"If you want to become Hokage, your greatest resistance will come from Konoha's clans," Mito Uzumaki said calmly. "And the first among them… is the Uchiha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
The news of Tobirama Senju's death had been leaked—almost certainly by the Uchiha. He trusted that Uchiha Kagami was not responsible, which meant only one thing:
The Uchiha had their own intelligence network.
Perhaps they had even known about the ambush during the negotiations in advance.
The Uchiha's desire for the Hokage position had never been hidden. Even during Tobirama's tenure, there had always been radical voices within the clan calling for his overthrow.
But those voices…
Always seemed to disappear.
Dying conveniently during missions.
Or falling in battle.
And no matter how hard the Uchiha searched, they could never find a single trace linking those deaths to Tobirama.
After several such incidents, even the more extreme elements within the clan had grown wary and quieted down.
Moreover, Tobirama had ruled with fairness. The benefits allocated to the Uchiha had never been withheld. Under his leadership, the other clans of Konoha had prospered—and most fully acknowledged him as Hokage.
But now—
His death had created an opportunity.
A perfect opportunity for the Uchiha to reach for the Hokage seat.
"As for the Uchiha, I'm not too worried," Mito continued, her tone steady. "They've always been the same. They follow strength."
"Back then, Hashirama Senju defeated Uchiha Madara. Madara left Konoha—but the Uchiha did not follow him."
She turned slightly, her voice gaining a hint of confidence.
"And right now, there isn't a single Uchiha in Konoha who can defeat me."
"Unless they've completely lost their minds and are willing to sacrifice their elites to kill me…"
A faint, cold smile touched her lips.
"They don't have that kind of courage."
Her confidence was absolute.
Mito Uzumaki was already a powerhouse among shinobi—and with the Nine-Tails sealed within her, she was nothing short of a walking calamity.
Hiruzen felt a surge of awe as he looked at her.
He had already experienced her strength firsthand.
Suffocating.
Overwhelming.
"The Uchiha can be handled," she said. "But they're not your only obstacle."
Her voice shifted.
"The Senju… are no more willing than they are to see you become Hokage."
Hiruzen's eyes widened.
Subconsciously, he had assumed that with Mito supporting him, the Senju would stand on his side.
"You didn't think I could represent the entire Senju clan, did you?" Mito said, reading his expression with ease.
"In ordinary matters, my status allows me to act freely within the clan. Even Tobirama would give me face."
She paused.
"But now he's dead."
"And what you're competing for… is the position of Third Hokage."
Her gaze deepened.
"Two Hokage have already come from the Senju. The clan has grown accustomed to that honor—and the benefits that come with it."
"In their eyes, the Third Hokage being another Senju is not a possibility."
"It's a certainty."
She spoke slowly, giving Hiruzen time to absorb every word.
Convincing the Senju to accept him—
That was the real problem.
The Senju had founded Konoha.
Two Hokage had come from their clan.
And both had died in that position.
The prestige alone was immense.
Not to mention—
During the First Great Ninja War, the Senju had borne the heaviest burden. As the Hokage's clan, they had always been stationed at the most dangerous fronts.
They had bled.
They had sacrificed.
And now—
With the war nearing its end, victory within reach—
Their blood had been shed almost dry.
Only for the rewards of that victory…
To be taken by a clan that once followed behind them, picking up scraps.
Even Mito found it difficult to imagine the resentment that would ignite.
Within the Senju were elders who had survived since the Warring States era.
Men who valued the clan's future above their own lives.
Some were older than Hashirama himself.
Some belonged to generations above him.
They had dedicated their entire lives to the Senju.
If one of them struck Hashirama across the face—
He might very well smile and say:
"Grandfather, did that hurt your hand? I won't make the same mistake next time."
Mito could already picture their reaction.
The moment she revealed that Tobirama had passed the title of Hokage to Hiruzen—
They would explode.
Even if Tobirama himself were alive, they might curse him into the ground.
As for her?
A single sentence would be enough to silence her completely:
"You're an Uzumaki. What right do you have to interfere in Senju affairs?"
These old men—
Once pushed—
Would say anything.
And she couldn't act against them.
No matter how strong she was.
They were long past fearing death.
They would gladly offer their necks to her blade—
As long as she could guarantee that the Third Hokage would still be a Senju.
"Lady Mito… this…" Hiruzen faltered.
If the Senju opposed him—
What could he possibly do?
He couldn't fight them.
And morally—
He had no standing at all.
"The elders within the clan have already decided on their candidate," Mito said.
"Senju Toma."
She watched Hiruzen closely.
"The son of Hashirama. Strong—even among the Senju. During this war, his achievements have been outstanding. As a front-line commander, he held back the forces of Iwagakure."
"He's already on his way back to Konoha."
"He'll arrive soon."
Hiruzen's heart tightened.
The pressure from the Uchiha—
Mito could help him handle that.
But the pressure from the Senju—
She could not.
At best, she could remain neutral.
And even that—
Was already pushing the limits.
After all—
Senju Toma was her son.
She had watched him grow.
Watched him chase the same dream as his father—to become Hokage and protect Konoha.
Helping an outsider defeat her own son?
She was not that selfless.
"If you want to become Hokage…" Mito said slowly, "then you must defeat Toma."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Defeat him openly."
"In front of the Senju."
"Only then… will I have a chance to convince them."
This—
Was the absolute limit of what she could do.
She had seen how much Toma had sacrificed for this position.
How hard he had fought.
And now—
She was asking Hiruzen to face him.
To win.
Hiruzen bowed his head deeply.
"Lady Mito… you've already done more than enough."
His voice was filled with sincerity.
Senju Toma was her son.
And yet, she had deliberately set that aside.
She had been fair.
More than fair.
And now—
The path ahead was clear.
But it was also far more dangerous than before.
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