"Have you heard? Uchiha Ryūjin is actually acting as the Hokage. This is ridiculous."
"I really don't understand what the Konoha leadership is thinking. Are they seriously out of options?"
"...Now that you mention it, maybe they really are."
Voices like these filled every corner of Konoha.
From restaurants to taverns, from casinos to theaters, no matter the place, the same discussion echoed endlessly.
The news was simply too shocking.
After all, Ryūjin Uchiha was not only the one who killed the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also a member of the Uchiha Clan.
And since the founding of Konoha, no Uchiha had ever taken the position of Hokage.
---
Inside Ichiraku Ramen, two familiar figures sat across from each other.
Might Guy and Kurenai Yuhi.
Steam no longer rose from their bowls. The ramen had gone cold, yet neither of them touched it.
They had come here under the excuse of eating, but in truth, they were looking for someone to talk to.
"Kurenai, that guy Ryūjin is acting as Hokage now. Didn't see that coming."
Guy sighed, his usual energy subdued.
Kurenai lowered her gaze, her expression conflicted.
"Guy, do you really believe those claims? That the Hokage wanted to wipe out the Uchiha Clan and was killed by Ryūjin?"
Guy frowned slightly.
"So many people are saying it. It can't all be made up, right?"
Kurenai fell silent again.
She already knew the answer in her heart. She just could not accept it so quickly.
What she didn't know was that the truth was even more complicated than what the village believed.
Most villagers, including Genin like them who were not present that night, only knew a version shaped by what they had been told.
Her father, Shinku Yuhi, knew the truth.
But as a Jonin, he chose silence.
He only gave one warning.
Stay away from Ryūjin.
Kurenai clenched her fists.
"Damn it!"
She slammed the table, drawing a few glances.
"Why did things turn out like this? How am I supposed to face him now?"
Guy scratched his head, troubled.
"I've been thinking about that too… but the village already made its decision."
He looked up, a hint of resolve in his eyes.
"If the village accepts him, then maybe we should too."
More than anything, he was curious.
Just how strong was Ryūjin?
To think he had been hiding it all along.
---
"That's nonsense. I don't care what anyone says, I won't accept an Uchiha as Hokage."
"Exactly. Guy, have you lost your mind? Do you even know what kind of people they are?"
Voices of opposition quickly surrounded them.
Guy's expression hardened.
"Ryūjin is different! What do you even know about him?"
His response only drew more ridicule.
The Uchiha Clan had carried a negative reputation for too long. Even now, with the truth shifting in their favor, those deep-rooted impressions remained.
---
In contrast, the Uchiha Clan compound was filled with excitement.
"Ryūjin is acting Hokage now. Becoming the real Hokage is only a matter of time!"
"Our clan finally has a Hokage!"
"This calls for a celebration!"
The atmosphere was completely different from the rest of the village.
Within the clan, Ryūjin's prestige had reached its peak.
---
Inside the temporary command base, things remained controlled.
"Lord Nara Suzaku, the villagers are generally opposed to Ryūjin acting as Hokage. Some even tried to organize protests, but we stopped them."
An ANBU ninja reported.
Nara Suzaku nodded.
"That was expected."
He showed no concern.
Opposition was inevitable, but it was still manageable.
"Should we take further measures?" the ANBU asked.
Suzaku paused briefly, then made a decision.
"It's time."
"The Hidden Cloud Village has declared war. We will announce it."
There was no point hiding it anymore.
According to intelligence, the forces of Kumogakure had already assembled and begun advancing.
The news would spread soon anyway.
More importantly, the village needed to prepare.
"Notify everyone. Gather all villagers at the central square within thirty minutes."
---
The message spread quickly.
In less than half an hour, the central square was filled.
"I wonder what it is this time."
"Whatever it is, we should speak up today."
"That's right, we don't want the Uchiha as Hokage!"
"Let them hear us clearly!"
The crowd was restless, filled with determination.
They were ready to oppose.
---
Soon, the leaders appeared.
Koharu Utatane, Hizashi Hyuga, Nara Suzaku, and others stepped forward.
Before they could speak, the crowd erupted.
"We don't want Ryūjin as Hokage!"
"The Uchiha Clan is not qualified!"
The shouting grew louder.
Koharu raised her hand, trying to quiet them.
"Everyone, please listen."
It took effort, but the noise gradually died down.
Her expression turned serious.
"I regret to inform you… we have received confirmed intelligence."
"Right now, the Fourth Raikage, A, is leading three thousand ninja toward Konoha."
"The invasion we feared has begun."
---
Silence.
Not ordinary silence.
A complete absence of sound.
Every villager froze.
Then, the panic exploded.
"War again?"
"It's Kumogakure… how can we fight them now?"
"We're finished!"
"We don't even have a Hokage!"
Fear spread like wildfire.
Some people collapsed where they stood.
At this moment, no one cared about Ryūjin's position anymore.
---
"Everyone, do not panic!"
Koharu raised her voice.
"Even against Kumogakure, we have confidence!"
"Because our Acting Hokage, Ryūjin, possesses strength beyond your imagination!"
That statement shifted the crowd's focus.
"Now, let him speak."
---
A spatial distortion appeared.
A swirling vortex formed in front of everyone.
Then, Ryūjin stepped out.
The entire square fell silent again.
All eyes were on him.
"Listen up. I'm Ryūjin."
His voice was not loud, yet it carried across the entire square.
"The Hidden Cloud is coming. You're scared, I get it."
"You think Konoha is finished without the Hokage."
He paused briefly.
Then he let out a faint scoff.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Relax. Go about your lives."
"What is the Hidden Cloud to me? Nothing."
"If one comes, I kill one. If more come, I kill more."
"As long as they step into Konoha, they're not leaving."
"That's it."
---
The vortex appeared again.
Ryūjin vanished just as suddenly as he arrived.
The villagers stood frozen.
"Did he just say… nothing?"
"He'd kill as many as they come?"
"Is he serious?"
Instead of reassurance, his words made things worse.
If anything, he sounded completely unreliable.
Still, no one voiced opposition anymore.
At a time like this, causing internal conflict would only make things worse.
---
Unlike the civilians, the leadership felt something entirely different.
Excitement.
They had seen Ryūjin's strength firsthand.
Even the Kurama had been treated like nothing in front of him.
What threat could Kumogakure pose?
The only concern was their numbers.
---
"Konoha is now under wartime alert."
Suzaku stepped forward and issued orders.
"All civilians must cooperate with ninja instructions. Prepare for evacuation if necessary."
"Even in the worst case, enemy forces will not target civilians."
"Return home and prepare immediately."
---
The village shifted instantly.
Orders were issued one after another.
Ninja squads mobilized.
Civilians rushed to prepare supplies.
The entire village moved under a single atmosphere.
Tension.
Everything pointed toward the coming war.