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[NTU] [ARC-19] Chapter : 253
🕑 Added 2025-02-08 19:03:22 +0000 UTC"First and foremost, I once promised that Madara would become Hokage, yet in the end, due to various considerations, I failed to uphold that promise. Given the circumstances, it is only reasonable that Toshiro assume the position now."
Not only did the First Hokage acknowledge this, but even the Third Hokage and the others remained silent, offering no objections. It was clear they had anticipated this demand, and their previous proposal had been nothing more than to find the bottom line of Toshiro.
"Secondly, all three Hokage advisors must be replaced. One of them must be chosen by the Uchiha clan, while the remaining two must also receive our approval."
The role of Hokage advisor held significant influence over Konoha’s finances, personnel management, and intelligence operations. If Toshiro was to take the mantle of Hokage, he needed control over at least one of these critical areas.
Especially when it came to finance and personnel—trust was paramount. At the very least, those appointed could not be remnants of the Third Hokage’s administration.
Otherwise, he would be nothing more than a figurehead Hokage.
"This is..."
The Sandaime opened his mouth to speak, but it was clear he struggled to accept this condition.
The Hokage’s advisors served as a check on the Hokage’s authority. If they were to be replaced—especially with Uchiha-approved candidates—how could he maintain any control over the Hokage?
"There are two more conditions. If you agree to them, I’m willing to act as if this incident never happened."
Although the Sandaime and his faction found these terms difficult to accept, they refrained from any drastic actions. Toshiro, on the other hand, made no effort to conceal his demands and stated them outright.
"Tonight, half of all the ninja forces from the clans who sided with the Sandaime—must be reassigned as mission ninjas or stationed as border guards. Additionally, Kushina and her son must relocate to live with the Uchiha clan."
If a new leader doesn't have enough vacant positions to fill, how can he win the loyalty of those beneath him? If you expect people to follow you, you must at least offer them a place in your administration, right?
Moreover, the Sandaime and the powerful clans backing him currently control key positions in Konoha's governing bodies. If Toshiro were to become Hokage, would these officials obey him? Or would their true allegiance remain with their clan leaders—or worse, the Sandaime himself?
As for Kushina, that was merely a side consideration. Both she and her son held half of the Nine-Tails. Even if he couldn’t control them directly, he couldn’t allow the Sandaime to maintain his influence over them either.
"Hmm?"
Just as he finished stating his demands, Toshiro suddenly sensed a fluctuation in the Hiraishin mark within the space.
Without hesitation, his Mangekyō eyes activated, sending waves of spatial ripples spreading outward.
Then, a figure emerged from the swirling distortion.
"Oh! The Uchiha Gunbai!"
Toshiro’s lips curled into a smirk.
"It looks like we’ve had quite the catch this time."
Catching the gunbai tossed by his clone with one hand, Toshiro narrowed his eyes as he examined the Uchiha ancestral weapon. Without hesitation, he allowed the clone to merge back into his shadow.
At that moment, his mind absorbed the memories and experiences of the clone.
"This is—"
The Sandaime, who had been poised to object to Toshiro’s demands, froze in shock. The clan heads standing behind him shared his reaction, their expressions shifting at the unexpected development.
Could this be a space-time ninjutsu?
"Of course, I’m not unreasonable," Toshiro continued, his tone composed. "As a gesture of compromise, I will not pursue Hiruzen’s or any other person's, other than Danzo's, transgressions any further."
If he was going to claim the title of Hokage, certain concessions were inevitable. A leader couldn’t simply rule with brute force alone. Political struggles, negotiations, and strategic compromises were all part of the game.
"This..."
The Sandaime’s expression remained unreadable, but behind him, Nara Shikaku stared at his back, his mouth opening slightly before falling silent.
He had been prepared to step forward and voice his objection.
It wasn’t just him—the other clan heads, including those from the Sarutobi and Utatane clans, also hesitated. Their gazes flickered with frustration and discontent as they looked toward the Sandaime.
Losing half of their clans' members at once would be a devastating blow. The ramifications were too severe, and they desperately wanted to protest.
However, the reality was undeniable—Uchiha Toshiro was set to become the Fifth Hokage. With that now inevitable, the Sandaime was their last remaining shield against Toshiro’s impending dominance.
If Toshiro continued pressing the issue with Danzo and implicated the Sandaime, their only line of defense would crumble. In that scenario, they would be left completely vulnerable to the new Hokage’s authority.
They were well aware of how their clans had once stood alongside the Sandaime, working against the Uchiha.
But now, the tides had shifted. With an Uchiha poised to become Hokage, it was their turn to unite for survival. If the Sandaime were to fall, the consequences would be catastrophic for them.
—
Outside the Uchiha Compound.
"Still no news?"
A considerable amount of time had passed, yet neither the Hyūga's Byakugan nor the Aburame clan’s insects had managed to pierce the barrier and discern what was happening inside.
With each passing moment, the clan heads found it increasingly difficult to contain their growing anxiety.
"Enough! Stop arguing!"
Glaring at the restless leaders of the smaller clans around him, Hyūga Hiashi, overwhelmed by their agitation, finally lost his composure.
"The best news is that there hasn't been any fighting!"
Though he couldn't see what was happening inside the barrier, the reactions of the Aburame and Inuzuka clans reassured him that things hadn't escalated to the worst-case scenario.
"Brother, someone is coming out!"
Beside Hiashi, his brother Hizashi, dressed in simple attire, suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention.
"The person emerging from the barrier... it's Hatake Kakashi! And... he's heading straight for us!"
After a quick assessment, Hizashi identified the approaching figure.
"Hyūga clan leader, and everyone else..."
Standing before the gathered clan heads, Kakashi wasted no time.
"Please proceed to the Uchiha compound. There are important matters to discuss."
"Kakashi, what exactly happened in there?" Hiashi fixed his gaze on him, his patience wearing thin. "A discussion? About what?"
It wasn’t just Hiashi—every clan head present fixed their eyes on Kakashi, eagerly waiting for an explanation of what had transpired inside the barrier.
"This... the situation is too complex to sum up in a few words," Kakashi said, shaking his head. "You'll understand everything once you see it for yourselves."
There was simply too much to explain in such a short time, and he had other groups to notify. He couldn’t afford to waste time going into details.
"But to put it briefly—it's about the Sandaime stepping down and the Godaime restructuring Konoha’s leadership."
With that, Kakashi turned and made his way toward another gathering of Konoha shinobi.
Unlike the high-ranking clan heads assembled here, the other group consisted mostly of ordinary Jōnin. Their numbers far exceeded those of the clan leaders.
"The Sandaime is stepping down, and Konoha’s leadership is being reshuffled!"
Whispers and murmurs filled the air as discussions broke out among the gathered clans.
Kakashi had pinpointed the key details, and with just a few words, he had sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"Let's go!"
The moment Hiashi heard that the Sandaime had stepped down, he knew—the Uchiha had won. He hadn’t expected such an aggressive display from the Sandaime and his supporters, only for it to end in defeat.
But even more critical was the mention of new personnel appointments.
The transfer of power always brought instability, and for many smaller clans, it was an opportunity to rise. Throughout history, clans had leveraged moments like these to elevate their status.
The Hyūga could not afford to be left behind.
At the same time, his gaze shifted to the clan heads standing behind him, their eyes filled with uncertainty, and then to the group of civilian ninjas watching from afar.
Tonight… would be a night without rest—a night that would change everything.
Comments
Jose Miranda
Thanks for the chapter
