By the time Uchiha Akihito arrived, Konoha's upper echelon and the representatives of the major clans were already seated.
The Third Hokage merely nodded for him to take his place.
Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi greeted him warmly.
Nara Shikaku's expression, however, was complicated. He wanted to move closer to Akihito, yet he did not wish to distance himself from the Hokage faction. In the end, he settled for an awkward smile from afar.
A smart man's dilemma—
Offend no one. Stand with the Hokage.
Once everyone was seated, Hiruzen cleared his throat.
The first issue: Uchiha Itachi's defection.
Fugaku's face darkened.
His son—raised with care—had been arranged to infiltrate some shadowy organization as a spy.
No father would feel at ease about that.
Hiruzen knew he was on shaky ground here and avoided pushing the matter too far. When a few radical jōnin suggested sending a pursuit squad, he quickly shut the idea down under the pretext of manpower shortages.
Akihito watched coldly.
A script written and directed by the Third Hokage himself.
No one else could interfere.
Honestly, Itachi leaving wasn't entirely bad.
A man fully brainwashed by the "Will of Fire" was not someone Akihito would ever heavily promote. At most, he would have assigned Itachi to the Police Force or ANBU—nothing more.
Compared to Itachi, Uchiha Shisui was far more reassuring.
After a series of earlier political maneuvers, Shisui had quietly become a "Akihito loyalist."
On the surface, however, Shisui still maintained a neutral stance—deliberately so. That way, Hiruzen would continue trying to win him over.
And when the timing was right—
Akihito could elevate him.
The Political Battlefield
Though Akihito's momentum was overwhelming, most of Konoha's real power still rested with the Sarutobi faction.
Decades of consolidation could not be undone overnight.
After Danzō's death, Hiruzen tightened his alliance with the two elders, Homura and Koharu. He also leveraged old connections to rally support among the clans.
Only the Uchiha and Hyūga could fully resist elder pressure.
Younger clan heads like Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza remained cautious—because Tsunade, Hiruzen's disciple, still existed.
If Akihito married Tsunade—
The balance would tilt decisively.
The Tsunade Power Struggle
Next came the matter of authority distribution.
Tsunade had enjoyed a brief "honeymoon period" after her return.
Now—
It was time to take power back.
Homura and Koharu began complaining about her "arrogance" and disregard for elders. Once they finished their performance, Hiruzen reluctantly proposed reclaiming part of her authority.
The room fell silent.
Everyone had seen the benefits of medical reform.
They had hoped Tsunade would usher in renewal.
Instead—
The conservatives struck back.
Akihito stood.
"I believe Tsunade's medical reforms benefit Konoha's long-term development."
"This project should not be shelved."
Fugaku and Hiashi voiced support.
It didn't matter.
The vote passed.
Tsunade lost control of Finance and Logistics, retaining only the Medical Department.
Without funding—
Reform was suffocated.
The Real Prize: ANBU Command
The true focus of the meeting was the vacant ANBU captain and vice-captain positions, left open after the death of Hiruzen's son and daughter-in-law.
ANBU influence was immense.
Hiruzen proposed two loyalists.
Akihito immediately objected—citing insufficient strength.
Debate dragged on.
Finally—
A compromise.
Tsunade: ANBU CaptainUchiha Shisui: ANBU Vice-Captain
On the surface, this compensated Tsunade.
In reality—
Shisui had ascended.
Konoha's winds were changing.
Akatsuki Intelligence
Hiruzen then turned to Akihito.
"What happened on your mission?"
Akihito summarized calmly.
Kakuzu.
Fourth Mizukage Yagura.
Sasori of the Red Sand.
Orochimaru.
Multiple Kage-level engagements.
And he returned alive.
Hiruzen felt unease.
Even in his prime as the "Professor," he doubted he had matched this level.
The room stirred anxiously at the mention of Akatsuki—a gathering of S-rank criminals.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"No need to worry. I've already taken measures."
Everyone relaxed.
But Akihito understood.
The "measure" was Itachi's infiltration and a verbal non-aggression agreement.
An old politician—
Still believing in promises.
To Akihito, Itachi's sacrifice was meaningless.
A "hero in the shadows"?
No.
Just a pawn enabling others' comfort.
The New Political Landscape
After the meeting:
Old Guard: Hiruzen + the two eldersNew Guard: Akihito, Fugaku, HiashiMiddle Faction: Tsunade and Shisui
And Shisui—
Was already his piece.
Tsunade's heart, too, was beginning to tilt.
The era of one-man rule—
Would soon end.
Tsunade's Realization
In the hospital, Tsunade learned her authority had been stripped.
She smashed a row of beds in fury.
But she didn't confront Hiruzen.
Instead—
She accepted the ANBU command.
Through working with Shisui, her perception of the Uchiha changed.
The "inherent evil" rhetoric?
Nonsense.
The rift had grown under Hiruzen and Danzō.
For the first time—
Her respect for her teacher wavered.
Perhaps—
The Uchiha were not the problem.
Perhaps—
Power was.
Meanwhile… Akatsuki
Under moonlight, a small boat approached the hidden base.
"Everyone calls me Tobi," the masked man chirped.
"Just an intern. Nothing special."
Itachi stared blankly.
"Why hide your identity?"
"Because letting people know Madara Uchiha is alive would be troublesome."
A voice interrupted.
"Well, well. If it isn't Itachi."
"Orochimaru."
Tobi feigned excitement.
"What a touching reunion!"
Pain's voice echoed coldly.
"Akatsuki seeks true peace."
"To do so, we will rule the world."
Itachi removed his forehead protector—
And carved a line through it.
"From this day forward… I am Akatsuki's Vermilion Bird."
Pain nodded.
"Welcome, Uchiha Itachi."
The board was set.
Pieces moved quietly.
And the storm—
Had only just begun.
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