Shisui POV
I was completely stunned into inaction. I kept looking between the Elders and Fugaku-sama. The Elders looked unpleased for some reason while a small but confident smile appeared on Fugaku-sama's face. After a long silence, Koharu spoke. "We will do the celebration in the morning and pass on the Hokage's hat. If you feel like giving a speech, you may do so."
I finally began to react as my mouth went wide open. My thoughts flew at the speed of light thinking of the implications and consequences. Fugaku-sama nodded to the Elders and spoke with a firm tone.
"I appreciate you delivering this news in person. I am ready to accept the burden of the office."
Homura spoke with a cautious tone. "We look forward to working with you to better the village's conditions and ensure a brighter future."
Fugaku didn't respond. Instead, his eyes sharpened as he observed them closely. The pressure coming from him in waves almost made the Elders recoil as Koharu coughed and said, "We will go for now. Please make sure all the preparations are done before the celebration." They left in a hurry.
Itachi rose and moved toward his father with an energy I rarely saw from him. "Father, you will be the first Uchiha Hokage in the history of the village. I knew it was coming, but I still find it hard to believe!"
In that moment I remembered Kaen and looked over to find him on the brink of exploding. His face was red, his eyes were wide, and his mouth was open just like mine. Fugaku nodded, enjoying the youthful energy which countered his usually reserved demeanor. After some time the three of us sat down. Energy and happiness were radiating from us as Fugaku looked at Itachi.
"What did you notice from the Elders' words?"
Itachi did his best to calm down and analyze. After a few seconds he replied, "They made it sound like the speech was optional. It should be clear that the speech is a good way to attract the public to your side, especially since you will look very favorable to the village as a new Hokage. The excitement should help with that."
Fugaku nodded, pleased with his son's analytic mind. "That is why I was not pleased with them, Itachi. Keep honing your mind. It is one of your greatest weapons."
Itachi nodded before asking, "Can I go inform my brother and mother?"
"And the clan as well," Fugaku replied.
A huge smile appeared on Itachi's face as he hurried out the door. Not long after, we started to hear cheers from outside. An explosive celebratory mood was igniting as emotions ran high throughout the compound. I looked at Fugaku-sama and bowed deeply, with Kaen absentmindly following my lead.
"We congratulate you, Fugaku-sama. You are a war hero and a worthy shinobi for the Hokage title. I am happy and excited to live under your wise leadership."
Fugaku-sama's voice came in tinged with humor. "You are bowing a lot today."
I almost laughed but controlled myself and rose slowly to find a pleased smile on his face. Kaen did as well, however, his thoughts finally caught up to him. His eyes were almost tearing up. I decided that it was time to move before the waterworks started in earnest.
"Fugaku-dono, I am sure you have a lot to do so we will leave you to it and speak another time."
However Fugaku-dono spoke firmly. "Actually, I need to ask Kaen about something and you about another."
Kaen's eyes focused as he tried to control the tears, wiping them with his sleeve. Fugaku-dono asked him with a patient tone, "Kaen, now that you are a Chunin, you are treated as an independent person by the village. Where will you stay from now on?"
Kaen immediately panicked. I wanted to give him time to think it through since he had been hesitating during our journey back to Konoha, however Fugaku-sama's question was very direct. His eyes made it clear that he would not tolerate any delay. Given his history and the military decisions he made during the Third Shinobi War, he was nothing if not decisive.
Kaen's hands shook a bit, his mouth opening and closing multiple times before he replied. "I would like to stay with Shisui-sensei in the old compound if he agrees to have me and train me if he has the time."
I was shocked by his decision. He wanted to separate but not entirely. I was worried about Fugaku-sama's reaction, however he nodded slowly.
"I will allow it." He then looked at me directly. "Shisui, talk to them."
He didn't need to specify who he meant. "My appointment as the Hokage should please them enough. Try to get them to move to the village proper."
"As you wish, Fugaku-sama," I nodded.
He then looked back to Kaen. "That decision took a lot of courage. It is typical of a great Uchiha shinobi to have that in spades. We never run from a fight."
He then gently patted Kaen's shoulder, who was so happy he almost levitated. He then continued, "Keep working hard and improve your Sharingan. You will need time for your body to acclimate to your newly heightened senses."
Kaen nodded and I did as well. I have already started working on that aspect and in a few months he should be fully acclimated. Fugaku-sama then asked Kaen, "Can you please stay outside? I want to talk to Shisui about something."
Kaen bowed then stood slowly without speaking, his mind still too chaotic. He slid the door open with the sound of celebrations and the cheerful atmosphere leaking in before he slid it closed.
Suddenly the air around us got cold as I noticed Fugaku-sama's shifting tone.
"I want you and Itachi to start interrogating Danzo. He has a lot of information that only he knows and that I need. This is very critical so use everything to get it. Is that clear?"
The implications behind his words were clear and so I nodded. "Consider it done, Lord Hokage."
Fugaku-sama's eyes wandered a bit before he exhaled. "Now is the time to let Konoha be what it was always meant to be. Respected and feared."
----
Fugaku watched Shisui leave before he called out with a cold, commanding voice. "I need a messenger."
One of his shinobi guards flickered into the room, kneeling instantly. Fugaku took a letter from his pocket and held it out. "Give this to Hirotaka Yamanaka at his estate right away."
The guard bowed and flickered out of the tea room. He moved at full speed toward the Yamanaka compound with multiple guards surrounding him to ensure no issues interfered with the delivery. Fugaku's thoughts were clear as a small smile was drawn on his face.
"It is time to move fast," he whispered to the empty room. "I have so much to do."
A few minutes later, Hirotaka's personal guard received the message. After checking the seal, they delivered it to the head of the clan. Hirotaka moved into the house to find his wife, Sumire, elegantly drinking a cup of tea. Her cold eyes and sharp demeanor made it seem like a blaze was rotating around her, preventing anyone from approaching while she planned ahead.
Hirotaka gently touched her cheek. "Beautiful, it is time to move fast and ruthlessly."
Sumire looked at her husband as her head tilted a bit. She enjoyed his touch for a brief moment before she controlled her emotions and allowed her cold demeanor to return. Hirotaka sat very close to her and leaned in.
"You should be very happy. What we have done here is incredible, and what is to come will be even more so."
Sumire lightly nodded and replied with a cold, focused tone. "While I would like to indulge in the moment, we do not have the time. We have tons of preparations to do."
Hirotaka's cheeks puffed out in annoyance at the missed opportunity for affection, but he didn't argue. Sumire called out to one of the servants. "Go get Sena. She needs to observe our preparations and give her opinion and suggestions. We won't coddle her forever."
The servant bowed and disappeared into the household as the estate went into overdrive. Hirotaka nodded in agreement. "It is good we expected this outcome and already made most of the preparations. We can also use the setup of the celebration from the previous day to make the process faster."
Sumire nodded. "Indeed. It is time to start showing the village what competent leadership is capable of doing with the strongest hidden village."