The conference hall remained silent.
The Clan Heads.
The Jonin.
Even the ANBU hidden in the shadows.
Everyone was still struggling to process what they had just heard.
No one had ever imagined...
That Hiruzen would openly support the Uchiha Clan Head for the position of Hokage.
Many shinobi looked toward Fugaku with completely different eyes now.
Meanwhile...
Elder Kiyo and Grand Elder Setsuna weren't looking at Fugaku at all.
Their attention remained fixed on Hiruzen.
The shock in their eyes wasn't because of the announcement itself...
But they were trying to understand the reason behind it.
Before anyone else could speak—
Fugaku stepped forward.
A trace of excitement surged inside him, but he kept his expression calm.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
He bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for placing your trust in me."
His voice remained steady.
But inwardly...
His heart couldn't help beating faster.
Being nominated as a Hokage candidate was one thing.
Receiving the open support of the current Hokage...
Was something completely different.
Many Uchiha who had been watching silently now looked at him with renewed hope.
Fugaku glanced sideways at Grand Elder Setsuna.
'Now...'
'Let's see how you convince the clan after this.'
A faint smile appeared in his heart.
Until now...
He had never possessed enough influence to challenge the Hawk Faction.
But everything had changed.
Now...
He wasn't just Fugaku.
He was officially a Hokage candidate.
This would prove to the clan that his vision was right.
That there was still a future for the Uchiha inside Konoha.
Hiruzen nodded gently.
"It is what you deserve, Clan Head Fugaku."
His voice remained calm.
"For too long..."
"Many people thought the village held unnecessary prejudice against your clan."
He slowly looked around the conference hall.
"We may have neglected some clans..."
"But we never deliberately targeted them."
Homura slowly stood up.
He looked directly at Fugaku.
"Clan Head Fugaku..."
"You also have my support in this Hokage election."
Fugaku nodded respectfully.
"Thank you, Elder."
"I won't disappoint the village."
A few shinobi quietly nodded.
It seemed as though the atmosphere had begun to ease.
Then—
"Ahem."
Grand Elder Setsuna cleared his throat.
The hall immediately became quiet again.
He looked toward Fugaku before speaking.
"Well..."
"The Merchant Faction has no interest in Uchiha becoming Hokage."
The smile on Fugaku's face instantly disappeared.
Setsuna continued as if he hadn't noticed.
"Of course..."
"If Fugaku's faction wishes to pursue it..."
"That's entirely their choice."
He shrugged lightly.
"It changes nothing for us."
Without waiting for anyone to respond...
His gaze shifted toward Hiruzen and Homura.
"But before discussing the next Hokage..."
"There is something far more important."
The atmosphere immediately became serious again.
Setsuna's voice turned firm.
"What about the compensation promised to the Uchiha before the war?"
"And what about every other promise the village made?"
His eyes remained fixed on the village leadership.
"Who's going to fulfil those?"
Silence.
The smiles that had just appeared quickly faded.
Setsuna didn't give anyone time to avoid the question.
"The next Hokage can wait."
He spoke without raising his voice.
"But the promises made to the Uchiha..."
"...should be fulfilled first."
The conference hall became silent once again.
"What do you mean by that?"
Koharu frowned as she looked at Grand Elder Setsuna.
"Do you really believe the village would cheat the Uchiha over something so insignificant?"
Her voice carried undisguised disdain.
Setsuna smiled faintly.
He calmly met her gaze.
"Is there any reason for me not to?"
His smile widened just a little.
"I believe the village would do anything if it meant gaining even the smallest advantage."
"You..."
Koharu immediately pointed a finger at him, her face turning red with anger.
Before she could say another word—
Hiruzen slowly raised his hand.
She reluctantly fell silent.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Hiruzen looked at Setsuna with a calm expression.
"Once the peace negotiations are over..."
"The village will fulfil every promise it made."
Setsuna simply looked at him.
He neither agreed...
Nor argued.
The conference hall once again fell into silence.
...
While the meeting inside the Hokage's office continued—
Far beneath Konoha...
Inside the Root headquarters...
Danzo sat quietly as one of his Root shinobi finished delivering his report.
*Crack!*
The teacup in Danzo's hand shattered.
"Damn them..."
"How were they discovered?"
His face twisted with rage.
The Root agents stationed in the Capital had been one of his greatest trump cards.
Through them, he could keep watch over the Fire Daimyo and the Noble House.
Now...
Many of them had been captured by the Uchiha.
Danzo's expression darkened.
"Everything..."
"...is falling apart."
He muttered through clenched teeth.
The Shimura shinobi standing before him remained silent until Danzo calmed down slightly.
