"Since Ryūjin has agreed to take the position of Hokage, there are two major problems we need to resolve next."
Uchiha Fugaku spoke as the elders gathered around him.
"First, Konoha is in a critical state. The nomination of a Hokage does not need to follow the usual procedures right now. We can push Ryūjin forward under the authority of the Uchiha Clan."
"This part is simple."
"The difficult part comes afterward. Every Hokage candidate must pass a vote of confidence from the Jonin, including the Tokubetsu Jonin, before officially taking office."
"This is the first problem."
"The second issue is the reaction of the villagers. Ryūjin's actions tonight were... harsh. The civilians may strongly resist."
"Even if the Jonin approve, if the villagers oppose it entirely, the situation will become extremely awkward."
The room fell into discussion as Fugaku and the elders carefully analyzed the situation.
In the end, everything came down to two points.
How to secure the support of the Jonin.
And how to deal with public opinion among the villagers.
The elders debated intensely, offering various strategies, each more complicated than the last.
Ryūjin listened for a while before letting out a quiet scoff.
"You're all overthinking it."
All eyes turned toward him.
"Power like mine doesn't need approval," he said plainly. "It forces approval."
He stood up, stretching slightly.
"You can keep talking. I'll go have a chat with the Jonin."
"They're probably already gathered, trying to figure out how to deal with us."
The moment his words fell, Ryūjin entered Sage Mode.
His perception expanded instantly, covering the entirety of Konoha.
It didn't take long to locate what he was looking for.
Inside the Hyuga Clan compound, numerous powerful chakra signatures were gathered.
Some were easy to identify.
The distinct Yin Release of the Nara Clan.
The Yang Release of the Akimichi Clan.
The feral presence of the Inuzuka.
The quiet, almost unsettling signatures of the Aburame.
With just a glance through his perception, Ryūjin understood exactly who was present.
"Found you."
With a thought, a spatial vortex formed in front of him.
The swirling distortion pulled him in, and he vanished instantly.
The elders stared at the empty space he left behind.
"Space-time dōjutsu...," one elder muttered, unable to hide his envy.
"From what we've seen, he possesses multiple dōjutsu," another added. "Including the Rinnegan... and even the Tenseigan."
"What kind of monster is he..."
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Hyuga Clan compound was the complete opposite.
Heavy. Oppressive.
The remaining high-level figures of Konoha had gathered.
Hyuga Hizashi.
Morino Ibiki.
Nara Shikaku.
Akimichi Chōza.
Yamanaka Inoichi.
And many others.
They had been discussing for a long time, yet no solution had emerged.
The gap in strength was simply too large.
Not just the Uchiha Clan, but Ryūjin alone was enough to crush everything.
"I understand how everyone feels," Nara Shikaku finally said, standing up. His expression was grim. "But we need to focus on what matters most right now."
"It's not revenge."
"It's not dealing with Ryūjin."
"It's survival."
The room fell silent.
"The Uchiha Clan has already broken away. If they attack again, can we stop them with what we have left?"
No one answered.
"That's just the internal problem," Shikaku continued. "If other villages learn about this, what do you think will happen?"
The silence deepened.
"Konoha is at the edge of collapse. One wrong move, and the village is finished."
"Suzaku... what do you suggest?" Hyuga Hizashi asked after a moment.
Shikaku clenched his fists slightly.
"We appease the Uchiha Clan."
Even saying it seemed difficult.
"We make concessions if necessary. We cannot afford further losses."
"Ridiculous!"
Morino Ibiki slammed his hand on the table.
"So many people are dead. And we're supposed to bow to him?"
"That's reality," Shikaku replied coldly. "Unless the First Hokage comes back to life, no one here can stop him."
"Do you want to see more bodies pile up?"
Ibiki's jaw tightened.
"I understand... I just don't accept it."
"For Konoha to survive, something has to be sacrificed," Shikaku said. "Even dignity."
His gaze swept across the room.
"I'm willing to bear that. What about the rest of you?"
No one spoke.
Then suddenly, a voice echoed through the hall.
"As expected of the Nara Clan. At least one of you can think straight."
Everyone's expressions changed instantly.
They knew that voice.
A spatial vortex appeared in the center of the room.
From within it, Ryūjin stepped out.
He stood there casually, yet the pressure he brought made the air itself feel heavier.
Some Jonin instinctively reached for their weapons.
Others broke into cold sweat.
"Uchiha Ryūjin..." Ibiki said through clenched teeth. "What are you doing here?"
Ryūjin ignored him completely and walked forward.
"Since everyone important is here, I'll make this simple."
He stopped at the center of the room.
"I'm taking the position of Fifth Hokage."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The statement was so outrageous that no one could respond immediately.
A man who had just slaughtered half the village's leadership was now declaring himself Hokage.
"That's it," Ryūjin said lightly. "Who agrees, who disagrees?"
The tension in the room exploded.
"This is absurd!" Yamanaka Inoichi snapped. "Do you think you can just do whatever you want?"
Ryūjin didn't bother replying.
His eyes shifted into the Rinnegan.
He raised a hand.
Inoichi's body lifted into the air against his will.
In an instant, Ryūjin had him by the throat.
Inoichi struggled, his limbs flailing uselessly. His strength meant nothing in front of Ryūjin.
"You think this is loyalty?" Ryūjin said coldly. "This is stupidity."
"People who can't read the situation are just liabilities."
Several Jonin charged forward in anger.
"Shinra Tensei."
With a flick of his hand, they were blasted away.
No one dared move after that.
"Enough!" Shikaku shouted. "Everyone, stop!"
The room steadied.
"Ryūjin is right," he said, his voice heavy. "We don't have a choice."
He turned toward Ryūjin.
"I agree. You will be the Fifth Hokage."
The words seemed to drain all his strength.
Hizashi clenched his fists tightly before speaking.
"...I also agree."
One by one, the resistance broke.
No one openly objected anymore.
They were furious, humiliated, but they understood reality.
Ryūjin scanned the room.
"Anyone else?"
No response.
"Good."
He nodded slightly.
"Then it's settled."
His expression turned colder.
"Understand this. Konoha needs me, not the other way around."
"You think I care about being Hokage?"
"If I feel like it, I'll walk away anytime."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"You have seven days."
"Handle the Jonin vote. Handle the villagers."
"Or I'm done."
With that, space twisted again.
Ryūjin disappeared, leaving behind a room filled with anger, silence, and helpless acceptance.