Konoha, Hokage Office Building.
Since the last Jōnin meeting, when Tsunade became one of the candidates for the Fifth Hokage, Konoha has been shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.
The Police Force, controlling six divisions of Konoha, has grown significantly in power. To ease the tense situation, families like Sarutobi, Shimura, Nara, and Akimichi have moved away from the center of Konoha's power, taking a step back.
However, the Police Force's reaction was the most intense. They divided Konoha into two halves with a semicircular barrier, clearly conveying their intentions to everyone.
The Hokage Office Building became the center of the power struggle.
Hokage Office.
"Tsunade, what are your thoughts on the upcoming Five Kage Summit?"
Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen had publicly declared his resignation, he still wore the robe of the Third Hokage. This time, he came to the Hokage office with a grave expression.
This place was almost like his residence, but now it has become the battleground for Tsunade and Uchiha Yoru's competition.
"Pfft, old man, even the Kazekage Rasa has acknowledged the Five Kage Summit. Now the four great ninja villages have made it clear, inviting Uchiha Yoru, the Hokage. Do you really think I should go?"
Tsunade spoke disdainfully, and at that moment, the door suddenly opened.
Uchiha Yoru appeared, smiling as he saw the two people inside and slowly walked in.
"So, it's the Third Hokage. Are you here to advise us, the acting Hokages?"
Uchiha Yoru's words were filled with sarcasm, making even the composed Sarutobi Hiruzen look uncomfortable.
It was as if he was saying that the Third Hokage had already resigned and the current masters of the Hokage Office Building were them, although there would only be one winner in the end.
Following Uchiha Yoru, Uchiha Itachi and Hatake Kakashi also entered.
Upon entering, Uchiha Yoru sat on the right side of the Hokage's desk, with Tsunade sitting on the left, while the Third Hokage stood in the middle, like a ninja reporting for duty.
Despite the humiliation, Sarutobi Hiruzen remained calm, observing everything.
Sitting down, Uchiha Yoru, with a smile on his face, took a scroll from Uchiha Itachi's hand. "This is the invitation scroll for the Five Kage Summit, to be held in the Land of Iron. I wonder which Hokage will attend this time?"
His words were a blatant mockery. Tsunade snorted coldly in response.
"Oh right, I almost forgot." Suddenly, as if remembering something, Uchiha Yoru slapped his forehead, showing annoyance, and turned to Hatake Kakashi. "Kakashi, I almost forgot to bring my things."
Kakashi then opened his backpack, revealing a red hat with a large 'fire' kanji on the white front corner, symbolizing the Hokage and the Hokage's hat.
Kakashi respectfully handed the brand-new Hokage hat to Uchiha Yoru, who smiled upon seeing this and took it with ease, especially in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose face turned ashen.
The top-quality Hokage hat, smooth and dust-resistant, was now in Uchiha Yoru's hands, smiling.
"For this Five Kage Summit, as the youngest Kage and a newcomer, I'm not very familiar with the Kages of other countries. Moreover, the village is still not entirely safe. I plan to have Kakashi and Shisui stay in the village."
"But the journey to the Land of Iron is long, and other Kages are bringing their guards. So, I would like to invite the experienced Third Hokage to accompany me. After all, you are the strongest Hokage."
Suddenly, Uchiha Yoru covered his mouth, his face showing a mocking smile. "The Third Hokage, the strongest and longest-serving Hokage. Would you be willing to accompany me to the Land of Iron for the Five Kage Summit?"
This time, Uchiha Yoru blatantly revealed his background. Now, the entire ninja world has acknowledged my identity. Although everyone knows that these village leaders have ulterior motives, at least my status has been officially recognized.
"Uchiha Yoru," at this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with a hoarse and solemn voice.
"We are all ninjas of Konoha, all for this village. You think I'm not doing well, it's fine to impeach me, but you should know that the four great ninja villages of the ninja world are all ambitious wolves, fearing that we won't start a fight!"
"I have been patient over and over!"
Watching Sarutobi Hiruzen speak this way, Uchiha Yoru's face gradually became colder. "Patience? Are you talking about the ninja corps responsible for the border of the Land of Lightning? Or are you referring to the elite of the Sarutobi clan secretly summoned back, or perhaps other ninja corps within the Land of Fire?"
Facing Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Yoru unapologetically sneered, revealing everything that had happened during this period.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen had governed for so long, and almost all the commanders of the ninja corps stationed within the Land of Fire were promoted during his tenure as the Third Hokage.
