For a moment, even Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned by the bizarre scene unfolding before him.
For a long time, the Hyuga branch house had lived under the shadow of the main house, existing as little more than vassals.
In missions or daily life, they were bound to obey the clan's commands without question.
After all, every branch member bore the Caged Bird Seal. Should they ever defy the main house, it would mean immediate death.
That's why Sarutobi Hiruzen thought the outcome was already decided.
And yet—the branch house had stepped forward and voted for Hanyu Simu!
Hyuga Hiashi looked at his younger brother, who had spoken just moments after him, his face darkening with fury.
"Presumptuous, Hizashi. I'll give you one more chance. Don't forget—"
"Dear brother, are you referring to the Caged Bird?"
Hyuga Hizashi sneered.
Under Hiashi's incredulous gaze, Hizashi reached up and tore off the white cloth he had worn on his forehead for over ten years.
It revealed a smooth, unmarked forehead.
"Impossible..."
Hiashi's pupils trembled violently.
All Hyuga branch members who bear the Caged Bird Seal should have a blue curse mark etched onto their foreheads.
Could this mean Hizashi had removed his?
Not just Hiashi—the entire Hyuga clan present was stunned.
"Lord Patriarch, forgive us. We no longer wish to live as the caged birds of the clan."
As Hizashi's voice fell, six branch house Jōnin behind him removed the white cloths covering their foreheads.
Sunlight fell on their bare skin.
For many, it was the first time in decades their foreheads had felt the warmth of the sun.
They had lived like sewer rats, hiding their marks in shame.
Now, they stood free.
"This can't be… it's absolutely impossible!"
"Hizashi! Don't speak such nonsense!"
Hiashi could not accept the truth.
He hastily formed a hand seal with trembling fingers.
Chakra surged to his fingertips—
And nothing happened.
Hiashi's face was pale with panic.
"Impossible..."
"Nothing is impossible," came a calm voice.
Hyuga Rei stepped forward from beside Simu.
"Lord Rei!"
Hizashi and all the Hyuga branch house Jōnin bowed respectfully.
It was as though Rei had become the true leader of the Hyuga clan.
Seeing Rei, Hiashi's expression changed.
"So it was you!"
His eyes filled with rage and blood vessels bulged.
He raised his hand and struck out at Rei in anger.
"That's dangerous. The Hyuga Patriarch is angry."
Simu appeared in front of Hiashi in an instant.
A flash of light—swift and blinding.
Even with his Byakugan activated, Hiashi couldn't track Simu's movement.
A solid kick landed squarely in his abdomen, sending him flying.
He hurtled straight toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen's eyelids twitched, but he reached out and caught the airborne Hiashi.
The force of impact made him grunt in pain.
Nearby, Hyuga Rei gently held Simu's hand and whispered:
"Simu-kun, I could have handled Hiashi myself."
After all, Rei had mastered the Six Powers and Armament Haki. He was no longer weak.
Simu scratched his nose and gave a mischievous grin.
"Is that so? Looks like I was meddling again."
Rei shook his head and smiled warmly.
"But it feels good to be protected by you, Simu-san."
"I said you two—can you stop flirting already?"
Kushina, standing to the side, rolled her eyes.
"Lord Patriarch!"
Several Hyuga Jōnin rushed to shield Hiashi from Simu.
Minato gave a wry smile.
As expected, the conflict he had feared most had come to pass.
Sensing the tension, Tsunade turned anxiously toward her teacher.
"Sensei, now that the vote is over... can you announce the new Hokage?"
Although she was deeply angered by the Hyuga branch house's betrayal, it was a done deal.
The vote had taken place in full view of the village.
No matter how powerful Sarutobi Hiruzen was, he couldn't change the result now.
"Enough. No more commotion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen cast a wary glance at Simu.
If a fight broke out now, Simu wouldn't be easy to deal with.
Thanks to the Anbu maintaining order, calm slowly returned to the gathering.
But the mood had shifted dramatically.
Some Jōnin were beaming with joy and pride.
Others, particularly from conservative clans, were filled with dread—afraid that once Simu took office, he would seek vengeance.
Some were happy, others were not.
But none of that mattered to Simu.
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the Hokage hat, looked at the mature young man standing before him, and said meaningfully:
"Simu, I hope you can inherit the Will of Fire—ignite yourself, and lead Konoha to greatness!"
