Knowing he had ten days off before taking on his new role, Hui felt a rare sense of happiness. This would likely be the last peaceful break he'd get before diving into his demanding responsibilities.
Hui made the most of his time, taking Tsunade on leisurely trips to scenic spots and catching up with his close friends over food and drinks.
Though his circle of friends was small, they shared deep bonds—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Uzumaki Mina, Lightning, and Might Duy.
The days passed quickly, and soon it was time for Konoha's high-level council meeting.
…
The large conference room was filled with nearly all of Konoha's senior leadership.
Present were Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Jonin Team Captain; Sakumo Hatake, the newly appointed ANBU Commander; the Medical Corps leader; and other department heads.
Also seated were the clan heads of the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Shimura clans, including Shimura Danzo. Among them were elite shinobi such as Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
The room buzzed with quiet speculation about the purpose of the meeting.
"Mochizuki Hui has stepped down as ANBU Commander. I wonder which role he'll take next," one elite shinobi whispered to his companion, his eyes flicking to the empty seats reserved for high-ranking positions.
"Whatever it is, it'll surely be a high-ranking post. You can't demote someone of his stature," the other replied, already suspecting the likely outcome but refraining from speaking it aloud.
Meanwhile, the clan heads and senior leaders were all eyeing the vacant seat for the Head of the Administrative Department. It was one of Konoha's most crucial roles, left open after the previous head was killed during the war in the Land of Rain. Many believed Hui was the natural choice, but no one could be certain until Tobirama made the announcement.
…
When Tobirama Senju entered the room with Hui following close behind, everyone rose in unison, bowing respectfully.
"Lord Hokage!"
"Take your seats," Tobirama said, his authoritative tone cutting through the air.
He took his place at the head of the table, while Hui stood silently behind him.
"Today's meeting focuses on personnel adjustments and the future development of Konoha," Tobirama began without a preamble. "Let's get straight to it. First, the personnel appointments."
The room fell silent as Tobirama continued.
"Though we achieved a miraculous victory in the recent war, it came at a great cost. Many of our elite shinobi and leaders were lost, including the previous heads of the Administrative Department, the Interrogation Unit, and the Land of Rain border defense."
His gaze swept the room. "To ensure the smooth functioning of Konoha's key departments, I am making the following appointments."
"First, Mochizuki Hui will step down as ANBU Commander and take on the role of Head of the Administrative Department."
The announcement caused a stir.
The appointment was now official.
"Yes," Hui replied calmly, stepping forward to take his new seat. From this moment on, he was no longer just a shinobi but one of Konoha's highest-ranking officials—the Advisor.
"Sakumo Hatake will succeed Hui as ANBU Commander," Tobirama continued.
"Yes," Sazumo said, bowing deeply before taking his new seat.
"Shimura Danzo will take over as Head of the Interrogation Unit," Tobirama announced next.
Danzo, momentarily surprised, quickly regained his composure and rose to accept the role with a respectful nod.
Other appointments followed in quick succession:
"The Land of Rain border defence will be assigned to…"
"The Land of Earth border defense will be placed under…."
"The Uchiha clan head would continue to lead the Police Force."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen would remain the Jonin Team Captain."
With each declaration, Konoha's leadership structure became more robust.
"That concludes the personnel adjustments," Tobirama said, giving the room a moment to process before continuing.
"Now, let's discuss Konoha's development. If anyone has proposals, speak freely."
The room fell into a contemplative silence. Though many had ideas, none wanted to be the first to speak.
Breaking the silence, Hui stood and addressed the room.
"I have a proposal," he said, earning Tobirama's nod of approval.
"Since the founding of Konoha, we have endured two large-scale wars. Each conflict has claimed the lives of countless brave shinobi—heroes of Konoha who sacrificed everything for the village.
"These heroes deserve to be remembered. To honor their sacrifices and provide a place for their families and friends to grieve, I propose the construction of a Konoha Heroes' Memorial Monument.
"This memorial would serve as a lasting tribute, reminding our people—and future generations—of the courage and dedication of those who gave their lives for Konoha.
"I don't expect us to remember every name or every story. But I don't want their sacrifices to fade into obscurity, as if they never existed. Let this monument preserve their memory and transform their legacy into a source of inspiration for generations to come."
Hui's words struck a chord.
Many in the room were veteran shinobi who had witnessed the loss of friends and comrades. Time had dulled their grief, but it had also blurred their memories.
As Hui spoke, images of long-lost friends and allies resurfaced, stirring emotions many thought they had buried.
A heavy silence hung in the room, broken only by the faint sound of someone stifling tears.
Tobirama watched the scene with quiet approval. Once again, Hui had shown why he was the future of Konoha.
"We'll discuss the memorial's specifics later," Tobirama said after a long pause. "For now, let's move forward with this proposal."
Hui nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. It wasn't just about a monument—it was about preserving the spirit of Konoha.
That spirit would live on.
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