Konoha: Reforge the glory of Uchiha!

The normal path to becoming Hokage wasn't feasible with Senju Tobirama around, so Uchiha Nan had only one option: to wait. Even though Uchiha Nan possessed a trump card—a Mangekyō Sharingan Experience Card that could compete with Senju Tobirama for a short time—there was little he could do with it. After all, Senju Tobirama had killed Uchiha Izuna, who also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Uchiha Nan couldn't expect to rally the Uchiha clan for a coup, so it seemed more prudent to find a way to join Uchiha Madara, who was hiding in a cave. At least Uchiha Madara did not discriminate based on clan, unlike Hashirama's equal-opportunity biases.

Uchiha Nan was reluctant to use the Mangekyō Sharingan Experience Card, which he regarded as a treasure, on Senju Tobirama. No one knew how many forbidden techniques Senju Tobirama had developed to counter the Uchiha. If you wanted to know, you could only find out by reading the Book of Sealing after becoming Hokage.

But now, Uchiha Nan had made it through. By tonight, Senju Tobirama's body should be cold.

Thinking of this, the disappointment of the bad card draw faded from Uchiha Nan's heart. He couldn't help but feel happy, a wanton smile spreading across his face, turning into the ancestral laughter of the Uchiha.

"Hahahaha"

"Hehehe!!"

"Cough, cough, cough, I choked on my saliva."

Uchiha Nan coughed twice, then suddenly heard two cat meows as a black cat flipped in through the window. The cat habitually jumped onto Uchiha Nan's bed, sweeping its tail twice before sitting down:

"Nan, I got the news."

"There really was an ambush during the negotiations between Konoha and the Raikage this time. Just as you guessed, the Second Hokage led the pursuers away alone. It was a disaster."

The black cat licked the hair on its paw, changed its sleeping position, and lay on its belly on the soft mattress with its legs sprawled. Uchiha Nan sat beside it, skillfully stroking its fur.

"I got the news from Chachi this time. It took a lot of effort to pry it out of his mouth."

"Good job, little Manji."

Manji was Uchiha Nan's summoning beast, and Chachi was Uchiha Kagami's summoning beast. The Uchiha clan and the Ninja Cat clan had been allies for generations. The Ninja Cats under Grandma Cat often signed contracts with the Uchiha clan.

Ninja Cats were small and agile, skilled in gathering information, with special intelligence channels in the ninja world.

After Uchiha Nan showed his talent at the Ninja School, Grandma Cat arranged for Manji to sign a contract with him. At that time, Manji was still a little guy.

Over the years, Uchiha Nan had gone on missions outside the village, facing life and death with Manji several times. Uchiha Nan trusted Manji for information gathering.

"How are you going to thank me?"

Manji purred contentedly, enjoying Uchiha Nan's petting.

"Three bottles of catnip!"

"No, double it!"

Manji's tail flicked, showing dissatisfaction.

"No problem!"

Uchiha Nan was in a good mood, immediately taking out a can of catnip from the drawer and tossing it to Manji.

"I'll buy you the remaining five bottles tomorrow."

Manji eagerly opened the can, grabbing a handful and savoring it. "This is the taste, the stuff is very pure."

"aa+!"

Manji showed an expression of great enjoyment, spreading the catnip on the bed and rolling in it with delight.

"Manji, make sure the ninja cats who are friendly with you stay in Konoha these days and gather information for me."

"Manji? Manji?"

Manji's eyes glazed over, his tongue lolling, and his paws mechanically stuffing the catnip into his mouth. It was clear he was high on catnip.

Forget it, Uchiha Nan thought. He couldn't count on Manji for now. Sarutobi Hiruzen and his team hadn't returned yet, and the news of Tobirama's death hadn't reached Konoha. Let the situation unfold on its own.

Sleep!

A few days later, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his team hurried back to Konoha. They didn't bring news of a ceasefire, but rather, news that could shake all of Konoha.

The negotiations between Konoha and the Raikage had broken down. The Raikage was killed by his subordinates Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and Senju Tobirama died in battle.

Senju Clan Territory

"Tobirama, he's dead?"

"How is it possible? How could Tobirama die?"

Uzumaki Mito, who had just received the news, stood in shock, unable to comprehend the devastating news. She couldn't imagine her brother-in-law Tobirama dying.

In Mito's memory, Tobirama was always calm and resourceful. After Hashirama's death, he managed Konoha with great order.

His strength was among the top in the ninja world. That he didn't die during the Warring States Period but sacrificed himself during a ceasefire agreement was beyond belief for Mito.

Uzumaki Mito looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, hoping for clarification, but reality was harsh. Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent, fearing to provoke Mito further.

Tears flowed from Mito's eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, fixing Sarutobi Hiruzen with a sharp gaze.

"Tell the whole story from beginning to end, don't miss a word!"

Uzumaki Mito's tone was cold, her emotions unstable, and her chakra flared with her words.

The Uzumaki clan's chakra was already strong, and as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Mito's chakra fluctuations were overwhelming, making Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others breathless.

Konoha had just ended a war. The First Ninja World War lasted eight years. Even though Konoha was strong, the prolonged conflict had left it severely weakened.

At this critical moment, the village's leader had died. If the situation wasn't handled well, Konoha might fall apart.

"Yes, Lady Mito."

Sarutobi Hiruzen repeatedly affirmed and recounted the negotiation between the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama and the Second Raikage, and their ambush by Kinkaku and Ginkaku. He detailed how Tobirama sacrificed himself to allow his group to escape.

In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't forget to mention that Tobirama had appointed him as the Third Hokage before his death.

Uzumaki Mito interrupted several times, asking for specifics and having Sarutobi Hiruzen repeat himself. Everyone else present also recounted the events.

Combined with the Nine-Tails' special emotional perception, Uzumaki Mito concluded that Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were telling the truth.

Uzumaki Mito looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a complicated expression, doubting Tobirama's judgment for the first time. Were these young ones worth Tobirama's sacrifice?

And was this Sarutobi Hiruzen truly worthy of the Hokage position?