The Responsibility of Hokage
During the council meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi volunteered to resume the position of Hokage, clarifying that he would only serve as a temporary replacement until a new generation could step forward.
Danzo Shimura nearly erupted with rage. He felt he had been strung along as a pawn, believing he was on the same side as his comrades—only to be betrayed.
Homura Mitokado spoke first.
> "I support Hiruzen resuming the Hokage's seat. In the present situation, only he has the authority to stabilize the village."
Utatane Koharu followed without hesitation.
> "I also agree. What do the rest of you say?"
The clan heads—Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, Yamanaka Inoichi, Hyūga Hiashi, and others—one after another voiced their support for Hiruzen's return as Hokage.
Chi Yu and Orochimaru alone remained silent.
Chi Yu didn't care who wore the hat of Hokage. If Danzo hadn't gone out of his way to provoke him earlier, he wouldn't have bothered with these politics at all. His time in Konoha was already running short.
Had it not been for Uzumaki Kushina's pregnancy—and her need for stability and protection during childbirth—Chi Yu would likely have walked out of the chamber today, leaving the elders to bicker among themselves.
As for Orochimaru, he found the entire affair beneath him.
Why summon him to such a tedious meeting? Ever since Chi Yu had spoken to him about Uchiha Madara's lingering schemes and the shadows moving behind history, Orochimaru had begun to view Konoha's internal disputes as children's games. Hokage, council, clan heads—it all seemed trivial compared to the grander mysteries awaiting him in his research.
In the end, every voice save those of Chi Yu, Orochimaru, and Danzo supported Hiruzen's reinstatement. And no one was reckless enough to demand opinions from those three.
Homura Mitokado concluded with finality:
> "Since there are no objections, Hiruzen will temporarily resume the position of Hokage until the next candidate is ready."
---
After the Meeting
Chi Yu stepped deliberately in front of Danzo, his three-tomoe Sharingan glinting with cold menace.
> "If you're foolish enough to provoke me again, I'll show you what real trouble looks like. You already know I have the power. Or—if you doubt it—you're free to test me."
Danzo's jaw tightened, his expression dark.
> "Don't forget, this is Konoha."
Chi Yu scoffed.
> "Yes. This is Konoha. But if it ever comes to a fight between us, do you think either of us will care about the walls of this village? We won't stop until one of us is gone. I'm confident I could erase you, Danzo. Are you confident you could erase me?"
Danzo's cheek twitched. He recalled the overwhelming aura when Chi Yu had activated Sage Mode before him. No matter how he calculated it, he could find no certain way to eliminate this man.
From a distance, Hiruzen observed the confrontation. He felt a pang of guilt toward Danzo. If not for Danzo's reckless maneuvering today, Chi Yu might have nominated himself for Hokage. Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura would never have allowed it, of course, but their resistance might have delayed Hiruzen's own resumption of power. Following the rejection of Orochimaru—whom Danzo had backed—Hiruzen couldn't have risked appearing greedy for authority by immediately promoting himself.
Now, seeing Danzo silently seething and Chi Yu unyielding, Hiruzen stepped forward to ease the tension.
> "Danzo. Chi Yu. I know there's conflict between you two, but Konoha faces a crisis. We must set aside personal grudges and unite for the sake of the village."
Chi Yu smiled faintly.
> "Congratulations on resuming the mantle, Lord Third. That said, I'll need time to rest in the coming days. I trust you'll permit it."
Hiruzen nodded.
> "Very well. Rest as you see fit."
Privately, Hiruzen weighed the pros and cons. Chi Yu was dangerously independent; using him without care could backfire. Yet at the same time, in these turbulent times, Konoha needed powerful shinobi to reassure its people and deter enemy nations. Minato, the Yellow Flash, lay unconscious. But Chi Yu, the Blood-Eyed Shura, still stood as Konoha's blade.
For now, he would let Chi Yu step away.
Chi Yu and Orochimaru departed the Hokage Building together.
Danzo, however, took no comfort in Hiruzen's attempt to defend him. His narrowed eyes lingered on the Third Hokage with a flicker of killing intent before he turned and stalked away.
---
Within the Uchiha Compound
Uchiha Fugaku sat silently, his expression grim. He had once pinned his hopes on Minato Namikaze, believing the young Hokage could become a bridge between the Uchiha Clan and the rest of Konoha. But with Minato unconscious after the Kyūbi attack, those hopes had collapsed.
Hiruzen's refusal to let the Uchiha take part in the battle against the Nine-Tails, and their exclusion from today's gathering of clan heads, were unmistakable signs: the Uchiha were being isolated.
Fugaku's thoughts darkened. If Minato remained unconscious, another Hokage would certainly be chosen soon—and if that Hokage turned out to be Chi Yu…
His eyes flickered with uncertainty. Would the Uchiha have to tear down everything and rebuild under such a rule?
A clan shinobi entered and bowed.
> "Clan Head. We've confirmed it. Today's meeting at the Hokage Building was about deciding the next Hokage."
Fugaku's face paled. So soon? Just seven days after Minato's collapse, the seat of Hokage was already being contested.
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