Chapter 26: A Straightforward Man
A sleepless night that weighed on countless hearts finally came to an end.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the Jōnin Confidence Vote had arrived.
Morning light pierced through the lingering mist, casting a golden glow over the stone faces of the First and Second Hokage carved into the mountain. The usually lively Hidden Leaf Village felt different today—quiet, solemn, almost reverent.
Today would decide the village's future.
Even though the jōnin assembly had yet to officially begin, figures were already converging from every corner of the village, drawn together by an unspoken urgency.
Nara Shikaku was among the earliest to arrive. Seeing that most of his clan had yet to show, he quietly positioned himself in an inconspicuous corner, habitually observing everyone present.
A few minutes later, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared.
His steps were steady, his expression grave. He emerged at the end of the street alongside Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Akimichi Torifu.
The moment Hiruzen came into view, many shinobi seemed to find their anchor. They quickly gathered behind him, forming a dense crowd in short order.
Seeing this, a faint smile flickered across Hiruzen's face.
Soon after, Shikaku's attention was drawn to another approaching group—
Uchiha Isshin was leading his clan forward.
The clan head's face still bore its customary arrogance, but on closer inspection, there was a new heaviness to his stride, a subtle weight that hadn't been there before.
Though the Uchiha arrived later than the others, their formation was by far the most orderly. Over thirty clan members stood in crisp Konoha Military Police uniforms, the fan-shaped crest emblazoned boldly on their backs. Their pride in the identity of the Uchiha Police Force was unmistakable.
And then—
Senju Morin's group arrived as well.
Senju.
Hyūga.
Hatake.
Tsuki.
Jōnin from various clans naturally gathered behind him, swiftly forming a force that stood toe-to-toe with Hiruzen's camp—throwing the still-isolated Uchiha contingent into sharp contrast.
Morin's gaze swept calmly across the assembly before settling on Isshin in the distance.
He stepped forward of his own accord.
"Good morning, Uchiha Clan Head Isshin."
Uchiha Isshin came to a halt, his brows knitting slightly.
Senju Morin's smile looked effortless in the morning light—but to Isshin, it was glaringly unpleasant.
"And what guidance does Jōnin Morin wish to offer?"
His voice carried that familiar, unyielding arrogance.
Unhurried, Morin raised a hand and pointed toward the Hokage Monument in the distance.
"Has Clan Head Isshin noticed? There seem to be far more birds circling the monument this morning."
Isshin instinctively followed the gesture. At first glance, the Hokage Rock looked no different from any other day, and he cursed Morin inwardly for making a fuss over nothing.
But in that fleeting turn of his gaze, he also caught sight of the massive crowd gathered behind Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Isshin's expression darkened at once.
Morin spoke again, his tone gentle—yet laden with meaning.
"It seems what I mentioned yesterday was not unfounded after all."
Isshin fell silent for a moment. In the end, he merely nodded stiffly, said nothing, and strode past Morin, leading his clansmen swiftly toward the Hokage Building.
Even after crossing the entire plaza before the building, not a single additional shinobi joined them.
Behind Isshin, there were still only Uchiha.
Watching the lone, prideful column retreat, a faint smile flickered across Morin's face.
A remarkably straightforward fellow…
---
Time crawled by in tense anticipation.
As the rising sun burned away the morning chill, bathing the village in growing heat and brilliance, the Jōnin Assembly—destined to determine Konoha's future—finally commenced.
Given the current political climate, finding a truly neutral presiding officer was no easy task.
After heated debate, the decision was made:
Sarutobi Sasuke, a veteran of the Warring States era, would preside alongside Senju Tōka, one of the few female jōnin of the Senju clan.
The conference hall within the Hokage Building was solemn and austere.
Light streamed in through the high windows, casting geometric patterns across the polished floor. At the front stood the elevated dais, behind which hung the portraits of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Their gazes seemed to pierce time itself, silently observing this gathering that would decide Konoha's path.
Below the dais, long dark tables stood in orderly rows. Over one hundred and forty seats—specially added for this occasion—filled the chamber nearly to capacity.
Sarutobi Sasuke rose first. His voice was calm and deep, like an ancient well undisturbed by wind.
"Today, we gather for the sake of Konoha's future. I ask all present to uphold the Will of Fire, to deliberate carefully, and to carry the village forward."
Senju Tōka followed, her clear voice echoing across the hall.
"The Jōnin Assembly is now in session. By protocol, we begin with the nomination of Hokage candidates."
A brief silence followed.
Then Akimichi Torifu stood.
"I nominate Sarutobi Hiruzen," he said solemnly.
"Hiruzen is steady, capable, and well-versed in village affairs. He is best suited to preserve stability and continuity—and this was also Lord Tobirama's final wish."
Before the words could fully settle, a faint scoff sounded from somewhere in the hall.
"Hmph… abandoning the Hok—"
"Silence!" Sarutobi Sasuke and Senju Tōka barked in unison.
"No commentary beyond nominations!"
"The assembly will continue."
Next, to the surprise of many, Hyūga Sōgo stood tall and declared loudly:
"I nominate Senju Morin. Jōnin Morin is brave and resolute, possessing extraordinary strength. In the darkest hour, he slew Kumo's Kinkaku and avenged the Second Hokage. His power and prestige are more than sufficient to lead Konoha."
The Hyūga clan, determined to secure its place within Konoha's upper echelons, clearly spared no effort.
Immediately afterward, a Uchiha jōnin rose without hesitation and spoke coldly:
"Uchiha Aoba nominates Uchiha Isshin."
He sat back down just as decisively.
"…?"
Compared to Hyūga Sōgo's declaration, Uchiha Aoba's nomination drew even more looks of surprise and curiosity.
Yet after a brief moment of confusion and speechlessness, the assembled jōnin quickly looked away, choosing to ignore the stone-faced Uchiha entirely.
The recording chūnin, however, dutifully wrote down Uchiha Isshin's name in accordance with protocol.
After another short silence, Senju Tōka spoke once more:
"Are there any other jōnin who wish to nominate additional candidates?"
When no one rose to respond, she exchanged a glance with Sarutobi Sasuke. The two then announced together:
"Very well. The jōnin vote of confidence shall now commence."