Ryoma's group was arranged in the very first row, which even he found surprising.
But then again, he represented the Senju clan. It was only natural.
After all, the Senju were Konoha's foremost family—at least in terms of prestige and reason.
Everyone's eyes inevitably drifted toward Ryoma, seated right beside Uzumaki Mito.
He could hear the hushed whispers spreading across the chamber.
"That's Ryoma? He's here too?"
"Has there been any news about who will take the top two seats in the administration?"
"Could Hokage-sama be planning to reorganize Root?"
Ryoma recalled that in the anime, apart from Shimura Danzō, no other members of the Shimura clan ever appeared. Yet here, not only the Shimura but also the Sarutobi clan had gathered—Sarutobi Hiruzen's elder son, and even Asuma's older brother, were present.
Listening to Kushina's quiet explanation, Ryoma came to understand: beyond the three great clans—Senju, Hyūga, and Uchiha—the Sarutobi and Shimura families had also held great renown since the Warring States period.
Among them, the Third Hokage's own father, Sarutobi Sasuke, had been a famous shinobi of his era and one of the key figures who helped establish Konoha.
Most of those present here were representatives of the thirty-eight great families.
As Kushina went on, Ryoma finally pieced it together.
Those thirty-eight students whom the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had personally taken in as disciples… they symbolized the thirty-eight founding families of Konoha.
The so-called "Will of Fire" was bound tightly to lineage.
If you weren't born into one of the thirty-eight families, it was nearly impossible to inherit that Will. The future successors of the Will of Fire would almost certainly come from within these families, rising to Konoha's highest ranks.
A rare few exceptions, like Minato Namikaze, could rise to Hokage, but not merely by battlefield achievements. His marriage to Kushina, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki and a representative of the Uzumaki clan, tied him firmly into Konoha's core politics. His loyalty to Hiruzen and the elders cemented his eligibility to inherit the Will of Fire.
Seeing Naruto bear the Uzumaki surname, Ryoma immediately understood the choice Minato had made.
Take Sakumo Hatake, for example—equal in strength to Minato, a man of unmatched battlefield merit. Yet despite his brilliance, he was politically maneuvered into disgrace and eliminated as a rival candidate for the Hokage position.
It was clear now: the Will of Fire was not something one could claim through strength alone.
Ryoma thought to himself that if he hadn't awakened the Senju clan's kekkei genkai, he would never have gained a seat among Konoha's elite.
The heavy doors opened, and a hush fell over the room as Sarutobi Hiruzen entered, flanked by Konoha shinobi.
All eyes turned toward the Third Hokage.
Under their gaze, Hiruzen walked steadily to the podium. He scanned the hall slowly, then spoke aloud:
"First, I bring you good news."
"In the very first week of negotiations led by Shimura Danzō, an important breakthrough has been achieved with Kumogakure. They have signed a twenty-year peace treaty with us! For the next two decades, peace between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud will be maintained!"
"This is a milestone—an important step toward the great revival of Konoha and the path to lasting peace!"
The chamber erupted into noise, voices filled with astonishment and joy.
After years of endless conflict, everyone understood how precious peace truly was. If even Kumogakure—the most aggressive of the Five Great Villages—was willing to make peace, then perhaps Konoha could finally enjoy stability.
The Shimura clan members glowed with pride.
This was their Danzō—the shadow of Konoha, its darkness and its shield.
Even burdened with blame, even exiled and scorned, he had brought merit back to the village.
Ryoma, however, was stunned.
Danzō didn't go undercover? He went as a diplomat?
And in just a few days, he's already paved the way for his return?
So this is politics… ruthless, calculating, and effective.
Beside him, Uzumaki Mito frowned, though she said nothing.
Uzumaki Mito had never cared for power. If she had, neither the Senju nor the Uzumaki clans would have fallen into such dire straits, with nearly all their men wiped out.
After Sarutobi Hiruzen's announcement of the peace treaty, the meeting turned to its main agenda.
"Personnel transfers within the Administration Department," Hiruzen declared.
He went on to explain that a number of promising young talents would be stepping into Konoha's upper echelons.
Ryoma listened quietly as the appointments were read aloud. For now, the position of Chief of the Administration Department would be temporarily filled by Hiruzen's old classmate, Akimichi Takekaze.
Uzumaki Mito, along with the head of the Hyūga clan, were to serve as special advisors.
Tsunade was appointed as the Chief of the Medical Department, with Orochimaru as her deputy.
Jiraiya became the principal of the Ninja Academy, while Minato Namikaze was named vice principal.
The moment the Sannin returned, they were immediately placed into pivotal roles across the village.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan continued to oversee the Konoha Military Police Force. Yet, with Root disbanded, the authority of the Police Force was expanded even further.
As one name after another was appointed, Ryoma thought to himself: Surely they won't assign me anything…
But just as the thought crossed his mind, Hiruzen, standing at the podium, let his gaze fall directly on him.
"Ryoma, formerly a genin," the Third Hokage said evenly, "for your distinguished service in rescuing Kushina and for uncovering the unlawful activities of Root, you are hereby promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin. In addition, you will serve as vice principal of the Ninja Academy."
...
TN:
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