Sarutobi Clan Compound
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up straight, a small birdcage hanging from his left hand. Inside it, a canary hopped restlessly.
"Tsk, tsk," Hiruzen chuckled as he teased the bird.
He had already taken off the Hokage's ceremonial robes. Dressed in simple, casual clothes, his entire demeanor looked far more relaxed than usual.
Carrying the cage, he walked over to a stone table in the courtyard. Two people were already seated there—Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado. Both were watching him with solemn expressions.
Hiruzen acted as if he hadn't noticed. He set the birdcage on the table and said with a smile, "Koharu, Homura, take a look. Isn't this bird beautiful?"
Homura Mitokado opened his mouth to speak, but Utatane Koharu lifted a hand to stop him, giving a subtle shake of her head.
Homura frowned, then sat back down in silence.
Koharu spoke calmly, her tone measured.
"Hiruzen, do you truly intend to hand the village over to the Uchiha Clan? You know very well that our teacher despised them. They're born for battle. You can make use of them, but you must never allow them to rule the village."
Hiruzen glanced at her, then continued toying with the canary. After a long pause, he finally spoke in a leisurely tone.
"I've already decided to pass the Hokage position to Danzo. Whether he can hold onto it, or whether the seat eventually falls into Uchiha hands, has nothing to do with me."
"If you want to settle accounts, go find Danzo. I never handed the Hokage title to the Uchiha. Don't pin that responsibility on me."
With that, he resumed teasing the bird.
Homura could no longer restrain himself.
"Hiruzen! What has come over you? Don't forget—you were personally chosen by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, as the inheritor of the Will of Fire!"
"The Uchiha Clan, the cancer of Konoha, is about to seize the village our teacher left behind. How can you be so indifferent?!"
"You've truly disappointed me!"
Homura slammed a finger down toward Hiruzen in agitation.
Bang!
Hiruzen struck the stone table with his palm. Cracks spread instantly across its surface. Inside the cage, the canary panicked, flapping wildly.
Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
Homura's expression changed. Only now did he realize how ugly Hiruzen's face had become. He instinctively turned toward Koharu, hoping she would speak for him.
Koharu turned her head away, ignoring him completely.
Hiruzen picked up the birdcage, stood, and looked at Homura with a calm yet piercing gaze.
"Homura, we've worked together for decades. If you have something to say, say it outright. Don't try to test me with petty tricks."
"The reason you and Koharu came today is simple. You're afraid that once Uchiha Ran takes the Hokage seat, you'll lose your benefits."
"You may even lose your positions as advisors. For the sake of power, status, and money, you want to push me into competing with Uchiha Ran."
"When it comes to political maneuvering," Hiruzen said flatly, "you're not qualified."
After saying that, he no longer spared Homura another glance, returning his attention to the bird.
He hadn't ordered them to leave yet because he was still waiting for Koharu to speak. He could sense it—she had changed. Her thinking was sharper, more calculating, carrying the air of someone accustomed to authority.
Unbeknownst to him, this change stemmed from the genjutsu Uchiha Ran had once used on her, granting her the experience of an entire lifetime as a Hokage.
Koharu finally spoke.
"Hiruzen, you're right. I won't deny that we're worried about our interests. But what I'm more concerned about… is you."
"Can you truly bring yourself to give up the Hokage position and the power that comes with it?"
The words struck straight at his core.
Hiruzen's expression shifted. Hidden within his sleeves, his hands clenched tightly, joints cracking under the force.
Koharu noticed immediately. Her eyes lit up.
She slowly stood and walked closer to him.
"Hiruzen, don't forget—you are a direct disciple of the Senju lineage. The Hokage position has always been a matter of inheritance."
"Back then, Uchiha Madara—the man most qualified to become Hokage—not only defected, but waged war against Konoha."
"The death of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was inseparably tied to Madara as well."
"The Uchiha Clan carries Madara's blood. What right do they have to covet the Hokage throne?"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Hiruzen's pupils contracted, a spark of excitement flashing deep within his eyes.
He set the birdcage aside, grabbed Koharu's hands with both of his, breathing growing rapid.
"Koharu… keep talking."
For the first time, he felt it—there might still be a way for him to reclaim the Hokage seat.
Koharu blushed slightly and glanced toward Homura.
"Hiruzen… there are still people here."
Hiruzen froze, quickly letting go, his expression awkward. He turned toward Homura, whose face had gone livid.
"Homura," Hiruzen said, gesturing politely, "why don't you step outside for a moment?"
Homura felt a dull ache in his chest.
For decades, he had remained unmarried, waiting for Koharu. He had always known she harbored feelings for Hiruzen, yet he believed that if Hiruzen ever settled down, she would eventually turn back toward him.
But even after Hiruzen married, Koharu never married anyone else.
Today, her shy reaction to Hiruzen's touch made everything painfully clear.
No matter how hard he tried, he could never compare to a single gesture from Hiruzen.
Homura removed his glasses and forced a bitter smile.
"I'll leave."
The words were spoken toward Hiruzen, but they were meant for Koharu.
She didn't respond. She didn't even look at him.
Homura turned away. That was the end.
After Homura left, Hiruzen returned to Koharu's side, his expression eager.
Koharu lowered her gaze, her voice soft.
"Don't speak. Kiss me… and I'll tell you the plan."
Hiruzen's eyelid twitched.
It felt like swallowing a fly—but for the Hokage position, he was willing to gamble everything.
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