Haruki didn't interfere much with Mikoto Uchiha's proposal.
She was already a mature member of the Natsu organization and should know how to handle things.
The next day, Hisaku Uchiha reconvened the clan meeting at the Naka Shrine.
Apart from the nine missing members, everything remained the same.
The council table, which was stained with blood last night, was cleaned spotlessly, with no lingering odor.
Hisaku Uchiha looked around the hall and said slowly, "I am getting old and intend to pass the position to a younger member of the clan."
In reality, he wasn't old; he was in his prime.
But after witnessing Mikoto's methods, he indeed felt the wave of the new generation pushing the old aside.
After he finished speaking, the hall remained silent with no objections.
Hisaku Uchiha smiled self-deprecatingly and ceded the stage to his son, Fugaku Uchiha.
Fortunately, Mikoto wasn't too harsh and had promised Fugaku a fair chance.
Fugaku stood up, recalling the clan leader selection system Mikoto had mentioned to him. His expression was solemn, though his heart was not at ease.
He glanced at Mikoto out of the corner of his eye.
Her eyes were closed.
Not out of disdain, but because her eyes were temporarily blinded.
Fugaku took a deep breath and began to explain the selection process for the clan leader.
In summary, all Uchiha clan members would vote equally, regardless of age, status, strength, or profession, to elect the council and the clan leader.
But the core was neither the clan leader nor the council; it was the entire clan.
No decision could be made without the approval of the entire clan. In other words, the council and the clan leader were merely policy executors.
Even after Mikoto's "physical education" the previous night, this system caused an uproar.
It went against their long-held beliefs.
In the ninja world, strength is respected, and being a ninja is an honor.
"Silence."
Mikoto knocked on the council table, her voice stern, "I am not seeking your opinion."
The people in the hall showed indignant expressions but did not oppose.
Fugaku wiped his sweat, continuing his explanation.
He wasn't as composed as he would be in the future as the clan leader, when he could hide his emotions. He had feared another uproar in the hall.
But it was unexpectedly quiet.
Fugaku's expression was slightly odd; perhaps the Uchiha clan had some... issues.
Moments later, the meeting concluded, and the orders from Mikoto and Fugaku were conveyed to every clan member.
The selection of the clan leader and the council began through anonymous voting.
---
Fruit Shop.
"Kakashi, peel an orange for me."
Obito Uchiha said, tossing an orange over.
Kakashi's face showed reluctance, but his hands moved before he could refuse.
A perfect, unbroken peel fell.
It was an obsessive-compulsive disorder's delight.
"Can't you do it yourself?!"
Kakashi's voice rose in frustration, hating his own reaction.
Obito ignored him, handing the orange to Rin Nohara.
"Thank you."
Rin smiled gently. To her, the bickering between Obito and Kakashi was a sign of their friendship.
Nearby, Haruki beckoned to Kakashi.
"Come here, let me check your body."
Kakashi glared at Obito and stepped forward.
Haruki sent his chakra flowing through Kakashi's body.
"Your chakra capacity has increased."
Kakashi smiled upon hearing this, feeling his suffering had paid off.
Haruki chatted with the fruit shop owner for a while.
Though Kakashi had wasted some fruit initially, his growing fame and skills as a ninja had actually attracted customers to the shop.
Some even tipped.
Eating fruit while watching a performance was a nice pastime.
"Rin, I voted for Mikoto-san this morning to be the clan leader."
Obito chatted with Rin, excited about the ongoing clan leader selection.
It was his first time participating in something so significant for the clan.
Previously, he was looked down upon within the Uchiha clan, barely above those who went into business.
But now, he could cast a sacred vote in the clan meeting.
More importantly, the disdainful looks had completely disappeared.
"Obito, why didn't you vote for Fugaku?"
Haruki asked casually after hearing him.
"Mikoto-san is beautiful and kind. If she becomes the leader, she'll definitely be good to me."
Obito's reason was simple.
He didn't understand Mikoto's strength but liked her personality.
Haruki shook his head secretly.
Kids indeed have unique and straightforward views.
---
The next day, Haruki received the final results.
Mikoto was elected as the clan leader.
Hisaku Uchiha, Fugaku Uchiha, Hiroshi Uchiha, and seventeen others formed the council, assisting the clan leader and representing the clan members.
What seemed like a normal result to Haruki caused a stir among the major ninja clans in Konoha.
To them, it was unscientific.
Mikoto rose like a comet, suddenly becoming a genius and then the clan leader.
It was too abrupt.
---
Hokage Office.
Smoke curled up.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the report in his hand, puzzled.
How could it be Mikoto? And what about this bizarre clan leader selection system?
The Uchiha clan had always been under surveillance. Both he, the council, and the ANBU all believed Fugaku would be the next leader.
Even after Mikoto awakened the Sharingan, the conclusion didn't change.
Her strength was inferior to Fugaku's, and her connections and abilities were far behind.
Yet she had become the leader of one of the largest clans in Konoha.
"I've told you Haruki is suspicious, but you didn't believe me!"
Danzo Shimura burst into the office, speaking angrily.
After investigating the prison riot and the petition by Omoki, he found traces pointing to Haruki, though only vaguely.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed his concerns, thinking Danzo was overreacting.
Danzo hadn't spoken to him for weeks out of frustration.
He believed Hiruzen was deceived by Haruki's appearance while he, with his tainted past, was not trusted.
"That doesn't prove Haruki's involvement."
Hiruzen, accustomed to Danzo's sudden intrusions, didn't rebuke him.
"The Uchiha's nature, Hiruzen, you know it well. Without absolute power, how could anyone control those proud individuals?"
Danzo took a deep breath and continued, "My Root discovered that nine Uchiha Jonin, including an elder, have disappeared."
Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock.
If Danzo said they disappeared, it likely meant they were dead.
But Mikoto didn't have that kind of power.
The prime suspect was Haruki.
Although he was a medical ninja, his extensive connections and wealth made it possible.
"Hiruzen, don't hesitate any longer, or you will regret it!"
Seeing Hiruzen's indecisive expression, Danzo raised his voice urgently.
"I need more concrete evidence."
Hiruzen gripped the report tightly, staring at Danzo. "I'll allow you to temporarily resume Root activities."