The selection of the Third Hokage had finally come to an end.
And the news of Uchiha Ren's overwhelming victory swept through Konoha like wildfire.
Rumors spread even faster.
According to whispered accounts from those who claimed to have witnessed the scene, Lady Mito Uzumaki had been beaten so badly by Uchiha Ren that her face was swollen beyond recognition—forced to cover it with cloth before returning to the Senju compound.
Of course, the Senju clan responded immediately.
Rumors. Pure fabrication.
Anyone caught spreading such nonsense would be invited to "have a seat" with the ANBU.
Lady Mito, they declared, had simply chosen to yield—making way for the younger generation out of goodwill.
In the end, she had only narrowly lost to Uchiha Ren.
The Senju mobilized their full influence, pushing this narrative through every corner of the village.
Some things… simply couldn't be allowed to stain the clan's name.
But no matter how hard they tried—
Their version of events was quickly drowned out.
Because a far more explosive truth had taken hold.
Uchiha Ren…
Was about to become the Third Hokage.
For generations, the position of Hokage had been monopolized by the Senju.
Now—
The balance had shifted.
The Uchiha were rising.
And Konoha's many clans?
They had always been masters of adaptation.
Whoever stood on top—
Was the one they supported.
Almost overnight, the entrance to the Uchiha compound became crowded beyond belief.
Delegations arrived in endless streams.
Clan leaders.
Representatives.
Envoys.
All seeking allegiance.
All bearing gifts.
Uchiha Ren welcomed them all.
After all—
Those who wished to stand under the Uchiha's protection in the future… couldn't possibly arrive empty-handed.
Every envelope was thick.
And those that weren't?
He simply didn't meet.
This was the way of the world.
No one needed it explained.
Ren met most of the minor clans briefly—just enough to put a face to a name.
Whether they would be used in the future?
That was another matter entirely.
But while he might forget who came—
He would never forget who didn't.
His real attention, however, was reserved for the major players.
Bloodline clans.
Secret technique clans.
Among them—
The Hyuga arrived in high spirits.
Hyuga Takuma personally came to visit, bringing generous gifts.
The Uchiha and Hyuga were currently in a rare period of harmony, and with Ren ascending to the Hokage's seat, the Hyuga stood to gain immensely.
But what caught Ren's attention…
Was the girl standing beside him.
Hyuga Asuka.
A main branch member.
Only twelve years old.
After the initial pleasantries, Hyuga Takuma eagerly introduced her.
She wore a pale yellow kimono, her posture refined and composed. There was a maturity in her demeanor beyond her age, though traces of youthful innocence still lingered.
Her features were delicate.
Striking.
She bore a resemblance to a younger Hinata's sister—but steadier. More composed.
Takuma praised her without restraint.
The finest young talent of the Hyuga main house.
His intentions were clear.
Uchiha Ren had already stepped into the top tier of the shinobi world. Once he took control of Konoha, his reign could last decades.
For the future of the clan—
What was the cost of one girl?
Even if it meant the risk of bloodline dilution…
It was worth it.
Because if things went well—
If Uchiha Ren and Hyuga Asuka were to have children…
A fusion of Uchiha and Hyuga blood—
The result would be nothing short of extraordinary.
A genius among geniuses.
And as Ren's child—
A future Hokage candidate.
In a sense…
Wouldn't that mean the Hyuga had also produced a Hokage?
The potential rewards far outweighed the risks.
The Hyuga had always pursued one thing—
Continuation.
Prosperity.
Dignity was negotiable.
Uchiha Ren studied Takuma's enthusiastic expression.
Then glanced at the girl.
So this was matchmaking.
Even he—who no longer considered himself bound by conventional morality—found it a bit excessive.
A twelve-year-old.
And yet—
The girl showed no resistance.
Konoha had only existed for twenty years.
The remnants of the Warring States era still lingered.
Once a girl reached maturity—
She was considered ready to bear children.
After all—
Shinobi had short lives.
Death was always close.
Still—
Ren had no intention of crossing that line.
He deflected the matter with vague words and moved on.
Takuma didn't press further.
This was only the beginning.
There would be time.
Plenty of time.
—
The meetings continued.
One after another.
Until finally—
Night fell.
And the Uchiha's celebration began.
—
Naka Shrine.
Every member of the Uchiha clan had gathered.
Even those without awakened Sharingan were present.
Fireworks exploded into the sky.
Again.
And again.
Turning the night into blazing daylight.
After the display, Ren was dragged away by the clan elders.
To the ancestral hall.
They stood before the tablets—
Tears streaming down their faces.
Crying openly.
Laughing through their grief.
Praising him endlessly.
"The hope of the Uchiha!"
"The strongest Hokage Konoha has ever seen!"
From the founding of the village—
The Uchiha had been suppressed for twenty years.
Now—
At last—
They had risen.
Even Ren felt a hint of embarrassment under the flood of praise.
Some of the titles they threw at him…
Were ones even Sarutobi Hiruzen had once borne.
He knew better.
If he were to face Senju Hashirama now—
He would likely end up no better than the Nine-Tails.
Crushed.
Effortlessly.
—
After the ceremony came the banquet.
And then—
The drinking.
Relentless.
Endless.
Ren could hold his liquor.
But even he couldn't withstand the entire clan taking turns.
Cup after cup.
Round after round.
Until finally—
He was dragged back home by Kuro.
Half-conscious.
—
While the Uchiha celebrated under blazing lights—
The Senju compound was silent.
Dark.
The Hokage position—
Passed down through two generations—
Had been taken.
By the Uchiha.
For the Senju—
It was humiliation beyond words.
—
Deep beneath the compound—
In a hidden laboratory—
Old instruments remained.
Dust-covered records.
Stacks of research notes.
This was once Tobirama Senju's experimental chamber.
Senju Toma stood in the dim light.
From the deepest storage—
He retrieved a sealed file.
"Clan head… are we really going to restart the cell experiments?"
The voice behind him trembled.
Senju Taori.
A loyal subordinate.
He had seen it before.
The experiments.
The results.
Every volunteer—
Dead.
Without exception.
Bodies twisted.
Screaming.
Unrecognizable.
Even now, the memory made his stomach churn.
"I need power."
Toma's voice was low.
Cold.
"The Uchiha have already stepped on the Senju."
"If I want to take back the Hokage's seat—"
"I need something greater."
His eyes burned with hatred.
Ren's mocking expression—
Still lingered in his mind.
Unforgettable.
Unforgivable.
"…And Lady Mito?"
Taori asked carefully.
Toma waved his hand.
"Keep your mouth shut."
"I'll handle her."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Only obsession.
And in the silence that followed—
The sealed file slowly opened.
Something long buried—
Was about to awaken.
And this time—
There would be no turning back.
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