"Lord Shiki… is it really okay to continue like this?"
Although he didn't say it outright, Hyūga Hiashi knew Shiki would understand what he meant.
He was worried that if Shiki continued to refuse to support the Third Hokage, the situation might spiral out of control.
Some things, Hiashi did not dare to state too clearly.
He was also afraid that pushing too far might irritate Shiki.
"These ninjas… after all, they still belong to the Sarutobi clan."
"Boom!"
Shiki's voice cut through the air without the slightest hesitation.
"Do you really think that once Tsunade becomes Hokage, there will still be a Sarutobi clan holding power in Konoha?"
"Ugh—!"
Hiashi caught Shiki's meaning immediately.
Tsunade… becoming Hokage?
A sharp glint flashed through his eyes as understanding dawned—so that was the direction this was heading.
So this Golden Lion-sama intended to help Senju Tsunade, the Slug Princess herself, ascend as the next Hokage.
Thinking about it, that made perfect sense.
Hiashi had long heard rumors that Shiki and Tsunade were in a close relationship—almost like a couple. If Shiki was backing her now, it was only natural.
But to say this directly to him…
Was this Shiki acknowledging the Hyūga clan?
Hiashi's mind raced.
The Third Hokage was already old. Worse still, during this war, he had made several critical strategic mistakes.
Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to keep sitting in the Hokage's seat, it was unlikely he could continue much longer.
As for Tsunade—
She was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
Her lineage alone carried immense weight.
Add to that her strength, reputation as one of the Legendary Sannin, and battlefield prestige…
Every condition for becoming Hokage was already in place.
With Shiki's support, it could be said the outcome was practically guaranteed.
Steady and certain.
The moment Hiashi thought this through, he immediately understood what he needed to do.
"There can't be better news than this," Hiashi said calmly.
"I've long grown tired of the Sarutobi clan's posturing—suppressing the other clans simply because they once had Sarutobi Hiruzen as Hokage."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"Without him… what right do they have to that kind of status, when the rest of them are so utterly mediocre?"
"…!"
The sudden shift in attitude surprised even Shiki.
That change of face was fast—almost too fast.
But Hyūga Hiashi himself felt no embarrassment at all.
On the contrary, he straightened and looked at Shiki with renewed seriousness.
"Tsunade-sama becoming Hokage is what everyone expects."
"My Hyūga clan is willing to assist Tsunade-sama in becoming the Fourth Hokage."
This was a clear statement of surrender—and sincerity.
Even for an ancient bloodline like the Hyūga clan, one that had survived since the Warring States Era…
Position still mattered.
"Not bad."
Shiki smiled and nodded in satisfaction.
This Hyūga Hiashi… he understands the situation well.
Seeing Shiki's reaction, Hiashi finally let out a breath of relief.
If Tsunade successfully ascended the Hokage seat, then the Hyūga clan could at least maintain their current standing.
They didn't need to grow stronger or rise any higher.
But they absolutely could not afford to fall even a step behind.
"However, Lord Shiki…"
Hiashi hesitated slightly, still curious.
"Do you truly intend to give up the battlefield in Kirigakure?"
After all, if Sarutobi Hiruzen were defeated there, it would ultimately be Konoha that suffered the consequences.
"Of course not."
Shiki shook his head without hesitation.
This Konoha would be his sooner or later. How could he allow something to happen to it?
"When the Third Hokage dies in battle, I'll step in and help."
"Ugh…!"
Then you really didn't need to say it like that.
But judging by Shiki's serious expression, it was obvious this wasn't a joke.
"…Understood."
There was nothing more to say.
Since it was Shiki's order, Hiashi could only nod in obedience.
--
"Failed again?"
On the other side, inside the Konoha command camp overseeing the Kirigakure battlefield—
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the returning Sarutobi clan shinobi and calmly raised his smoking pipe.
His expression was flat.
The clan members exchanged looks, then nodded in unison.
"Did he say anything?"
"…Lord Shiki said it would take another year."
"…!"
Hiruzen's hand paused slightly.
A year?
Did he really think that excuse was believable?
He couldn't even be bothered to hide it anymore.
Tch. Tasteless brat, Hiruzen thought inwardly.
The first request—one year.
The second—half a year.
Now—another year.
Hiruzen understood clearly.
As long as he was still Hokage, Shiki would never come to support him.
"Bang!"
He thought he could stay calm after experiencing this twice already.
But reality proved otherwise.
Hiruzen slammed his hand onto the table.
"Hokage-sama!"
The Sarutobi clan shinobi were startled by the sudden sound and immediately dropped to one knee.
After a long silence, the Third Hokage finally spoke again.
"Go and contact Shiki once more."
"Tell him this—"
"The old man will relinquish the Hokage seat and hand over full command here."
"As for the position of Hokage…"
"We'll decide it after the war—based on ability."
This Hokage position…
He could no longer hold it.
Whether it was failing to properly account for Kirigakure at the start of the war…
Or ordering Minato and Shiki to switch battlefields, resulting in nearly two thousand Konoha shinobi being buried on the frontlines—
Any one of these crimes was enough to force him to step down.
Originally, Hiruzen had intended to train Minato as his successor.
But now—
Minato had become a sinner in the eyes of the village.
How could he still be qualified to run for Hokage?
"Hokage-sama…?"
The Sarutobi clan shinobi didn't fully understand the deeper political stakes—
But they understood one thing clearly.
The Third Hokage was preparing to abdicate.
Panic spread through them.
As long as the Third Hokage remained in power, their clan enjoyed unmatched privilege.
If he stepped down—
That privilege would vanish overnight.
"Hokage-sama! We—"
They wanted to persuade him.
But Hiruzen had already made up his mind.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"That's enough."
"Go to the Iwagakure battlefield and convey my message to Shiki."
"…Understood."
With Hiruzen's decision final, they could say nothing more.
One by one, they left as if attending a funeral—faces pale, shoulders heavy.
Afterward, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally summoned Uchiha Fugaku.
"Hokage-sama?"
Years of war had tempered Fugaku, the Uchiha clan head, into a calm and seasoned leader.
"Fugaku," Hiruzen said slowly, "from now on, all matters here will be jointly handled by you and Shiki."
"…!"
Fugaku froze.
For a brief moment, he genuinely failed to react.
In Hiruzen's eyes, this hesitation seemed like dissatisfaction.
After all, the Uchiha clan had always been proud.
They respected the Hokage's authority—but Shiki?
They might not accept him so easily.
Hiruzen was about to speak again, intending to persuade Fugaku—
But just as he opened his mouth…
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