With Tobirama Senju finally buried—
The selection of the Third Hokage was immediately pushed onto the table.
The Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan jointly sent invitations—
Summoning all major clans of Konoha to a formal meeting.
The Senju—
Had no choice but to attend.
If they didn't—
Uchiha Ren would likely declare himself Hokage the next day—
"Unanimously elected."
—
The meeting hall filled quickly.
Clan heads.
Senior members.
All present.
—
Hiashi Hyuga ancestor (Hyuga Takuma equivalent) spoke first:
"With the Second Hokage laid to rest, Konoha cannot remain leaderless."
"It is time to choose the Third Hokage."
All eyes—
Turned to Mito Uzumaki.
—
She spoke calmly.
"Tobirama made his choice before his death."
No one was surprised.
The rumor had already spread.
—
"That person…"
"…is Hiruzen Sarutobi."
—
Silence.
Then—
Unspoken disbelief.
To most—
This was a joke.
Now—
It wasn't.
—
"Lady Mito…"
Takuma frowned slightly.
"…Hiruzen is not suitable, is he?"
The tone was polite.
But firm.
—
"I agree."
"So do I."
Voices rose.
One-sided.
Overwhelming opposition.
—
"Enough."
Mito cut through the noise.
"Regardless, this was Tobirama's will."
"Let Hiruzen speak."
Her gaze flicked—
A signal.
The stage is yours.
—
Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
This moment—
He had prepared for it countless times.
He stepped forward.
Heart steady.
Mind clear.
—
"Everyone… the future of Konoha—"
He began.
Passionate.
Earnest.
Speaking of peace.
Balance.
Recovery.
And above all—
The Will of Fire.
—
But—
No one cared.
At least—
Not really.
—
Uchiha Ren glanced sideways.
At Uchiha Inabi.
A look.
A signal.
Your turn.
—
"Stay sharp."
"Don't embarrass yourself."
Ren muttered.
Inabi smirked.
Understood.
—
Then—
He stood up.
—
"Oi!"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
"I'll f*** your mother!"
The room froze.
—
"You—some nobody from a small clan!"
"A coward who ran back from the battlefield!"
"What right do you have to stand there talking nonsense?!"
"You want to be Hokage?"
"Let me tell you—"
"NO WAY!!"
—
Explosion.
—
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Ren burst into laughter.
Loud.
Unrestrained.
—
And then—
The room followed.
Clan heads.
Leaders.
All laughing.
No one—
Had been listening anyway.
They were only giving Mito face.
—
Everyone knew the truth:
Only two factions mattered now.
Senju.
Uchiha.
—
Hiruzen?
Irrelevant.
—
Mockery filled the hall.
Hiruzen's face turned red.
He froze.
Humiliated.
Completely.
—
His fists clenched.
His eyes burned into Inabi.
If looks could kill—
—
Uchiha…
Evil…
Just like sensei said…
They should not exist in Konoha.
—
In that moment—
A seed was planted.
—
Mito frowned.
Disappointed.
This is all you can handle?
Uchiha hasn't even begun.
—
Then—
Ren stood.
The laughter died instantly.
—
"I—Uchiha Ren."
"Clan head of the Uchiha."
"Have always taken protecting Konoha as my duty."
"I believe—"
"I am more suited to be Hokage."
—
He paused.
Then smiled.
—
"But…"
"Since Tobirama chose you—"
"You must have some merit."
—
"I'll give you a chance."
—
"Defeat me."
—
"And I will personally lead the Uchiha to support you as Third Hokage."
—
Silence.
Total.
—
The real game—
Had begun.
—
Hiruzen turned instinctively toward Mito.
Hope in his eyes.
She had promised—
To deal with the Uchiha.
—
But now—
She didn't even look at him.
—
Her voice was cold.
—
"Hiruzen."
"Accept it."
—
"To become Hokage—"
"You must prove your strength."
—
And just like that—
He understood.
—
He had been pushed forward.
Not as a leader—
But as a test.
A piece.
On the board.
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