As his voice fell, the sea of villagers erupted with thunderous cheers.
The overwhelming sound surged like a tidal wave, striking everyone's eardrums.
The Third Hokage's reign had lasted far too long.
Too many people longed to see new blood rise and lead Konoha into a brighter future.
You should be the one getting ignited, old man... not me, Simu muttered inwardly.
But outwardly, he wore a perfectly timed smile.
"Thank you, Lord Third Hokage, for your guidance. I will continue to strive forward and lead Konoha to even greater glory."
He took the Hokage hat and casually placed it on his head.
"Fourth Hokage! Fourth Hokage!"
At that moment, all of Konoha Village erupted in celebration.
The villagers cheered loudly for their newly crowned leader.
Simu looked at the surging sea of people below.
A strange, indescribable feeling quietly rose from deep within him.
After the coronation ceremony, Konoha gradually returned to calm.
And the newly appointed Fourth Hokage, Hanyu Simu, issued his first official order:
The formation of the Shadow Guard.
As the name implies, the Shadow Guard was to be Hokage's personal guard unit—his most trusted protectors.
Even more elite and trusted than the Anbu directly under the Hokage.
In truth, the members of the Shadow Guard would essentially form the backbone of Simu's administration.
"This is the list of my Shadow Guard," Simu said as he slid a file across the table.
Sitting opposite him was his old teammate and close friend—Namikaze Minato.
"Captain of the Shadow Guard?" Minato raised an eyebrow.
He wasn't upset with the appointment, but he was a little puzzled.
After all, he was currently one of Konoha's top-tier combat forces.
Wouldn't it be a waste to keep him stationed in the village guarding Simu?
Especially now, during a time of war.
If someone like Minato was absent from the front lines, it could drastically shift the tide of battle.
Simu saw the hesitation in Minato's eyes and smiled.
"Relax. I'm not some helpless Hokage who needs constant protection.
I just need you to help with a few things, that's all."
"When it's time to head to the battlefield, you'll go.
I won't be clinging to your side—do I look like I need babysitting?"
"...That so?" Minato finally relaxed and began reviewing the list in detail.
Besides himself, the Shadow Guard also included members of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio: Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza.
These three clans had supported Simu heavily during the Hokage election, so their inclusion came as no surprise.
Also listed were Hyuga Hizashi and Uchiha Fugaku—prominent figures from two of the strongest clans in Konoha.
To balance out the factions, Simu had also added several civilian ninjas with exceptional skills: Might Duy, Shiranami, Tenko Ten, and others.
In short, the foundation of his future rule was already in place.
"In addition," Simu added, "Shikaku will serve as Konoha's Chief Strategist from now on."
Minato nodded.
The Nara clan's intellect was already widely acknowledged in Konoha.
It was only natural for Shikaku to take up such a post.
Simu looked up at Minato again.
"And as for you—you'll temporarily serve as the head of the Anbu."
"Head of the Anbu, huh? That sounds like a real headache..." Minato sighed.
Though he had anticipated something like this, he still found it troublesome.
Then again, if he had become Hokage instead, wouldn't he also assign Simu to some heavy-duty role?
He'd probably crush Simu with work too.
"Don't worry," Simu said with a chuckle, lounging back in his chair.
"When Kakashi gains enough experience, I'll have him take over Anbu for you."
"Kakashi? You're placing such high hopes on him?" Minato looked surprised.
After all, the Anbu was a key department under the Hokage's direct command.
The Anbu Captain was essentially the right-hand man of the Hokage—someone in whom he placed his greatest trust.
During Sarutobi Hiruzen's time, that role had been held by his own son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
If Simu wanted Kakashi Hatake to take over, that meant he saw immense potential in the young ninja.
"Kakashi's strength is already quite impressive," Simu replied casually.
"Give it a little time, and he might even surpass you."
His laid-back posture didn't match the weight of his words—but his confidence was unwavering.
Minato chuckled.
"That would be for the best."
He was a man of peace and generosity—untainted by bitterness or jealousy.
That's exactly why Simu trusted him so deeply.
"Now then, my esteemed Captain of the Shadow Guard..."
Simu rose from his seat and gave Minato a playful look.
"Shall we go settle the matter with the Hyuga clan next?"
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