelerate again when Kakashi got close.

"Wait, stop right there!"

Kakashi felt inexplicably irritated, and as he gazed at that familiar figure from behind, a stirring seemed to rise deep within him.

A voice urged him to catch up.

Upon arriving at the training ground, Kakashi unleashed a burst of chakra beneath his feet. As he closed in with a Body Flicker Technique, his family's White Fang Sword Technique drew a sharp semicircle in mid-air.

Clang!
A dazzling arc of light slashed straight at the mysterious man's neck.

However, the gray-robed mystery man seemed to have anticipated this, and with a slight shift of his foot and a slight turn of his body, he easily dodged the attack.

Kakashi spun around and thrust his short sword out from an unexpected angle with incredible speed.

But the mysterious man easily dodged this attack.

"Damn it!" Kakashi was getting anxious and unleashed the White Fang Sword Technique one by one.

Swish swish!
The sharp blade sliced ​​through the air, flashing streaks of white light like a dense net.

But the mysterious man seemed to have precognitive abilities, dodging and weaving in the narrow area, using only the movement of his feet to evade the White Fang Sword Technique that struck fear into the hearts of the ninja world.

"This guy seems to be very familiar with the White Fang Sword Technique?" Kakashi was startled.

Before he could change his move, the mysterious man took a step forward, suddenly shattering the air with such speed that there was no time to react. Just as Kakashi realized he was in trouble, his back was suddenly struck hard, and his vision went black as he collapsed unconscious.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi."

Looking at the unconscious boy, the mysterious man took off his hood, revealing short silver-white hair; it was none other than White Fang himself.

He squatted down, ruffled his son's hair, and a rare hint of tenderness appeared on his usually expressionless face: "It's too dangerous over there, you should stay here."

The succession ceremony for the Fifth Hokage of Konoha was held as scheduled.

However, unlike the grand spectacle of everyone flocking to the city when the Fourth Hokage succeeded to the throne, this time the enthusiasm was noticeably less.

Perhaps because he had already exhausted all his passion during the Fourth Hokage event, Orochimaru was in a somewhat sage-like state when it came to him.

Looking at the sparse and dejected crowd below the stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, clutching his head and feeling a profound sense of powerlessness. Even with his political skills at their peak, he was helpless in the face of this situation. He couldn't very well force everyone to be 'enthusiastic', could he?

Despite his reluctance, he was required to attend the inauguration ceremony as part of the advisory group.

However, after the rumors spread widely, Hiruzen Sarutobi's image and life were completely distorted and fabricated. He was once the Hokage revered by thousands, but was now labeled with terms like pervert and stupid.

As time passed and the inauguration ceremony drew ever closer, Orochimaru, the 'protagonist,' still hadn't appeared, and Hiruzen Sarutobi began to panic. Mainly, the sharp gaze emanating from him, as piercing as a knife, made him increasingly nervous.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt immense pressure, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. He wondered if something unexpected had happened again.
Just as he was about to lose his composure and decide to go find Orochimaru himself, the protagonist arrived late.

Orochimaru, wearing the Hokage's robes and a straw hat, slowly appeared on the inauguration ceremony platform, a smile playing on his lips: "Sorry, I had to take care of a few things before leaving, so I'm late."

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally breathed a sigh of relief, and said with dissatisfaction, "What could have been done before the inauguration ceremony?"

"The inauguration ceremony may begin."

The Second Hokage crossed his arms, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi, and looked at Orochimaru with a slightly softened expression: "Fifth Hokage, the future of Konoha is in your hands."

"Hurry up, Orochimaru, everyone's waiting for you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled; at least he didn't have to be scolded mercilessly by the Second Hokage.

"I hereby declare the inauguration ceremony of the Fifth Hokage to officially begin!"

Koharu Utatane and En Mitokado's voices echoed across the vast square.

After a series of complicated procedures and the appointment of various advisors and the daimyo of the Land of Fire, the initially somewhat indifferent crowd finally became lively.

The Fifth Hokage of Konoha was Orochimaru, one of the original Legendary Sannin!

Amidst pairs of eyes filled with enthusiasm and longing, Orochimaru, clad in the Hokage's robes, stepped firmly and steadily onto the platform for the inauguration ceremony.

Looking at everything before him, Orochimaru's eyes darted around, as if in a dream, feeling somewhat unreal.

He had finally achieved the Hokage position he had once longed for, but he felt no satisfaction, only an endless emptiness.

Yes, this is not what he wanted, nor is it his true 'dream'.

"Orochimaru, it's your turn to speak."

Seeing that Orochimaru remained silent for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi whispered a reminder from the side.

"Oh, sorry, I got a little lost in thought."

Coming to his senses, Orochimaru tossed his long hair aside and chuckled softly.

"Hehe, it's alright, I understand how you feel right now." At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but fall into memories.

The vibrant scene of life and flourishing of all things when he succeeded as Hokage seems to be still vivid in my mind. Even now, recalling it still makes my blood boil!

"Go, Orochimaru!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted his disciple on the shoulder and said kindly, "Your era has arrived."

That's not wrong.

Orochimaru mentally estimated the time, facing down and watching the crowd below.

Everyone is waiting for the new Hokage to give his speech.

As is customary, during the inauguration ceremony, the Hokage, having completed the handover ceremony, will express his plans and ideas for Konoha during his term.

"I only have one sentence to say."

A hint of amusement flickered deep within Orochimaru's narrow, serpentine eyes.

Everyone quieted down, waiting for the Hokage to speak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, a hint of kindness in his eyes, looking at his disciple with a sense of satisfaction.

Orochimaru took off the Hokage hat and tossed it aside.

A sudden gust of wind blew his straw hat away, and his long black hair danced wildly in the wind. A mocking smile appeared on his cold face: "In the name of the Fifth Hokage, I declare that I, Orochimaru, have betrayed Konoha from this moment on."

woohoo~
The wind howled, and everyone's pupils slowly dilated.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart suddenly sank to the bottom.

(End of this chapter)