A/N: Hello readers. This is my second story of four I am working on for your enjoyment. I usually update on Mondays but due to multiple stories, my updates will now be at random. Sorry about that sudden inconvenience. Please enjoy my newest story to my collection.

Prologue: The New Hokage is..!

The Fire Daimyo sat in his chair waving his large fan to cool himself. To his right sat his five councilmen that wore identical clothing with large black hats with the fire country symbol in the center. The man furthest from the Daimyo picked up his glass of water, took a small sip of the liquid and wiped the wetness of his fingers on his sleeve. The closest one to the Daimyo picked up sheets of paper, restacked them evenly and cleared his throat. The five others to the Daimyo's left were appointed members of the council that were well respected and advised a Hokage when needed. An elderly man and women sat closet to the Daimyo with an Anbu in a white cloak and dog mask sitting in the middle. The old man readjusted his glasses to fit the wide bridge of his nose, the old lady next to him finished the glass of water and placed the cup down on the table. The last two at the end were Danzō, leader of ROOT, and Jonin Commander Shikaku Nara. Danzō was staring down the five councilmen lined up across from him with his uncovered eye.

"I believe now would be a good time to discuss why we are here," Shikaku said.

The Daimyo nodded and grabbed a stack of papers in front of him. Shuffling the papers, holding separate documents in his other hand, slowly reading each file twice before putting them down.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi has been killed by Orochimaru's forces during the invasion of the Chunin Exams," the Daimyo said. "We gathered here to discuss who shall succeed him due to Hiruzen not choosing a worthy candidate to take his place."

Chatter erupted on worthy candidates for Hokage and all having unrivaled skills in combat and diplomacy. Asuma Sarutobi was suggested due to the connection of the previous Hokage but the idea was dismissed when Danzō suggested the position should not be another peace easy man. It would mak Konohagakure appear weak.

Candidates were offered left and right but Danzō always had some complaint or insight on why the candidate would fail. Danzō claimed that all his inputs had the village's best interests at heart. Shikaku sat there quietly letting all the information sink in and how he could prevent Danzō from becoming Hokage. Shikaku knew that was Danzō's true intentions all along and if that man became Hokage, then Konoha would be in a dark shadow.

"I recommend Kakashi Hatake," Shikaku said.

The council men muttered to one another. Kakashi was an excellent candidate and a talented shinobi. No one in the village could deny the talent Kakashi possessed. The Daimyo rubbed his chin with the back of his hand and raised an eyebrow at the suggestion.

"Kakashi Hatake is one of our best shinobi," Shikaku continued. "He has single handed completed higher ranked missions, an experienced diplomat and he was student of the Fourth Hokage. As we all know the Fourth was trained by the Legendary Sanin Jiraiya and he was trained by the Third. The experience and wisdom passed by Sensei to student would be too good to pass up."

"Hmm. The Fourth Hokage you say. Yes that is true," the Daimyo nodded. "Having Kakashi as Hokage would show some linage in wisdom with our village."

The air seemed to tense up from Kakashi's mentioning. Danzō left eye looked toward Shikaku. His expression blank but Shikaku knew he ruffled Danzō's feathers by throwing a difficult tactic to maneuver around. Kakashi was too well known and respected to easily convince one to forgo an idea like the one proposed. Shikaku knew Kakashi would not enjoy the idea of being Hokage but after explaining the reasoning he would take the position.

"Very well," the Daimyo said. "It seems everyone here is in agreement. By the authority given to me by the Fire Country, I herby proclaim the fifth Hokage as-"

"We cannot have Kakashi as Hokage," Danzō stated.

"And I believe you are going to tell us why Danzō," Shikaku said.

"Yes. The Third trained the three Sanin. While this is true two of the three Sanin are missing, the third Sanin has lead an assault on us with our own allies, the Sand. Hiruzen sympathized with them and showed weakness. Orochimaru used this to his own advantage and killed him. If the teachings of the Third Hokage were passed from teacher to student, then all of his disciples will shown this same weakness. We need a Hokage to clean up this mess made by their naïve teachings. I believe the answer is simply."

The room was quiet. Shikaku gulped and wiped his sweaty palms on his pant leg, the Daimyo covered his face with his fan waiting for Danzō to finish his speech and the other councilmen were staring in awe as if Kami himself stood before them.

"That Hokage should be me," Danzō finished.

The Daimyo folded his fan and laid it on the table surface. Picking up the glass of water by the rim, he took a large gulp of the fluid and placed the cup back down. Clearing his throat, he stood up and clasped his hand together to gain the attention of the people in the room.

"After hearing all the candidates and all the pros and cons of each individual," the Daimyo paused. "I have made my decision. The next Hokage that will take over and bear the title of Fifth Hokage will be…"