It can't be said that they would respond to every call, but within the Land of Fire, Konoha's more than twenty thousand ninjas, this ninja hero could mobilize at least over ten thousand.
Although Uchiha Yoru now seems strong and aggressive, the number of ninjas under his command is only about five thousand, still in charge of the border line with the Hidden Mist.
Now, both parties are restraining themselves. After all, the entire ninja world is watching. Once they start a civil war, it can be foreseen that as soon as the internal conflict of Konoha ends, the Fourth Great Ninja War will break out.
In an office of the Hokage, the appearance of two Hokage hats and a Hokage robe of the Third is quite ironic.
"Hokage! It's not about being recognized as Hokage after becoming one, but that recognized people can become Hokage."
Under the oppressive atmosphere, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, hoarsely spoke these words, his cloudy eyes full of depth as he looked at Uchiha Yoru.
"No ninja in the village wants to see a civil war break out."
Uchiha Yoru sneered at the Third Hokage's preaching, but he agreed that no ninja wanted to see a civil war erupt.
The current restraint of both parties is more due to the fact that it hasn't been long since the end of the third war. As ninjas of the same village, no one wants to see armed conflict.
In the emotional world of a ninja, bonds are highly valued.
"Since the First, the selection of the Hokage has always been by election. I hope you can proceed peacefully."
Regardless of how biased or even stubborn Sarutobi Hiruzen is, still clinging to his own will of fire, one thing is true - he does not want to see a civil war break out in Konoha.
Because he has already lived in his own conceived will of fire.
This is also the reason for the restraint of both parties.
"Heh, a normal election system." Saying this, Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes, his face revealing a smile.
"Then, I wonder if Lady Tsunade would be willing to divide and rule with me as the acting Hokage, splitting Konoha and the Land of Fire in two, each of us responsible for half, each exercising the rights of Hokage separately."
Uchiha Yoru's proposal is almost to split Konoha in half. At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face looked extremely ugly. As a biased person, he could not allow such a situation to arise again.
But under the current situation, the whole of Konoha has already fallen into a very dangerous state.
Even if we just stalemate like this, the missions of the Konoha have almost come to a halt. It's not a problem for now, but the longer this lasts, the greater the turmoil and losses the Konoha will suffer.
Moreover, right now we don't have the ability to directly overpower the other side.
"Uchiha Yoru! You intend to divide Konoha!" said Sarutobi Hiruzen, his face looking grim, pausing after each word.
It was clear that Sarutobi Hiruzen had rejected this proposal. After all, with Tsunade stepping forward and Sarutobi Hiruzen's assistance, they held the upper hand.
However, at this moment, Uchiha Yoru slowly stood up, placing the Hokage's hat at his waist, his face revealing a smile. This scene was particularly grating to the Third Hokage.
"You all are going to the Daimyo of Land of Fire to discuss the matter of the Fifth Hokage, right? It's perfect timing, as the current Hokage, I will attend the Kage Summit."
Uchiha Yoru's arrogant laughter echoed unabashedly in the Hokage's office, causing many Konoha ninjas to look solemn after hearing it.
This was Uchiha Yoru's provocation towards the Daimyo of Land of Fire, clearly telling everyone that the Hokage of Konoha does not need the Daimyo to interfere.
Uchiha Yoru's assertiveness seemed to remind many Konoha ninjas of the days when the Konoha was the dominant power in the ninja world, whereas the old ways of the Third Hokage had long since dulled the edge of the Konoha ninjas.
After Uchiha Yoru left with his people, only Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen were left in the Hokage's office.
At this moment, Tsunade casually took out sake from the cabinet, pouring herself a drink leisurely, without a hint of tension.
Watching this, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, became even more frustrated, his forehead veins bulging as he rasped in dissatisfaction, "Tsunade!"
But Tsunade just sneered dismissively, "Old man, I'm still willing to address you respectfully, that's out of respect. Don't think you can use me as a pawn, do you think I am like the Fourth Hokage, that young kid?"
Clearly, the Third Hokage put her forward to stabilize the hearts of the people of the Konoha, but the proud Tsunade would not allow herself to become a mere figurehead.
Holding her cup of sake, Tsunade looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and slowly curled her lips into a smile, "Hand over the ninja with Wooden Release, and I want ten billion in funds to establish a new Anbu."
"Tsunade, you!" At this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes widened, his anger boiling over, almost exploding in rage.
