The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale light over the silent streets of Konoha. Yet, sleep evaded many, their minds restless with disbelief. The events of the day were too shocking—Hiruzen Sarutobi had fallen from grace, and the impact of his downfall reverberated loudly, leaving no hope for redemption.
In the Hyūga Clan territory, the night brought an unusual visitor. An assassin on a mission approached the Clan Head's residence, only to be intercepted by a vigilant Hyūga ninja.
"Who goes there?" the guard demanded, activating his Byakugan to scrutinize the intruder. The shadowy figure's presence in the dead of night raised immediate suspicion.
"I come with orders from the Hokage," the Shadow Guard stated calmly. "I am here to request an audience with the Clan Head."
"Lord Hokage?" The Hyūga ninja frowned, his wariness increasing. The day's chaos had made every interaction suspect. "Do you have proof?"
From within his cloak, the Shadow Guard retrieved a letter. "This is a message from Lord Hokage. Deliver it to your Clan Head, and the truth will be evident."
The Hyūga ninja accepted the letter cautiously, signaling to his comrades to stay alert. "Wait here," he said, turning on his heel to deliver the message.
"Don't be nervous. I'm just a messenger," the Shadow Guard assured them, raising his hands in a placating gesture. His tone was resigned; the fallout from Hiruzen's disgrace had tarnished not only his master's reputation but also his own treatment. In better days, he might have been welcomed with respect. Now, he faced only suspicion.
"That would be best," one of the Hyūga ninjas responded curtly, their vigilance unbroken. These were dangerous times, and orders from the Clan Head left no room for carelessness.
The messenger soon reached the Clan Head's chambers. Following protocol, they sought permission before entering, accompanied by the clan's butler. The strict traditions of the Hyūga were unmistakable in every step of the process.
Upon entering the hall, they saw the Hyūga Clan Head seated in the main position of honor.
"Clan Head, Lord Hokage requests your presence."
"He says it is important."
The Hyūga ninja stepped forward, holding the letter in both hands, and bowed as he presented it.
The Hyūga Clan Head opened the letter, finding only a few words—an invitation. There was no mention of the matter's nature.
"Father, what does he want at this hour?"
"He's corrupt. I don't think we should go," one of the boys said before the Clan Head could reply.
"Father, I think my brother's right," added the other boy, who looked identical to the first.
"Hiashi, Hizashi," the Clan Head began, "it's good that you have your own opinions, but I'm still going. After all, he is still the Hokage."
He rose from his seat and gently patted the twins on their heads.
"Very well. We'll be waiting for you when you return," said Hiashi, reluctantly pulling Hizashi back to one side, understanding he could not sway their father.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
With that, the Clan Head walked out the door, the twins watching as he disappeared into the moonlight, accompanied by another clan member.
After gathering the guards, the Hyūga Clan Head followed them to the Sarutobi House. The two remained silent throughout the journey, not exchanging a single word. The Hyūga pondered what business Hiruzen could have with him.
Before they knew it, they arrived at the Sarutobi Clan. The shadow guard approached the door and knocked.
"Lord Hokage, Lord Tadashi has arrived."
A moment later, the door opened.
"Tadashi, you're here. Have a seat inside." With a smile, Homura gestured for Tadashi Hyūga to enter.
"Thank you, Counselor Homura."
Tadashi entered the house with a sense of suspicion, a growing unease settling over him. Homura's uncharacteristic welcoming demeanor only added to his discomfort.
After leading him inside, Homura guided him to a quiet room. Hiruzen sat cross-legged in front of a low table, where tea had already been prepared.
"Lord Hokage," Tadashi greeted politely.
"Tadashi, sit down," Hiruzen said with a smile, motioning for him to sit opposite him.
Once Tadashi was seated, Homura took a seat next to him.
"I asked you to come here today," Hiruzen began, "because I have something very good to share with you, but I also need to hear your opinion."
Hiruzen poured Tadashi a cup of tea himself, a gesture that left Tadashi feeling uneasy. His apprehension grew stronger.
In the past, the Hyūga Clan's relative obedience had ensured they posed no threat to the Sarutobi Clan, which earned Hiruzen's courteous treatment. However, this personal gesture of pouring tea was unprecedented.
"I wonder what great good thing it is?"
Tadashi's expression remained unchanged as he took a sip of tea before responding slowly.
"You should also know what happened today."
"I definitely can't continue being the Hokage." Hiruzen paused, his tone deliberate. "But when it comes to electing the next Hokage, my words still carry weight."
He stopped and looked up, studying the expression on Tadashi's face. If Tadashi failed to grasp the meaning behind his words, he was unworthy of leading the Hyūga Clan.
"You mean, you want to recommend me as the Fourth Hokage?" Tadashi pointed at himself, his expression finally shifting.
"Exactly. What do you think?" A devilish smile crept into Hiruzen's eyes, as if he were tempting a righteous man to fall.
It was no accident that Hiruzen dared to propose this. If the Hyūga Clan were too powerful, he wouldn't entertain such an idea. But because he deemed the clan no threat to him, he could confidently endorse Tadashi Hyūga's rise to power.
By handing the title of Hokage to Tadashi Hyūga, he planned to consolidate power for himself. The reality would remain unchanged: Hiruzen would continue as the de facto Hokage.
"Don't you still have three disciples?" Tadashi's voice was sharp. Without his leadership, the position of Hokage would be a precarious one.
His instincts were correct—this was no great honor, but a massive trap.
Beyond that, he had no interest in offending the Uchiha Clan too much, let alone dealing with Kawakaze or Tsunade. Accepting the role of Hokage would mean creating enemies for life.
Hearing Tadashi mention his three disciples, Hiruzen's face suddenly darkened.
If it weren't for my so-called "good disciples," I wouldn't have ended up in this situation, he thought bitterly.
Noticing Hiruzen's sour expression, Homura quickly stepped in to steer the conversation.
"I've discussed this with Hiruzen, and there's no one in all of Konoha more suitable than you," Homura began earnestly.
"In terms of qualifications, you've been the Clan Head for more than ten years."
"In terms of strength, how many in the village can stand against you?"
"And in terms of reputation, you're the head of Konoha's number one clan."
He continued to heap praise on Tadashi, almost as if to say, If you don't become the Hokage, who else could possibly qualify?
If Tadashi were a naive young boy, he might have been flattered. But he wasn't.
Hiruzen's intentions had become painfully clear. He wanted Tadashi to serve as a puppet Hokage, a figurehead while Hiruzen pulled the strings from the shadows. It was a clever plan, but one Tadashi had no intention of falling for.
Accepting this offer would bring nothing but an empty title and endless disadvantages. The costs far outweighed the benefits.
"I don't think I'm up to the task. You should choose someone else."
With that, he rose decisively, not wanting to linger and risk further complications or misunderstandings.
The Hyūga Clan would not involve itself in this mess.
Without a backward glance, Tadashi left, his decision final. Hiruzen and Homura's faces darkened immediately, their expressions as grim as the bottom of a scorched pot.