"Danzo-sama."
"The Third Hokage has already issued an S-Rank mission."
"To find you ..."
"...dead or alive."
Danzo's pupils contracted.
The shinobi continued.
"He has also warned the Clan Elders to inform him immediately if you return to the village."
Silence.
Danzo stood frozen for a long moment.
'No...'
'I can't return now.'
His expression grew increasingly grim.
"Shall I report—"
Before the shinobi could finish—
Danzo shot him a cold glare.
The shinobi immediately lowered his head.
After a long silence, Danzo finally spoke.
"What happened during the meeting?"
His voice was cold.
"The meeting is still ongoing."
"The final decision hasn't been announced yet."
Danzo slowly closed his eyes.
He didn't say another word.
The shinobi quietly bowed before leaving the room.
As the door closed...
Danzo slowly clenched his fist.
"Evil Uchiha..."
He gritted his teeth, barely able to contain the hatred in his voice.
"Noble Houses won't let me go so easily..."
Danzo muttered under his breath.
"I still need Hiruzen's help."
His gaze slowly fell upon the scroll lying on the table.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Let's see..."
"...how he'll react after reading this."
...
As Danzo remained hidden inside the Root headquarters...
The meeting inside the Hokage's office finally came to an end.
One after another...
The Clan Heads and Jonin walked out of the building.
Most of their faces were filled with concern.
Today's meeting had shaken everything they thought they knew.
"Clan Head Hiashi..."
Inoichi called out as he caught up with the Hyuga brothers.
"What do you think about everything that happened today?"
Hizashi, who was walking beside his elder brother, also turned toward him.
Hiashi remained silent for a few moments before replying.
"It was necessary."
Inoichi looked at him in surprise.
Hiashi continued calmly,
"Hokage-sama and the Elders had begun to overstep their authority."
"This setback was necessary."
"It reminds everyone..."
"...that every action has consequences."
Shikaku, who heard this, laughed a little.
"But it may cost the whole village."
Shikaku let out a quiet sigh.
"Everything now depends on the Fire Daimyo's decision."
His eyes drifted toward Fugaku, who was walking ahead while talking with Minato.
Hokage candidate...
The support of the Hokage...
And even the support of the Elders...
Shikaku narrowed his eyes.
"Is it really that difficult to see who has the greatest support?"
He muttered under his breath.
Hiashi and Inoichi, walking beside him, heard those words.
They instinctively looked toward Fugaku as well.
After a long silence...
Inoichi finally spoke.
"Is there really a future in remaining a shinobi?"
His voice carried a trace of uncertainty.
"Looking at the path the Uchiha have chosen..."
"For the first time..."
"It actually feels like they made the right decision."
Neither Hiashi nor Shikaku answered.
Both quietly fell into thought.
...
Meanwhile...
Inside the Hokage Tower...
Homura quietly stepped beside Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Danzo has returned to the Root headquarters."
Crack.
The pipe in Hiruzen's hand shattered under the pressure of his grip.
For a brief moment...
He looked through the window at the Clan Heads leaving the building.
Then he slowly stood up.
"Let's go."
Without another word, he walked toward the exit.
Homura silently followed.
As they passed the waiting ANBU, Hiruzen gave a slight signal.
The masked shinobi immediately understood and quietly followed behind them.
Homura glanced at Hiruzen's expression.
Although his face remained calm...
The anger in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"Don't make too much noise."
Homura spoke in a low voice.
"We still can't let him come into the light... not yet."
Hiruzen didn't answer.
He simply turned and looked at Homura.
Homura froze.
Hiruzen's eyes were bloodshot.
The veins on his forehead had begun to bulge.
Yet...
His expression remained completely calm.
After a long silence...
He finally spoke.
"I'm calmer than I've ever been."
His voice was quiet.
So quiet...
That it sent a chill down Homura's spine.
For decades...
He had fought beside Hiruzen.
He had seen him angry.
He had seen him furious.
But never...
Like this.
Without another word, Hiruzen continued walking.
Homura silently followed behind him.
Sage...
I hope Danzo survives this.
The two figures gradually disappeared into the distance.
*************************************************************************************
Author Note
First of all, I'm really sorry for the long gap between chapters.
I recently moved from one state to another (anyone from Bengaluru??), and the journey itself took quite a bit of time. After such a long trip, I honestly didn't get enough time to sit down and properly work on the chapter.
And to everyone who waited patiently without a single complaint — thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
If anyone wants to join P@treon, they're welcome to.
Right now, P@treon chapters are available up to (Chapter 155 — When the Village Turns Against Itself)
P@treon - Hear_tteeth [18 +]
Thank you for the support and patience.