With a loud "whoosh," the conference hall erupted the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking.
"Third Hokage-sama, you're being too modest! You're still in your prime!"
"That's right! If it weren't for the Third Hokage's wise leadership, Konoha would never have developed to where it is today."
"Konoha is truly fortunate to have the Third Hokage!"
…
The shinobi gathered in the large conference hall began speaking one after another, praising Hiruzen's achievements and offering comforting words.
However, if one listened carefully, it became clear that although everyone was offering consolation, very few were actually trying to persuade him to stay. In fact, quite a few had already begun addressing him as "Third Hokage" rather than simply "Hokage," as they had before.
Standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō maintained a stiff expression. Yet the corners of his mouth kept twitching upward, a smile he simply could not suppress.
Seeing this, Hiruzen inwardly sighed and raised a hand.
"Alright. Quiet."
The voices in the conference hall gradually died down as everyone turned their attention back to him.
Hiruzen spoke solemnly.
"This matter is settled. In three days, I will travel to the Fire Daimyō's court to formally submit my resignation."
"At the same time, a village cannot remain leaderless. Until the Fourth Hokage is chosen, I will temporarily continue performing the Hokage's duties and maintain order in the village."
The reactions among the shinobi varied. Some appeared calm, believing this arrangement only natural. Others seemed thoughtful, as if they had realized something deeper.
At that moment, Uchiha Ren suddenly cleared his throat.
"Third Hokage-sama, may I ask when the selection for the Fourth Hokage will begin—and what the process will be?"
The entire conference hall fell silent.
Countless surprised gazes turned toward Uchiha Ren .
This kid is bold.
To ask such a question at a time like this… truly worthy of being an Uchiha.
A glint flashed through Hiruzen's eyes as he looked at him.
"You're Uchiha Ren , correct? From the way you speak, you seem rather eager. What is it—are you planning to run for Hokage yourself?"
Ren smiled faintly and shook his head.
"Of course not. With the three elders and so many respected seniors here, the Hokage position would never fall to someone like me. I'm well aware of that."
"I'm just curious about the election process. I'd like to cast a vote myself—just to be part of the occasion."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen neither agreed nor disagreed. Instead, he continued asking:
"And who exactly would you vote for?"
"I don't have a specific candidate yet," Ren said seriously.
"But I once heard that Elder Shimura said he wanted to lead Konoha all the way to the moon."
"So if Elder Danzō decides to run, I'll definitely vote for him."
For a moment, the entire conference hall froze.
Hiruzen—and everyone else present—instinctively turned to look at Shimura Danzō.
Danzō himself was stunned.
Did I ever say something like that?
Soon afterward, however, many people quietly shook their heads.
The hostility between the Uchiha clan and Danzō was well known throughout Konoha. Clearly, Uchiha Ren was just mocking him—it couldn't possibly be taken seriously.
Still, one had to admit: the kid had guts.
To openly retaliate against Danzō in a setting like this…
Truly worthy of being an Uchiha.
Danzō's eyes widened as he glared at Ren .
"What exactly are you trying to pull, brat?!"
Ren looked wronged.
"I'm just trying to vote for you, Elder Shimura. I'm not trying to do anything else. If you don't want to become Hokage, just pretend I didn't say anything. There's no need to glare at me like that."
"You—!"
Danzō was furious, yet unable to respond.
Did he want to become Hokage?
Of course he did.
He wanted it so badly he was nearly obsessed with it.
But he couldn't say it out loud.
Everyone present knew perfectly well what kind of man Shimura Danzō was.
If he openly declared that he wanted to become Hokage, many of them would likely oppose him immediately and crush his ambitions on the spot.
But if he said he didn't want the position…
Then what if he really became Hokage someday?
Wouldn't that make him look like a hypocrite?
What would the village think of him then?
For a moment, Danzō found himself completely trapped in an impossible situation.
"Ahem."
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly, stepping in to rescue Danzō from the awkward predicament.
"Enough. The Hokage election is not a trivial matter. At the very least, we must wait until the majority of the village's shinobi have returned before making such decisions."
"In roughly ten days, the shinobi stationed on the various battlefronts will return to the village. At that time, we will formally discuss the details of selecting the Fourth Hokage."
"In the meantime, everyone may consider suitable candidates. When the time comes, we will first determine several nominees, and then the entire body of Konoha's jōnin will conduct a unified vote to decide the outcome."
The shinobi in the conference hall nodded one after another.
Just as Hiruzen had said, selecting a Hokage should indeed wait until most of the village's shinobi had returned. Otherwise, any rushed decision might fail to win the village's support.
"That concludes this topic," Hiruzen said after a pause.
"Next, we will discuss the compensation for shinobi who died in the war, the subsidies for those who were injured or disabled, and the merit rewards for shinobi who served on the various battlefields."
The room subtly stiffened.
Almost instinctively, many people turned to look at Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Ren , who were seated on the right side.
After all, everyone knew that the recent turmoil in the village had been triggered by this very issue.
Several small-clan leaders and civilian shinobi who had just returned from the frontlines looked toward Fugaku with expressions that were seven parts sympathy and three parts gratitude.
They were not ordinary villagers.
They understood the inner workings of the village far better than the general populace and were not easily swayed by rumors.
If the Uchiha clan had not stood firm under pressure and taken the blame upon themselves, these smaller clans would have been placed in an extremely difficult position.
If the Uchiha had taken the lead in giving up their compensation and rewards, those smaller clans might have been forced to follow suit.
Unlike the powerful Uchiha clan, they did not possess such deep resources. Losing those funds could have severely damaged their families.
But now the Uchiha had taken the brunt of the political storm and stood at the center of the controversy.
As a result, many others had been spared serious trouble.
Naturally, they owed the Uchiha clan some gratitude.
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared not to notice the subtle atmosphere in the room and continued speaking.
"Previously, the village's finances were strained. Because of that, we had no choice but to attempt certain… unreasonable measures."
"But since they were unreasonable, there is no need to mention them again."
"I have already decided that when I travel to the Fire Daimyō's court to submit my resignation, I will set aside my pride and request a new allocation of funds."
"So please remain patient. The matters of compensation, subsidies, and rewards will be discussed again after I return from the Daimyō's residence."
Many people in the conference hall visibly relaxed.
One after another, they praised the Hokage's wisdom.
After all—
As long as they received their money, everything else could be discussed later.
Hiruzen shook his head slightly.
"That will be all. The meeting is adjourned."
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