Gamer, fixing the fates of fictional characters

For the election, many important guests were invited to join the festivities. These important guests also included the Daimyō, who as the official sponsor of the Village, also had a say in the matter.

When the day came to make the election, all needed parties gathered together in a council meeting room, inside of the Hokage tower.

In attendance were: Senju Hashirama and Tobirama, Uchiha Madara, Uzumaki Mito and Kaitou, as well as the current generation members of the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, Yamanaka Inosuke, Shikakane Nara and Akimichi Chouichiro. The clan leaders of the Inuzuka, Kaede, the head of the Hyuga, Hara, the Aburame Leader, Rikuto, were also here. The last attending members were the representative of the Kurogane, the elder Kazen, the Leader of the Hoshikawa, Rensui, and last but not least, the Daimyō, himself. This first council, did not yet have any representatives for the civilians.

When everyone was assembled, a few rules were issued for the upcoming election. The first rule was, that no one was allowed to nominate themselves for the vote, but only through the recommendation of another, would one be allowed to participate. The second one being, that whoever was recommended, needed to say immediate if they are okay with being up for the vote, if not, they will directly be disqualified as a Hokage for this election.

It was decided to go for an open vote. The Daimyō, himself would only be allowed to vote, in case of a draw.

With these rules in place, the election was officially started.

The moment the election began, multiple people raised their hands, eager to speak. As expected, the first name to be called out was Senju Hashirama. 

"I nominate Hashirama," Inosuke Yamanaka said without hesitation. 

"I second that," Shikakane Nara added, his voice calm and measured. 

Akimichi Chouichiro nodded firmly. "I support the nomination." 

Hashirama smiled sheepishly at the immediate flood of support but said nothing yet. 

Before the nominations could continue, another hand was raised. 

"I nominate Senju Tobirama," said Hyūga Hara. 

A few murmurs spread through the room, acknowledging Tobirama's strength and intellect. However, before anyone else could chime in, Tobirama himself shook his head. 

"I refuse," he said without a moment's hesitation. His expression was unreadable, but his tone was absolute. "My brother is far more suited for this position than I am." 

There was a slight pause before the discussion moved forward. It was an expected outcome. Tobirama was undeniably powerful and a strategic genius, but he never pursued leadership for its own sake. His mind was focused on the village's stability, and he likely already had his own ideas of how best to serve it. 

More voices followed. More nominations. But it was clear where the tide was flowing. Hashirama's name continued to come up, his support growing stronger. 

Then, Kaitou leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. He observed the discussion, watching as the majority leaned toward Hashirama without question. There was no doubt Hashirama was a strong leader, but even though Kaitou knew how the outcome was already decided, he still wished to try something different. 

So, he raised his hand. 

"I nominate Uchiha Madara." 

Silence fell over the room for a moment. Not out of shock, but because the weight of the name carried undeniable significance. Even if Madara has been very reclusive in the past years, those present were all still very aware of his prowess, and that he was one of the two people who dreamed of this exact village.

The first to break the quiet was Kazen, the elder representative of the Kurogane. "I support this nomination," he said, voice firm. 

Rensui of the Hoshikawa followed. "As do I." 

Madara, who had been leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, finally opened his eyes fully. A glint of interest flickered across his face, but he didn't say anything yet. 

Across the table, Hashirama turned to Kaitou with a thankful look but didn't say anything. 

The nomination stood, but as the discussion continued, it became clear that Hashirama still held overwhelming support. His charisma, his ideals, and his dream of peace resonated deeply with many of those present. 

Votes were cast, and in the end, it was not even close. 

Senju Hashirama was officially elected as the First Hokage. 

The room broke into applause, some more enthusiastic than others, but all recognizing what this moment meant. Hashirama stood, rubbing the back of his head with an awkward smile before bowing slightly. 

"I'll do my best," he said, his voice steady. "For the village." 

Kaitou watched Madara from the corner of his eye. The Uchiha had remained silent throughout the final moments of the election, his expression unreadable. Then, as Hashirama spoke, a small smirk played on Madara's lips before he leaned back again, arms crossed once more. 

"Well then, let's see if you live up to it," he muttered just loud enough for those nearby to hear. 

The meeting concluded with the official recognition of Hashirama as Hokage. But for Kaitou, this was just another step in the village's formation. He hadn't nominated Madara to create opposition - only to remind everyone that leadership should never be determined by comfort alone. 

A village like this, a home for shinobi, would need more than just an idealist at its core. It would need those willing to challenge it, to push it forward. 

The result of the election was then announced the next day, in a grand ceremony in front of the whole village.

It was a festive atmosphere, the whole village celebrated greatly and through the whole night.

Kaitou, meanwhile, not being one for great celebrations, lay on a rooftop away from the whole trouble, with his eyes closed. He was laying there quietly, he knew what would happen in a few days, but he would not stop Madara, as this was his decision, if he still chose to go after he took his side today, then so be it.

While he was thinking, he sensed someone else next to him. When he opened his eyes, he saw Senju Tobirama standing there, arms crossed, gazing down at the village below. 

Kaitou sighed. "Figured you'd show up." 

"You're hard to find when you don't want to be," Tobirama replied, his voice as sharp as ever. "But I knew you wouldn't be in the middle of all that noise." He nodded toward the streets, where the villagers were still celebrating. 

Kaitou smirked, shifting slightly so he could look up at the sky. "Not really my thing. Too many people, too much drinking. I prefer the quiet. Also, you got that wrong, if I don't want to be found, then I simply won't be found." 

Tobirama sat down beside him, his movements precise, controlled. For a while, neither of them spoke. The sounds of laughter and music echoed through the night, but up here, away from the festivities, the air was still. 

Then, after a long silence, Tobirama finally spoke. "Why did you nominate Madara?" 

Kaitou exhaled through his nose, a short, amused breath. He had expected this. 

"I assume you don't think I did it to cause trouble?" 

Tobirama gave him a sidelong glance. "No. If you wanted to cause trouble, you would have done something far worse." 

Kaitou chuckled. "Fair enough." He tilted his head slightly, considering his words. "I did it because I wanted people to start thinking again. To remember that this village was built on the backs of more than just one clan's dream." 

Tobirama was quiet, listening. 

"I knew Hashirama would win," Kaitou continued. "Hell, even Madara probably knew. But I wanted people to see that he could have been chosen. That he was still an option. He deserved that much, at least." 

Tobirama hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "You were testing the council." 

"In a way," Kaitou admitted. "And reminding Madara that he had a place here… and people who are there for him." 

Tobirama's expression remained unreadable, but his crimson eyes studied Kaitou closely. "You think this will help him then?" 

Kaitou sighed, staring up at the night sky. "…I don't know." 

He wasn't foolish. He knew what was coming. He had seen the way Madara sat in that council room, silent, watching. The way his smirk at the end of the election had been more resignation than amusement. 

'I gave him a reason to stay,' Kaitou thought. 'Whether he takes it or not… that's on him.' 

Tobirama closed his eyes briefly, then nodded. He didn't approve, but he understood. 

"Hashirama will be grateful," he finally said. "Even if he can't say it outright for now." 

Kaitou scoffed. "That idiot's grateful for everything. He'd probably thank a rock for existing." 

Tobirama let out a quiet chuckle. "True enough." 

They sat in silence a while longer. 

Then Tobirama stood, brushing off his robes. "You should get some rest. You'll you're your own duties soon." 

He remained on the rooftop long after Tobirama had left, staring at the sky. 

Somewhere, in the distance, the laughter of the village echoed on.