"Stop doing unnecessary things. Just like Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama once joined forces to build Konoha sixty years ago, now Konoha will be led by Uchiha—me—and Senju Tsunade. If you and Danzo dare to meddle again… I will find a chance to kill you."
With those final words, Kenya left the council room without looking back.
But that too was a lie.
Kenya's true thoughts were simple: no matter if the three decrepit foxes chose to interfere or not, he would kill them.
It was only because of his current position—about to rise into Konoha's upper echelons—that he couldn't publicly dispose of them. Their deaths had to be handled without soiling his own hands.
"Unbelievable… he's actually planned this far ahead. Even Tsunade has been swayed by him?"
Jiraiya muttered, a chill running down his spine.
What terrified him wasn't Kenya's overwhelming power, but his cunning and foresight. A mind that moved without confusion, weaving flawless schemes, pulling everything into his grasp—that was far more dangerous than brute force.
"Jiraiya! Tsunade has already joined hands with Uchiha Kenya! We can't let her become Hokage! The Fifth Hokage should be you!"
Koharu's voice cracked with desperation.
She remembered well: during the Second Shinobi World War, the decline of the Senju clan carried the shadow of the so-called 'Konoha's elders'—herself, Homura, Danzo, and Hiruzen.
At first, they were reluctant even when Jiraiya proposed Tsunade's return as Hokage. But now, with Tsunade back and openly allied with Uchiha Kenya, things had changed.
If Tsunade rose as Hokage, then Kenya would effectively become Konoha's second-in-command, just as he had been in the Sand. What would happen to the advisory council's power then?
But Jiraiya remained unshaken.
He waved them off and said, "Aren't you two overreacting? Tsunade, the princess of the Senju clan, a war hero of the Second Shinobi World War—her pedigree and reputation make her more suitable than me to be Hokage. You're just afraid she'll hold grudges and put you in your place. Don't you trust her character? If Uchiha Kenya was truly rotten, he'd never have won such loyalty from Sunagakure."
He shrugged. "Either way, I won't be Hokage."
Jiraiya's words cut the two elders like a blade.
He had no political sense, and his faith in Kenya's supposed magnanimity blinded him to the truth.
Kenya—nicknamed "Aizen" in Sunagakure—had built support rivaling that of Hashirama himself. His charisma wasn't entirely an act, but it was easier to maintain in the Sand, where he bore no grudges and had spilled little blood. In Konoha, however, it was different. The higher-ups sickened him. They would all be purged in time.
But Jiraiya failed to see this. Since Tsunade had already returned, he left without another word, abandoning the elders to their fears.
Homura and Koharu exchanged bleak looks.
"What should we do now?" Koharu asked, her voice trembling.
They could not allow Tsunade, now bound to Kenya, to take the Hokage's seat.
After long hesitation, Homura spoke grimly. "What if… we speak to Danzo?"
Once, Hiruzen had forbidden Danzo from leaving Root's base without direct permission. But with Hiruzen dead, that rule no longer mattered.
Though dangerous, Danzo was their only remaining card. His ruthlessness and political craft were exactly what they needed.
"Fine… then let's do it," Koharu agreed bitterly.
That night, Kenya was elsewhere—indulging himself.
Yūhi Kurenai's cheeks burned red as Kenya teased her mercilessly, her pale skin glowing like polished jade under the light.
"Don't… don't look!" she stammered, covering herself with trembling hands.
Kenya only grinned, pulling her arms aside to reveal her completely.
"Ah… slower… it hurts!" she whimpered minutes later, biting her lip.
"It shouldn't hurt much your first time. You're just too tense—relax," Kenya soothed, though his smirk remained.
Kurenai's eyes narrowed. "How do you know so much? Have you done this countless times in the Sand? I'll kill you!"
She bit his shoulder in retaliation, wincing immediately from the pain.
Kenya could only laugh, realizing this was the first time in years he'd felt truly at a loss for words.
The next morning, Kenya strolled through Konoha's bustling streets, refreshed.
Kurenai had fussed over him half the night before exhaustion finally claimed her. She was still fast asleep when he slipped out.
He breathed deeply. The air in Konoha was indeed fresher than in Sunagakure. A shame the stench of those three old foxes still hung over the village. He wanted nothing more than to crush them, but patience was a weapon in itself.
This lesson had defined his last four years.
"Up early, aren't you, Kenya-kun?"
A familiar voice called lazily from behind.
"Oh? Not fifty-fifty—ah, sorry, Mr. Kakashi," Kenya chuckled, turning to greet him.
Kakashi's brow twitched at the nickname. With a subtle glance, he motioned toward the dumpling shop behind them, where two figures in wide hats sat quietly. Their identities were unknown.
Though Kakashi did not trust Kenya completely, the situation was dire. Reinforcements were needed.
After all, those who were supposed to be here—Sarutobi Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai—could no longer be counted on.
One was dead.
The other… belonged to Kenya now.