In the massive crater, there was no trace of Hiruzen Sarutobi or Danzo Shimura. They had been completely obliterated—nothing left behind.
No one present felt any extra sympathy.
If you involve yourself in a struggle that doesn't belong to you, this is the outcome.
People should know their limits.
The clan heads were already planning to hold internal meetings. Hiruzen and Danzō were perfect examples—arrogance only led to death, and even dragged their clans down with them.
The Shimura clan had already been erased from Konoha.
As for the Sarutobi clan—
How much better could their fate be?
At best, they would survive in humiliation for decades, waiting for the Uchiha to forget.
"Looks like Tobirama Senju's judgment wasn't that great."
"The successor he chose couldn't even shoulder Konoha's burden."
Uchiha Ren spoke calmly, then shifted his gaze toward Mito Uzumaki.
The previous fight had only been an appetizer.
The real key to becoming Hokage—
Was dealing with her.
"Who else wants to become Hokage?"
"Step forward now."
"Konoha is democratic. As long as you have the will to protect it, you have the right to compete."
"That was the First Hokage's vision!"
Ren's voice rang out clearly as he swept his gaze across the room.
No one stood up.
No one dared to say—
"I want to be Hokage."
The example was right in front of them.
Ren's blade was still dripping with blood.
Step forward—
And it became a life-or-death battle.
Who would willingly throw their life away?
Standing beside Mito, Senju Toma had a grave expression.
Ren's strength had reached this level?
He had killed Hiruzen and Danzō as easily as slaughtering chickens.
No weaknesses.
S-rank techniques used casually.
Master-level swordsmanship.
As for genjutsu—
That didn't even need to be mentioned.
Even though Ren hadn't used it, trying to compete in genjutsu against the Sharingan would only invite ridicule.
And yet—
This was only the three-tomoe Sharingan.
He hadn't even used the Mangekyō.
That was the information Toma truly wanted.
It was said the Mangekyō granted two powerful abilities.
He had never seen Madara Uchiha use them.
Back then, battles were simply clashes of giants.
Toma hesitated.
Against Ren—
He would most likely die.
Knowing that—
Should he still step forward?
He couldn't.
He still had too many ties.
Tsunade.
His wife.
His mother.
He couldn't throw his life away.
But—
If he hesitated—
Ren would become Hokage.
Mito had been observing him the entire time.
She could see his hesitation clearly.
With Ren's methods—
He would not show mercy.
If Toma stepped out—
He would die.
"Then I shall try."
Mito finally stepped forward.
If her son wasn't enough—
Then the mother would take his place.
The Senju—
Had finally made their move.
Her strength was unquestionable.
Whether Ren could defeat her—
No one knew.
But at this point—
The outcome no longer mattered.
In the crowd, Hyuga Takuma couldn't hide his excitement.
Ren's strength far exceeded his expectations.
And what they had just seen—
Was only the tip of the iceberg.
The Uchiha now had someone to carry their future.
Meanwhile, Toma looked dim in comparison.
Even if Mito won and became Hokage—
How many years could she still live?
The Uchiha—
Had already secured the future.
Once Mito died—
Konoha would belong to them.
He had bet correctly.
"Good. I was hoping for this."
Ren smiled and deliberately glanced at Toma.
Blatant mockery.
Toma clenched his fists.
He had never suffered such humiliation.
All his life—
He had been the one crushing others.
Power…
At this moment, he desperately longed for the strength of Hashirama Senju.
If he had inherited Wood Release—
Everything would be different.
Suddenly—
A memory surfaced.
An experiment.
One that Tobirama had forcibly halted.
Toma fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, Mito had already stepped forward, standing opposite Ren, donning armor she hadn't worn in years.
Ding!
Mangekyō Sharingan Experience Card −1
Ren activated the Mangekyō without hesitation.
This was not the time to hold back.
If Mito lost control—
The three-tomoe Sharingan wouldn't be enough to suppress the Nine-Tails.
Even Pain had been battered by Four-Tails Naruto.
Nagato had struggled to contain him even with Chibaku Tensei.
Better safe than dead.
Good luck.
Ren felt the power in his eyes.
This time—
He had drawn Obito Uchiha's Mangekyō.
Kamui.
A top-tier survival ability.
Attack or escape—
Both were possible.
Maybe—
He could find an opportunity to land a decisive strike.
"Mito-sama, this place is too small."
"Shall we change locations?"
Ren looked around.
They were too close to the center of Konoha.
If she unleashed the Nine-Tails—
And he used Susanoo—
One clash could level the village.
The cost to rebuild—
Would be unimaginable.
"Agreed."
Mito nodded.
A single strike from the Nine-Tails was equivalent to an S-rank technique.
Same for Susanoo.
Fighting here—
Would destroy Konoha.
"The Forest of Death."
The vast forests surrounding Konoha were filled with dangerous beasts.
Many villagers had died there.
Over time—
It earned its name.
"Acceptable."
Mito nodded.
It was suitable.
Though—
She had preferred the Valley of the End.
The place where Hashirama and Madara fought their final battle.
Where the result was known to all.
Hashirama's narrow victory.
Madara's defeat.
She represented the Senju.
Ren represented the Uchiha.
If she won there—
The political meaning would be immense.
As long as the Senju stood—
The Uchiha would always remain beneath them.
Unfortunately—
It was too far.
They couldn't afford the time.
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