Tsunade was taking advantage of the situation, blatantly demanding power. This meant that if Tsunade really became the Hokage, she would not be a Hokage controlled by the Third Hokage.
Looking at the angry Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade casually said, "Old man, this is why Jiraiya doesn't want to come back to help you."
"When the funds and the Ninja with Wooden Release arrive, that's when I'll leave for the Daimyo."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, furious at Tsunade's shameless tactics, his face extremely grim, eventually gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! The ninja with Wooden Release will arrive soon, the funds in at most three days."
After being taken advantage of, Sarutobi Hiruzen left with a dark face, slamming the door. His anger wasn't just about the money and the ninja but also because Tsunade clearly disapproved of his policies.
This meant that after Tsunade took office, she would not follow his policies, which was something Sarutobi Hiruzen could not tolerate. Now, the Konoha had reached its most dangerous moment.
…
Uchiha Clan Territory.
The power of the ninja is formidable, and in just a few days, the Uchiha clan has re-established its Uchiha Clan Territory in what was once the heart of Konoha.
At this time, a clan meeting, or rather a meeting of Uchiha Yoru forces, is taking place. The meeting room is crowded with ninjas kneeling in the darkness.
Everyone's face is filled with excitement and agitation. The entire ninja world now recognizes the identity of Uchiha Yoru as the Hokage, and their influence is no less than that of their counterparts.
Uchiha Yoru looks around at everyone, and it's clear that everyone's eyes are filled with fervor, almost all focused on his waist.
Or rather, on the Hokage's hat at his waist, a symbol of his status.
"Everyone, the Five Kage Summit is scheduled to be held in the Land of Iron, I believe that goes without saying."
Uchiha Yoru looks around at everyone and directly announces this heartening news, also starting to issue his orders.
"I plan to attend the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron. As for who will accompany me and who will stay behind!"
Faced with Uchiha Yoru's gaze, everyone is extremely excited, but many also show concern. With the mainstay gone, it would be easy for enemies to take advantage.
Similarly, Uchiha Yoru naturally sees everyone's concerns, but he confidently smiles and says to the crowd: "This time, I have decided to take Uchiha Itachi and Might Guy as my guards to the Five Kage Summit."
As Uchiha Yoru's words fall, and the guards are assigned to Uchiha Itachi and Might Guy, some people show disappointment, while others breathe a sigh of relief, ensuring that the village's combat strength remains.
"While I'm away, the police department will maintain the stability of Konoha." Speaking of those who will stay behind, everyone's eyes are fixed on him, and Uchiha Yoru looks around at everyone before finally speaking.
"The police department will handle Konoha's political affairs, entrusted to Uchiha Shisui and Hatake Kakashi. The Uchiha clan will be in the hands of Elder Setsuna."
This decision was also made after careful consideration by Uchiha Yoru. Among the three, two are from the Uchiha clan, with Elder Setsuna compensating for Shisui's lack of political skills, while Kakashi is currently one of the most respected ninjas.
At this moment, the aged but still vigorous Elder Setsuna smiles, slowly unwraps the bandages in front of everyone, revealing a Sharingan, clearly telling everyone.
This Sharingan was formerly of Uchiha Fugaku, the previous clan head, and was taken from Shimura Danzo.
Uchiha Setsuna and Hatake Kakashi each have one Sharingan, and Uchiha Shisui has a pair, ensuring the high-end combat power still holds an advantage.
However, the last words of Uchiha Yoru are the most reassuring and shocking, bringing joy to many.
"As the Hokage of Konoha, I hereby announce that the banishment of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, is lifted. His status as a Konoha Jonin is restored. Also, I have decided to honor Konoha's White Fang, who was willing to sacrifice his life for his comrades, as a hero on the Memorial Stone."
Under the smiling face of Uchiha Yoru, countless ninjas burst into joy. Does this mean that Orochimaru will return to Konoha?
And Uchiha Yoru's open announcement of this news tells everyone that they have gained a powerful ally.
Orochimaru's return to Konoha is enough to have a deterrent effect.
With this, even if Uchiha Yoru attends the Five Kage Summit, the village still retains kage-level combat power with Uchiha Shisui, Hatake Kakashi, and Elder Setsuna. Even though the elder's eyes are transplanted and he is aged, a single Mangekyo Sharingan can change the tide of battle.
Now, they also have Orochimaru, a figure capable of being the mainstay.
In contrast, Konoha's side, with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, does not have much advantage, and Tsunade is also heading to the Daimyo's residence.
~~~
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