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The announcement comes in the pale hours of the morning; the overhead sky a misty grey as if it, too, is in mourning.
Above the crowd, the Hokage surveys his people with a gravity that is expected of him. The crowd is listless and quiet. The civilians among them have tears on their face and they are clutching hands, as if they might take comfort from each other in this moment. The ninjas, though, are made of sterner stuff, faces pinched in grief but nary a tear leaves their eye.
At least, none that the Hokage can see.
Officially, there had been no announcement prior to the Hokage’s one only moments ago regarding the fate of the Uchiha Clan. However, he knows all too well how rumours can move quite quickly in Konoha, rapidly gaining speed and strength as they go from one person to the next. If paperwork could be completed as quickly as rumours were whispered, the Hokage would be a happy man indeed.
Once more, he considers his people. The announcement is only half-done, and a speech sits tucked behind the Hokage’s teeth. This, he thinks privately, is a needless evil.
“It falls to me,” he says slowly, ominously, “to tell you that the massacre of the Uchiha Clan is not the only darkness that fell over Konoha last night. Under the cover of the shadows, Uchiha Itachi used a man’s greatest strength against him, exploiting the kindness that had been given to us so freely and so warmly. Only hours ago, did I walk into the office of my closest friend only to find him laid out on the floor like some target. It was the work of a monster—that, I know, must be true. For who else could be responsible for such a horrendous act? Only one who knows no kindness, knows no mercy, knows no goodness.
“And so, it is with deep sadness and a boundless grief that I tell you now that the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was murdered by Uchiha Itachi at some unascertained time last night.”
The crowd gasps, rippling with a grief that flows outward. Even some of the stoic ninjas are overcome, sadness visible in the tears that leave streaks down their face. The new Hokage’s face echoes their sadness, deeply marred by the grief he too carries.
“While I could never hope to replace my dear friend, I now step into the shoes left behind by the Sandaime Hokage as the new Godaime Hokage. It is with your support that I shall see Konoha brought into a new era of strength and it is to you, the people of Konoha, that I promise you this: never again shall we experience such darkness like we did today. From now on, the future is bright—and it always shall be!”
Cheers arose from the crowd, the mourning stripped away from them by a handful of words. Even with tears in their eyes, the people were smiling.
“Long live the Hokage! Long live the Hokage!”
The Godaime Hokage smiles, all his teeth on display, and the crowd continues to chant.
“Long live the Hokage! Long live Shimura Danzō!”