The journey back to Konoha was much more peaceful than the departure, though filled with a new kind of anticipation. Naruto, the First Hokage's necklace shining on his chest, radiated a mixture of relief and renewed determination.
Tsunade's promise to accept the mantle of Hokage had filled him with a hope he'd barely dared to feel since Hiruzen's death.
Tsunade walked with a more upright posture, though her complaints about "having to deal with all this bureaucracy again" were incessant. However, her gaze often fell on Naruto, a glimmer of curiosity and budding affection in her eyes. Shizune, relieved and recovered, walked beside him, occasionally casting warning glances at Jiraiya and Gojo.
Speaking of Gojo Satoru, he merely hovered slightly above the group, or disappeared and reappeared out of nowhere, commenting with his usual sarcasm on the landscape or the "peculiarity" of relationships between the Sannin. Orochimaru's humiliation seemed to have left him in a good mood, though the seriousness of his warning still resonated in everyone's minds.
As they reached the gates of Konoha, the village, though still scarred, was already showing signs of recovery. The reconstruction teams were working tirelessly, and the people's spirit, though battered, was not broken. News of the return of Tsunade Senju, one of the legendary Sannin, and the hope that she would assume leadership spread like wildfire.
The investiture ceremony was simple but emotional, held in front of the Hokage Mansion, which was still under repair. Konoha's ninjas, jōnin, cūnin, and genin, as well as many civilians, gathered to witness the event. Faces that had once shown mourning and despair now held a new and fragile hope.
The council elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, were relieved to see Tsunade standing before them, though their distrust of Gojo was palpable. They had heard rumors of his incredible power, and his unconventional aura unsettled them.
"Citizens of Konoha!" Homura proclaimed. "Today, with heavy hearts for the loss of our beloved Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, but with hope for the future, we introduce his successor. Lady Tsunade, Fifth Hokage!"
Applause rang out, not as deafening as on other occasions, but filled with quiet respect and deep gratitude. Tsunade, with the white Hokage cloak draped over her shoulders, looked a little uncomfortable with all the attention, but her expression was one of resolve.
Her eyes met Naruto's, and a small smile touched his lips.
Naruto felt a lump in his throat. Seeing Tsunade there, accepting the position, was like closure to the wound of Hiruzen's death.
It was the promise that Konoha would not fall, that the Will of Fire would continue to burn. Gojo, standing on the sidelines, watched with interest. He had completed his plot mission, and Konoha's fate seemed back on track. However, he knew the stability was only temporary.
Orochimaru wouldn't stand still, and the appearance of the mysterious "Plot Artifact" the system had given him (the First Hokage's Necklace in Naruto's possession) suggested the stakes were even higher.
Later that day, Tsunade was already immersed in the endless piles of paperwork Hiruzen had endured. Shizune, at her side, was diligently assisting her. Tsunade's first orders focused on rebuilding and reorganizing the village's defenses.
Naruto, for his part, turned to Gojo. "Gojo-sensei, what shall we do now? Shall we continue my training?"
Gojo smiled, his usual lightheartedness returning. "Of course, Rubio. But now that we have the 'old lady' in charge, perhaps it's time for your training to take on a new dimension. After all, you have the First Hokage's Necklace, and that means 'sage mode' isn't the only thing you need to master."
Gojo moved closer, and Naruto felt a strange sensation. It was as if time slowed down around him. "And speaking of which," Gojo continued, "this necklace... has an interesting aura. I wonder what else it might do to you." Gojo briefly touched the necklace, and a faint vibration of energy spread through Naruto.
"Also," Gojo added, his gaze becoming a little more distant, as if looking beyond the visible. "Orochimaru is injured, but not inactive. And there are other players in this world who haven't made their move yet. Your training should prepare you for everything. From chakra to cursed energy... and whatever that necklace is doing."